Luft |
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Thoroughbred
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May 13, 1998 - September 3, 2011
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Proudly loved by Raelyn and Michael Drews |
I am submitting this memorial tribute for my friend, Raelyn, as we all mourn the loss of her sweet companion Comet. He touched the heart of everyone he met. Comet was a kind soul who we will all miss. Run in heaven, Comet, as fast as you can in the greenest pastures, free of pain and discomfort... My mares will guide you, if they can catch you :-)
Love,
Joyann
Dear Comet,
I’ll never forget the first time I saw you.
I pulled up the driveway, and you were running around the field. Your neck was bowed, your ears were pricked, your tail was waving in the air like a flag. You were annoyed and rebellious. You were unsure of people, unwilling to put your trust in anyone. But you made a husky, coughing sound that I would later recognize as your nicker. I knew at that moment you would change my life. And so our story began.
You spent your first night in the barn with a borrowed blanket – it was a bit colder out than usual, that night in March. In the morning, you got to go outside in a paddock with Clover. You had no idea what to do! You trotted up to her and sniffed, then trotted away, then back again. It became obvious to all that witnessed your antics that you had never had a friend before. Being in a pasture with another horse was something completely new to you, and it was wonderful to watch you discover what it was like to just “be a horse”.
The first time I saddled you up, you tried to bite me. And kick me. And shy away. This is where I started to learn more about you, as I began to realize you had never been treated with kindness. Your fear of brooms and pitchforks, combined with your hesitation to be saddled, made your past become apparent. It would take alot of patience and love for your attitude to change. Then came our first ride. We were walking around the ring, nice and easy. Out of nowhere, someone cantered up behind us… And all hell broke loose. You took off, and it was all I could do to hang on and steer. I tried to point you at the fence, thinking it would make you stop, but you spun on a dime and cantered off the other way. Clearly, we had a lot of work to do in this area as well.
But in just a few short months, you became perfect. I rode you out on trails at a trot and canter, racing through the woods. Once you understood what was expected of you, anybody could ride you. Your first encounter with water still makes me laugh. Mike was riding you that day, and the two of you were following the rest of us at a canter when you came to a dead stop at the bank of a giant puddle, with your feet firmly planted. Mike entered the puddle alone. I had to turn around and lead you through. But once you discovered water, it became your favorite source of entertainment.
It was a little more than a year later when we moved up to Hunterdon County. It was here that you really made your mark on the lives of so many others. You allowed me to give Chrissy riding lessons on you, and provided her with a feeling of safety. You loved having children ride you like an oversized pony, never taking a bad step or shifting them off balance. You brought so much joy to Kristen, a girl who only wanted to have horses on her property, never realizing how special the one who moved there would be.
And during this time, you also imprinted on me in a way I didn’t know was possible.
The days and individual memories all blur together. But here is what I will remember about you as long as I live: The way you would throw your head from side to side, nickering for your food in your own special voice, and the happy snort when you were finally able to dive into your grain bucket. How much you loved a newly cleaned water trough so you could dunk your face in up to your eyes, and then splash around with your nose. The way you would look at me and nuzzle, just to be affectionate. The patience and understanding you would show to children of all ages that wanted to pet you, ride you, and give you treats. How you had the smallest horse ears on the prettiest head, of any horse I have ever known. The way you would let me hold your head in my arms for a hug and snuggle, for as long as I wanted. That you loved to be scratched all up and down your neck and under your mane, and how your lower lip would droop and your eyes would close anytime the scratcher would hit “the spot”. How excited you would get at just the crinkly sound of a peppermint wrapper because you knew your favorite treat was coming. The gentle nature of yours that emerged when you were treated with kindness and love. And how you let me selfishly have more time with you than I should have, and still looked forward to seeing me every time I got to the barn.
My Comet, if I had known that I would only have had you for five years, and that my heart would break into a million pieces when I had to make the call to send you to Heaven, I hope you know I would have rescued you anyway. The pain I feel now is equivalent to the happiness you brought into my life. I may have brought you home for Mike to ride - but we all know you became mine as much as I became yours. I did all I could to keep you well, and even though some say I should have let you go sooner, I knew you would tell me when you were ready. Please don’t forget me where you are going, as I will never forget you.
I love you,
Raelyn
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Comet 
