Good Morning,
It is amazing how quickly the time flies by. Over a year ago, the ZENYATTA LOUNGE was created at Santa Anita to provide the women who work on the “backside” (meaning barn area with the horses) a special place to relax, visit, and have some time to themselves.
My dear owners helped to make this possible. Santa Anita graciously provided the space. Ms. Headley and Ms. Vienna worked with Dottie and the Moss’ to get all of the final details organized so the furniture, video / tech equipment, etc. could be delivered, and installed for the women to use and enjoy.
Over one year later, this LOUNGE has been a huge success! When Dottie stopped by on Christmas to drop off some See’s Candy for the ladies, everything was beautifully taken care of, the Christmas tree was lit up in one corner of the room, and the warmth and coziness of this space was quite special and inviting. She said you could really tell the women CARED about this LOUNGE.
The ladies are also having a great time. Special activities are planned for them. Each Tuesday is BINGO night…and the winners’ receive gifts of products especially designed for women. Once a month, all of the ladies are invited to a dinner party. A different restaurant is selected each month and the outing is completely sponsored by an owner, trainer, or group. A special THANK YOU for your kindness!
We’d also like to send a huge THANK YOU to THE SPERO FOUNDATION. For the holidays, all of the women who signed up each received a gift card from this Foundation to a store of their choice. The ladies voted and selected Walmart. I heard the shopping trip was great fun! The ladies not only had a wonderful time shopping, but they also enjoyed sharing the items they were able to purchase using these gift cards with each other.
TO THE SPERO FOUNDATION, again THANK YOU for this generous ‘gift’. This organization does a great deal to help ‘women’ and they have certainly been very kind during the past year to our ladies who enjoy the ZENYATTA LOUNGE.
I’m really so pleased to be able to share this update with you. In life, often people do charitable and loving things for others and never say a word. They just do it! They simply do these things because they have a kind heart and it is part of their basic nature to be thoughtful, caring, and giving…whenever they can and to whatever level they can.
At times, it is also very important to recognize the generosity of others. I’d personally like to send a HIGH HOOF to those who do so much ‘quietly and behind the scenes’ working with great devotion to assist others…both HUMAN and HORSE. From the bottom of my heart, MY TEAM and I…..THANK YOU!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (A special HELLO to all of the ladies at the ZENYATTA LOUNGE!)
Z
Eveline / Maryland.
Morning Zenny, hope you have a great day.
signofthetimes
Glad you got to be number one today; Eveline.
Beth Buckley
What a nice thing to do.
Gloria Jeanne in the "O.C." SO CAL
Zenyatta – you have done so many great things for people and causes. Thanks so much for being YOU. I love Bingo – it’s a great joy – my mom has played it a lot when she was in a rehab hospital after she broke her hip. Thanks for providing that outlet to the Lounge!! You are great and the TEAM is AWESOME. Thanks for all that you do.
Robin Ventura Ca
WOW I am the first to post!!!! Good Morning all Z fans, it is beautiful here today in So Cal, the sunset last was breath taking! Zenny you are an insperation to all.
I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER..
This morning as I was leaving for work my hubby had one of your races on, it brought tears to my eyes to see you…you are a joy!
Tressia in Phoenix
What a wonderful message today. A very High Hoof to Dottie and Ann, and it was done in your name Big girl, how appropriate. All us girls have to stick together to help one another! This is just TOO SWEET!
Kathy B. (SoCal, FL)
Good morning Z! Thanks for the update on the Z lounge….it sounds like a wonderful thing. And a special high hoof to you and your entire team for giving so much joy to all of us fans! You’re the best!
Marty R / Colorado
Good morning, beautiful mom-to-be. I’ve often wondered how things were going with the Zenyatta Lounge. So happy the ladies are enjoying all it has to offer. Thanks for the update.
Joanna from TX
What a wonderful story! You’re so right about those who do kind things anonymously. There was a slogan we had years ago from my Girl Scout leader days….’Do a good turn daily and don’t get found out!’ I love it and it’s now part of my life. I know the ladies of the ‘backside’ are so very thankful for the kind thoughts and gestures of appreciation.
I know we were all celebrating the fact that indian summer lingered but I think it’s gone now…pretty chilly here in So.TX. Supposed to be about 28 tonight.
Take care all!
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta & Baby Z –
.
Speaking of generosity, there are rescued horses in Louisiana that really need our help. If anyone has any pennies left over after the Holidays, this would be a place to put your contribution to good use: http://teamkeen.com/manylahorseseizure.html
.
Good luck to all the Eclipse nominees on Monday. Tickets are available for the event, I understand, held this year in Beverly Hills. (We miss you in California, Miss Z.)
.
Horse Hugs ~~HH
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Thank you, Happy Harriet, for joining in the effort.
Judy from South Carolina
Does anyone know if TVG is televising the Eclipse Awards show this year?
Shannon From Cool
No, it’s on HRTV which is not in the Direct TV package. Dish Network carries BOTH HRTV and TVG.
And my two cents, as far as Horse of the Year goes, I’d be just as happy to see ZENYATTA get it again!!!
Marshall (in NC)
HappyHarriet: Thanks for the information about the Louisiana horses. (Remember Me Rescue). I just sent a donation. This is just inexcusable — the owner, trainer, and all associated with this operation are beneath contempt! Sorry, but that is my opinion — judgmental, yes; however, how can it be otherwise? Hope these surviving angels can be loved and treated with the care that they so deserve from the human species. Bless them and RIP to those souls who were lost to us.
Take care and many Hugs!
Becca
Thank you for sharing Zenyatta, it is wonderful to hear that the Zenyatta Lounge is doing so well.
I hope you have a fantastic week; I will be looking forward to your next post. :)
Kelly, Allentown, Pa ^-^
Love you Zenyatta! ^-^
Gloria
Wow, thanks for that update. I have been wanting to ask about and have been thinking about the ladies lounge lately, wondering if they need any more donations. If they do, can you post a list of what is needed and I would be glad to take another box of goodies to Santa Anita or wherever it is needed. Too bad there was no picture to share of the Christmas tree, but I’m glad to hear the lounge has been successful. Love to all of Team Z! You guys rock!
Diana Stuart
@Gloria: That is a great idea! Maybe some of us Z Dumplings can send you some donations to purchase whatever is on the list of needed items? Let me know how I can help! diastu46@gmail.com
diastu in tempe
signofthetimes
Oh yes, great idea Gloria. I will be glad to
Contribute.
Diana Stuart
@Zenyatta and Team Z: I thought this was a special gesture when it was put in place last year and I love that it is being used by the women on the back side. I wish there could be something like this at every track for those who work so hard without much recognition or compensation. Also, I hope all tracks put in place something for the children of backside workers. I know some tracks have this, but I hope all tracks will take care of the little kids too. Good on ya, Z!
diastu in tempe
Doreen in CT
Diana – I agree with you 110%. Without the hard work of those on the backside, where would this “Sport of Kings” be.
suew/Va
You are so right …it would be great if all the big tracks had such a welcoming place for the ladies.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
What a wonderfully generous thing Dottie and Mr and Mrs Moss did for all the Santa Anita ladies, they must really love their Zenyatta Lounge. You are so right when you say that acts of kindness, often done behind the scenes, mean so much and can make a huge difference. I hope there’s a really nice picture of you decorating at least one of the walls. I see that Cigar is out in his paddock but it looks quite overcast, maybe it’s raining, so You and Tasty are probably out munching away on that healthy grass. I wonder if Baby Z keeps you awake sometimes when she decides to practice her canter in the middle of the night. Have a peaceful day with Tasty Zenny.
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
See’s Candy…yum…
Debbie
hi Z! what wonderful news about the ZENYATTA lounge! and yes, THANK YOU to ALL that help others! YOU and Tasty have a wonderful Thursday! Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
signofthetimes
I thought the same thing, we have a grocery store
(high end) that sells See’s; wonderful gift and so good;
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Happy Birthday Margie and good luck at the casino. As usual, Trina has produced another masterpiece.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Very kind of you, Brenda S!
Shannon From Cool
I so love the entire concept of the Zenyatta Lounge but I have also discovered the overwhelming power of love that comes from the entire ZEN NATION that has been cultivated on this blog. It is huge and so meaningful. I’m proud to be a part of it.
Kimberly Potter/Montana
Amen!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Shannon from Cool, We are honored to be in your company.
Georgia Harper< Seattle, WA
What a wonderful post today it is so nice to see people actually do care and help one another. So many thanks to the Mosses and the Sherrifs for all your hard work and all the good you do for throughbred racing and people in need.
sharon in seattle
I echo your sentiments – from one Seattleite to another
Donna in El Paso
Zenny, what a wonderful gesture the women’s lounge is. Because you and your team are so loving and thoughtful, it’s unbelievable the kindness you have brought about. Thanks to the ladies who enjoy the lounge for all they do.
Karen Gogue
Kari
Please post the link to your new video! A must see for everyone!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Thanks Karen. I saw your response at the end of the previous post. I never knew what that “subscribe” meant when I was on Youtube. Can anybody subscribe to someone’s videos or is it more complicated than that?
Karen Gogue
Yes, hi Sandy!
Anyone can subscribe to a You Tube channel … just hit subscribe and follow the directions – that’s it! I have posted the link below on another post here.
JAG ~ Queen Zen's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association cordially invites you to attend the 41st Annual Eclipse Awards honoring the Champion Thoroughbreds of 2011 and individuals of outstanding achievement.
https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1023479-v56hArtazR
So close, yet so far… I’d rather make donations to rescue organizations. However, actually attending this event would be wonderful, too :-D Especially LAST YEAR when YOU got HORSE OF THE YEAR, AND HORSE OF A LIFETIME IN OUR HEARTS!! XOXOXO
JAG ~ Queen Zen's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
P.S. The cam at the KHP shows rain on the lens… stay dry, Sweet Cheeks!!
carol in utah
saw him out earlier…before rain…smart horse…always was
signofthetimes
Guess he dosen’t have an outside lean to;
Horses like to gather together in there.
Karen Gogue
Hi Zenny!
I have been carrying around a bag and a box in my car for the ladies Zenyatta Lounge for a long time now … must get to SA and deliver it to them! Some great clothes my daughters no longer wear (big name brands too, they won’t buy themselves anything less! LOL! Sheese!) And shoes, some only worn once or twice! I will get there this weekend, promise Zenny!
JAG ~ Queen Zen's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
I love to share “happy” news like this ~ I hope the link works!
7 incredibly loyal dogs
http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/photos/7-incredibly-loyal-dogs/mans-best-friend
Another reason WHY I love animals so very much……
Judy G
Janie (in L.A.)
I recently saw the movie made a couple years ago that was an adapted story about one of these 7 dogs, Hachiko. It’s called “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” and starred Richard Gere. Very sweet story.
carol in utah
I cried more watching hatchi than I did at war horse
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
Thanks for the link Jag. I sure love dogs too. Was it Hawkeye? by the coffin. That really hit me. Dogs give us so much devotion & love.
Lois Gillespie
Wonderful update on the Zenyatta Lounge. Dottie, thank you for spotlighting some of the many “angels among us” who make this world a better place.
Doreen in CT
Thank you Zenny, Dottie, the Mosses, and the Spero Foundation. HIGH HOOVES to all of you and to those who work so hard behind the scenes and on the backside.
Zenny – enjoy your day with Tasty – it’s soooooo good when you have friends to share yourself with (both horse and human).
JAG ~ Queen Zen's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
Zenny ~
I hope you and Baby Z are doing great today! I love to look at my photos of YOU that I took at Barn 55… such a Doll Face!
Peppermint kisses for you and your tummy :-D May God continue to bless you and your unborn foal. John Henry has to add his two cents: March 9th! He is such a silly boy!!! :-))))
XOXOXOXO
Judy G
p.s. I’m leaving work at noon to attention Lewis Cenicola’s memorial service. My dear friend who died too soon. :-(
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
I will be thinking of you.
Sharyn - Vermont
Such a heart warming message from you today – how wonderful it is for these women to enjoy their own special space created by your generosity and all the other owners and trainers behind the scenes! All of these wonderful backside people are the ones who make your sport what it is – High Hooves to them all!!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Good afternoon, big Z. I love the update on the Zenyatta Lounge. I know all who meet there have a wonderful CONNECTION, which is what we have here on this stie as well. Life is all about connections. What is it that they say about Wal-Mart? Something to the effect of “if they don’t have it, you don’t need it!”
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Hi Barbara,
You were my “geography lesson” for today. I wasn’t sure exactly where Waco was but have now consulted Mapquest (I’m a real map freak) and see that it’s not quite as “in the middle of nowhere” as I had originally thought. And of course, I learned that Baylor is IN Waco – no wonder you’re such a fan! Good to know TWO good things about Waco (in this part of the country, the name sort of congers up a past image that was not so good).
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Thanks, Sandy,
Our metroplex is around 200,000 people. Actually, the Koresh thing that gave Waco the bad name was in a little hamlet outside of town called Elk. The media just chose Waco. Waco proper is around 100,000, and we actually have 3 colleges– Baylor, a community college, and a technical school.
Terry
More often than not, your beautiful posts bring tears to my eyes, happy tears! You are always so thoughtful to others! Bless you and all who are Team Zenyatta!!