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I first met Charlie about three years ago. After only several moments getting to know each other that first meeting, I knew I fell in love. Knew I could no longer live without him on our farm. Shortly after that first fateful meeting, Charlie came to live with us. Ever since, he has been a trusty companion. With me almost every moment. Through sleet, snow, rain and sunshine, Charlie, Steve and I built the barn together, mended fences, hauled logs, moved pigs, built the barn doors, done poop patrol, gone on long rides together. Every moment with Charlie, although often filled with long days of hard work, has been a pleasure.
He has become such a permanent fixture of every day life. I am so attached to him. His strength and stamina are unmatched. Performance never waivers. When I say I will try, Charlie is the first to step up to the challenge, and in the words of Yoda "Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." With Charlie on our side, I knew there is no challenge too great, no boulder too large, no snow mountain we were unable to climb...
Unfortunately Charlie was injured last week and has been on a full week of bed rest since the unfortunate 'accident'. You see, he and I were moving yet another fresh foot of snow. Nothing we haven't faced before. It was light, fluffy...the ground was solid. He just got tired, zigged when he should have zagged, then "POP" I noticed he was limping. I hopped down, and examined his injury. Thought maybe I could fix it with a little bandaid...I ran inside to get some supplies, it was much worse that I had thought.
I propped him up with the bucket and wiggled the point of injury. yep. Not good. The control arm was stripped. I did find the castle nut in the snow behind us, but there was no point. It was over for us that day. Nothing but bed rest. Parts were not readily available. Charlie was forced to sit where he broke down.
It has been a rough week for the rest of us. I know Charlie wants to join in on all the 'fun'. He knows he has a place here on the farm. That he is a major contributor to the happiness and joy of farming here at Abenaqui Alpacas. It is amazing we were able to even function without him for so long. His part is on order, we anticipate to see him tearing up the land by the end of the week. Another snow is descending upon us, the poop piles are raked and wheeled around. It is sad when I have to haul a wheel barrow by Charlie. I know he thinks he has let us down.
Mr. Charles Branson - YOU WILL return to your glory. YOU WILL be our saviour once again. Don't you worry big red. I have some fresh diesel coming your way. We will toast to your return to the farm by the end of this week. For now. Rest. Let your bucket set upon the cold hard earth. Your seat has been lifted to keep the snow from piling up. We will get by. You have not let us down. We have worked you hard...and will work you hard in the future.
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