I get back-logged treats, right?

Spode is home! That was the longest three weeks of my life, old sports. I gotta tell you, I was kind of annoyed when she first showed up. She called me over and I just looked at her and then went back to my grass. She laughed and said, "is this some kind of silent treatment, Gatsby?" Yeah, you bet it is! How could you leave me for a city! Meanie. I figured Spode might walk over to me, but no dice. Eventually I couldn't resist anymore so I came over to her. Okay, I missed you and I can't hide it--welcome home, Spode!! Now where's my apple?

Spode's pockets did not disappoint, and after I had my treats and she had her hugs and kisses, we headed to the barn.

Right back to routine, huh?

Spode started working on my very sun burnt, bleached, dirty coat. She was most frustrated by my mane. 

Haha! Looks neat and tidy doesn't it? But it annoys Spode to no end that it's on the wrong side! All a ploy. 

After a decent grooming and a whole lot more kisses, we went to the arena for some play time. 

Can't you just let me stand here instead of running?

Or we could just hang out, you know.

We did end up hanging out quite a bit. I also played follow the leader with Spode. I like to see her trot too. She's too slow for me though! I kept getting ahead of her once we had been running for a bit.

After a while, she stopped and I discovered a smelly spot. It made for a good photo op, and I think I totally made Spode's week by being so goofy. You're welcome, Spode!

Do I have the world's best smile or what? I have quite the toothy grin. 

Say cheese! 

Once Spode stopped giggling, we went out for some more hang out and running around time in the sand ring. 

Spode also wanted to see the Gypsy Vanner baby. Um, Spode! Hello! Yeah, I suffer from equine jealousy... 

It's not that I want to play with Spode. I just like to know she's there, ya know?

I did a bit of running too. Only one buck today!

Maybe one day I can be a jumper!

Or maybe not...

After all that, Spode and I just hung out in the barn for a bit longer, just enjoying each other's company. Three weeks was far too long, and a huge adjustment after seeing her everyday for 4 months. I'm a happy horse.

We're both very happy that today is my first day off oral anti-inflammatories. My eyes still have a bluish tinge, but they've been great. My pupils are constricting and dilating normally. I'm still on some stomach meds but by this time next week, I will be getting nothing but plain grain for the first time in forever. It's an exciting time for us!! It's been a long time coming.

When I was sick all the time, Spode used to ask herself, "why me?"  So soon after losing Zoodles to a seemingly endless barrage of illness and hoof diseases, she bought another horse who then succumbed to a bunch of different health problems that also piled on top of each other. She wondered why she was being challenged in this way. I wondered why too, but not for the same reasons as Spode. I wondered why I was so lucky to fall into the hands of this kid who would probably sell her own organs if it meant she could make my life even a tiny bit better. Why me? How did I start out as a practically nameless horse in a pen and turn into someone's whole world? I don't ask why I got uveitis because we all struggle with one health problem or another in our lives. That is guaranteed. What is not guaranteed is love. That goes for love of any kind. Only the lucky truly get to love and be loved in their lives.  For horses, the difference between those who are loved and those who aren't is more stark than in the human world, I believe. If you are a horse who is not loved, your chances of being abused, neglected, or killed are much more likely. I know this. We all know this. The fact that Spode just drove up to my paddock from out of nowhere is astounding to me. How did that happen, and why? That's what I wonder about, because getting an autoimmune disease and receiving the treatment for it is one of the best things that could happen to a horse, really. When you look at the horse world and see all the terrible things that can happen to my fellow equines, I am the lucky one. She didn't give up on me. That's my "why me?" question. It's all about how you look at the world. I don't have the clearest vision anymore, but that doesn't stop me from seeing the sun and feeling the love. I am the luckiest horse.  And I am so happy to be with Spode again after this long break. I think it's a good sign that she came home on day one off meds since my surgery. Maybe it's a sign that it's time for a new chapter that doesn't revolve around my eye sight. We're hoping.

I was pretty sad to see Spode go today. I didn't want to let her leave, but she promises we have two more days together before she heads back to school. It's not nearly long enough, but it's better than nothing!

I'm just going to keep following you and herding you away from the gate until you get the picture that I'd like you to stay, Spode. Please?

Until later, old sports.

Jay.