The Loss of a Friend

Last night, I had to put down one of my very best friends in the world. She grew up with me. People come and go in our lives and too often we take them for granted. When something or someone becomes hard, we tend to find them disposable or make excuses why they aren't in our lives. I find a great comfort in my animals. I surround myself with them because they have always been who I can depend on. No matter my mood, the day, how long it had been since I had showed them love last, they have always stood by me and April was no exception. She was a gift from my dad and I grew up with her. She had been an integral part of my life for 24 years. That is longer than most marriages in this day and age. She raised me and instilled in me my love for horses. I will never have another horse like her. She was abused as a young filly - beaten by her trainers because she wasn't running fast enough. She was a descendant of Man of War and in her final race to the end of life she showed every bit of poise and grace. In fact, although she was in a great deal of pain those last few minutes, she stood stoically and allowed me to love her and tell her my goodbyes. She never took it out on me because humans had been so unforgiving to her. She had a huge heart. She started my children on their path to be horse lovers. As much as my heart aches - and I'm sure it will for a very long time - one of the hardest things I had to do was tell my children and know that they felt the same ache I did and as a parent there was nothing I could do to stop that pain for them. You pay a price for that kind of love when it leaves this earth and moves to another plane. But, we will all regroup, and continue to love and share of ourselves because it wouldn't do her justice to stop loving just because she is no longer here. So to one of my very best friends, my "Mom", I bid you farewell for now and hope that you run wild and free in the meadow of your dreams. I love you and will always be grateful for what you have given to me.