This story begins before Lily was born, with a handsome snow-white Arabian horse named Stitch.

Stitch lived at Bluebonnet Horse Rescue, a place for horses who don’t  have a forever home.

People would arrive at the horse rescue in trucks with trailers, ready to offer a second chance to a horse that had been forgotten.

Stitch’s ears would droop and he would sadly hang his head every time one of the rescue horses whinnied goodbye, as they left the rescue heading to their new forever homes.

 Stitch too, had ridden on a trailer many times and always hoped he was being taken to his forever home. 

But alas, the handsome white stallion was unruly and too much for his new owners to handle, so he was always returned to the Bluebonnet rescue to live.

Stitch looked around his pasture and wondered which of the rescue horses would be chosen to ride in the trailer to their new forever home.

Stitch was so excited when a halter was slipped over his ears that he practically ran onto the trailer!

When the trailer stopped and the door opened, Stitch stepped out into the bright sunshine and looked around. He saw a barn, an arena and pastures with other horses.

Lily’s mom had brought Stitch to her barn!

Lily’s mom was kind and patient with Stitch and he soon learned to trust her.

Stitch became a sweet, gentle horse who enjoyed going on trail rides with friends, peacefully lying in the sun and grazing with his new pasture buddies.  

Stitch was happy and content and Lily’s mom knew he had found his forever home.

But most of all…Stitch’s favorite game was pushing a large blue ball around with his nose and chasing after it in the arena.

One spring day Lily’s mom came to the pasture with something wrapped in a soft blanket.

“Stitch,” she called, “I have a surprise for you.”

 Stitch couldn’t understand her words but he knew it must be something good, because she had a big smile on her face.

Stitch was so curious and walked over to see what she was holding.  

Carefully Stitch nuzzled the blanket aside with his soft pink nose.  It wasn’t treats but it smelled nice, like fresh spring clover.

Lily’s mom whispered in Stitch’s ear, “This is a baby girl named Lily.  Lily will be your girl and you will teach her many things in life.”

Stitch lowered his head to get a better look and when he nickered softly, Lily laughed.

As Lily got older,  she would beg her mom and dad, every day, to take her to visit Stitch in his pasture or stall.

Lily would always bring treats for Stitch and the moment he spotted Lily his ears 

 would perk forward and he would whinny loudly, a sound that meant I’ve been waiting for you!

Stitch’s soft lips would tickle Lily’s hand as he carefully nibbled the carrots and apples that she brought for him.

Stitch would lower his head down until Lily could reach up and pat his strong neck and place gentle kisses on his velvety nose.  “Good boy Stitch,” she would whisper.

Soon Lily was old enough to groom Stitch. Stitch would stand perfectly still in the crossties while Lily used the curry and brush on his soft coat until it shined. 

Lily would sing a song for Stitch as she worked, and his eyes would close and his bottom lip would droop as he listened to her sweet voice.