Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” Boy oh boy, do I have a treat for you all this week. I had mentioned that I wanted to start doing more interviews again this year and I landed a big one (literally) to start it off.
My new friend, Mila, is a 13-year-old draft cross horse who works for the Key West Police Department. She joined the department four years ago and came from a farm up the road in Homestead. Her partner is Officer Mike Wolf, and if you live in Key West, you can often see Mike and Mila clippety-clopping down Duval Street during the week.
Reef: Hi Mila, thanks for taking time out of your very busy and important schedule to meet with me today. First off, I have to ask; what is the weirdest thing you’ve seen on Duval Street?
Mila: Oh Reef, that is a loaded question. I am sure you’ve never been to Fantasy Fest, but I have and all I have to say is humans can be very bizarre. I’ve seen some things that no horse should ever have to see.
Reef: Got it, and if you don’t like seeing the weird, I can guarantee I wouldn’t either. Next up, what are your favorite snacks?
Mila: Apples, and thank you for bringing me some today. I also love carrots, sugar cubes and peppermint candy!
Reef: Woah! My mom doesn’t let me have sugar. She says I’m already wired enough and we don’t need to add fuel to that fire. Here’s a fun question; how often does Mike have to empty your poop bag during a shift?
Mila: Well Reef, here’s the thing. I could poop in the bag if I really wanted to but sometimes I like to remind Mike who’s really in charge and will miss the bag on purpose so he has to clean it up off the street.
Reef: Oh now that’s what I like to hear, a woman that goes rogue every once in a while. I, too, like to make my mom clean up after me all the time. As you say, it keeps them humble and reminds them who the boss really is. Almost done here. Is there any good stable drama I can get the tea on?
Mila: I am fairly drama-free. However, Rey (horse) is the smallest of the three horses and it seems he has a bit of the Napoleon complex going on. He likes to be a bit dramatic at times but Murph (horse) and I just try to ignore his shenanigans.
Reef: I am all drama, so Rey and I might have to meet and plan a county-wide takeover. Last question. Have you ever met anyone famous working for the department?
Mila: Just you Reef, just you.
Reef: Well, you are my new favorite animal on the planet Mila.
*Special thanks to Chief Sean Brandenburg and Officer Mike Wolf with the KWPD for having my mom, Nicole Navarro, visit the stables.
