Drakecember 10: Ancient (Patreon)

The old creature plodded towards the small drake and slowly, as if  creaking like an old tree, lowered his head to sniff at the fruit she  offered. Though his mane was no longer groomed and hung long and gnarled  from his neck, he still remembered the feel of the brush and the crisp  taste of papples.

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Nile  giving an old pack beast a nice yummy fruit. He's ancient and no longer  in service, with clumps of hair molting across his body, but he still  enjoys company and fresh snacks.

Drakes as a society  don't drive their creatures to an early grave. Animals used for towing  or lifting are retired when they are still young and capable of living  the rest of their days in peace and their natural habitat. This system  keeps a balance and allows older generations of beasts to teach their  offspring that interactions and association with drakes are not  something to fear. Those that remain on the colonists land will stay for  the company and their own enjoyment and are free to come and go as they  please. [often like earth deer they will bring their offspring to meet  their former handlers]