(2)During the past fifteen years the horse which pulled the milk wagon used by Pierre was a large white horse named Joseph. In Montreal, especially in that part of Montreal which is very French, the animals, like children, are often given the names of saints. When the big white horse first came to the Provincale Milk Company he didn`t have a name. They told Pierre that he could use the white horse henceforth. Pierre stroked the softness of the horse`s neck; he stroked the sheen of its splendid belly and he looked into the eyes of the horse.
“This is a kind horse, a gentle and a faithful horse,” Pierre said, “and I can see a beautiful spirit shining out of the eyes of the horse. I will name him after good St. Joseph, who was also kind and gentle and faithful and a beautiful spirit.”