Jessica was all grown up, freckles were gone, but the sparkle in her aquamarine eyes brightened every time she went out to the barn in Augusta Georgia to see Lightning, her wonder horse. At thirty-one years old, Lightning was still in perfect shape, happy to be riden by his best girl. In fact, horses have a fantastic memory, and although he could remember previous things in his life, his love was Jessica.
He remembered the first time he saw her--a shy little girl with no confidence. In their years together, they grew into a team. Her thoughts were his thoughts now and vise-versa.
He had let her know in many ways that he was not a jumper. Maybe he felt bad every time he stopped and she continued in the air making the jump for him. So, their favorite thing became Dressage. That was, when he was in the mood. There was a day at the First Level Dressage Show in Templeton, MA that he bucked through the entire session. Jessica was unconcerned, and continued, as the audience laughed at them. And, Lightning kept up his "bucking dance". When they were finished, Joe Lombard, the Judge, called Jessica over and praised her for the great show.
Then there was the big move to Georgia, when he and his buddy Jade, Jessica's second horse, took the ride from Phillipston MA to Augusta, where they would live. I'm sure that when Lightning and Jade finally got there, backing down from the trailer with legs shaking, they were not afraid, because they knew that Jessica was not far behind. One week later, she appeared, and Lightning's life was on track again.
Next came the realization by Jessica, that she could not handle paying her bills and expenses for two horses. It was a very sad day when she gave Jade away. She had thought long and hard, but she knew she could not keep her precious Percheron any longer. She lovingly passed him on to a new future, proudly pulling a wedding carriage. Jessica visited him and knew that he was one happy boy!
Next, bills kept coming, two jobs and still not enough, Jessica made the hardest decision of her life. She found a perfect home for Lightning, and she knew that he would be happy and safe. The day arrived for Lightning to leave. Jessica didn't think she could go and say goodbye. Lightning was her past, present and future. Still, she knew she had to go, to tickle his ear, to kiss his muzzle, and to whisper words of love. When she arrived, he wouldn't go forward into the trailer. Jessica said, "Here, let me." She took the leadline and Lightning followed her. He trusted his girl going wherever she would lead him.
Weeks passed, and Jessica called Lightning's new home to see how he was doing. She didn't want to visit him just yet. "Let him get settled first," she said. She heard great stories about him in his new surroundings. He was tied out back and he was munching on grass. "His favorite thing to do," Jessica said. Another time, she heard that he would whinny every time they approached him in the paddock. He only did that for people he truly loved, so it was apparent that he was happy and content.
It was time for Jessica to go and see for herself. She would be going to see her Little Old Man" next week. The days passed and she would be seeing him in a few days. She was going to bring out his favorite treat--peppermint candies. It was about this time, that Jessica received the phone call. The two little girls went running out to see Lighning as they did every morning before school. They ran into the house and said, "Mommy, mommy, your little horse is dead."
Did he go peacefully, like the smell of the sweet growing grass? Did he think of Jessica and remember? Well, horses never forget, so go sweet boy, with all the memories you have of the little girl, the teenager, the grown women. So canter on your final journey. Good Night Sweet Friend!
He remembered the first time he saw her--a shy little girl with no confidence. In their years together, they grew into a team. Her thoughts were his thoughts now and vise-versa.
He had let her know in many ways that he was not a jumper. Maybe he felt bad every time he stopped and she continued in the air making the jump for him. So, their favorite thing became Dressage. That was, when he was in the mood. There was a day at the First Level Dressage Show in Templeton, MA that he bucked through the entire session. Jessica was unconcerned, and continued, as the audience laughed at them. And, Lightning kept up his "bucking dance". When they were finished, Joe Lombard, the Judge, called Jessica over and praised her for the great show.
Then there was the big move to Georgia, when he and his buddy Jade, Jessica's second horse, took the ride from Phillipston MA to Augusta, where they would live. I'm sure that when Lightning and Jade finally got there, backing down from the trailer with legs shaking, they were not afraid, because they knew that Jessica was not far behind. One week later, she appeared, and Lightning's life was on track again.
Next came the realization by Jessica, that she could not handle paying her bills and expenses for two horses. It was a very sad day when she gave Jade away. She had thought long and hard, but she knew she could not keep her precious Percheron any longer. She lovingly passed him on to a new future, proudly pulling a wedding carriage. Jessica visited him and knew that he was one happy boy!
Next, bills kept coming, two jobs and still not enough, Jessica made the hardest decision of her life. She found a perfect home for Lightning, and she knew that he would be happy and safe. The day arrived for Lightning to leave. Jessica didn't think she could go and say goodbye. Lightning was her past, present and future. Still, she knew she had to go, to tickle his ear, to kiss his muzzle, and to whisper words of love. When she arrived, he wouldn't go forward into the trailer. Jessica said, "Here, let me." She took the leadline and Lightning followed her. He trusted his girl going wherever she would lead him.
Weeks passed, and Jessica called Lightning's new home to see how he was doing. She didn't want to visit him just yet. "Let him get settled first," she said. She heard great stories about him in his new surroundings. He was tied out back and he was munching on grass. "His favorite thing to do," Jessica said. Another time, she heard that he would whinny every time they approached him in the paddock. He only did that for people he truly loved, so it was apparent that he was happy and content.
It was time for Jessica to go and see for herself. She would be going to see her Little Old Man" next week. The days passed and she would be seeing him in a few days. She was going to bring out his favorite treat--peppermint candies. It was about this time, that Jessica received the phone call. The two little girls went running out to see Lighning as they did every morning before school. They ran into the house and said, "Mommy, mommy, your little horse is dead."
Did he go peacefully, like the smell of the sweet growing grass? Did he think of Jessica and remember? Well, horses never forget, so go sweet boy, with all the memories you have of the little girl, the teenager, the grown women. So canter on your final journey. Good Night Sweet Friend!
2 comments:
Love it Joni
Peace and love, SueO
Thank you, Sue! Losing an animal is really like losing a best friend. All animal lovers know that!
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