A New Harness

     The heavy clouds danced over the mountain as a brisk wind helped it along.   Annie was awake before everyone this morning and decided to take a walk outside. The silence was broken when Annie came bouncing in the barn.

“Look everyone,  I have new friends and they are so pretty. You have to see them.” Annie said.

  “Just what I needed to hear first thing this morning, a donkey related to the energized bunny.” Joseph thought as he opened his eyes.  A few seconds later Baby and Scout were awake.

  “Annie what are you talking about?   Do you know what time it is?” Baby asked.

  “No.   I am not interested in time Baby.  I am only interested in my friends that I met.” Annie answered.

  “Well, where are they? Outside?” asked Scout.

  “No silly, they are right here with me.”

  “I’m sorry Annie.  I can’t see anyone.” Scout said.

  “Scout,  are you blind?” Annie asked.

  “I can’t either.” Baby added.       

By this time Annie was spinning around and around so everyone could have a look at her friends.

“I can.” Joseph piped up.

“You can!?!” Baby said in wonderment.

“Yep, it’s a donkey thing.”

“Well, would you like to share?”

Joseph looked at everyone and replied, “It’s the leaves.”

“Right Joseph.” Baby remarked.

“It is really”

“Joseph, we can’t let Annie believe that.” Baby told him.

“Why not?”

“Because it is not true and I am going to tell her.” Baby said.

“Leaves aren’t friends. Annie.”

“Yes they are Baby. Can’t you see?  They are staying with me when I came back inside.” Annie answered as she danced around showing off the leaves.

“Annie, those are leaves which drop from the trees in the fall and stick to whatever is in their path. In your case it is your fur.”

Annie was spinning around making the leaves move on her body when she heard what Baby was saying. She stopped, looking in Baby’s direction.

“Are you serious Baby?”

“Yes, Annie I am.  You can even ask Scout or TC if you wish.”

“I think I will.” Annie said as she pranced off to the other side.

TC was just finishing grooming herself when Annie flew around the corner.

“Slow down Little One. What is the matter?”

“I found some new friends this morning and Baby told me they were just leaves not friends.”

TC looked at all the leaves attached to Annie.

“I can see where you would think that Annie. They are following you around. I do have to agree with Baby this time.”

Annie put her head down as she looked at herself.

“They aren’t my friends and Baby wasn’t telling me a story TC?”

“That’s right Annie and I am very proud of Baby for telling you.”

Just then Baby came around the corner to see how Annie was making out when he heard what TC was saying.

“Did you hear what I was telling Annie , Baby?”

“I did TC and for once I did something right on my own.”

“That’s because you care for Annie even though there are times she gets on your nerves.”

As Baby was listening to TC, suddenly he thought something was wrong. Annie was too quiet. Before he could say another word…….

 “THEN GET THEM OFF OF ME! IF THEY AREN’T MY FRIENDS THEY HAVE GOT TO GO AND FIND ANOTHER RIDE!!!!!! Did anyone hear me!!!!”

“Oh yes, Annie, I don’t think there is anyone that didn’t hear. It will be easier to get rid of them if you run outside and let the wind blow the leaves off. I will go with you.” Baby answered as he made his way to the door.

“Okay Baby.”

Not long after Annie was back without the leaves.

“Let’s get Joseph, Annie, and see what else is going to happen .” Baby said as he looked in Joseph’s direction.

Scout had a feeling that it was going to be an interesting day as he watched the three of them race down the field.

“I think I hear our owners coming home. Let’s check it out. Maybe they brought us some treats. Sure enough, they were taking bags out of the car when Baby arrived at the barn.

“You better hurrym Joseph and Annie, before you miss seeing what is in the bags.” Baby yelled.

“Hmmmmm it smells like new leather doesn’t it Scout?” Baby commented as Scout peeped around the barn.

“You’re right Baby and that means someone here is getting something new.”

“Maybe it is me Scout!”

“Could be Baby.”

“What is it Baby?” Annie asked as she arrived with Joseph.

“Not sure yet Annie.” Baby answered.

Everyone was getting excited to see what it was. A few minutes later the suspense was over. The owners, carrying a new harness, walked towards the barn.

“I bet that is for me. Mine is getting old and torn/” Baby said as he watched/

“I think it is mine because I don’t have one/” Annie added/

“I don’t need one. It means I will have to work/” Joseph remarked/

“And I know it is not for me. For one thing it is too small and another, I am retired” Scout added.

As the owners got closer they were looking straight at Joseph saying how handsome he is going to look with this new harness. Baby dropped his head in disappointment that it wasn’t for him. Annie stood back not knowing what to say. Joseph….well, his eyes got bigger and bigger.The owners could sense something was wrong even though they couldn’t hear what was being said.

They patted Baby on the head saying that he would have a new one next. That made him feel better knowing he wasn’t forgotten. Then they approached Annie, patting her as well, saying now that Joseph had his new harness and with a few adjustments Annie would have his old one.

“WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 

Annie yelled…………………….to be continued in 2010

Hi everyone. We thought we would close off 2009 leaving you in suspense about what is going to happen next with Annie and the hand me downs from Joseph. TO EVERYONE: a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and especially to the ladies, who volunteer their time publishing this Newsletter. We would not be able to share our adventures with you and a lot of other stories that tell of what is happening in the community would not be told as well without them.  A job well done Ladies.  As you enjoy your time with your families remember in your hearts the families that are without their loved ones this Christmas. We will see you in 2010.   

Baby, Joseph, Scout, and Little Annie