Good Morning,
I just love this cake! A wonderful fan, Karen Gogue, brought it to BARN 55 for MY JOHN on his birthday! I heard the cake was quite tasty and everyone at the barn loved every bite! I must say, not only is Karen’s thoughtfulness of getting a birthday cake for John very special, but the phrase she used ON the cake is absolutely perfect for him as well:
LIFE WITHOUT HORSES…
I DON’T THINK SO!
This is absolutely TOO CUTE! This is truly the way he feels!
On so many different levels, MY JOHN feels that WE HORSES simply have a way of making people FEEL GOOD! As a matter of fact, he often comments to his friends and staff……. whenever you have a tough day and things appear to be a bit challenging….RELAX, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, and GO HUG A HORSE!
I really LOVE this philosophy! In truth, hugging US and being around US can be GREAT FUN!
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
With Love,
HUGS TO ALL! (Especially ALL of my FELLOW HORSES!)
Z
Rosemary McCauley
I heard a George Strait song the other day called Breath You Take. Part of the song is: “Life’s not the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.” Zenyatta, you took my breath away many, many times.
Mariel
Beautiful cake! Hugs to John for his birthday AND his wonderful philosophy! And hugs to you, Zenny!
Charlotte Farmer
@Dawn Conrad – I too am glad you are back posting. And I am thankful for the fact that you won’t have to return to the Mayo Clinic for at least a year. Whatever you are going through know that the prayers and good wishes from this site are with you along with the thoughfulness of Team Zenyatta and the lady herself.
Sharon Call
@Dawn Conrad. It’s so very, very good to have you back posting. You and I haven’t swapped any posts, but I always look for yours and enjoy them so much. You’re right, the news from Mayo is the best you could get and it couldn’t happen to a more deserving person. Congratulations! Since I live in GA, I won’t get to see Barn 55, but your description is the next best thing. Besides seeing the Queen, herself, seeing Barn 55 has to be the next best thing. Thanks for sharing.
Maggie
Well said Karen! Can’t imagine my life without knowing you Zenny and all the other horses, known and unknown, I love you all.
patricia
nothing better than the smell of your horse when you give them a big hug….
Celeste
What a beautiful gesture for a beautiful man on his birthday!! That cake is wonderful and Karen is so thoughtful and kind. I really do appreciate your sharing this with us. I love John’s suggestion for having a hard day – there is absolutely nothing like a horse hug!! There is a pasture of horses boarded on a street near the subdivision where I live and it just simply gives my heart comfort to drive by and see them grazing peacefully. We do make occasional stops to give them mints which I always seem to carry in the bottom of my purse, but they have not learned about sharing and some of the horses get grumpy with the others so we don’t want to end up aggravating them. Still it is something we like to do when we can. Thank you again, Dottie and Zenyatta for another great diary entry.
Gloria Jeanne
http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/artists/competitions/
http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial?sk=wall#!/event.php?eid=211055348916509
Sue Fredrick
Big Momma, that was so sweet of Karen to bring John that special cake, and include all of us on the card…..thank you so much.
I so agree with all of you about hugging a horse, the only thing better is a kiss on that soft nose too.
@Judy Maas Gadwood… thank you for the link to the injured foal, how heartbraking to hear and see the little angel. It does help to see all the responses and caring people who are trying to save him. God Bless you.
@Dawn so glad to see your “back in the saddle again”, so to speak.
Zen a big hug and kisses on your nose.
Robyn Mullhausen
Happy Birthday to John. Such a beautiful cake and a very thoughtful thing to do for John. He so deserves to be pampered, after all that’s what he does for his horses. :) I sure do agree with John’s advice…just wish I had a horse to hug. Even better to hug you, Zenyatta.
Cynthia H.
Winston’ ad it right: there definitely IS something about the outside of a horse which is good for the inside of a man. In this case, one can also say that there is something about such a special, beautifully decorated cake which is good for the insides of everyone—especially the” Man of the Hour!” Lovely, thougthful gesture, Karen G. You do us Southern California and Zenyatta fans everywhere proud!
Julie DuVall
Happy Birthday to your “Dear John!” He is certainly right to say that hugging a horse can help after a tough day … unfortunately I don’t get to hug horses very often, so I just think of YOU and the other horses I have come to love and know :)
Theresa Aresco
Happy Birthday John!!!! U U U U
Sunny Boyd
Good tuesday evening, Zenyatta
haha, you’re too funny :) :) :)
I kept pets all my life, and I hope to until my dying day. I truly understand the sentiment on the cake, which btw looks delicious. Lotsa icing, you can never have enough icing :) :) :)
time for 40 winks and dreams of mints
judy berube
To Dawn Conrad:
Glad to have you back. Hugs, J.B.
To Z Fans:
Another great article about MMM http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63448/mucho-macho-man-blame-him-on-the-rios Hugs, J.B.
Lover of Horses
I completely agree with you and John, Zennyatta! You horses are amazing gifts from God! Love you, Sweet girl!
Kim S
Happy Tuesday evening Zenny and everyone.
@Karen Gogue–What a wonderful cake and sentiment. Also, as others have expressed, thank you for including all Z’s fans with your gift.
@Dawn conrad–“Welcome home” you were missed. So glad to hear that you have good news.
I don’t have a horse of my own, but have always wanted one. So I decided to take that step that Susan in TN has and found a horse rescue stable close to me to do volunteer work. It is called Equestrian Inc (equestiranInc.com) in Tampa FL. And there are stories here as well. Retired/rescued racehorses, Paso Finos, Arabians, Mustangs, Shetlands, Minis and a donkey. Went to orientation on Sunday and will be going back tomorrow afternoon to try to work it into my schedule several days a week. I think it will be a healing place for me when there are tough days :)
Thanks for your inspiration Zenny,in helping me to look for horses that aren’t as fortunate as you.
Have a great rest of the week.
Lotsa love to all.
OraJean Stevenson
Dearest Zennie & Team-Z,
That cake was so perfect for John’s Birthday…and the message on it was PERFECT, too!! Someone said that the outside of a horse does something wonderful to the insides of a person. I believe and deeply feel that to be so TRUE.
Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: Your message today is so true. Horses have a way of communicating their love right back to us. You certainly do. Whether you are telling us a story about your day or your racing career or if it involves a member of your CA family–so much love is expressed in your messages. We come to your site and we leave feeling good.
@Dawn Conrad: So nice to hear from you! How special that must have been to visit Barn 55. Thank you for sharing your story. I would love the opportunity to visit Barn 55 and see Zenny’s home (stall) and seeing John and Dottie and Team Z and all Zenny’s former neighbors. What fun!! Dawn, your health report, what wonderful news!! Not to have to go back for a year—what a blessing. I am very happy for you.
Linda in NJ
@Karen Gogue–That was very thoughtful of you to include us. Thanks!!!!
Barbara Wood
@Dawn Conrad–praising God for your good report. Now you can relax a bit. Sending you a virtual hug from afar.
@Charlotte Farmer–Even though I’m from Texas, I have been to Normandy Farm. I went there to see the graves of many of our horse’s ancestors. But did you know it was also used in the movie “Seabiscuit”?
Zenny–have a pleasant good night. Love you always.
Janet Cutting
@KAREN GOGUE–YOU ARE A SUPER PERSON– I SEE THAT YOU PUT YOUR HEART AND HARD WORK IN MAKING THE CAKE–BUT GOSH ITS TOO BAD IT DIDNT LAST VERY LONG– I SUSPECT THEY ATE IN WITH THE HOUR. I CAN JUST PICTURE EVERYONE STANDING AROUND SAYING… BOY, IT SURE IS GOOD… YUMMY!!!
Peggy (N)
Dear Zenny, Hope you are having a wonderful day. I am going to send a check to Frankie the Foal in honor of you. Oh, yes and I am going to pray many prayers for her.
@Uncle Mo, I know you know I am praying many prayers for you, and you let them know if you just don’t feel like doing the racing. Love you
@Dawn, So glad you got a good report from Mayo, and so glad you had a wonderful time at Barn 55. Sounds like it was fantastic.
@Zenny you take very good care of yourself and the little one. Love Ya Peggy
Ellen Zachary
He is so right!!!!!! What a wonderful birthday surprise…loves ya, Mama Z…xxoo Ellen
Jane D
Have you hugged a horse today???
J Smith
Kim S & Susan in TN, it’s wonderful that you are volunteering at the horse rescues, and to all of you that have been donating $ to horse and other charities, I commend you. It’s never too late to start doing something good, and I suspect it really makes Team Z feel good to know, through all their charitable work, they have inspired others to follow suit.
Karen Gogue, your cake looks lovely, I’m sure it was delish too. How very nice of you to do that, and to include all of us on your card. I’m sorry I forgot to say that on my earlier post. That is a fine example of how to make somebodies day brighter. I am going to H.P. on Saturday, mainly because Trott is having a meeting re. their next event. Will u be there?
Deborah Slagle
Happy Birthday to John!! We actually SHARE the SAME BIRTHDAY!! (but I think not the same year…) As you say… “TOO CUTE!!” Wishing you the Brightest Blessings during your pregnancy… it is a truely wonderful process! My daughter was born the day AFTER my birthday… We were SO CLOSE to sharing one! Giggles! Can’t wait for you to have your little bambino! Love from North Carolina!!
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!
YOUR THE BEST ZENYATTA !!! IN EVERY WAY! I LOVE YOU AND YOU UNBORN FOAL AND I PRAY THAT HE OR SHE STAYS HEALTHY! AND EVEN IF HE OR SHE IS NOT YOU OR BERNI ON THE TRACK HE OR SHE WILL STILL BE A TREASURE!! AND WHAT AN AWESOME CAKE!!!
Maria K.
Beautiful cake! I wish I can hug you right now! Well, I will just hug Oscar and Felix, my two miniature schnauzers. I luv you Queen Z!
Dona
Charlotte – Just wondered if you were the one from Fox.
FYI-I recently got an email from the Kentucky Derby Museum offering a Cold Casting of Barbaro’s statue for $595. It’s beautiful.
I didn’t hug a horse today but I did hug my little “Fat Sammy”, although it wasn’t exactly warranted. He hasn’t exactly been a model citi_en today. Thank the stars, the rain is gone, we’re in the 80’s and Sammy is sunning himself on the neighbor’s porch. Whether they like it or not! What’s a mother to do?
Sidney’s Candy has been sold and is going back East. I’m sorry he’s leaving California.