Doc The cool autumn air whipped through my hair, leaving behind the crisp smell of fall. I was in Branson, Missouri with my family. We were on vacation in “the wild wild west,” as my mom called it. At the time I was five years old and didn't really care for any of it but as soon as I saw him, it was love at first sight. There, standing just ten feet in front of me was Buckshot; a gorgeous paint with big, brown, eyes that shimmered in the setting sun. I slowly walked up to him and stroked his big soft nose; I couldn't stop smiling. I looked at my mom and said, “Mommy, one day I will own a Buckshot, and I will ride him every day, and love him forever and ever.” To this day I still have intentions of keeping that promise. I don't own a horse now, but last year I had one that I always rode and took care of; his name was Doc. About a year ago Doc was diagnosed with a deadly eye disease. At first, he vet was optimistic about his condition, but then in January things got progressively worse. In March we had to put him down, I was devastated. That entire week at school was torture, it was agonizing to focus on school work because all I could think about was him. When I told my best human friend about Doc, I couldn't stop myself from crying. It was too hard to hide all the emotions; but lucky for me, she helped me get through that hard time. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things for a person to go through. I created such a special bond with him and when he was gone, it felt like a part of me had been ripped out. I still miss him everyday. Doc was the first horse I cantered on and I will never forget that moment, I felt invincible. His strides were so smooth and graceful; I could have been up in the saddle forever. I cannot think of a happier moment in my life then cantering through an open field on a beautiful spring day. Feeling the wind whip through my hair, smelling the aroma of sweet grass, and riding with my best friend – Doc – is the best feeling in the world. I honestly don't know what I would do without horses. They sparked a passion inside of me that makes me