Patrick the Pony Comes for a Visit

We first met Patrick the Pony at Bodhi Price's third birthday party. Bodhi's mom, M. J., rented Patrick for the afternoon to give pony rides to the party-goers. M. J. learned that Patrick needed a new home & bought him just a few days later (who could resist those liquid brown eyes?).

The dilemma: The Price family lived, at the time, in downtown Zephyrhills. And, even though their lovely home sported a very large yard, surrounded by a tall privacy fence, they ran up against a city ordinance preventing livestock (yes, even ponies!) from living within city limits.

Fortunately, the Prices knew a family who lived outside of city limits -- who, in fact, had a couple of horses of their own and, who had already professed a deep affection for their darling pony! Thus, Patrick the Pony came to stay with the Smith family for several weeks while the Price family looked for new living quarters outside of city limits (since Patrick had already become a full-fledged member of their family).

The Prices soon found an incredible home sitting on several acres, surrounded by a lovely forest, where they are now comfortably settled as a complete family unit once again. For several weeks, however, Patrick became a much beloved fixture around our place!

Quintin, in particular, was quite enchanted by our visitor! Patrick is so gentle with children that Quintin became comfortable around him very quickly. Often, I'd hear the sliding glass doors leading to our front yard open & look out to see Quintin walking to the farthest corners in search of Patrick. He was constantly brushing, bringing treats, and hand-feeding hay to the sweet pony. A favorite family activity became walking with Patrick while Quintin "rode" him.

Patrick came just in time to be present for Quintin's third birthday party, and M. J. was kind enough to lead Patrick around the yard for pony rides!

We're grateful to the Price family for sharing their beloved pet with us :-)

I wish I had more pictures of Patrick, and am sorry for the poor quality of this one! (The sun was obviously bright, lol!).