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
Paula Higgins
Oh no, I didn’t know about this. What a shock. I am so sorry about the loss of Cloud Man. I can’t believe this. My sympathies go out to all of Cloud Man’s family. He was a beautiful horse. I hope and pray he is running in the clouds with all of GOD’S other beautiful and loved creatures of the earth.
Deborah Richman from So. Cal.
I am so very sorry to hear about Cloud Man. Ann and Jerry Moss, John and Dottie Shirreffs, Mike Smith, and everyone in Barn 55, please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of this beautiful boy. I hope you know after reading the posts here how much we all care.
I would also like to send hugs to all Z’sters who’s furry loved ones have recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I liked what Dawn Conrad wrote about how “those who touch our hearts will be remembered with tears….and with smiles…”
Lastly, my sincere sympathy to the connections of all the sweet race horses who lost their lives in the last few days.
AJ from CA
I am very sad to hear the tragic news of Cloud Man. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. and Mrs. Moss who must be devastated as I’m sure they loved him dearly and to John and Mike and all the team who worked and bonded with him. I never saw CM in person or raced, but I loved him anyway because he was from Barn 55. My condolences also go out to the connections for the other 6 horses who lost their lives including Irrefutable and Waltzing with Blue.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
Dearest Dottie,
Thank you for being so very generous to us (as always) by taking the time to post today’s diary to let us know that Cloud Man is now in heaven.It must be even more difficult to go through such heartbreak in the public eye. It was so thoughtful and kind and of you. We sincerely love you & appreciate you.I wish I knew how to give you all the comfort you have given me.I wish I could wrap a blanket of love and comfort around you and all of Team Cloud Man….
Diane in CA
Seven horse died this weekend 2 at Aqueduct one at Fairgrounds and four at H.P. They occurred on dirt, synthetic and turf.
Joan
Dearest Zenyatta, my heart is very heavy to learn Cloud Man did not make it. My deepest sympathies to you and the Mosses and Mike and Dottie and Mr. Shirreffs. There were so many losses this week and they all hurt. We know this is a part of racing but it remains tragic and we will never get used to it. I always think of Mr. McAnally’s words when Go For Wand died: “They give their lives for our pleasure.” I did see the race and I could only say “No, no, no” as I saw Cloud Man stop. My heart goes out to all of you who knew Cloud Man best. May he rest in peace now and I hope somewhere he knows that many people care what happened to him and are sad.
Karen Line
How acceptable is it that 7 horses lose their lives in one weekend of racing? Each life is so precious. How gut- wrenching is the loss to all the connections and the fans and supporters who appreciated these animals. Obviously this is part of the risk, of the game, and happens more often than we are made aware of. But how acceptable can it be? Are there issues with the track? These wonderful athletes are not disposable.
My heart goes out to the wonderful connections of CLOUD MAN. And I am so very sorry that CLOUD MAN and the other lost horses could not be saved. What terrible decisions had to be made to do what was right.
Yes, Zen and Dottie, things often go out of our control no matter how hard we try. There is so much to be grateful for in the healthy career and life you are blessed with, lovely Zenyatta.
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
Dearest Zenyatta,
Your dear barnmate Cloud Man never looked more splendid or proud as he did yesterday prior to the Hollywood Derby. That he was called home before he could realize the full flowering of his potential is a mystery that only God knows, the answer to which we will all someday discover. He was a most noble and beautiful colt, who gave his life doing that for which he was bred. HIs glimmer of time as a racehorse was endowed with as much loving care and attention as any horse could wish. Your dear John and his inexhaustible team spent every one of their waking moments ensuring that his days were as joy-filled as they could possibly be. Your devoted owners did all in their power to see that his every need and comfort was met. That he is now in a place to which we all aspire to be at the end is his triumph. That we are left behind and bereft of his glowing presence, is our tragedy.
I cannot help but hope and believe, that somewhere over the rainbow and beyond the sun and stars, a heavenly announcer is shouting joyfully into a celestial microphone, “And here comes Cloud Man!”
Last night, candles of hope for a miracle were requested for Cloud Man. Today, please light them in grateful remembrance for the miracle of his life, with prayers of comfort for those close to him, who will miss him dearly.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=DIARY
Dylan
I was getting excited too, he looked like he was going to power past the front horses, then my jaw dropped. My heart cried as I saw him stopping, I was hoping he’d make it. Deepest condolences to Team Z on the loss of Cloud Man. He will be greatly missed :( Now he is able to run free in the clouds.
On a happier note, congratulations to John and Star Billing for winning the Matriarch!
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
Another candle site for Cloud Man:
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=CLOUD
nina
Sorry about your loss. Run free Cloud Man!!!
M. Kern
Very sad news. RIP Cloud Man.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@To ALL who have donated or plan to donate to Valley View : THANK YOU from the bottom fo my heart. Just received an e-mail from Marlene Dodge to the effect that she was really getting worried, but donations are starting to come in. There is a very pregnant mare that she is trying to rescue, as well as a 2-year-old. (Who would throw either of these away?). She has nearly 1/3 of the donations needed. I knew the Z-fans would help!
I want them ALL to grow old, like A.P. Indy!
Now on to the candle site.
Barbara Grimaldi/NJ
THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE WAY TO HONOR A HORSE WHO HAS PASSED ON AND THAT IS TO HELP ANOTHER HORSE TO SURVIVE. THOUSANDS ARE WAITING FOR ADOPTION, MANY ARE ABANDONED, SOME ARE LEFT TO DIE. PICK YOUR FAVORITE RESCUE GROUP AND HELP THAT GROUP ENABLE ANOTHER HORSE TO LIVE. PLEASE–THE HORSES ARE WAITING FOR YOU. WEEP FOR CLOUD MAN, BUT PLEASE SAVE ANOTHER HORSE IN HIS NAME.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Barbara Hawkins—I am so sorry you received bad news today from your doctor. I pray things will get better for you. Keep us in your circle. HugZ.
@Lynn from nearby Hollywood Park—Thank you for sending your Sierra to comfort Cloud Man—that helps comfort me too. Please share more about her at a future time.
Beth Buckley
I have loved the thoroughbred my entire life. This is indeed a sad day.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Cynthia Holt—What an eloquent comment—thanks so much for finding the words we need to deal with this! I especially love the joyful welcoming celestial race call, , “And here comes Cloud Man!”
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Delrene—Well said. The photo of the Barn 55 tree without a horse evokes the absent equine hero, like the riderless horse in a funeral cortege honors the fallen human.
Chris Balmes
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Cloud Man. I can picture him nibbling grass under a tree in the clouds………..rest in peace Cloud Man.
Alene
Hi Zenny. It`s me again,Alene. Sometimes things happen in our lives that really hurt right down to the soul.I don`t know why but I wanted to look at you and tell you a few things. Cloud Man passed and it hurts. I`m going through a divorce now with some one that I love more then anything in this world. It`s so hard to let go of things that we love so much. Alot of times we just have no control but boy does it hurt.Also around holiday time it always seems worse.I wish I was`nt feeling so bad but I`m losing the love of my life.Cloud Man is gone and his soul will live on. In my case my love is here but gone at the same time. I guess I should`nt be beating your beautiful ear about this but I`ve been crying alot tonight. Again,I feel comfort in talking to you and looking at your beautiful and kind face. If I was with you now I would be crying into your neck. Just because I am only 5`1 and could`nt reach any higher. Then I would look in your big brown eyes and feel more secure and loved. OK enough ! I just needed to talk to you. God Bless us ALL!!! Alene xxxooo
DMCQ from AL
RIP Cloud Man. You were so fortunate to be with your Barn 55 Team who loved you and made the really hard decision to make sure you were kept from unnecessary pain after finding that recovery was not possible. Thank you gracious Dottie for letting all the Dumplings and Z-sters know that Cloud Man was given his peace and reward for being one of God’s loved souls. Thank you John for the picture that is just right for this post. My sympathy goes out to all Cloud Man’s connections at Barn 55, to Mike, and to Mr. and Mrs. Moss, to all Cloud Man’s fans and to those who also have had losses of their furry beloveds recently. May you have the comfort of knowing that your family of friends here care so much, want to lift you up and let you know of the prayers, thoughts, and deep concern for your present grief. My love to each of you, DMCQ
Jo
This has been such a sad day. We were so looking forward to watching Cloud Man yesterday. And prayed for a miracle after what happened. I pray now he is in a beautiful place. I’m so thankful to come here and read these heartfelt condolences… to stop and pay respect to and honor this gorgeous boy and express the deepest sympathies to the Mosses and the Shirreffs and to all who loved Cloud Man.
Joyce in Vegas
I haven’t been able to follow the Diary on a regular basis because of my husband’s health issues. To finally have time to read the current posts only to
learn of the tragic loss of so many over the week-end has numbed my mind but not my heart. As with everyone else, I offer condolences to Mr. & Mrs. Moss, John & Dottie, Mike Smith and the entire Barn 55 team. I found this poem a few years ago and I have it framed on my office wall. Perhaps it will help:
Don’t cry for the horses that life has set free.
A million white horses forever to be.
Don’t cry for the horses now in God’s hand
As they dance and they prance in a heavenly band.
They were ours as a gift, but never to keep,
As they close their eyes forever to sleep.
Their spirits unbound, on silver wings they fly.
A million white horses against the blue sky.
Look up into heaven, you’ll see them above.
The horses we lost, the horses we loved.
Manes and tails flowing, they gallop through time.
They were never yours, they were never mine.
Dont’ cry for the horses. They’ll be back someday.
When our time is gone, they will show us the way.
Do you hear that soft nicker close to your ear?
Don’t cry for the horses. Love the ones that here.
RIP
signofthetimes
@Kathy Baldwin
So very well said.
signofthetimes
@Joyce in Vegas
Lovely poem.
God bless you and your husband.
Allie in Texas
@Joyce in Vegas ~ Thank you so much for the comforting poem.
Wishing you and your husband a healthful 2012.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Diana S– I somehow missed your post about the loss of your kittles. I am SO sorry. Each is special in his/her own way. Hugs.
@Alene–I am so sorry for your situation. It is happening in so many families these days. Please let us be your support. We want to offer prayers and encouragement to help you make it through. I know you will.
@Joyce in Vegas–lovely poem. Thank you for sharing.
The picture above is serene and lovely, so appropriate for this day. Good night, dear Z, Team Z, and Dumplings all.
Ellen from Mariposa (CA)
I am so very sorry to hear about Cloud Man.
Deepest Condolences to Mr & Mrs Moss, John & Dottie, Mike and all the Barn 55 team.
Much love, Ellen
Marshall (old girl in N.C.)
To all the connections of the horses who were deprived of long lives, to those injured, and to all who lost long-time canine and feline companions, deep, heart-felt condolences. My heart aches for you all! Much love and good wishes. Hugs!
Elizabeth in New Mexico
To Cloud Man and for His Family
We search the clouds that whisper then rumble;
And glimpse distant risings of mists for an answer.
Above stirring storms and just beneath heaven,
Is it clattering of hooves we seem to imagine?
The approach of the herd … it seems almost here;
so breathlessly still, we silently wait.
Soon soft air is swirling through long flowing manes.
Are there chestnut-tinged glints approaching so near?
Yes. It’s ‘his’ proud arched neck, ‘his’ beautiful rhythm.
Swift, as with wings, he runs closely by us;
his warm, glistening coat brushes our fingers .
With one last glance back, he whinnies and prances.
Then Up to his herd Cloud Man races and dances.