The bonds between animals and humans are precious fellowships. In my 17 years of living I’ve bonded with three of my beloved pets: my miniature pony, a white and light brown spotted Chihuahua, and my beautiful buckskin gelding. I love all of my pets as if they were humans, but I had an exquisite attachment to my buckskin gelding which I will never have with any animal ever again. People were amazed by how a girl as young , about 5, could have such a complex and strong relationship with her horse. All I knew was I understood him like he understood me. 
     The bond began when Buck was first born; I was five. It was love at first sight. He was like no other foal. We spent infinite time together from having him chase me down the fence line to begin his training to become a saddle broke horse. Buck would wait at the stable door for me, so that I could turn him out into the pasture every morning. When he saw I was frustrated or upset, he would give me a hug by resting his head on my shoulder. Our bond taught me the true meaning of love he shaped my life and personality for the better. Similar to my childhood symbol Spirit, he was wild and free-spirited. Buck wasn't just any horse, he was the one and only horse that I trusted with my life safe. He could tell when I would get anxious as we tried new things. As I helped to train him to be one of the best, he gave me his loyalty and his 100 percent every day.Buck and I had a personal record for barrel racing. I became an experienced rider on him; I learned how to barrel race, the basics of reining, and a little bit of pole bending on him. Buck  wasn't very fond of other people riding him other than my dad and I. One day my brother decided he wanted to ride him but my brother isn't a very good listener. I told my brother multiple times that he doesn't like new people riding him, well you could say my brother went flying off once he got Buck into a canter. There was a feeling in my gut that Buck had done it on purpose but we will never know.
     I moved to Midland when I was 13 years old. I tried to go home as much as I could, so I could ride and see my baby boy. It was difficult because my homework load was increasing but I managed to finish it to my best ability. Midland made it almost impossible for me to be able to see him. As I went home every day I could he would see the car get home with my head popping out of the window and would start running back and forth between the gate and the end of the fencing. He was always ready for me to come home ride and spend time with him.
    It was a warm May afternoon I had just turned 16 about a month ago, I went home to see Buck. I rode him for about an hour, gave him a bath, and brushed him once he was dry. In a hurry I put him in his stable and left in a hurry because it was getting late. His eyes were dark brown, as I looked into them I could see was my reflection but I knew I was looking into his soul, which was a reflection of my own. I saw the same confidence and determination in him, that was in me. That was the last time I got to see those beautiful dark brown chocolate eyes. As I left everything seemed normal, but everything changed drastically within a night.
     He died in May of my sophomore year.  It was assumed that Buck had consumed sand or dust when eating his dinner, the sand in his intestines made it uncomfortable for him which caused him to roll. When a horse colics its like having abdominal pain, you shouldn't let a horse roll when they colic because their intestines can twist. Once their intestines have twisted, the vets can’t do anything and must put the horse down. Buck was put down. When he died it was like if part of myself had gone with him. He was like no other horse I’ve ever had. I found out my parents tried to keep it a secret from me for as long as possible. My parents didn't know if I would go into a deep depression. Well not knowing about his death until 3 days after it happened killed me even more. For about 3 weeks i fell into a hopeless slump. My father knew if I attended the passing of my beloved horse I would be traumatized, and would be a blob of misery to the point that I would have to stay home for a couple days. My father had a point, but he made it worse because I didn't have closure to the situation.
    This type of  bond is rare, not many get to experience how beautiful it feels, and those who do are the lucky ones. I bonded with my horse named Buck, he was a buckskin quarter horse, he was my best friend. I still miss him to this day, his beautiful buckskin furr, those dark brown eyes, and his sweet and loving personality; I will never forget him. Buck was one of a kind. Finding horses that are similar brings me to tears. I will never forget the long restless nights when I would lie beside him in his stable when he was sick. The endless times I fell, he would stop and wait for me to get back on when he knew I was in a serious amount of pain most of the time. As a young colt he would sprint down the fence line to come greet me at the gate with his wild and fun gestures as he knew it was time to play. I plan on getting a new horse but it will never be the same. Yes, I will love and care for the horse that will eventually come my way, but no one will ever be able to replace my baby boy, Buck.