Dear Friends,
I sincerely hope each of you had a very peaceful and loving holiday. The time we spent at the farm visiting with everyone was wonderful. I am overwhelmed by all of your support, love, and warm wishes to myself and MY TEAM.
I will forever be grateful to each of you!
In life, things may often travel an unexpected path. Sometimes, the surprises are wonderful and joyful. Other times, no matter how hard you work and no matter how hard you try, the result is totally out of your control and not as positive as you would hope.
I’d personally like to thank each of you for the concern and love you have expressed for CLOUD MAN. He definitely ‘knows’ how you all feel and the many candles and prayers you honored him with yesterday.
Needless to say, it is a very sad time for MY TEAM. They loved him very, very much…and he will be greatly missed.
Your kindness and thoughtfulness, as always, is deeply appreciated and means so much to all of us!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~(Special blessings…dear Cloud Man)
Z
signofthetimes
A wonderful rescue from Puerto Rico:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/beyond-the-blinkers/archive/2011/11/23/blue-blue-sea-s-brother-needs-your-help.aspx
eastcoastkid
@signofthetimes;
whenever there is a pull up on a track, I am always frightened…my immediate thoughts go to Ruffian and than horrific day…Jacinto Vasquez did everything in his power to stop her and he couldn’t get her to slow down…she “had” to finish…horrible thing to witness…even on TV..that is what i think of every time a horse is pulled up…thank GOD Mike could do what he did…avert a true disaster for Cloud Man, agonizing breakown on the track …he was apparently still in shock when the decision was made after they got him into the barn. Amazing!
signofthetimes
Grieving for those in the racing world; owners, trainers and those of the backside
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horse-health/2005/november/19/grieving-the-loss-of-a-friend.aspx
signofthetimes
@eastcoastkid
I think of the same scene with Ruffian, although not involved with horses at the time in my life, the videos are very sad and tragic. I also think of Chris Antley, when his horse was injured, he jumped off and held his leg to lessen the weight of the horses body on his injured leg. So glad Mike Smith detected the injury and pulled him up so quickly. And John Sherriffs evaluated him thoroughly and the decision was made. Horses are very very delicate/wonderful creatures, with “ballerina legs”.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I hope you are doing well today! It is warm but raining here in NJ. Hopefully the weather is a little nicer in KY. Love you.
eastcoastkid
@signofthetimes;
you and John are so right…”ballerina legs”…beautiful and delicate beyond belief…bless them all!
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
@Trina: wordsmith; owner of an endless well of words….thank you.
@Kennedys: Thank you—-and thank you for so generously sharing pages from your memory book.
@Kari: Beautiful video, which reminds us to love everyone in our lives to the fullest as if it were their last day, because…someday, you will be right.
Molly
Zenyatta, put on your blanket as it’s going to be 32 degrees and below on Wednesday and Thursday. Miss ya so much. Stay warm and healthy.
Eveline / Maryland.
@ Signofthetimes – thank you for the link about grieving, very good article.
Kim Robinson
My heart breaks so much for the loss of CLOUD MAN. I loved his few races, saw a beutiful new star on the rise. Mike did everything he could to save him. This is the most horrible part of horseracing, the loss of such beautiful creatures. I am deeply saddened and send condolenses to the whole team. I know how much you care about your horses, and want to thank you personally for that. CLOUD MAN will be missed:(
Linda in NJ
@Cynthia H.: You post is so beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes–“And here comes Cloud Man!”
@Kennedys: Unfortunately I missed the link to your memory book.
MLV
All the comments here are so wonderful. I wish I had a place like this to come to when I lost my horse. It took years before I didn’t cry every single day for him. And he had lived a very long and wonderful life. He died a month shy of his 33rd birthday, quite a feat for a Thoroughbred. But it was cancer that took him and he let me know in no uncertain terms when he was ready to leave.
He had this wonderful way of hugging me. I would put my arms around his neck and he would push down on my back really hard with his head. They were the most wonderful hugs. After I told him I would let him go he started hugging me and continued to give me those wonderful hugs.
He literally died in my arms as I was holding his head when he got the final injection. He was so ready to go and was gone before he hit the ground. As he lay there my sister, my vet and a good friend and I sat by his body we realized that he looked as if he was galloping. He was really on his way.
I don’t think it is the shortness of a horse’s life but the life he has lived and the love he’s received is what matters the most.
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
@Linda in NJ: Thank you so much, Linda. Believe me, there were tears in my eyes as I penned it. When I mentioned the Kennedy’s “memory book,” it was meant as a general referral to all of the lovely moments which they so kindly share with us from their personal visits to Zenyatta, etc. There was no actual “link,” other than the one which runs from them to all of our hearts. Hugs to you.
@Kari: 12th.
Eveline / Maryland.
Here is the article on the apprentice jockey who lost his life in France this weekend. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66388/french-apprentice-dies-of-injuries-from-fall
Linda in NJ
@MLV: So well said–In the end, the most important thing for our pets, our treasured friends to know is they were loved.
Linda in NJ
@Cynthia H: Oh, I am sorry. Thank you for letting me know.
JAG ~ is sad :-( So. CA
@ Mischa
Sweetie, I got to pet you when I visited to Barn 55. I also have pictures of you. You are a Cute Pie… Cloud Man is watching you from Heaven now, Sweetie. XOXO
Judy G
Shari Voltzfrom Ohio
Dear Sweet Zenyatta It is lunch and I had to stop by. I am so touched by all the beautiful posts. I have always held each one of my fur babies when their time came. I always wanted them to feel the love as they crossed over the bridge. MLV’s post just touched my heart. I have never owned a horse but my dogs and cats were always held so that they never had to be alone. It was hard on me but I felt it was more important for them. I hope you have a good day and stay warm. Hugs and Kisses, Shari xxxooo
@ MLV your post was so touching. I had to hold back the tears because I am in school
Terri Z
I’m so sorry for all of Cloud Man’s connections. I am glad that he had a peaceful and painless death. And now he is up in horse heaven with his new friends Eight Belles and Ferdinand. And who is charge of the paddock up there, no one other than the chairman of the board, Secretariat. Vice chairman is Barbaro.
Maryyette
So sorry for the loss of Cloud Man, am sure he is safe in Heaven, but it is so difficult to lose a dearly loved one.
Maryyette
MLV, lovely and touching – so glad your beloved horse had someone so loving and caring and with him when he passed to Heaven.
Ann
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone associated with Cloud Man, who was with us for far too short a time. Godspeed, sweet boy.
Suzanne G (IL)
Dearest Zenyatta,
Someone once said that animals are a gift. We care for them and cherish them but then, too soon, they must be returned to God. Hopefully, beautiful memories of Cloud Man will be of comfort to your family, Barn 55, Mikie and all of us on this site too. Love and hugs to you and TT.
@Joyce in Vegas–thanks for sharing that wonderful poem.
@Elizabeth in New Mexico–beautiful imagery
Jeanie
Dear Z’isters
PLEASE CONSIDER CREATING A LIVING MEMORIAL TO CLOUD MAN BY HELPING OTHER HORSES LIVE! OUR HEROINE MARLENE DODGE STILL NEEDS FUNDS TO HELP RESCUE HORSES FROM THE NEVADA FEEDLOT THAT ARE BOUND FOR CERTAIN DEATH IN A CANADIAN SLAUGHTERHOUSE. PLEASE HELP US HELP MARLENE RESCUE THESE DEAR SOULS AND GIVE THEM A NEW, SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE WHERE THEY WILL BE APPRECIATED AND LOVED. PLEASE GO TO http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com AND DONATE TODAY. YOU CAN DESIGNATE YOUR DONATION IN MEMORY OF CLOUD MAN SO THAT HE CAN LIVE ON IN THESE RESCUED HORSES. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!
Jeanie
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@MLV–Another touching comment about your wonderful horse. Thank you for letting us get to know him through you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My verse can’t compare
With those exquisite lines composed by Elizabeth in New Mexico, or those offered by Joyce in Las Vegas, but still I’d like to share.
For Cloud Man
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
His name was Cloud Man,
But to see him run,
You’d think him the sun.
Now his race here is done,
But he’ll forever be one
Who our love won.
RIP, dear Cloud Man.
Karen
So sorry about Cloud Man, he was a beautiful horse and had so much potential. RIP beautiful boy. Condolences to M & M Moss, John Sheriffs, Mike Smith and especially Dottie.
Cathleen
Extra hugs to Dottie — I hear she was especially close to Cloud Man.
Kathy B. (SoCal, FL)
Dottie you’ve done so much to keep our spirits up thru the wonderful posts on this website….please know we are all wishing you and all of Cloud Man’s family well in this most difficult time.
Marilu V.
Dear Zeny:
I am saddened by the loss of Cloud Man. My deepest sympathy to John, Dottie, The Moss’, Mike and everyone in Barn 55. I love this sport but every time I watch the races I fear something like this can happen. I have to remind myself to leave it in God’s Hands as we have no control over these events in our lives. Take care of yourself Zeny. Love and hugs, Marilu
Suzen
Dearest Dottie,
This is by far the toughest part of the wonderful world of horse ownership. Its painful to go through and I know just how you feel. Im sending prayers and courage your way.
Stay strong. There are so many that we love at the Big Racetrack in the sky that will now be able to enjoy Cloud Man.