Ode to Jo....

After Lady passed away JoJo began riding Gracie (she immediately referred to her as Gracie Grace) - a long time resident of the barn - and they got along well.  It's hard not to compare equine when your loss has not been that long in passing,but she loved having a reason to come to the barn.  We still met at 8am and played doing chores before saddling up and riding our hearts out.

It was a few weeks after that I noticed Jo was coming later and later and commenting that she just didn't feel right.  We all urged her to see a doc and get checked out and hopefully, get some meds that would whip her back into shape.  However, that just wasn't the case.  She had developed cancer (never smoked or drank) and the treatment took a huge toll on her body.  There were several hospitalizations, trips to the ER and MANY scary moments. We developed a phone tree and any change in her health was immediately shared by her barn buddies. And we did get to celebrate her Birthday that year and supplied delicious food and a darling horse cake.  She had a stomach tube in at this point, but still enjoyed all the fun festivities of the afternoon and was very appreciative.

After almost a year and one half - she passed away that November.  It was yet another huge and sad loss for us and we were all devastated...... and relieved at the same time.  Our wonderful friend was no longer in pain and she was once more reunited with her beautiful Lady - but - we would never see that happy face again walking through the barn wondering what she and her Gracie Grace would do that day.

Jo and Gracie showing off the new bridle

 

 

 

Jo and I resting after our morning ride - this would be our last time spent in the saddle together.