In Loving Memory of My Beloved Cassie
Cassie was a special friend
to me. We did everything together: trail riding, gymkhana, just hanging out.
We had a special bond that could never be broken. She helped me turn from
a scared, lonely teenager, to a more mature, confident young adult.
After I had owned her a year and a half, she started to cough. Later,
her sides heaved as she gasped her breath. She had an almost constant fever.
I kept her alive on penicillin shots for two months. Finally, we took her
to a equine hospital nearby. She had severe pneumonia, and couldn't be cured.
After many phone calls and tears, we made the hard decision to put her
down.
She died much before she should have. She was only 16, my age. She should
have had many more years left. She should have grown old and grayed, and
spent her retirement grazing in a green pasture and going on leisurely trail
ride with me whenever I needed a break from whatever youngster I was training.
She should have been able to show children how to ride. She should have
lived.
Before the vet took her away, she got to graze for a while, and roll in
the dirt. Those were always two of her favorite things to do when she was
healthy, and it seemed fitting that she was able to do them one last time
before the end. Then I hugged and kissed her, and then I had to leave her.
She watched me until I was gone.
Dear
Cassie
My fiery chestnut, with
warm chocolate eyes of love,
I know you will watch over me from far above.
Your spirit will be with me, through good times and bad,
Someday we will laugh at all the good times we had.
You were so beautiful, spirited, with a love for life,
We were such a good team; we had neither fight nor strife.
You were fast as the wind; You were smooth as the far sea.
You carried me faithfully. I always trusted you to watch over me.
Now your pain and suffering is gone, your agony is ended.
You can breathe freely; for your lungs have been mended.
But no matter how happy I am that you're illness is gone,
I will always miss you, and I will miss visiting you each dawn.
I loved you so much, and I still do and always will.
My heart has a huge hole, which no other horse can fill.
Someday, eventually, I will come to love another in due course.
Please remember, my Cassie, you are my first and beloved horse.
You can never be replaced, no matter how many years pass by.
Other horses will be loved, but in my heart you shall always fly.
Our separation is only temporary; we will someday reunite.
Wait for me by heaven's gates, and we will ride to the light.
Then we can spend eternity together, unafraid of death and pain.
We will be together. I won't let anything separate us ever
again.
Love Always,
Emily
Cassie 
