Way back...

..in history, in some part of France,
the Percheron breed started by chance;
no one is certain, it wasn't recorded,
it was a surprise that nobody ordered.

Beautiful animals, in gray or black,
a few white or brown keep coming back;
strong and agile, hard workers too,
a wonderful sight for me, and you.

They're here with us in forest and farm,
and in our country, we cause them no harm;
pulling a plow, or wagon they work,
quickness and muscle, smooth and no jerk.

Once featured by Heinz of Ketchup fame,
a team of eight was part of the game,
proud and strong, a painted wagon they led,
in many parades, and present when some people wed.

Heinz stopped using horses in two-thousand-seven,
the horses given to the Old Guard numbered eleven;
now with caisson with casket they're led,
a final honor for our war dead.

And, right here in Maine, where this is written,
a farmer in Ashland, saw and was smitten...
by the work ethic, he uses them often because they know how...
...to work in harness pulling a plow.

Animals are a gift precious gift to mankind,
a thought we should always keep in our mind;
but some linger in need of a home,
we can all help, so they're not alone.

There is a tab on http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/,
that we select to help shelter critters move on,
and then of course we need to select,
the other tabs too, and some needs will be met.

And be kind to neighbors, and people you meet,
it won't hurt to smile at a man on the street;
there is no one who can't simply give...
...heed to the motto: Live and Let Live.

Enjoy