Hi dear fellow Mintiers,
I would like to tell you a bit about my childhood and how it was greatly benifited by having pets.
I grew up on a farm in Delemere, South Australia. We had many animals on the farm such as cows,
sheep, chooks, dogs and horses. It was a great life for any child. But my childhood was definety not all roses.
The bubble burst when I was 10 years old,,,,my dad died!!!! It was sudden and unexpected. A fatal car accident on his way home from a trip to Adelaide,,,,,and only 650 metres from our farm gate. We were all devastated and it was hard for Mum but she was able to keep the farm. Dad's death was one of the hardest things for me to deal with in my life.
I did not talk to Mum, my brother, sisters or even school friends about my feelings of loss and grief. I was really suffering inside. Mum recalls that she was concerned about me because unlike my brothers and sisters, I found it difficult to express my feelings out loud for the world to hear and see. However, their was one best mate that helped me get through. The one mate that would never judge me and who I could always count on to listen. My horse "Rose".
Rose was a cheeky, grey Arabian mare about 15 hands high. I loved her more than words can express, almost as much as I loved my Dad. I new her and she new me like the back of my hand and the tip of her hoof!!! I trusted her and she trusted me. She never bucked me off or did anything to harm me. Although ahe did step on my foot once or twice,,,,ouch!,,,,lol,,,but she did not do this on purpose.
She really helped me work through the grieving proccess and helped me deal with Dad's death. I would go out for a ride with her and I would tell her all about what I was feeling inside,,,,all the things that I found so hard to say to my human friends and family, I would confide in her and cry,cry and cry, I remember the feeling of the cold wind on my face and how it was intensified by the fact that my face was wet with tears.
Quite often I would just go out and sit in the paddock next to where she was grazing. I loved the sound of her munching on the grass. When I spoke to her she would lift her head and look at me with her beautiful big brown eyes,,,,as much as to say,,,,I understand. She would also tickle my shoulder and top of my head with her muzzle as if she was trying to comfort me.
My dear Rosey lived until she was 32 human years old and was with me till the end of her life. I was so lucky to have her for such a long time and she helped me through lots ways, not just with coping with dad's death.
It is proven that having a pet can benifit children in many ways. A pet provides a child with unconditional love. Pet's don't understand peer group pressure and they can also give a child insight into the cycle of life. They can provide a child with a source of exercise which is really important these days with computer games and the like. Having a pet is also a great way to introduce children to be responsible for caring for an animal.
I live in the suburbs these days and I don't have a horses anymore. I have 2 dogs and I know my son has benifited greatly by having them.
Love to all,
Lisa 
(February 2009) (
