Dobbin Woolly and Tig

Hey, Tig!

# I love Woolly and Woolly loves me

# We've been together since we were wee

# We play hide and we play run

# We have plenty, plenty fun

# He's my spider cuddly toy

# He's my clever, woolly boy

# I love Woolly and Woolly loves me

# We've been together since we were wee. #

When I was little, my Auntie Shona worked at a riding school.

There were horses at the riding school.

Hi, Shona.

I didn't like the horses. When I visited my Auntie Shona,

I stayed in the car.

Hi, Tig!

-You not coming to see the horses?

-No.

Auntie Shona worked very hard at the stables,

wheeling muck and stuff.

-Lovely!

-Teaching children to ride.

Lovely, girls.

I liked my Auntie Shona. Woolly liked my Auntie Shona too.

One day, we had some washing for Auntie Shona.

I sat in the car.

I didn't like horses.

Hello, Tig!

Then I saw a horse that I hadn't seen before.

Who's that?

Oh, that's Dobbin.

The horse was very friendly.

-Bye, Shona.

-Bye!

The next time we saw Shona, I said,

"Can I see Dobbin?"

"Come on, then," said Shona.

Dobbin was gentle.

Dobbin was friendly.

Dobbin let me stroke him.

I liked Dobbin.

Dobbin was beautiful.

I wasn't scared of horses any more.

I said hello to all the other horses,

but I loved Dobbin the best.

One day I saw children riding horses.

Can I ride Dobbin?

"Dobbin's too old to ride," said Shona.

"We have a new horse arriving next week.

"He's just the right size for you."

Next week, when I arrived,

I wanted to see Dobbin.

Where's Dobbin?

"Where's Dobbin?" I said.

Dobbin isn't here just now.

"Dobbin isn't here," said Auntie Shona.

Auntie Shona showed me my new riding hat.

Where is Dobbin?

"Dobbin's gone away," said Shona.

"When can I see Dobbin again?" I said.

You won't be seeing Dobbin again.

Dobbin died.

"But where did Dobbin go?" I said.

He went to sleep.

"Dobbin just went to sleep," said Shona.

"He was very happy."

Right.

"Time for your riding lesson," said Shona.

"I don't want to go riding."

Auntie Shona sniffed and went to fetch Daddy.

I was sad.

I was very sad.

Hey, Tig. Nothing wrong with feeling sad.

Nothing wrong with crying.

Auntie Shona is sad, and she's crying.

But, hey!

Dobbin is happy now.

Dobbin had had a great life at the stables.

Everyone loved him.

But Dobbin was very old, and his legs hurt him.

But now, there's no more hurt and he's happy.

He's galloping away in his dreams.

You'll never forget Dobbin.

Dobbin helped you to like horses.

And today, Dobbin is helping you

for your very first riding lesson.

So go for it, Tig!

Feel sad, but happy for Dobbin.

Wheeee!

But most of all, have fun on your first riding lesson.

Dobbin would love that.

"Yes!" I thought.

"Dobbin showed me how to like horses and not be scared.

"Dobbin would want me to have fun riding on my very first horse."

I put on my riding hat.

"Ready!" I said.

The new horse was called Topper.

I liked Topper.

When Shona saw Woolly, she said, "Aargh!"

It's only a toy spider!

"It's only my toy spider," I said.

I like riding Topper.

I love Dobbin.

And I love Woolly.

# I love Woolly and Woolly loves me

# We've been together since we were wee

# He's my spider cuddly toy

# He's my clever, woolly boy

# I love Woolly and Woolly loves me

# We've been together since we were wee. #