In which it's still summer but you could start your holiday shopping now!

A few years ago, the library had a huge run on "whatever happened to...?" books.

You know the kind of book I mean: where the picture of the child actor, super athlete, or political figure you remember from your childhood or teen years is juxtaposed against a current photo of the definitely-older-but-still cute/athletic/charismatic person of interest.

That kind of book never interested me much. I was never much a fangirl of celebrities or the like. 

This kind of book is the kind of book I prefer:

Standardbred Old Friends 
Photography by Barbara Livingston, Stories by Ellen Harvey

In this beautifully-illustrated coffee table edition, Ellen Harvey describes the careers of well-known racing Standardbreds...and goes on to tell the stories of their lives after retiring from the track.

The stories are sometimes extraordinary and breathtaking.  Sometimes they are quiet and reassuringly ordinary.

We've all heard too many "Black Beauty" stories of horses used up and thrown away after racing.  We all know too many examples of talented horses sold to unworthy homes or to the meat packer.

It's good to know that there are, out there in the world, people who value their older horses.

Mack Lobell may be retired, but he still has at least one big fan

 And it's good to see some beautiful photos of older horses who aren't done living yet.

Liz and Dreamy, stars of the Standardbred Excellence blog

If you want to read some "good news horse stories" or you know somebody who needs to read stories like that, here's your book.  The pictures are pretty enough to cheer you up on a gloomy day, and the stories are terrific reading anytime.  

Want to see more?  

Wanna order a copy for yourself or a friend?  HERE'S THE LINK.

(Yes, it will eventually be available through Amazon.  However, the authors don't get much $$$ from Amazon sales -- voice of experience -- so they are opting to sell directly to customers for now.)

Highly recommended for equestrians (not just fans of standardbreds) who spend hours online looking at pictures of other people's horses...and for anyone who might ever become a fan of Team Sensible....and for anyone who likes to read a book full of happy endings.