Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Throughout the visits with MY TEAM during the last few weeks, I enjoyed several opportunities to have very, very intimate conversations with MY PAL, Dottie! As you know, she and I speak quite often and constantly work together on several projects. At this particular moment, we are reviewing some exciting plans of things WE anticipate doing in the future. I hope all of these ideas materialize…as they will be SO MUCH FUN!
I must say….I loved the comments many of you made yesterday in the Diary Responses as to what my NEW CAREER choices could be! Several of you are right on target! YOU know ME very well! YOU GET ME! YOU truly know what would be the best way for ME, at this point in my life, to successfully apply my skills and talent towards MY 2nd CAREER! I loved reading ALL of your comments and thoughts on this topic!
Here are some of the options YOU, my dear friends, suggested:
Artist, Spokesmare, Dancing Queen, Entertain Visitors, Model, Actor, Ambassadress for our Sport, being a MOM, tester for Guinness, teacher to both horses and human, inspirational speaker, and philanthropist!
You are ALL TOO CUTE….for thinking about ME in such a fabulous light!
Hooves Crossed!
We will know more tomorrow. I promise!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Especially my 91,115 Facebook Friends….WOW!)
Z
Alex Bowdoin
Good Afternoon Beautiful Zenyatta, I love this photo of you and Dottie, your voice from you to us!
Dawn Conrad
@Melinda Kaczur – Dear Melinda, welcome!!! Rest assured that we would never think your emotions are crazy as the majority of us share them wholeheartedly and have often shed a tear of joy for our beautiful Zenyatta. When it comes to loving Zenny, the more the merrier.
Lorri Hix
Momma Z,
You and Dottie crack me up! I love that photo of you both wispering. I think that you should be a trainer! After all, you are the best on the track! xoxo
Georgia Harper
Dear Z, you must have had a wonderful time with all your Team, loved all the pictures and yes you and Dottie look like you are having a very serious talk. I am sure whatever you choose it will definately be wonderful and fun but it will also be something to do with helping others. Can’t wait for tomorrow!!!
"Charlie" from Delran, NJ
On my Comcast home page today there was an article titled “15 Spectacular Falls from Grace” in athletics. Names such as Roger Clemens, Pete Rose, Michael Vick etc. were included. However, I did notice THERE WAS NOT ONE HORSE AMONG THEM. Anyone care to speculate why? Just wondering.
Margaret
JAG not sure what baby bump your referring to…Horses carry their pregnancies further back in the barrel region–closer to flanks (rump area). Do explain.
Heidi
I love seeing you with you’re family. I am so curious as to what the news will be. Another career? Hmmm…
Love you big girl! Also, Dottie, thanks for keeping the diaries going and for being Zenny’s voice!
J Smith
Imagine if all meetings were conducted in such a loving way, what a different place the world would be. Talking of 2nd career’s I have mentioned before that the L.A.P.D. Mounted Unit have 2 off the track throroughbreds in their squad. What an interesting 2nd career they have. The Mounted Police are not 100% funded by the city, so they have a fundraiser every year. It is on Oct 8 in the Los Feliz/Griffith Park area of Los Angeles, a trail ride and then BBQ back at the barn (you should see the fab barn). You can do one or both things, so if you are in L.A. consider going (don’t forget the carrots)! I have volunteered to help, I will post link to flyer with ticket info as soon as I have it. It will be a fun event, what’s not to like, beautiful horses, and hot men in uniform. No, I didn’t just say that did I!
melinda kaczur
@ Dawn Conrad- Thanks for making me feel welcomed to this lovely website you are too kind.I am from Kentucky and I know what a lovely place it is around Lexington, I now live in Atlanta but, MY HEART IS IN KY. Zenyatta, there has to be a movie made about you,I know everyone here would buy it.
J Smith
@ Charlie, like your post. Perhaps Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, A P Indy, and a list of 1000’s could make some training video’s for human athlete’s ‘How To Conduct Yourself In a Decent Manor & Be A Benefit To Society.’
Patricia
Some responses to #344:
@Barbara Wood: yes, it was a tremendous blow to lose that lovely colt, he was just 6 months old and I had lost his dam when he was 8 days old. Her full sister took over the colt, teaching him all he needed but did not nurse him. I was so pleased with the way he was growing up, he took to all his lessons beautifully… the next blow was the letter received the day after we let him go— a lady back east was willing to pay my high price for him as a potential sporthorse and breeding sire. I’ve only bred a few since, and my last breedable mare is out on lease to a good breeder who has gotten all fillies from her so far. I still have a half brother (27) and half sister (25) to that colt, and they have that wonderful personality too. Among other traits I like.
@Phyllis Horn: I am so sorry for the loss of your mare. Arabians are so personable, they become so close with their people… and they truly do become family members. Nineteen isn’t very old for an Arabian. I’ve had and lost many over the years, and it NEVER gets any easier. I hope you have lots of photos to go with your memories, and possibly some offspring?
@Joanna in TX and Laura J: Yes, sighthounds are a real challenge, and none more so than the Saluki. The Saluki agility anecdote was so typical of the breed. In obedience sometimes they will just look at you, get up, and trot out of the ring, to wherever your seats are. They KNOW they are disobeying. They are a very ancient breed, and their instincts and behaviors are pretty well locked in. You can ask them but they may or may not decide to cooperate. And you can never TELL them. They will just zone you out.
I had a little red bitch (“Que Sera Sera”) who would do anything I asked of her— except agility competition. She learned all the obstacles (I was the instructor for our dog training club’s agility beginner classes for many years) and enjoyed them, but would never work off lead. Instead, she would head for the nearest A-frame, leap to the top, stand there surveying her domain, and then cavort down the other side (touching the yellow area, of course), and run straight to the high dog walk which is essentially a long 2″ x 12″ plank suspended between two tall sawhorse frames, with ramps leading up and down on each end, the whole thing 4 or more feet off the ground. She would do a DETOUR to make a fast dogwalk crossing, then run to my friend who had other Salukis. And THOSE two would run together to the A-frame and stand at the top watching us come to get them. They thought it was great fun.
I haven’t done agility with Sally because we have done sprint racing instead, and even at 8 years old she holds her own in top competition. I am really enjoying the dog things, so much easier logistically than the horses— never mind the expense. This way I can enjoy my own horse retirees (aged 18 to 31), and compete with my dogs, and still have time to enjoy horse racing and Zenyatta in particular. What a great catalyst you are, Zenny!!!
@Jeanie— if you DO go, try to bring back some of those horseshoes… there must be something that can be done with them as mementos and memorials for the ones who were lost… if someone could maybe weld some together for bookends etc., we could buy them and the money could go for more rescues?
Have a great day everyone! Zenny, enjoy the autumn weather, you should be starting a bit of a winter coat by now…
Patricia (with Salukis) (and Arabians) (who used to watch Citation and Native Dancer and Swaps and Determine and…. )
Brenda S..
Dear Zenny and Dottie, it looks as if you are rubbing noses and John caught you at just the right moment. Dottie, how ever do you find the time to read all the posts and type all Zenny’s thoughts each day along with all the other things you do. You are a wonder woman!!
Linda Shull
Raising your baby is the most important and taking care of yourself.
Kendra
Dottie and Zenyatta, you not only collaborate to keep this Diary current and interesting, but you ACTUALLY read (very carefully, I might add) the postings. I am so impressed. Zenyatta exudes GOODNESS and HOPE to all, thanks to you, Dottie. Having created such a great experience for Zen’s fans, you could rest on your laurels, but INSTEAD YOU ARE SEEKING MORE WAYS TO HELP OTHERS AND TO CHEER THE FANS. A HUGE Thank You from the Lone Star State. Peppermint Kisses to my very, most favorite, thoroughbred in the world.
Susan in TN
Zenny- there isn’t anything that you and Dottie couldn’t do when you “put your heads together”! How about a “Zenyatta Clothing and Supply” line for mares and fillies?? I agree with The Kennedys- author, for sure AND actress! As they say- you GO, girl! Love you so much <3
"Charlie" from Delran, NJ
Dear Melinda Kaczur,
Welcome to this wonderful place. You commented that we would think you silly because you cry at the sight of Zenyatta. Not at all. May I suggest that you cry when you see Zenyatta because she is so wonderful as animals are. We are all looking for insiration & she provides it. I’m a retrired history teacher & I weep for our nation today. Our people are for the most part generous, hard-working, creative, loving. However, I cringe when I hear clapping for the death penalty. I was once a supporter of it in my younger “salad days”, but now I oppose it. While I understand those who support it & have no quarrel with them, I am shocked at the clapping. I cringe too to hear cries of “let him die” from an audience regarding a question about what to do for an uninsured & ill man. I cringe when I hear boos from the audience for a gay soldier in Iraq supporting the end of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”. Many leaders of BOTH political parties are mean-spirited & cruel about each other & their opponents. This is not what our nation used to be. In the election between Carter, a Democrat, & Ford, a Republican, neither took money from outside but accepted federal matching funds. They referred to each other as “my honorable opponent”. Today what good the billions, yes billions, spent on all elections could do for our children, those in poverty (now 15% of our population), and our fellow creatures, not to mention our mother, Earth. Yes, I weep too when I think of Zenyatta, the hero dogs of 911, the Seeing Eye & police dogs, and all animals helping our challenged fellow citizens. I see goodness here and in local efforts of the people. That gives me hope. Manna does not fall from the skies, nor does money flow downhill from the wealthy to the poor. But goodness rises, efforts of the people build, & we must all continue to fight for what we know in our hearts to be right. One day I hope we will all be able to cry again, not just for animals, but for our nations leaders who will inspire us with their goodness, intelligence, & courage. Until then I’ll save my tears for the animals.
Susan in TN
@Kari B: I am so excited about your new treatment plan! I ditto what Dawn C said above- just can’t express it as well! <3
Kim
Zenny, has anyone approached you about appearing on Dancing with the Stars? The crew they have on right now isn’t very good. I can just imagine you up there dancing you heart out.
Love you Big Mare!!
Vicki
I believe you should be a “People Whisperer”!!!!!!!!!!!!
ladonna cable
COVERGIRL!!!
JAG from California :-)
@ Margaret
It was merely an expression of love… However, Zenny is larger in the “girth” area… no? ;-)
Judy
maryp
Dottie,You have a special gift that you share with us that has no equal in the animal world let alone the TB racing world. You are blessed as are we!
Elaine
Wonderful picture! You obviously love Dottie as much as she loves you! Be careful….Ann will be jealous! But I know you have enough love to spread to everyone!
Ann Maree
Hi, Zenny,
–
I’m afraid I’m going to be a little selfish here in the choice of your “second career”! A lot of the ideas sound intriguing, and some of them certainly can be included in your repertoire! Why limit yourself to just one thing. You already are all of those things — except one (and truthfully, you do do this one as well, though on a very limited scale)! I VOTE FOR ENTERTAINING VISITORS!!!! NAMELY YOUR FANS!!! But, only if it is an ongoing project that would allow the largest number to visit you over time. I worry that if only a small number were to be allowed to visit (a la Rachel) that too many would be left out. And, I’ve come to care a great deal for a lot of your fans and would hate to see them disappointed.
–
I tell you what would be a wonderful substitute, though: a web-cam installed to watch you in your paddock just “doing your thing”! Wow! And that wouldn’t disrupt the activities at Lane’s End and possibly disturb the other occupants! In addition, it could be a super way to raise funds for worthy causes, as a small fee could be charged to be a “member of Zenyatta’s web-cam” club! You always have been extremely involved in fund-raising for good causes, so this would be a super way to let your fans get a little closer to you without over-whelming you in person, and to help out worthy causes!
–
Anyway, those are some of my thoughts…. I just miss you so much, and hope someday to be able to openly visit you. As I told you yesterday, my visit with my friend’s horses recently helped my yearning to kiss your nose….those three horses got lots of kisses, carrots and apples and treats. Made me feel closer to you, too!
–
The one thing I’m sure of is, your connections always, always have your best interests at heart….and they have taught us much in the art of loving and caring for those in their charge. As fans, we have been blessed to be included in so much of your career and your new life. Thanks to all of them for the gift that is Zenyatta!
–
Big hugs and lots of kisses, sweet girl! Ann Maree
Brigid Matthews
I am very grateful to all of you for sharing Zenyatta so unstintingly. Thank you.
Susan in TN
@ALL: BIG NEWS: Sharon Call and I are ADOPTING CHESTER and CHOPPER!! They will be living next door to the rescue in their very own 4 acre field that shares a fence line with River Edge, so they will still see some familiar faces (besides mine!). The people who own the place are lovely and have 2 children, ages 7 and 9, who are very excited that “The Boys” are going to be living there and want to brush them and help take care of them. They are building them their very own run-in shed this week (not the children-haha) and I plan to move them this weekend. At Chester and Chopper’s ages, they needed more individual care and housing than the rescue could or would provide. There were plans to euthanize Chester this fall- not going to happen! I had the vet out to do physicals on both horses, including bloodwork, and he said they are very healthy. All labwork was normal. He said Chester has some arthritis, probably in his stifles and hocks, but NOT BAD and said he is happy and healthy and he did not see a reason to euthanize him. He’ll need to continue the senior feed mashes and alfalfa pellets that Sharon and I have been providing and giving all summer, as he does not have enough teeth on the right side to grind hay enough to eat. Chopper can eat hay- he is missing a molar but has enough teeth to chew. He and Chester are becoming buddies, as we had hoped. I will keep you all updated as things progress but wanted you to know! They got their own halters and feed buckets yesterday- I am very happy that this has worked out! I will still be checking on the other Sweeties- Rootbeer, Rusty, Sass and his mom Cheyenne- as I love them, too.
JAG from California :-)
MOVIE!! BOOK!! STATUE!! ALL OF THE ABOVE!! lol Judy
Lauryn Moore
hi everyone i have read your replies and i have seen them photos they are beautiful and i will love see her.
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Queen,
If everyone could see the world through your eyes, Zenyatta, it would be a wonderful place!
I’ll be watching for your big news—until then, hugs and sweet treats to you!
Love,
Stel
Bonnie MacRaith
Hi Dottie! Thank you so much for being Zenyatta’s voice and having the desire and interest in continuing to be. I am so grateful!
For quite some time I have seen Zenyatta as a healer, pure and simple, besides of course, a great race horse. So, I can seriously see her working with traumatized children, soldiers returning from the war or any kind of service oriented work. A big soul like Zenyatta is needed on these fronts. There are programs for PTSS for soldiers working with horses with very good results. I know Zenyatta may not be able to join such a program but maybe she can be available through a social work group that could bring children to her. I know she responds really well to children and is a safe horse to be around. Just ideas!
Blessings to All,
Bonnie