Fred in Fresno

Fred's mean face




The dogs and I made an early start on our giant road trip to Fresno. It's about 300 miles, but doesn't seem that far when you're listening to Duffy and Debussy, singing loudly, and looking at the wildflowers along the way. We found Freddie in a large field of green clover and orange California poppies, on a hill that sloped gently down to the San Joaquin river. He ignored my calls initially and then whinnied back and came trotting up to greet me, delighted by my bag of carrots and apples. (I'm sure it was the bag of food, not me, that persuaded him). He's been unusually social with the other horses and un-aggressive, until I came along. Suddenly, he gnashed his teeth at the other horses and pretended to stampede the dogs, keeping everyone but him away from me but him. He stood by me and protected me and showed his teeth, but each time I turned around to look at him, he put on his most beatific smile and innocent eyes. He looks quite extraordinary with his long coat and no shoes and muddy patches (apparently they washed him just before we arrived but one could hardly tell) and fluffy ears, but he seemed awfully happy to see us. It was lovely to see him so happy.