What can I write that has not been written so eloquently already? I have no words that can be added to the many articles which speak to the devastating loss of the magnificent horse Barbaro. He became a horse that became a part of our daily lives.. a horse that has become so dear to so many, and who brought so many people together.
How is it possible to love an animal so much that we have not physically touched or with whom we have had no contact? That is an amazing phenomenon that I think about often, particularly in the past two days.. yet he became the "people's horse" and belonged to us.
And what I come up with is that we have touched him. Through our prayers and our friendships that we built. We have touched his owners and his caretakers in a way that they did feel our love and support. And Barbaro has touched us deeply...
But most importantly we touched Barbaro through our love, our prayers and our connections. We have touched each other and have made dear friends with folks that we also may never meet or physically touch, but no matter.. our friendships are real and close and unconditional.
It has been an honor for me to have spent the past eight months in relationship to a champion. It has been a joy for me to have made wonderful friends, to have participated nightly in the Barbaro Love Vigil, to have shared the deep love for, the awe we felt for him and most of all, the deep inspiration that he initiated in all of us.
Barbaro will live eternally in our hearts. He will live in the legacy that he leaves in helping horses in the future who will benefit by the knowledge that has been gained through his care, the anti-slaughter legislation that will be passed, and the importance of protecting all horses throughout the world.
Sleep sweet ...sweet one!
Jo
15 comments:
Beautiful tribute to a wonderful horse.
Thank you for your beautiful tribute to Barbaro. For over eight months the first thing that I did every morning was to check and see if all was well with Barbaro. This morning I was overwhelmed with a sadness that there was no update that said " another comfortable night for Barbaro." Right now I can only find comfort that he is in a better place and free to run again.
I had to come over and read your tributes to Barbaro. Very touching and true. I hope you will find others to care for as deeply as you have cared for and appreciated Barbaro. I was raised on a farm where animals surrounded me, many of them I regarded as my stability, my refuge when human troubles threatened to overcome me. I could spend a day on a horse and come home rejuvenated. I felt this was also true of the cowboys. Their work with the animals were their saving grace, for all too often human frailties overcame them and they fell into drunkeness and debauchery away from their work. I always thought of the horses who learned to work well with humans were making a leap up the evolutionary scale. Running wild and free seemed to be the idyllic life for a horse, but the wild horse ranges were being taken over. Horses had to adopt and become man's best friend during the horse age which justified many of them further existence. Man and horse is not always a bad thing. I hope to to continue to read your thoughts on the relationship between man and the animals. I think you do a good job Gerry
http://journals.aol.com/gehi6/daughters-of-the-shadow-men/
Jo, this touches my heart to the point of tears that just don't seem to be able to stop flowing. How can you come to love an animal so much even though you have never seen or touched him? I watched him break his maiden in his first race in Delaware, and couldn't help but get a bit excited. His next race was the Laurel Futurity where he demoloshed his foes with a devastating stretch run. New Years day, the Tropical Park Derby. On Feb. 4, 06 the Holy Bull where he was not fazed by the sloppy track. Then on April 1, 06 he fully extended to beat Sharp Humor. By the time the Derby came around I was fully in his corner, and he was no stranger when he walked the post Parade at Churchill Downs. I truly loved Barbaro, and he will live in my memory, and in my heart forever. He will always be a true Champion.
Your words are beautiful. Thank you.
The anguish is almost unbearable when I see a picture of Barbaro as he is here - looking so alive, content, precious. But I can't bring myself not to look. Just as I can't bring myself to stay away from sites such as yours and the message boards we FOBs are accustomed to visiting many times every day.
I still visit the message boards just as often as before. I suppose I'm seeking solace. But none comes.
Now he can be free. I cannot imagine the idea of being born a thoroughbred and not being able to romp and kick up his heels. I had so hoped that somehow he would have a quality of life. I saw that vidoe clip of him walking and just knew that although he was comfortable and bright and eating, at some point he would try to be a thoroughbred and want to run. Now his legs are sound and his eyes are filled with the freedom to eat grass and roll in the sand and be a horse once more. Sleep peacefully and romp happily in the meadows of heaven fair son. Good bye dear one.
Jo,
I have thought many times about why i feel so close to this horse. I grieve for him as if he was my own pet. I am not a horse person - much more of an animal person yet i have followed Barbaro's every move since his setback in July. We have made such amazing frienships both through the vigil and Tim Wooley Racing. So much good has been done in Barbaro's name. May it continue - we can't all fall apart and let the good works end. What a great group of thoughts Jo.
I still believe
Love, Joanne
Looking for updates on B's progress became a morning ritual for me. Thanks, Jo, for the vigil/chat room and the updates. I've been teary for two days now and spend extra time with my dog -- knowing that someday she and I will see Barbaro frolicking in the meadows at Rainbow Bridge.
Thanks for the inspiration, Barbaro. You remain a valiant spirit to be remembered.
http://perishthethought.blogdrive.com
Jo, You said it perfectly. We will always remember his spirit - his courage - and his willingness to let us try to fix what was broken. His legacy will be just that. Along with his amazing victory at Churchill Downs. As far as I am concerned, his candles will always burn brightly.
Cindy
You put this good bye very well. Very true that this horse will live on in our hreats and memories.
Thank you, Jo. What you wrote was beautiful and tender,,,,
Kathy Kvarda
I cried when he died. I thought this amazing horse was going to make it. Thanks for the entry.
Jo, you make everyone feel so good with your words of comfort and wisdom, I know you came through for me when I needed it. Barbaro was a winner, and even more so now because he can truly run the green pastures and be so happy and well and were winners to just for knowing him through this journal and being a part of him all this time. The Lord did not want him to suffer and now is in Rainbow bridge. Love Christina Lucero.
Jo, thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date on Barbaro's status and this moving tribute. There's not much I can add -- he touched my heart in ways I can't explain, and I'm not alone.
Reply to PamMH2,
Pam, I totally can identify with your words," he touched my heart in ways I can't explain, and I'm not alone."
It is a great mystery how so many, many people's hearts were so deeply touched by this great horse and his Journey toward healing. He captured the hearts of everyone who knew him, and we all hold him there and will, since he touched such a deep part of our beings, as did the folks that worked so gallently and bravely with him.
I met a healer, years ago, who cautioned me that "healing" may not mean "recovery" in the way in which we think of it, generally. Healers send healing energy for the best good to which the healing is directed, and sometime that means giving permission for the individual to let go and to join God.
What more can I say but that Barbaro is healed. And he carries with him the great love that so many sent to him. I have no doubt that he felt our love and our healing thoughts and prayers. He has been blessed by many, and he has blessed so many of us.
Thank you for your really beautiful words, Pam. I appreciate them so much. It is healing to me too!
Jo
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