Spirit, I remember the first time I saw you, that first initial eye contact
with you. I knew in my heart I had to give you a loving home.
After the neglect you had suffered all of your life, I knew I could give
you the love and security both needed and deserved.
Right from the beginning we got off with a rocky start, as soon as I got
you home and in your new stall, you bit and kicked me. I realized you were
12 years old and had not known what it was like to have someone love and
care for you properly. You were scared of me, but after a few days you realized
I was not going to hurt you and we became best friends. Whenever I walked
into the barn, you always met me at your stall door with a quiet little nicker.
My friends always said you were saying thank you - thank you for giving me
a good home and taking me away from the horrible conditions I lived in for
12 years. I so miss hearing your nicker when I enter the barn. I only had
you for 8 months but you left a big hoof print in my heart and I know
for you those were a wonderful 8 months.
I cherish the memories of the times we took you to the
care centers and the residents fell in love with you immediately, everyone
said how beautiful you were, you were so calm and gentle around them, you
carried yourself so proud all the time, you seemed to know what your purpose
was there, you were a natural as a therapy pet. It gave me such pleasure
to sit and watch you in the pasture as you would run and kick and buck, your
head and tail held high with great pride. Knowing you had been locked in
an 8 x 8 foot stall all your life, seeing the wind blow your beautiful tail
and mane gave me chills of excitement for your feeling and enjoyment of
freedom.
Then, in late January you
became sick, daily visits by the vet, tubes, IV's, they all became a daily
routine to try to help you get better. Then on February 14, 2006, Valentines Day, which has to do with love and joy in your heart, my
world turned upside down, my heart was broken in a split second. You were
getting weaker by the minute, late that afternoon when I walked in your stall
with the vet, you were so weak and it took so much energy for you to lift
your head, but you slowly raised your head up and looked me in the eye as
if to say, "Mom, it's time, I'm weak, I'm tired, you've done all you can
do and it's time.". We laid you down, I held your head in my arms, told
you I loved you and how much I would miss you, but it was okay to go, your
purpose on this earth was finished. The vet patiently waited for us
to say goodbye. I couldn't let you suffer anymore, then I nodded my head
and the vet gently euthanized you. When you took that last breath, I knew
you were at peace. You now made the journey to join God's special herd.
I am eternally grateful for the time we had together and I know someday we
will be together again. Until then my friend, thank you for all that you
taught me, which was no matter how hard things in life are, always
hold your head high and never let anyone break your Spirit. You will be missed,
but you will always have a special place in my heart. You touched the
lives of many and in us your Spirit lives on.
Spirit 
