Maverick's death and a thank you

[DebiG54@aol.com]

Ridecampers:

It's been a week since I wrote ridecamp to announce my horse Maverick's death 
and express my grief at the reality of it.  Unbelievably, over 120 emails 
have come to me since I wrote last Tuesday.  I'm astonished and grateful for 
the outpouring of heartfelt sympathy, empathy, concern and, well, love that 
was expressed in these replies.

Some of the responses were public but most were private.  My grief seemed to 
strike an all too familiar chord with many of you.  My experience was not a 
unique one I was told over and over again.  My condolences and new 
understanding go out to all of you who have seen deadly agony in an equine 
partner and felt the utter helplessness when there's nothing you can do.

Many of you grabbed me and shook me in Internet style when I threatened to 
sell all the horses and move to a condo.  I won't be making any rash 
decisions--don't worry!  Also, when you own 14 Arabians, an old pony, a 
miniature donkey, a mini mare, and their children (two mini mules) moving 
anywhere couldn't be done in any big hurry. :-)

Maverick's death is even more shattering than it might have been in a normal 
environment.  My personal life and my horse life have been stricken in recent 
years with bad luck and misery.  Maverick was my bright light at the end of 
an unbelievably dark tunnel.  It seemed all too unfair for him to leave me 
now, when I needed him so much.

So...thank you all so much for your kindness.  You'll never know how much I 
needed to hear your words.

Debi Gordon