"You always look so cool"

Alas, alas! The summer has come to an end. Did you know that that is how The Great Gatsby ends? The leaves start falling into the swimming pool and Fitzgerald's Gatsby clings to the idea of the summer (and, surprise surprise, Daisy) by taking a final dip in the pool, another sign that he is clinging to the unreachable past. And then... 

Oh, I just can't. The ending of The Great Gatsby always makes me cry, and if I start crying, Spode will call the vet in a panic thinking I'm going blind again from my uveitis. Let's ignore that part of the novel, shall we?

God damn it, Spode, my eyes are fine I tell you! I'm just a bit emotional at the moment!

Anyway, I am feeling a bit melancholy and would like to take a dip in the pool if only I didn't have extreme premonitions about swimming pools thanks to Fitzgerald's Gatsby's bad experience. (What was that noise? I could never relax in a pool. I also may not be able to find one big enough). Instead I have been clinging to the final days of summer by having a long, luxurious bath (complete with an oatmeal rinse--Spode pampers me like no one else). After this bath, I proceeded to get grass stains all over my stockings. Spode was annoyed, but what else says summer like green splodges on your knees and hocks?

This is the best part of baths, no? The slower to dry, the better!

Aren't I handsome, old sports?

Or maybe this is the best part of a bath?

Life is good. 

The other summery thing we did was go on a hack. This made Spode's year, I'm pretty sure. She sang and talked to me the whole time. I was called Superman on more than one occasion. Talk about the highlight of the year! It was my first time going out alone but I acted like I've done it for years. Spode loves to ride alone--one of her favourite things to do, so the fact that I also love it has pleased her a lot. I foresee a lot of solo hacks in our future.

So relaxed, Spode can take photos. No texting and riding, kid. 

Today was our last ride of the summer. It is either ride number 30 or 31. Spode sort of lost count, and now she is going to stop counting anyway. I won't be ridden again until December at the earliest. It's time for my holidays. I have a work schedule that's opposite compared to everybody else: I work all summer and get the rest of the year off.

I expected a ride like any other, but that was not what happened. It started off very well. I stood nicely while Spode got on, we had a nice walk while I looked over at our new arrival at the farm:

Ain't he cute? His name is Camelot. He is quite distracting in a paddock next to the ring!

When I was focused I had my trots and then Spode said, "Ok. Time to try something new for our final ride... CANTER!" At first I said no, but after a few attempts I finally agreed. I made Spode's year, I think.

I can do it, I can do it!

Spode was so pleased with me. I got lots of hugs and treats and pats. Spode's face hurt from smiling so much. What a great end to the summer.  

Spode and I said our goodbyes after a bath. The last thing she said to me was "You always look so cool."  For my literary friends, that's what Daisy says to Gatsby to say that she loves him. I am feeling the love today. Miss you, Spode! Promise I'll be good! (Cough, cough. I was crossing my hooves when I said that!)

Until later, old sports! Spode's mum is going to come out to see me so maybe I'll have time to blog when that happens. We'll see. As I said, I'm on holidays now so I might not be typing as much!

Jay.