A year or two ago, I saw a show on Animal Planet about a man who had a degenerative eye disease that made him slowly go blind. At the time of the filming, he was about 40 and 99% blind. Not only had he lost many of his friends, but his self-worth and will to live had plummeted. He was ashamed to use a walking stick and was receding further and further from society.
Then Cuddles, the miniature helper pony, came into his life. With his golden, flowing mini-mane and tiny, adorable miniature helper pony shoes, Cuddles not only allowed this blind man to venture out into the world safely and comfortably, but also allowed him to come to terms with his disease and begin to love life and himself once again.
Now, when I watched this before, I thought, “miniature ponies are useful and intelligent companions for the disabled. That show was interesting and informative.”
Last night, though, as I was up as usual, from about 3 AM to 7 AM, a slave to my type-II insomnia, the program came on again and I watched it again. This time, with tears welling in my eyes, I thought, “Cuddles, you are a miniature miracle! Who needs sight when they could have you, you teensy-hoofed phenom! If only I had a Cuddles to prance ahead of me, warning me of dangers and guiding me safely through life!”
What was the difference between these two viewings? Apparently, I think, miniature ponies are the best litmus test for me when it comes to my emotional stability. Better even then how I react to new magazine pieces on sports figures overcoming adversity.
I’m thinking I should even carry a picture of a miniature helper pony with me always, so that I can tell whether I’m capable making rational decisions or not. You know, say I’m about to start a fight with Ben about something stupid, and I’m not sure if I’m overreacting. I’d take the picture out, look at it, and evaluate my response. If I think, “That animal is a surprisingly small wonder of science,” then I could go ahead and voice my concerns to Ben. If I think, “Oh, Cuddles, if you were only here, I could hold your tiny hooves and look into your black, shining eyes! I might even buy you a miniature saddle, and then perch something like a cat on the saddle, and then take pictures!” Then I might let things go.
I’m even wondering if miniature helper ponies are a universal emotional litmus test for all people, across all cultures. I mean, what do you feel when you see a picture like that?
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February 1, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Melissa
Not to rain on the pony parade, but they’re called miniature horses. When you call them ponies, the Miniature Horse Association comes down on you with the fury of a thousand suns. A thousand tiny, tiny suns.
I made that mistake once, so you can trust me on this one. They are a mean, mean people (and although Cuddles is probably not like this, the horses are mean, too, usually).
February 1, 2008 at 2:03 pm
LenaB
OMG… look at the tiny little hooves! And the fuzzy little ears!
February 1, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Diana
I feel that it’s unnecessary for Cuddles to be prancing through a flower bed so casually. Isn’t he supposed to be leading a blind man through safe passageways?
I don’t know if a picture of an adorable Miniature Horse, so as not to offend the masses, could deter me from any argument with my b/f, stupid or not. But it could prevent me from doing any bodily damage. Screw love and respect, I have a tiny horse. Does that make me crazy?
As for the insomnia, I believe it’s rubbed off on me. Ever since I found your blog earlier this week, I stay up to all hours of the night and have to force myself to go to sleep by 2:30 am. Not your fault but I believe your blogs are connected indirectly.
February 1, 2008 at 3:41 pm
April
1. I refuse to believe that mini horses have a mini mean bone in their mini bodies.
2. It looks to me like Cuddles is hugging the flowers as opposed to carelessly running through them.
Look at me, defending him. Are we all on the same cycle now or something?
February 1, 2008 at 3:48 pm
sarah
melissa - i can’t help but think you have had more than one negative run-in with miniature horses. i find that hilarious. also, i would give so, so much to be a member of the Miniature Horse Association.
april, diana, lena - maybe this could be some sort of personality test. you show a person the picture, you know, like while a first date with him maybe, and ask him: is Cuddles the miniature horse trampling the flowers or simply playing among them?
February 1, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Diana
“It looks to me like Cuddles is hugging the flowers as opposed to carelessly running through them.”
Hahahahaha! I think you’re right!
Sarah, I think I will ask my b/f that very question tomorrow. Until then, I will figure out what my reactions will be to either answer. I hope he chooses wisely, I’m feeling rather unpredictable this week.
February 1, 2008 at 6:07 pm
hiptocode
do you think miniature ponies would make good medical assistants??
February 2, 2008 at 12:32 am
jen
i love that pony. i feel a little teary-eyed just looking at him.
but i’ve also been drinking all night… hmm…
February 2, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Robin
Warning: Only somewhat related: There is a twice-yearly festival in Delaware that is somewhat affiliated with a celebration of the wild ponies on Assateague Island in Maryland: http://www.playadelfuego.com It might not be your thing, and there are no ponies there (there *is* one Veteran-owned horse that lives there), but the effigy we/they burn is a pony rearing up on its hind legs, a piece of art in and of itself. If you’re a free-thinker and you like being in the out-of-doors with interesting folk, this is a great introduction to the Burning Man mindset.
June 6, 2008 at 9:16 am
crystal
I believe cuddles is just running through the flowers enjoying life like we should be. Not a care int he world. I have 6 mini horses here with one foal. The foal is very friendly and same with the mom and dad. The other mini’s I have here are friendly as well but more on the shy side. I guess it depends on how they’re treated but I do not find them mean. Moody at times but then which animal isn’t? No different that humans. Treat them right, and they’ll treat you right.
July 1, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Jennifer
your miniature pony is the cutest thing in the world,running in the little patch of flowers.
August 30, 2008 at 3:36 pm
beth
how much is this pony