Splish Splashing in the Water

His name was Apples, and he loved water.  My little strawberry roan horse never shied away from crossing a creek and would dawdle in the water, sipping it through his bit, letting it dribble down his chin.  The creek seemed much more interesting to him than the dusty trail on the other side where the rest of the horses had gone.

One hot summer day in South Dakota, I was riding with my sister.  We had had a large amount of rainfall that pooled into a low spot in the pasture.  As we were riding by the clear water, Apples had different plans!  He walked into the knee deep water and started pawing–the water splashed up onto his belly, onto my legs, and all around us!  He dipped his head down, stuck his nose into the water, took sips, and blew the water out of his nostrils.  I remember laughing at how much fun he was having in the cool water on that hot day!  Then I felt him gathering his legs, taking small steps inward, and I knew that he was going to lay down!  His legs folded, we went down, I kicked my feet out of the stirrups and stepped off of him into the water, all in one smooth, slow-motion movement.  As my boots filled up with water, my sister and I laughed at how my little water-loving horse had changed the course of our ride!

That ride was over thirty years ago, but the memory of it was brought back to me when I saw a robin taking a bath in one of our bird baths.  She flailed her wings in the water, lowering her head, shaking her tail, quivering her body, as the water droplets flew around her.  Then she stopped for a few seconds, turned a bit, and started over again.

We sometimes forget that all the living creatures around us need, use, and enjoy water–just like us.  The robin reminded me.  The memory of Apples reminded me.  On these hot, summer days as you enjoy the lakes, rivers, fountains and pools, remember to provide water for the animals–for sustenance, cooling, cleaning, and fun!  Happy Summer!