Dear Little Joe,

We may not speak the same language, but we understand each other. We may not be of the same species, but we are brothers all the same. On the first day I saw you, you were a baby-faced teenager eager to impress your older brothers and your pa. Ben told you to test me, see if I was a good horse. But you weren't testing me, Joe. I was testing you; seeing if you were as stubborn as me, and you were! You stayed up there on my back until I quit bucking. I could've thrown you, I'm sure, but I didn't want to hurt you, same as you didn't want to hurt me. You were also testing yourself, Little Joe. You may not have known it, but you were testing yourself to see if you measured up in the eyes of your father and brothers. Over the years we've grown close. Of course, sometimes you grow negligent and forget to fix a cracked shoe, but I always forgive you because you're young and foolish. Maybe one of these times I'll throw you until you fix that darn shoe. We've seen good times and bad times through together. I've helped you impress many pretty girls in Virginia City, prancing and showing off and misbehaving so you could rein me in and look like an expert horseman. We've raced together also; you can't hide the fact that when I run you love every minute of it. Together we've chased down many a fleeing criminals, and almost every time I catch them. When you are wounded, I bring you home, home to the safety of the Ponderosa where I know that Ben will care for you and me both. Likewise, when I am injured, you leave me to rest in the barn. Oh, how I hate to see you ride off on another but we both know what is best. I love our early morning talks and the coffee you let me have. Honestly, I can't see how you drink the horrid stuff, but your face lights up every time I stick my tongue into the cup so I keep doing it, just to see you smile. I know that when I grow old you'll care for me, Joe. I trust you and you trust me.

Love,

Cochise