After all, there's neither time enough nor money to save them all. Really no affair of yours.

But for that mirror. That one you look in every day, supposedly to see just your own face. But there, half-hidden, were your own beloved horses, and then you just couldn't help but think of those abused and neglected ones.

"Why?" never entered into it. There is a covenant between horses and humans, a pact entered into so long ago, reaffirmed by horsefolk with those simple daily acts of giving care and providing for basic needs and creature comforts.

You didn't do much, you protest. It was only three days. But to those horses, those three days brought them out of a wilderness of pain and despair.

Piteous creatures trapped in darkness and muck, now at last have the chance to regain their birthright as horses, creatures of movement in the light of open spaces. More than their bodies were led from the darkness; that wonderful spirit - noble, generous, trusting - can grow and flourish, a blessing to all who encounter it. That spirit will no longer be gnawed by demons of thirst and hunger; set free from bondage, free at last to revel in the glory and grace of being alive. To run in a group, feeling as though the earth is rotated beneath the power of hoofed legs; to soothe those itches by a roll on the ground, arise to shake, snort and perhaps even to kick up heels: those are the gifts you brought them.

You may not have realized the courage you displayed. A line drawn, Stating that this shall go no further: "to cross this line, you have to go through me." An inner strength only guessed at by those around you, but forevermore, you are defined by the love and power of your actions, the grace you have bestowed. Life will bring its trials, storms, times of chilling darkness.

But from now on when confronted by them, you can lift your chin and show a determined half-smile, knowing what you did, "once upon a time." The courage shown has its roots in love. Love of horses of course; but even deeper a love of life itself, that vital force pulsing with energy, soul of the cosmos.

From my private and personal horde of myths and fables, let me tell you of Heaven's Second Judgment. It is commonly believed that after death, the soul is judged for admittance to heaven. Seldom is mentioned of the Second Judgment.

If accepted to heaven, those whose lives were closely intertwined with animals are then subject to a second scrutiny of their actions when mortal; the evidence is presented by those of fur and feather, and the decision is theirs.

Ordinary caring and love is a given, worthy of no special recognition.

But there are specials acts of devotion, love and courage above and beyond the ordinary, felt to be particularly deserving. It is to those special souls that the animals award a badge of honor, a respected and glorious gift : a tail. Humans long ago lost that extremely expressive organ, and the animals pity us for our lack.

While it is hoped that your time to leave this mortal realm is in the far distant future, but when you do, don't be surprised in heaven to find yourself sporting a tail.

Bernie Kahn