Tinker in action
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Tis the holiday season, and while most of us are simply concerned with surviving in one piece through the madness and the shopping malls, there are a few among us who are more focused on giving back. Tinker, an 11 year old miniature horse, is one of those generous individuals.
Not only is Tinker community minded, but he’s actually more proficient at raising money than his human counterparts. The average amount for a regular person is around $250, but Tinker hauls in around $2,500 (because he’s awesome). “Tinker is one of our largest, if not the largest, bell ringers that brings in the most donations,” said Milwaukee County Salvation Army Community Relations Director Faithe Colas. “He’s so adorable and he’s so cute and people can’t believe he’s actually there and actually picks up the bell and rings it.”
No matter where you go this season, you’re bound to see friendly faces with the bells at the fronts of stores. Tinker’s owner, Carol Takacs of Allenton, Wisconsin, is an animal lover, so the idea to get Tinker involved with red kettle bell ringing came quite easily to her. “I got him to understand to hold things. He understands ‘hold.’ He understands ‘move your head.’ He understands ‘pick it up.’ He’ll ham it up for people. When people come over, he’ll bow for them, he’ll salute them without me even asking him anymore. He understands that’s his job while we’re there,” Takacs explained.
And that, Eventing Nation, is your “AWWW” moment of the day, and a feel good story in a time when we need one the most.
