Today we did some work with the carts. It was challenging, but, then again, most any task is rather challenging when you cannot see. I pulled my owner all around the ranch, following the carting trails, all at her instruction.
I’m not going to say I did all that well. I am still trying to learn my proper timing for turns, and trying to understand just how far I do have to turn when I am signalled to make a hard right or to bank right. When we made it back to the beginning again, I parked the cart, which is not so easy a task as one might imagine, even when you can see. I didn’t do too bad a job of it, actually, although I was listening to signals to help me do it.
Once I was done, Miss Bern took another pony, Andreas, out for another cart ride. I followed along, listening to the sound of the wheels as my guide. Sometimes I do not understand other ponies. Andreas is an example. For my part, I pay very close attention to what my owner/trainer is telling me to do. Others seem far more lax. I think they just lead to learn their place a little better.

My owner returned to me this morning and gave me a very special day. SHe was so happy to see me again that she led me into the house and layed me down for a long, happy cuddle. It felt ever so good to be that cose to her, to feel her warmth behind me and her loving arms around me. We layed like that for a long time. I’m sure it had been hours, but it felt like only a few brief, fleeting moments.
When she had to leave me alone for a short time, Mis Bern kept me in the bed, still bound and helpless. Then, something new: my blindfold was removed for just long enough to put a pair of goggles on my head. My owner left, and then a swirling spiral appeared before my eyes. It was entrancing, fascinating. It showed me how good it was to be a pet, to be owned. I don’t know how long the spiral spoke to me… maybe an hour, or maybe five minutes. I really cannot tell. All I know is that it made me feel all warm and happy inside. It sis good to be a pet.
My owner gave me another special treat when she returned. We went upstairs to the massage table, and she took of my hooves. Such a rare treat it was! Oh, to actually be able to touch my owner, even if it was through layers of clothing. I could heel her warmth against my hands and, even though I could not see her, I could ’see’ that I was pleasing her. I very much look forward to doing it again for her. I like knowing that I can bring her some simple pleasures after she works so hard with me.

A very quiet day at the dock on the island. No visitors. I simply stayed and listened to the sounds of the seashore. I know that the waters link me with my owner. The same waters sound in our ears, each of us. I can almost hear her whispers in the waves, calling to me. I wait for her to return……

Miss Bern is going away for the weekend, and I am staying on the island while she is gone. When I awoke, Tuelly took me for a little morning walk on the island. Got a stone stuck in my shoe at one point and he had to take a bit of time to dig it out. I’m glad my Owner was thougtful enough to have someone keep an eye on me. Spending a whole weekend with a stone in my shoe would have been bad.
Tuelly likes to dance. That much is pretty obvious. He took me to the docks and warmed up with me until his girl, Ley, showed up. THen I sttod by the water and listened to it lapping at the dock while the two of them danced together. THe sound of lapping water is relaxing.I litened to it for a long long time while they danced together. My owner is at the beach…. as am I. I think of her as the water makes gentle sounds against the dock.

Miss Bern and I visited Tuelly for some much needed help with technical problems. Unfortunately, my Owner’s problems continued throughout the visit, and she had to keep leaving and coming back throughout the whole visit. My problems, thankfully, were quickly sorted out, and both my owner and I are very grateful for our host’s help.
Tuelly showed Miss Bern how a particular new piece of equipment worked, and that ended with me being locked to a dance-pole for two and a half hours. Fortunately, half way through the dancing, Rhia showed up, and I had some company with me on the pole. Its always nice being near Rhia, even when I cannot see her.
Rhia and I spent almost the whole of the day together, just hanging out, which was ever so nice. We even got to meet with Lady Herron, who was in a sweet mood. All in all, a rather relaxing day. Hope to see my owner soon, though.

Nothing but problems on SL today. Crash after crash and no teleporting. Nothing of note today, other than frustrations.

This entry has been left blank. Some days are too personal to write about, even in a diary.

Another shopping trip this morning. THis time for rope and a hood for me. Miss Bern had seen a hood while she was out, and thought that it might be good for me. Through the hood, I can hear voices much better, and am actually able to follow the sounds of someone’s voice. I think it will be really helpful for me, and I am glad that my owner thinks of me when she is out shopping. It makes me feel good.
Miss Bern took a lot of time working with rope. SHe crafted an ingenious harness for me, and used the same rope to make sure that my hands were secured behind my back. You know, It is a little bit scary walking around in hooves, sightless, with your hands behind you - you know that if you fall, you’re going to get hurt. I’m just glad that my Owner doesn’t let me go out of my stall without her. I could get seriously hurt.

Early in the morning, just as Miss Bern was arriving to see me, I got a message that Tuelly, Master of Rhia, was trying to contact me. Of course, I let my owner know, and she handled my communication for me.
Something so simple as staying in contact with friends has become so much more complicated. Any real communication with me has to go through Miss Bern. In some ways, it is a little sad, because I know I will lose touch with many friends. In another way, though, it is somewhat comforting: I know that she is keeping me safe and secure. Ignorance, as they say, is bliss.
Tuelly invited Miss Bern to his island home, and I was allowed to come along. Miss Bern and Tuelly spent the time relaxing and chatting while I was placed in a dancing pit. Imagine trying to dance with a saddle strapped to your back, hooves on your feet, and your arms locked behind you. Yeah, you get the picture. I must have danced for them for about half an hour or more. You kind of lose track of time when the world is closed off to you.
After Having danced in the pit for a while, I was led off to a dancing pavillion. I guess that watching me had put the two of them in the mood for some dancing themselves. I stood there, in sort of a pony-attention stance, while they danced together. I remember dancing, real dancing - with other people. I would have loved to have dances “with” instead of for Miss Bern. Instead, I stood by and listened to them having a good time. I guess I still have a lot to learn… maybe even about being jealous.

My trainer had planned to have me train at some more Dressage today, but a visitor to the Ranch put that off for the day. I wish I could remember the visitor’s name, but it wasn’t used very often. Perhaps only in the introduction. The visitor was new to ponyplay, so Miss Bern was kind enough to give her an introduction. We went all about the Ranch, showing off all of the buildings and events. The visitor even helped be with some jumping on the steeple course.
Our visitor kept referring to me as an “it” istead of a “she,” and I think Miss Bern liked that. She even wants me to refer to myself as “it” from now on. It seems appropriate, in a way, as I am no longer really a “person” any longer. I am a pony now. Miss Bern’s pony. I was also informed that any day’s I have as a break away from the ranch will be the same. I will remain a pony. I will not have breaks from that.
After showing our visitor around the Ranch, she invited Miss Bern to come to her own place: A castle. It sounded like an interesting place, but, unfortunately, I was unable to see anything. My Trainer kindly let me know what rooms we were in and described some things to me, but it was not the same as actually seeing a place for myself. It is so very strange to visit a place in SL and to spend more than an hour there, and not know even what the place looks like. All I was really aware of were the smells, feelings, and sounds: dampness, a chill air, the echoing clomp of my hooves on stone. Other senses are heightened now… but the sweetest sounds and touches all come from one source: Miss Bern.
We returned to the ranch, where we found another pony. He seemed friendly enough, and even offered to pull Miss Bern around on a sulky. She was happy to go for a ride, and even brought me along for the ride…. well, she brought me along for the walk. I had to trot along beind the cart, unable to see, as usual. What made it even more difficult was the short leash she kept me on. I really had to pay close attention to what was happening in front of me. I’m sure she just wanted me to stay nearby and safe, but it was still pretty tough going.