Thursday with Gaits (not) Goodbye bay Gal

[Peter-John's Love]

With all that is happening I had not finished my "Thursdays with Gaits" post...I was ready to finalize it....but in the honor of my beloved bay boy, I will instead say goodbye to my bay gal....for this week thinking about loving a bay horse hurts. When love runs very deep and continues to grow, it swells to overflowing and breaks out; spilling pieces of your heart with it. As it overflows, there is a strange and unique union with God himself. Today I had to love enough to say goodbye to another beloved bay. I forever will love a bay horse because of Gaits and so from just one picture of this bay mare, I fell in love with her and I bought Sammy.

Today I gave Sammy away. She is due to foal soon. Peter-John will be hospitalized to have medical testing and to have surgery (200 miles from home). It would not be the safest thing for the mare or foal-to-be to stay here while we are away...I already knew I was going to sell them, soooo.....I have a friend who is an excellent horse person that adores this mare and loves raising the babies in a way that one could only hope to surround a new life with.....and so I contacted her.

When I was buying the mares, Sammy was the first pick for me. Awesome bay roan TWH 16 hands with 2 hind matching socks...she runs like the wind, gaits with the moves of an old bloodline mare...She takes away the breath of any horsey person watching her. She takes your heart and moves it to beat in rhythm of her hoof beats. Time stands still when she moves.

Every visit from my friend, she too stood looking in awe at just looking at Sammy. That is the kind of home I want for Sammy and her foal. This mare was created with the true Tennessee Walking Horse spirit and I knew that her soul would be cherished in her new home.

Yesterday, I went to check on Sammy. She is a mare that is a hard one to catch unless she is in the mood to be caught and does not even really trust being petted. But yesterday she came up to me and gave me one of the best horsey hugs that I have ever had in my life. Her soft coat was covered in my tears. Human words were not needed, our souls both knew this was a sweet goodbye. When I went to check her belly...she turned with ears back and a grin on her face, as if to tell me "don't wake the baby" I will forever hold that tender moment of sweet touch and sassy attitude in my heart.

My friend arrived a little bit ago and Sammy ran around the pasture for a moment and then bowed her head to be haltered by my friend. She loaded without issue. But as we were doing the paper work, Sammy did protested waiting

She nickered as she left. Tears flowed freely.

Sunsets hold us in awe, but then vanish to an eternal memory. Butterflies move with a brief fleeting grace that stays in the memory forever. A waterfall streams with great power until the dry season, but we retain the fresh joy. For a brief fleeting moment I stood in awe watching the movements of grace and great power that is Sammy. She will be well loved in her new home, but for me she will be an eternal memory that will forever bring me a fresh joy when I think of her.

Part of my heart (and budget ) wishes that I had not bought her, but the touch of her soft coat and powerful muscles felt warm to my cold soul. Her "soul touching sweet hug" was well worth the tears that fall...Sammy will forever be here with me in my heart.

Be good in your new home Sammy. God still has great plans for you. You will be missed. And when your foal takes its first breath, think of me and love your foal with the kind of love I have for you Big Mama. We love you forever, Sammy.

Thank you Jesus for letting me experience the fresh joy of Sammy and for also giving her a great new home. And please let her foal be a horse that breaths your love on all who see it as well.

[Freedomnchrist]

Bless you my friend. Bless you.

I pray God's grace on your life!

You are a fine example of Christ.

[Drafty]

I cried reading this. You are an amazing person (and a gifted writer, too!) and what a lucky horse she is to have had you in her life.

[paso_lover]

What a joyouse yet sad story

[seerfarm]

Many blessings to you. I know that your decisions have not come easy, but I am sure Sammy knows you are doing what is best and will thank you for considering her well being.

[horselady]

What an experience , what a story, bless you and peter-john and sammy and your friend.

[thumpersgirl]

I shed a few tears as well while reading this post. I hope Sammy is happy in her new home. Sending many prayers for Peter-John as well!!

[Pony express]

How sad, and happy at the same time. I am so glad you know where Sammy is going and that she will be well taken care of. I pray for you and Peter John.

[bitgirl_95]

i cried while reading this too but you did it for the love you have for Sammy. And you are an awesome writer have you ever tried to write a poetry book?

[kehlyrsmom]

I cried as well, you are a very gifted writer. God bless you and peter-john and all of your 4 footed creatures.

[HighHorse]

What a beautiful way of saying things, you have. As hard as it was to make this decision, it sounds like you did the right thing, and she will have a wonderful new home.