Taxi was my lifetime best
friend. I was only 9 when she was born, April 1980, and was there for
her birth. I didn't know she was mine at the time, until Christmas of that
year. I grew up with her, helped to train her, and she was the only horse
I rode, other than my first pony.
We had a special connection. She had the sweetest eyes. I could look into
her eyes and tell her everything that was going on, and she would nudge me
as if she understood everything I was going through. We went through our
teen years together. There were many days I would just ride around on her,
pop her over jumps, and just talk to her about my day. She never judged me
and only loved me.
She had her little quirks - you could never get on her without longeing her
first and letting her get all of her bucks out - she tended to jump and shy
at stupid little things - but because I expected it, I grew used to it. Her
trot was nothing to brag about, but her canter was so smooth, sometimes it
felt as if we were one. We were best together when we jumped. She would put
her ears up, I would feel her excitement, and as she tucked her legs underneath
her, she would carry me over the jump.
As I grew older, married, and moved away from home, I left her to my
mom to care for. I would visit her every now and then, and she always greeted
me with a nudge and her famous sigh. Her sighs are the one thing I
will never forget. She would let out these big, heavy sighs, as if to say,
"I love you and am happy to see you.".
I didn't spend as much time with her in the later years as I would have liked
to. She got kicked in her back leg in early November 2005, which led to an
infection in her joint. The day I went with my mother to the barn to see
the vet's prognosis, as soon as he said it, I ran to her stall, put my arms
around her and could not let her go. When they led her away, my heart was
breaking. They were about to euthanize her when I insisted on running to
her to say one last good-bye. I gave her a hug and a kiss and told her she
would be in a better place and I would see her again one day. I then walked
away to sit by myself as the tears rolled down my face and I imagined her
last breaths. We referred to her as "the blonde", and since I am a blonde
too, we were both considered to have similar personalities. I will never
forget my last moments with her. She rested her head over my shoulder as
if to comfort me and let me know she understood.
I love you Taxi. I miss you
and will always remember you.
Heather
Taxi 
