If you love someone tell them now. If you have a loved one, pet or person, paint their portrait now. i have some drawings but never found the fortitude to do a painting of Robyn and now he’s gone.
July 21, 2017
Robyn passed today-this morning at about 9:30 we let him go.
Anne had gone out to feed him and found him down, hot and in distress.
She cooled him with the hose and finally coaxed him to his feet. He was able to walk across the pasture and move into the shade but went down again almost immediately this time on his other side. When the Vet finally got here the diagnosis was a badly twisted colon and the choice either surgery (not a good one for a 32 year old thoroughbred) or a painful death. The second dose of pain-killer was putting him to sleep. We allowed the vet to euthanize him there in the shade at the top of the meadow.
On a sun-filled morning with a soft summer breeze Ann lost her best friend, a friend of 23 years. She discovered him; neglected in a cow pasture,(the fate of many a gelded racehorse that will not tolerate confinement in a starting gate), and brought him home to Esperanza to begin a new life. He’s been with her ever since she was 13. He saw her through the tough years of junior high and high school He saw her through college and endured until she returned from graduate school in Edinburgh. During those 6 years that Anne was away he gave Jamie a reason to get up morning after morning. He was our constant companion.
He gave me memories that will last a life time and courage and understanding as well- And I am crying too hard now to keep writing this….
Rob N Run, grandson of Secretariat and Native Dancer, so sweet in the stable, such a streak of temper and fire under saddle, you will be greatly missed: Your stubborn determination always to be outside roaming free regardless of the weather, your grudging acquiescence to getting on a trailer (and the time you simply wouldn’t) your high jinks at events like rearing when you got to X (instant disqualification-did you know the rules?), your complacency when other horses misbehaved, your complete distrust of jumps made out of wood but willingness to breast anything made out of stone or steel regardless of its height or breadth, your flashing speed and incredible length of stride and lazy daisy-cutting walk, Your great big head that rubbed against little me I loved it all. I’d cheerfully hold up your head to put applesauce and antibiotics down your throat. I’d soak your foot to help ease the abscess and brush your furry coat but now you are in heaven or wherever horses go. Just one thing I am sure of; you’re here with me wherever I may be.
I had to wonder this morning when you passed did Joker neigh across the field and are you with your friend at last?
We miss you, Robby
holly
amid the tide drift on Katama Bay:
He works in acrylics on birch plywood using water and spray and with a deep empathy for the islands.
Sitting on the edge of the sand and finally unable to resist the giant waves I just had to get my feet wet-
Oops
Now my whole world is a water-color blur.
The child in me is so very grateful-thanks friend.
