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As long as I can remember, I have had the pleasure of the company of animals. During my childhood I experienced the companionship of two corgis and a cat. The second corgi, Taffy survived until I was in my late teens. We were 'bosom buddies' and spent many enjoyable days together. He would wait patiently until I returned from school and later college then our day would begin. It was the worst day of my life when he succumbed to old age. The pain of loss was almost unbearable.
Although I was now at college, I was still living with my parents. My mother was a matriarch. She made all the decisions in the family and because she didn't want another dog, no-one else could have one! My determination however, was very strong and an animal companion I would have!
When I was in my early teens, many enjoyable hours were spent in the company of horses. I was fortunate that I was given riding and piano lessons. My older brother was sent as a fee paying pupil to a Grammar School. I wasn't that clever and never reached those dizzy heights and a Secondary Modern School was for me. My parents compensated by paying for riding and piano lessons.
When I first started at Sunfield Riding School, it was 2/6 for an hours ride! Miss Buckley and her elderly father ran the stables. As well as rides (I went once a week), she ran stable−management courses during school holidays. I decided to try one. They lasted from Monday to Friday. I helped to bring the horses in from the field, get them ready for rides, groom them, clean the tack and stables, help to feed and even collected weeds from the field. This I felt was unnecessary and boring and it wasn't until I owned my own horses did I realise the importance of Ragwart. My parents had to pay for the privilege of me going on the stable−management course. Free help?! Tea was included −jam and bread and I even had to wash the pots! However, this stood me in good stead for my next plan for an animal companion. Much to the amazement of my friends, that next animal was a horse! At least I was avoiding conflict in having an animal in the house! A local farmer allowed me to use a stable and Whisky Mac became my next companion. We did however, obtain another house pet called Twinky who was another devoted companion I was privileged to share my life with.