This is one I posted in the other thread, but it belongs here too:

The Grandest Foal

I'll lend you for a little while,
My grandest foal, God said.
For you to love while he's alive,
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But will you, til I take him back,
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have those treasured memories,
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
With trust, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come
To take him back again?
I know you'll give him tenderness
And love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you've known,
You will forever-grateful stay.
But should I come and call for him
Much sooner than you'd planned.
You'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And maybe understand.

Author Unknown

That was the worst text message to get off of a plane and read today when I get home.

I liked it better when I didn't know.

:(

caught espn when they were showing Barbaro winning the Derby, then the fatefull Preakness, and for the first time in a long time, I cried a little. Gallant effort, a fighter, rest in peace cause you will always be remembered for putting up the good fight.


Thoughts go out to all the connections, especially Dr Dean Richardson. A hero in my eyes.

Sorry... I have been sad all day too. :(

Like all true champions he fought the battles.Unfortunately sometimes we can't win the war.With only 6 starts,and on turf and dirt his true greatness might never be able to be measured.If anything maybe this has brought more humanity into a game where it has been lacking.RIP Barbaro and thank you.

Rest In Peace, Champ.

Live video of press conference

http://www.wnbc.com/videostream/6371537/detail.html

Thanks

The bravest of the brave...Rest in Peace my friend

R.I.P.- You were a freak, a gamer, and a monster all in one! You will be missed

Watched his race for the first time a couple of days ago.Definately one of the few freaks that we are fortunate to see now & then RIP

Thanks for the memories...RIP big fella :(

Cried? Anyway I knew all along that he more than likely wasn't going to make it. He tried till the end just like he did on the track. R.I.P. Big Fellow.

i was good til i watched the press conference.

my condolences to every1 involved with the horse on and off the racetrack, A huge LOSS......RIP:(

Barbaro
 

As much as we all hate to say it, at least they did what was best for the great champion that he proved to be both on and off the race track. It will be years from now before we ever see another fighter like that, hopefully we wont see it. But this shows how fragile these marvelous animals can. Im sure for the Jacksons it was like thier pet dog. im sure him, Secretariat And Seattle Slew among others will be exchanging some great racing stories in horsey heaven.

Our wonderful sports station here in San Antonio has two clowns on, one of which made fun of Barbaro dying, glue and axe comments. This is where I really feel out of touch with the sports community.

Just trying to pi ss off people who dont find the situation humorous. Does this really get more listeners? They got the phones lit up with one person calling saying they are obnoxious idiots, and the next caller making glue jokes. Why is that people find so much pleasure in teasing people about animals dying. I dont get it.

I'm glad that Barbaro is at peace and the owners and connections can take comfort in knowing that they made right decision to end this horse's struggle.
His legacy both on the track and through the advances made in veterinary surgery ensures that he will never be forgotten.

It's such a shame that he has passed away, but as people have mentioned, hopefully, the vets responsible have learned a lot during the process to help out other unfortunate horses..

The NYTimes article on him. I thought it was lovely:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/sp...=1&oref=slogin