Reviews from

Sweet Willie

A rescue horse

48 total reviews 
Comment from Olivanne Marsh
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a special story. Good luck in the contest. I think the real end of the story that you include in your notes, when Willie finally decides to stay with Joyce, belongs in the story. I think you could add a paragraph or two at the end of your contest entry and give the reader a boost with a truly happy ending for man and beast. This story says so much about the bond between humans and other beings and I love that you made it as much about the choices Willie seemed to make as those made by you. It gives the reader a real feel for the nature of the horse and the people in the story. Willie is indeed special and I can feel that because of the way you describe him.

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you. You're the second person that suggested I add the footnotes to the end of the story. I will consider it before the contest. The thing is, I wanted to end the story with Willie's horse laugh.
reply by Olivanne Marsh on 18-Jan-2023
    You are the writer, of course and the horse laugh is a good ending. Up to you...a good story either way. Just that knowing that Willie finally learned to love Joyce too gave my heart happiness and as a reader I was glad to know. I liked the story so much...either way.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a lovely and heartwarming story and all the better since it was true. I love the storyline which spoke of Willie and his neglected body and how you saved him and found him after many escapes to a new home.
I once rescued a cat and never regretted it for a minute. I appreciate your love of horses and hope you continue to rescue horses and find them new homes.
Jesse


 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you. I'm seventy-six now, and my horse days are past. I still love them but don't own any now.
reply by Jesse James Doty on 17-Jan-2023
    I bet you miss them terribly.
    Leave the raising of horses to other folks who have the time and are younger.
    Jesse
Comment from Terry Broxson
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is a wonderful story. It is beautifully written. It strikes me that this story would do very well in any contest involving nonfiction. It is perfect for the Regarding Horses contest; good luck.

My only suggestion is that your note should be the last paragraph of the story. I think that it is too good to be a note. Think about it. Exceptional work. Terry.

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you, and thanks for the six stars. I will look at the story and consider your suggetion. I wanted to use Willie's horse laugh at the end.
reply by Terry Broxson on 17-Jan-2023
    I do get your point. I am thinking that the effort you and Joyce made to accommodate him and then his acceptance makes a great ending too. Ms. mystery writer, it is a heck of a good story, and well told.
Comment from Sarah Robin
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I enjoyed reading Willie's story. You painted a great picture of your sweet horse. He had a good personality and loved you. Thanks for sharing this post with us. I learned a lot about horses. Sarah

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you, and thanks for the six stars. This happened a long time ago. I'm seventy-six and my horse days are past. Willie was such a unique animal that I never forgot him.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Aw, what a lovely story! The more I read about animals of any kind, the more I realise how loving and determined they can be. They have their likes and dislikes just like us. I'm glad you and Joyce managed to come to an arrangement that suited, not only the two of you, but Willie as well. AND, I'm so glad you rescued him!! Well done and good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you. I rescued quite a few horses in my day. Willie was such a character and so determined to live where he wanted to live.
Comment from Jim Wile
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This was a really wonderful story. It was heart-warming, interesting, and very well-written. You made us feel so sorry for Willie at the abuse he received and happy that he found two people who loved him so. It was amusing how he kept breaking out to be with you, but it sounds like you struck a great deal for everyone. Such a good story!

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you, and thanks for the six stars. To know Willie, was to love him. He was unique in the horse world.
Comment from jmdg1954
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoy stories with dogs, because I'm a dog lover. But your story about Willie simply entered my heart. I believe it's because you took Willie in, nourished him back to health that he fully trusted you and gave you all his affection.

I enjoyed your story a lot. I wish I had a six star remaining, sorry.

John

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you. I like dogs too, and I did rescue a few of them as well as cats. I even changed my narcisstic huband into a cat-lover. He didn't much care for horses because he said he spent too much time behind them as a boy. My husband was born in 1929 and his dad farmed with horses.
Comment from Mary Shifman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a lovely true story. I can't imagine how anyone can be so abusive to another creature. It angers and saddens me to know this kind of thing goes on. Thank goodness for people like you who rescue these animals and find good homes for them.

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you. Animal abuse is a sad fact of life. My veternarian once told me that there is a fine line between ingnorance and cruelty. I think he was right.
reply by Mary Shifman on 19-Jan-2023
    You are welcome. I agree with your vet, too.
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
    I guess this won't be in the contest. The contest committee said there was a 300- word limit. I read the part where is said if there was no word count stated above, it didn't matter. Way down at the bottom, they said 300 words should be sufficient. I think it was rotten.
reply by Mary Shifman on 21-Jan-2023
    That's too bad. I liked your story a lot.
Comment from JT traveller
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a beautiful read. It has made my day. Thankyou. Also, for this to be based on a real story makes it truly special. Willie sure is different and obviously was yearning for you. He clearly missed you to make such an effort to come home.

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you. Willie was an exception in the world of horses. Most horses will become fond of a good owner, but are not attached to the point where the human is their world. Willie was different.
Comment from GWHARGIS
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Horses sometimes are like big dogs. I've never owned one but there are a lot in my area. The people who.own them are devoted and love those animals like their own children. This was a fun story that showed the transition of a mangy horse to a devoted friend. I enjoyed this. Good luck in the contest. Gretchen

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thank you. Horses do like and appreciate someone who treats them well, but are not obsessed with one person like Willie was. It was a different experience for me.