Bitterbal’s Adoption

Ismae had heard the breed name, Teddy Cob passed around the show grounds at the last few shows she had gone to. After the third time she had heard the name, she decided to research the breed. Upon quick searching, she had discovered they were a Hungarian descended breed, similar to obertaurers. She saw they were stocky cobs with the cutest variant of teddy bear ears. She scoured their website up and down and let every single bit of information sink in.

However she scoured too deep, and she found their online adoption center. The application was easy to find, and with a stable like Whispering Pines, easy to get approved. She fell in love with a mare called Bitterbal on the website. She was a stunning lavender blue roan at only 11.2 hh. Ismae instantly began to think of all the inhand and cart shows she could get into with the little mare and thought she’d get along well with her full size vanner, Honey. She also thought that Ambrose. Yes Ambrose and Honey would tower over her, but Bitterbal definitely didn’t seem to mind based on her videos. It wasn’t hard to be taller than Bitterball either, even if the entire breed were pony type cobs. Most of the horses she saw on the website still stood a good two hands above her. 

Ismae knew she would likely look too tall to ride the mare but she didn’t care. She would have just as much fun braiding her hair and taking her to inhand classes. The mare had the most lovable looking face and luscious mane and tail. Ismae waited for the approval ping to come over for the application and immediately called the linked number to further discuss Bitterbal’s adoption. The person that answered the phone was a kind woman that sounded a bit older.

“Teddy Cob’s Adoption Center, how may I help you?” The woman picked up on the second ring.

“Hi, I’m Ismaela Durdug. I just submitted an application for your Teddy Cob mare, Bitterbal that is in your adoption center. The approval email stated to call to further discuss proceeding and potentially bringing her home?” Ismae greeted.

“Oh, yes! I’m so glad to see little Bittebal get the attention she deserves! You know she’s so short and doesn’t have those trademark teddy ears so everyone simply looks over her!” The woman said.

“Aww I couldn’t possibly imagine! The poor girl! She’s still adorable and kind looking no less. She seems like she'll make an excellent companion at the very least if she dislikes showing.” Ismae let out a little sigh.

“Yes, well I’m reviewing your application and your stable and such and everything seems to check out. Obviously you would have to fly her to you, I do hope that is okay.” She stated.

“Actually I was hoping to fly out and come get her myself. I am picking up an obertaurer yearling in the same area as you guys are and would love to see them on their flights myself and hopefully get on the same plane as the girls” Ismae said it as a bit of a question.

“Actually, that would be perfect, we do prefer you meeting your new partner before we fly them out, we just have different preferences with it being Bitterbal and her having been so overlooked for so long. When can you fly out?” The worker questioned.

“I’m currently looking at flights and can actually get on one here in three hours and be there by tomorrow afternoon your time.” Ismae said.

“Perfect! We’ll see you then! I’ll send over the address so you can find directions from your selected airport and I’ll go ahead and get all her transfer papers started and her passport collected. All I need you to do is ensure the flights are set and that quarantine is set and then show up! Oh, and my name is Anne, you’ll be speaking to me when you arrive.” Anne stated.

“Okay! Sounds great. I’ll go get packing and book all the flights now.” Ismae stated.

With that they said farewells and Ismae giddily texted Marley to tell her what was going on so she could watch the farm for the days she would be gone. Ismae had everything ready to go within an hour and rushed over to the airport despite having to wait over an hour and a half to even board the plane. The flight seemed to take ages rather than just 16 hours as Ismae was too excited to sleep or focus due to bringing home not one but two outstanding horses with this flight. The plane finally touched down at the destination and despite being in a different country, Ismae noticed a tack store on the way in. She stopped and got a nice durable leather yearling halter for her Obertaurer filly and got a leather cob halter for Bitterbal with the prettiest Cyan crystals inlaid into it. The halter was a dark brown color whereas her ober filly’s was a chestnut brown color. She thought they would make excellent contrasts to their coat colors. Ismae got back in the rental and proceeded to Teddy Cobs Adoption Center. She had rented a truck and small horse trailer big enough for the two she was getting.

Anne greeted Ismae at the gate, practically jumping at her when she stepped out of the truck.

“Oh right this way! Bitterbal is in her individual paddock right now since you were coming for her today!” Anne said excitedly. 

Ismae smiled a huge smile and followed her. She immediately fell in love when she saw Bitterbal in person. Anne let her through the gate and Bitterbal whinnied and came running toward the humans now in her home. She greeted Anne first then immediately went to nuzzle Ismae like she knew this was her new person. They sat with Bitterbal for a bit and she refused to leave Ismae’s side, even when Anne offered her treats. Bitterbal played with the laces on Ismae’s boots and Ismae scratched her withers which made her smile.

“Well, she seems to love you, Ismae. If you're ready, we can go get this paperwork knocked out and you can take her home.” Anne stated.

“Oh yes!” Ismae nodded eagerly.

Ismae handed Bitterbal’s new halter to the person Anne had enlisted to load the young mare for them as Ismae went to sign all the transfer papers and passport. Within about twenty minutes, Ismae had everything in order and Bitterbal was loaded in the trailer. Ismae pulled out of the adoption center as Anne waved them off and shed a single happy tear that the sweetest mare had finally found her place in the world. Ismae let out a big grin and glanced over at the camera that showed Bitterbal inside the trailer and could see she was simply munching on her hay. Now for the next journey to pick up her Ober filly.