PART TWO: WAITING FOR GEORGETTE
Danilo is getting older. He roams through the alleys of olive trees on our hillside, going straight for the patches of grasses he loves most. But the other day he roamed a little farther, not wanting to climb the hill to get back home at sunset. He strolled down the narrow neighborhood street that curves around the base of our hill. In December darkness falls fast but the streetlights show the way.
Someone saw him walking along the street alone, took a picture and posted it and the following report on our village Facebook page. Here is a summary of what they wrote (translated from the original French) “Last night this horse was on chemin de Capelasse (street name). We contacted the police and the fire department to report him and neither one came to the site. If anyone recognizes him, thank you for him, the poor thing.”
There were many responses and comments. “Scandalous!”, “The poor thing!”, “Tragic!” “So sad!”, “Another mistreated animal!” “Seeing how lean he is, he must not be cared for…” Of course, a few hours later he got himself home and not knowing anything about the Facebook post, I put him to bed with fresh hay and shavings and kissed him good night.
The next day is when I discovered the drama on Facebook. Here is my response to the post: “My horse is 35 years old (105 in human years). He has a girlfriend who lives down the road of Capelasse. Sometimes he goes to see her and sometimes she climbs the hill to come visit him. Her name is Georgette. They are a very unlikely couple, since Georgette is a sow. Horses usually do not like pigs because of their smell! But their love is often the reason for his escapades (see Part 1 of The Romance of Danilo & Georgette). His physical therapist Lea comes twice a month. She remarks at how amazing he is for his age. Just a bit of arthritis but not too bad. At his age all his muscles have descended, which is normal. The other evening, he came home a little later than usual. I did not know he had been on the search for Georgette. Can he not have the same liberty to be able to have a promenade like us or like the wild boar? I always stop to let the wild boar cross in front of me and I also slow down for couples walking on our street. Thank you for your comprehension. I hope Danilo has the same rights as an elderly gentleman because he is truly an elderly gentle-horse.”
Then I received many of the most positive replies! “You have given him a beautiful life, thank you for reassuring us. I hope ‘Don Juan’ has many more years ahead.”, “So cute, this grandpa who sneaks out to see his lover.” And then a post came from Georgette’s family on the thread, with a picture that she is alive and well but living 20 minutes away until the restoration is finished, then she will be back. Danilo waits. I have now put a luggage tag on his halter, so I know where he is at all times.

