Lovy's Boops - Odie

Odie the Gentle Giant

Chapter 2

On a peaceful farm nestled between rolling green hills, there lived a magnificent draft horse named Odie. Odie was a giant among horses, strong, proud, and kind. His deep brown eyes held stories of a past where he worked hard, but now he spent his days at Lovy’s Equine Sanctuary, where rescued horses found love, care, and new beginnings.

But Odie’s greatest joy wasn’t just helping the other horses, it was the children who came to visit. He had a special way of making them feel safe and strong, just by standing near them and listening with his great, wise heart.

One day, a boy named Oliver arrived at the sanctuary with his mother. Oliver kept his head down, his shoulders slumped. He didn’t say much as he followed his mom past the paddocks, where horses grazed and played. His mother gently explained to the owner, “Oliver has been having a tough time at school. Some kids have been picking on him.”

Odie, standing tall in his pasture, flicked his ears forward. He could sense the sadness in the boy’s heart. Slowly, he walked over to Oliver, lowering his great head until his soft muzzle brushed the boy’s hand.

Oliver looked up, startled. Odie nickered softly, as if saying, You are not alone. Then, Odie suddenly sneezed—a loud, unexpected blast that sent bits of hay flying everywhere, right into Oliver’s hair! The boy blinked in surprise, then started laughing. It was the first time he had laughed in days.

“Would you like to brush him?” asked one of the caretakers.

Oliver hesitated but then nodded. He picked up a brush and ran it through Odie’s thick, golden mane. As he worked, Odie stood still, breathing deep and slow, except for when he decided to dramatically lean into Oliver, nearly knocking him over! “Odie, you big goofball!” the caretaker chuckled.

“Do you know why Odie is so special?” the caretaker asked. “He is strong, but not because of his size. He is strong because he is kind, because he carries his head high, and because he knows his worth.”

Oliver looked into Odie’s deep eyes. “But what if others don’t see my worth?” he whispered.

Odie took a step closer, pressing his warm forehead against Oliver’s shoulder. The boy felt the steady strength in the gentle giant, and suddenly, he understood. Strength wasn’t about being the biggest or loudest. It was about standing tall, believing in yourself, and treating others with kindness, even when they weren’t kind to you.

As the days passed, Odie continued to show Oliver what true strength meant. One afternoon, Odie led Oliver toward a smaller, nervous horse who often stood alone. Odie gently nudged Oliver forward, encouraging him to reach out. Oliver hesitated but then stroked the horse’s neck, seeing its fear melt away with a kind touch.

“You see,” the caretaker said, “sometimes bullies act out because they are hurting too. Just like this horse, they might be scared or lonely.”

Oliver thought about the kids at school. Maybe they were mean because they were hurting too. With Odie’s lesson in mind, Oliver decided to approach one of the boys who often teased him. Instead of responding with anger, he simply smiled and asked if he wanted to play. To his surprise, the boy hesitated but then nodded. It wasn’t an instant friendship, but it was a start.

From that day on, Oliver walked a little taller. When the bullies at school tried to bring him down, he remembered Odie’s calm, proud stance. He didn’t need to fight back with anger, he just needed to stand strong in who he was and offer kindness in return.

And whenever he needed a reminder, he knew exactly where to go. Back to the farm, where Odie, the Gentle Giant, would always be waiting to remind him that kindness and courage were the greatest strengths of all.

One summer afternoon, a little girl named Lily arrived at Lovy’s Equine Sanctuary. Her wide eyes darted nervously between the horses, her hands clenching the hem of her dress.

“She’s never been on a horse before,” her dad explained. “She really wants to try, but she’s just a little scared.”

Odie flicked his ears forward, his curiosity piqued. He had helped many children before, this was his specialty. He watched Lily as she hesitantly took a step forward, then quickly back again. Her eyes locked on his enormous frame, her lower lip trembling.

Deciding that this called for a little Odie magic, he took a slow, exaggerated step toward her, but, oops!, his big hoof landed right in his water bucket. Water splashed everywhere, drenching his legs and spraying up into the air.

Lily gasped. Then, she giggled. “He stepped in his own bucket!” she squealed.

Odie, now looking thoroughly unimpressed with his own clumsiness, shook his leg dramatically, sending even more water flying. The giggle turned into a laugh, and soon, Lily was holding her stomach, tears of mirth in her eyes.

Still chuckling, the caretaker handed Lily a brush. “How about we start here?” she suggested. Lily nodded and reached up to stroke Odie’s soft coat.

With each brushstroke, Odie let out a deep, contented sigh, so loud and exaggerated that it sounded like a gust of wind. “He’s so silly,” Lily said, her fear melting away.

When it was time to try sitting on Odie’s back, he stood perfectly still. Lily climbed up slowly, holding her breath, but as soon as she was seated, Odie turned his head and gave her a gentle nudge, as if to say, See? Nothing to fear!

With the sun setting in the background, Lily sat atop Odie, feeling like a queen on her noble steed. She held her chin high, just like Odie had taught Oliver.

“I think I can do this,” she whispered.

Odie nickered in agreement. Of course, she could. And with a heart as big as his, he would always be there to help children like Lily find their courage, one goofy mistake at a time.

Say Good bye:

But as the years went by, Odie began to slow down. Lovy noticed he was getting tired more often. She called the vet and did everything she could to help him, but one day, Odie grew very sick. He felt it deep inside, his time was coming.

Odie didn’t want to leave without preparing the others. There were 16 horses at the rescue, each one special and unique. Over the next few days, Odie made sure to visit every horse. He nuzzled Ebony lovingly, as if to say, You’ve been my joy. Take care of the herd. He stood quietly with Milo, his little brother, and gently brushed his muzzle against Milo’s, as if saying, Be brave, little one. You’re stronger than you know.

But his most important visit was to Henry, a sturdy, wise gelding who had been at the sanctuary almost as long as Odie. Henry had a calming presence and a quiet strength that reminded Odie of himself. Odie walked up to Henry and rested his big head gently on Henry’s shoulder.

“It’s your turn now,” Odie seemed to say. “Watch over everyone. They’ll need you.” Henry nickered softly, as if to promise, I will, Odie. I’ll take care of them.

That night, as the stars twinkled in the sky, God came to visit Odie. “Odie,” God said gently, “I need your strength and kindness to help me at the gates of Heaven. There are many souls who need someone like you to welcome them.”

Odie looked at Lovy, his eyes full of love. He nuzzled her one last time, as if to say, I will always be with you. Then, with a peaceful sigh, Odie followed God to Heaven.

Now, at the gates of Heaven, Odie stands tall and proud, just as he always did. He greets every soul with warmth and kindness, offering comfort to those who feel lost. And at Lovy’s Equine Sanctuary, the horses feel his presence in every breeze, every starry night, and every act of kindness Henry carries out in his honor.

And every night, when Lovy looks up at the stars, she smiles, knowing that her gentle giant is still watching over her, shining brightly from Heaven.