In Memory of Dakoda

[bosley's mom]

Oh Buddy where do I start. You came to me a diamond in the rough. I was not looking for a horse and had just had a conversation with my vet about how I was not going to get another "fixer upper". I had just placed a rehab in his new home and word got out that I was horseless. Sitting on a bale of hay outside the barn talking with some friends I saw a stock trailer pull in the yard. I asked the folks I was with if anyone was expecting a "delivery" and I knew the answer was me when all I heard was dead silence and saw everyone just staring at the ground.

The trailer stopped and the driver got out and asked me "where do you want me to put him". I answered "you may not want to hear the answer to that question". I went over to the trailer and looked in side and what do my eyes see but an underweight, dirty, scab covered,scarred buckskin Qtr Gelding with the most beautiful eyes that I ever did see.

I opened the door to the trailer and you let out the loudest bellow I had ever heard and then I said "I will go show him his new home". So I guess you could say that you had me at hello.

You came to me short on patience and long on stubborn. I came to you long on patience and longer on stubborn. We met in the middle.

Do you remember our first mounted session. You were convinced that as soon as I raised my leg in the stirrup it was your signal to take off into the wild blue yonder. I was convinced that raising my leg into the stirrup meant that you stood like a statue and a gentleman until my butt was in the saddle and I had 2 feet in the stirrups. Two hours later you let out a huge sigh and looked at me as if to say "Fine if it means that much to you I will stand still but I don't see what the big deal is". From that day on we made a deal...you would stand like a gentleman until both feet were in the stirrups and butt was in the saddle but then we didn't dilly dally it was off into that wild blue yonder lickity split.

We went on trail rides in the woods....camping in the mountains....hunter paces...treasure hunts....swimming in the pond and to our favorite bed and breakfast (you had your room and I had mine but I would take my blanket and pillow and join you for a night under the stars rather than in my room at the house)...those were great times.

Remember when we would be riding the trails and you would be prancing with your neck arched so beautiful and your tail raised high and people would ohhhhhhhh and ahhhhhhhhh at the beautiful youngster with the "golden eyes" and we would just smile knowing that you were well into your senior years....we kept that part our little secret.

Remember the night that I snuck back into the barn so that I could catch the houdini who was escaping from their stall and letting all the other horses out to party and what a surprise it was to find out that it was you. The look on your face was priceless when I turned on the light and you saw me standing there and you looked at me all innocent as if to say "what I wasn't doing nothin".

Oh how we loved it out in the middle of the pasture surrounded by grass...I in my lounger and you munching away not straying to far. You would come over to me and play with my ears and tossle my hair and then bend down and offer the tip of your nose for me to kiss.

You would hear my car pull up the driveway and when I rounded the corner you would scream at the top of your lungs and start running around and if I didn't come and get you right away you would keep calling until I did.

You are my best friend, my confidant and my shoulder to lean on. You know more of me than anybody else I know. You have given me more than I can ever say. You my dear boy gave me the comfort and peace to make the decision to let you go.

You were a star today following me up the driveway to the trailer even though you could not see because the tumor had taken away your sight. You couldn't see how far you had to jump up into the step up trailer even though I was asking you to load up. Based off true blind faith you had in me you made that leap into the trailer stumbling on the way in but thank god you did not go down. I gave you a hug and a handful of gingersnaps for being such a good boy.

Your trip to the bridge was swift and graceful as you just melted to the ground. It was very peaceful indeed. Dr Gabby said that it was so peaceful because you were more than ready. Dr. Gabby in all his compassion hugged me and we both cried together. So my friend it is true real men do cry. It seemed that you touched everyone's heart that had the opportunity to meet you. Dr Gabby said that horses like you do not come around that often and that he could see the mutual love we have for each other. You were very brave today my sweet boy and I miss you so much.

I will remember you always and you will always be in my heart. I know that you will be looking down on me while you are running free. I just know that you are going to be greeted by some fine horses and they will show you the way. I will not say goodbye but I will say see ya when I see ya.

Run free Dakoda I will always love you.