We will miss our heaven-sent Rae, who passed away on July 21, 2007. Rae
was a 29 year-old half-Arabian, half-Quarter horse, who nickered every time
you were around (especially when it was time to eat).
My heart goes out to my mother, Cathy, who used this horse to relieve
herself of the stresses in life. If you watched the two of them together,
you could see an obvious connection. Looking into his big brown eyes the
day that she bought him, you could see that there was a softness to this
horse that come few and far between.
They say that a person is lucky if they ever get to experience that
"once-in-a-lifetime" horse and I believe that this was that horse for my
Mom. When she brushed him, or was just out there to give him a scratch, he
would ever so softly rest his head on her shoulder and soak in all the attention.
He kept her safe on the trails and when he would get nervous, or they were
bored, my Mom would sing all the songs to Rae that her mother sang to her
as a child. Whether it was the soothing of her voice or the distraction from
the noise, we will never know what kept her safe for the 10 wonderful years
that she kept Rae. She said that there were many times that she made mistakes
on this horse and he was always there to take care of her. Whether it was
his patience with her lack of coordination due to her bum knee, or the spooks
in the woods when you were riding him, Rae was her protector. All we know
now, is that in heaven, Cathy's mother, Shirley, is still singing those songs
while Rae rests his soul in the grassy pastures up above.
It is so hard to lose family, and when an animal comes into our hearts, that
is what they become. As human nature, we want to surround ourselves with
the things that make us happiest in life. It is sometimes hard to let go.
We must not ever let selfishness deter us from what is best for an animal
when they bring us so much joy. By letting him rest, my Mother put Rae first.
It was his time and time for us to let go. He will be missed by all the people
that loved him and rode him.
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