An Article I Submitted To WMFE- NPR For Publication

We all knew that Barbaro would be our next Triple Crown winner. There had been no horse who had won that distinction since Affirmed, in 1978 with Steve Cauthen aboard. So after the incredible win of the Kentucky Derby, with his brilliant jockey, Edgar Prado atop, we all knew that Barbaro would be our next Triple Crown winner. But right after the start of the Preakness, our hopes were dashed, along with the promising future of Barbaro as a stellar race horse. Never mind that he could not finish the race, never mind that he would not win it, but this incredibly brilliant and talented horse might not survive the catastrophic injuries that he sustained that terrible day at Pimlico.

Millions of people witnessed the tragic event. We were in shock, we were in agony along with this beautiful animal who was so severely injured. We wept, we prayed, we were stunned by the effect that this horse had upon us. We hoped for a miracle, and our hopes were dashed many times with the grim news from New Bolton Center, several weeks after his brilliant veterinarian and his staff provided heroic medical care to Barbaro. We prayed a lot.. and we wept more.

Barbaro has made an enormous impact on people all over the world. While he was not able to continue his racing career, his name became a household word. Newscasts and articles in the newspapers appeared constantly with updates about the condition of this courageous and huge hearted horse. New Bolton Center has been besieged with well wishes, get well cards, flowers and baskets of fruit and food sent by an incredible florist in the area,Kennett Florist Inc. Kennett Square, PA. Their phone rings off the hook with well wishers sending gifts to the staff and spearmint drops for our beloved Barbaro.

He is responding to treatment now, but still in a very guarded condition. His veterinarian, Dr. Dean Richardson urges us to be cautiously optimistic, but through these past two weeks, Barbaro has rallied strongly and is cooperating with the gallant folks who tirelessly continue to provide care to him. He will never race again. He may not ever be able to pass his genes on to bring such talented horses into our lives. Yet the love and the concern that folks are demonstrating is quite amazing. We may never touch Barbaro personally, but this horse has touched our hearts in a manner that is quite extraordinary.

A group of people who pray for Barbaro, who are subscribers of AOL have started a nightly prayer vigil in a private room. Here is the link to the room for your information.
aol://2719:2-2-Barbaro%20Love%20Vigil


Each night we meet at 7:00 PM ET and light a candle, say prayers and console one another to ease the pain and worry and to keep the positive energy of hope and love alive. Prayer is powerful!

I wanted to share this story with your station as it is timely in this world where so much strife and anxiety prevails. If a horse like Barbaro can bring the hearts and minds of folks who do not know each other together, perhaps we can learn how to reach out to one another in peace and with focus on healing our own wounds.

Barbaro has become an icon of hope, courage and dignity. He is bringing people together in prayer and in love. He has given us a great gift and while we continue to pray for his recovery, it also gives us the opportunity to have a template for a more global act of healing.

I personally think that your station should air a program about Barbaro. The message is loud and clear. Together, we make a difference. Apart, we can only lose.

I am including the url to my journal which was started for pet loss support and prayer for terminally ill animals, which is now devoted mainly to Barbaro's progress updates. I hope that you will find this journal inspiring.

http://journals.aol.com/ourbelovedangels/OurBelovedAngels/


Best wishes,

Jo O'Brien (member of WMFE, an avid listener)
Orange City, Florida