What a nice poem and a heart warming comment to the poem, ROS, it was a pleasure to read them both! I couldn't help smiling with sympathy when I read how you cared for your animals. I happen to love animals and prefer watching channels featuring animals, and I always urge my granddaughter to watch them too so that she learns how to love nature and animals, which is the first and basic step towards loving men.

This is a lovely poem ROS and a lovely way to put your mare and here foal to rest. I agree with Bill about zoos, Having seen the most amazing animals in the wild - free and healthy in their own habitat - zoos can't compare. I do know that the more forward thinking zoos around the world now take part in breeding programs to try to do what ever they can to save animals like snow leopards, white rhino and panda. We don't know if such programs will work or if the 'experts' will come up with a better idea. (like lets all move to mars and leave the planet alone! ) It is comforting to know that animals are loved and so well thought of still by individuals such as your husband and yourself.

Howdy All

When I was living in Minnesota, the veterinary hospital I worked at worked in affiliation with the Minnesota Zoo. We got to work with timber wolves, siberian tigers and even an elephant. :) While my grandparents lived and worked in Africa, summer vacations were spent in Ireland and Kenya. My grandparents loved taking us to wildlife Preserves and meeting the locals.They became good friends with a game warden who would always take us safely off the beaten path in search of animals. :) I always managed to make friends with the children and they'd show us the crafts they'd make, etc.. We came home with some wonderful things and my grandparents could have opened their own shop with all the neat stuff they acquired. :) Things my grandfather still has. :) Mind you, the ivory they acquired was before the ivory ban and once they learned of poaching and the illegal way it was being acquired, they were horrified. The stipulation is that the things they acquired is never to be sold and only kept in the family.

I learned about good breeding programs from my parents and grandparents, only breeding the best horses and cattle we could afford. The same applies in breeding programs at zoos. Some zoos don't seem to care and let the animals suffer. The best zoos breed the best animals available, do blood typing and DNA testing, etc...So that species may survive to their best and to man's ability. :) There's nothing like being on the Serengeti or even in the woods and seeing the animals in their natural habitat. :)

I'm missing dear "Bobbi" and her presence is missed in the barn.*wipes away a tear* I know she's in God's meadow now and hope that she'll remember us fondly. :)

Aww... at 1st as I was reading, I thought this was about a woman & really beautiful. Then (pleasantly) surprised to see it's a beautiful, loving poem about a horse.
I love horses(though not around them much- had one for a year or so when I was 13- but read loads of "horse" books) I lost my "miracle" 20 yr.old, lost-for-2-years-when-she-was-age10 & found-again-at-age12- cat to cancer in the summer of 2008.

Wonderful, great poem! Really enjoy reading this!