Two Horses, Two Three Cats, and Me.
Gryphon
Gryphon (Griffy to his friends) is a 15-year-old Haflinger gelding. I met him in October of 2020, he belonged to a former co-worker who invited me to spend time with him because he was recovering from an injury and she didn’t have time for him. When I met him, I thought “Aww, he’s cute, but that’s not really what I’m looking for.” 3 weeks later, I knew he was going to be my horse.
Talos
Talos is a 10-year-old Friesian/Paint cross gelding. When I met him, I called him “Chris Hemshorse” because if Chris Hemsworth were a horse, he’d look like this. He was purchased by a boarder at the barn I was taking lessons at to be his all-around horse, but after 6 months he determined they weren’t a match. He paid an astronomical amount of money for him, and I always joked if he wanted to sell him half off I’d buy. Imagine my shock when in April of 2024 the barn owner messaged me and said “So….he wants to sell.” As of June 6th, he is officially mine!
Steve & Nick & Floof
I got Nick Valentine in 2017 – I sort of, half thought maybe I wanted a kitten, and I stopped by Petco to get dog food and surprise, they were having a cat adoption event. I’d always wanted a black cat…in what I’m sure was a brilliant manipulation technique, the volunteer let me hold him and said “Now be careful, he doesn’t like to be held and will try to get away.” Instead he sat perfectly still in my arms and it was love at first snuggle. Now he’s my best co-worker, snuggle buddy, couch surfer, and destroyer of couches.
Steve Trevor was part of a feral cat colony that lived in my apartment complex parking lot – his mother had 9 kittens across 2 litters and he was the only boy. He was born in 2017 and I started feeding him & his siblings in June, right when the first Wonder Woman movie came out so all of them had WW related names – Maru, Steve Trevor, Etta Kitty, Artemis. They were all TNR’d and as time went on, we had fewer cats until Steve was the last man standing. Myself and a few other kind-hearted neighbors kept them fed, but with no sisters to cuddle with on cold nights he knew he had to take drastic measures. One chilly December night in 2019 I took my dog out for a walk, he accompanied us around the complex as usual, then he just came right inside. We just looked each other for a moment, then I said “I see,” and got him dinner. He’s hardly ever spent a night outside since then.
Floof came to live with me in February of 2024. He snuck in to steal Nick & Steve’s breakfast, and I realized he was alone in the woods with no mom or siblings in sight. It was right before a cold snap with overnight temps in the teens, and I couldn’t bear to leave him outside, cold and hungry….so I told myself he could stay until the weather warmed up. He’s now a permanent resident.
runningwaternevergoesstale.com 