MY BEST FRIEND

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Ayla Harris of Perry, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Mr. Boombastic

Best Friend’s Breed: American bulldog and Bullmastiff

Mr. Boombastic is Holden’s protector and best friend. They enjoy playing ball together, also fishing on the Suwanee River near live oak. Boom has been attached to Holden since birth and doesn’t leave his side for anything.

Ashley Holland of Fruitland Park, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Remington

Best Friend’s Breed: Appendix (Quarter-Horse cross with a registered thoroughbred)

Last year my 3-year-old daughter Oaklee started to ride Remi around and decided she wanted to run him in barrels. Even though he is much larger than her, he is the most gentle and alert horse I have met. Remi is teaching Oaklee many things about riding and she’s teaching him about patience and a different kind of love that us adults don’t always show. The love these two have for one another is like no other … and I can’t wait for them to grow and blossom together.

Alanah Pruitt of Lakeland, Florida

Florida Country Magazine runs a “My Best Friend” contest on Facebook every other month, for each issue of the magazine. 2 3

Best Friend’s Name: Nyx

Best Friend’s Breed: German shepherd

Nyx is the most amazing best friend and adventure buddy I could ever ask for! He is trained in personal protection to keep me safe, first and foremost. When he’s not doing that job, he’s in the woods with me looking for deer antlers, exploring new trails, dock diving competitively, or trail riding with the horses! He can do anything … and I’m grateful he’s in my life.

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Beth Taylor of Sarasota, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Murphy

Best Friend’s Breed: Boxer

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Margaret Macy of Archer, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Dolly

Best Friend’s Breed: Mule

My best friend is Dolly, my mule. For nine years Dolly has carried me on many trails of Florida, to the Great Smoky Mountains. We’ve crossed deep creeks, all kinds of bridges, large trees and worked our way around obstacles where there was no trail. She’s tough and sure-footed and I trust her 100% to make the best decisions on the trail. I throw the reins to her and sit back and ride. Most of all, she makes me smile.

Madison Tucker of Lakeland, Florida

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Best Friend’s Name: Chaos

Best Friend’s Breed: Paint Quarter Horse

My best friend means the absolute world to me. I never knew how much a horse could make you a better person, learning how to control your emotions and not acting upon them, along with how to handle situations in grace. My best friend lights up my world every day … and even more so on my worst days. He gives me his best almost every day, and I try to give him the best me I can be!

Amy Shepherd of Panama City, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Pork Chop

Best Friend’s Breed: Potbelly pig

Pork Chop was abandoned when his family no longer had time for him after 10 years. As long as I brush his belly, he will listen to me for hours!

Caitlyn Albers of Okeechobee, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Oregon Kid

Best Friend’s Breed: Mustang

Kid means the world to me. I adopted him from the wild and had a little handle on him. I trained him good and he was making it as a horse when I sold him. He disappeared for six years, going from home to home. Until one day I got a Facebook message from a woman in Arcadia. She had purchased Kid and traced his brand to me. She offered for me to come get him and bring him home. We were finally reunited … and he’s never leaving again!

Debora Whaley of Kenansville, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Chancey

Best Friend’s Breed: American Quarter Horse

My grandson, Audie Will Langford, lives in Arcadia, Florida, but also works on his family’s ranch, the Whaley Cattle Co. in Kenansville. Audie Will and Chancey always take care of one another. Chancey has taught Audie Will how to ride, work cows and rodeo events. He is quite the horseman because of Chancey's patience.