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My Dearest BV,
I will never forget the
first time I saw you standing in your corral behind the barn. You looked
so interested in everything and when I saddled up your half-sister, Cuta,
for my lesson, you looked like you wanted to go too. I had no idea that we
would become the best of friends and that you truly would become my dream
horse. Your owner, Tami, told me one day that if I wanted to work with a
horse, she had one that was "kind of lame". Imagine my surprise when I found
out it was you! Of course I accepted her offer.
We worked together to get
you sound as I tried all sorts of remedies and exercise. Little by little,
you responded to treatment and the loving bond that was growing between us.
It wasn't long before I was able to ride you bareback and eventually we graduated
to a saddle. The lame days grew less and less and soon we began to take trail
rides together and experience the beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
I remember the day that Tami
and her parents presented your registration papers to me. It was on my birthday,
August 8, and how wonderful it was that your birthday was August 10, as obviously
we received each other as birthday gifts. The best gift I have ever
received!
When my husband bought
Ragtime Taffy, the beautiful Buckskin quarter horse, we all rode together,
how fun that was! As you grew stronger and sounder, the trail rides were
longer and my friend Tori began riding Taffy, your trail buddy. Then we
discovered team penning at the Empty Saddle Club. You caught on so quick
and became so adept at chasing those pesky cattle. What fun that was for
a season! Tori eventually bought Taffy and though the two of you continued
your adventures for a few years, she eventually moved away to Norco and a
new life. You were Taffy's first love and Tori told me that she was so depressed
after she moved away from you. Well, Taffy now stands with you in that heavenly
pasture, reunited again forever, of this I am glad for both of
you.
You had moved to a new
barn with me and had a lovely 72 foot run. What fun that was for you as you
ran up and down with the rest of the "herd" that lived there. For nearly
9 years you were King of the Herd on Palomino Trail. All the horses up and
down the trail knew who you were and honored you as their leader. I loved
the way you would puff up, arch your lovely neck and proudly trot along the
trail. What a smooth trot and lovely gaits you had!
Oh and what fun we had when
I began writing the Dear BV column in the Horseman's Dispatch newsletter.
You became quite popular and got a lot of fan mail. Wasn't it fun to be a
celebrity? You even had your picture in the Los Angeles Times with me when
we had a story written about us and the Palos Verdes Cowboy Poetry and Music
Festival that I started so long ago.
BV, your sense
of humor was always a treat for those who knew you. I remember the time that
you and I and Tori and Taffy had stopped at the bathtub waterer at the Fire
Station. I noticed that you dipped your nose in all the way up to your eyeballs.
We were caught off guard when you brought your head up and then blew the
water all over us! Tori screamed and you thought it sooo funny that you dipped
your nose back in and did it again! You were always coming up with something
funny to catch your human and horse friends off guard.
BV, you were an inspiration
as you were totally healed of ringbone and the degenerative joint disease
that had made you lame and ended your brilliant show career. You did win
District 7's Gaited Championship prior to your fall at the show in Louisville
where they discovered your problems. Together you and I conquered your disability
and through many prayers and guidance as to what was needed from our dear
Lord Jesus, you were healed and restored, better than ever. That amazed a
lot of people, especially your former owners who were so
delighted.
I will never forget you,
my best buddy, my dream horse. I miss your loving hugs - pulling me into
your chest and holding me there, the way you would "pucker" up to kiss me,
shaking "hands" with me, playing "get the horse" in the arena, the twinkle
in your eye when you were up to your tricks, the soft loving look you would
give me as I stroked your face and held your head in my arms and just the
way you would greet me when I arrived at the barn with carrots, fortune cookies
or peppermints. I told you there would never be another horse, not one like
you, though God and you saw fit to send me Keanna, the Princess, to carry
me along our trails for this next season of my life. I appreciate that.
You were my very own, my first
horse, my beloved, my BV. Our bond and love are forever. So, my dearest friend,
I look forward to the time that you return to my side to carry me home to
heaven.
Love and Hugs,
Your "Mom"
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BV
