My dear, dear friends,
As many of you may know, MY JOHN and Dottie go to Santa Anita each evening to check on the horses at that barn and walk SOPHIE. It is a relaxing ‘family time’ for them. Last night, they were commenting to each other how very special ALL OF YOU are. John was sharing several emails he’d received during the day with Dottie. The tone in all of them was so warm and tender!
The outpouring of love, sympathy, and kindness you have expressed for Cloud Man and My Team is deeply appreciated! THANK YOU!
One exceptional and charming quality I absolutely ADORE about this web-site is the way everyone rallies around to support each other.
You are constantly doing this when you respond to each other in the DIARY…and you have faithfully done this for ME during my entire career. Additionally, you have expressed the same support and love for MY TEAM.
Life, as we all know, can often present many different challenges. The manner in which all of you share thoughts, kindness, support, and encouragement seems to help make some of these situations and handling them simply feel so much ‘better’.
Thinking of you…and sending each of you a very special HIGH HOOF…for being such a DEAR FRIEND…not just to ME and MY TEAM…but to EACH OTHER!
Enjoy your day!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
sharon in seattle
what a blessing to come to this diary and share the joys and sorrows of life. Thank you all Z fans and team Z. this is an amazing circle of support
Mary
What a special way to end the day for John, Dottie, and Sophie. I bet Sophie gets so excited when it is their family time. Life is full of happiness but some sadness of course comes our way. We have to learn to enjoy that happiness and how to understand and come to terms with the sadness. Even sometimes the sadness is something we learn from and makes us even stronger. Hugs to you Z…. hope life continues to be good to you Z!!!
LaurieK
Thank you for providing this wonderful forum. It’s the nicest on-line community I’ve ever been blessed to be a part of.
Ingrid in MA
What can I say, Zenny – you and your team lead by example. Y’all make us want to be as genuine and kind as you all are. You have very special people on your team, my girl – wish there were more, not just in racing but in the world, like them. Thanks to all on Team Z for being the wonderful people you are!
Love you, Sweet Zen!
lil bunny foo foo
The reason I keep coming back is, first and foremost, our admiration of the greatest Zenyatta, and a kindred spirit among us, knowing that in caring well for animals we show the best side of ourselves. Zenyatta has always been loved as the top priority. Her gifts were never exploited, only showcased to their best advantage. Yet, her health and well being were never sacrificed. If only every animal could be treated with such love and respect! She became great because her caretakers are the true definition of the term.
tony
Zenny and all of team Z…I hear my wife say it often so here I go…”High Hoofs” all around to everyone who visits here and the Queen and her court, too!
Although ‘m not supposed to always admit it (being a guy) …I like this site and the good will that always prevails.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
What a beautiful photo of the Santa Anita hills. This site has brought many people together that would never have met without you. You are a very special horse with a very special team. Thanks so much to Dottie, The Mosses and TEAM Z for everything you do for us and all of those in your lives. Hope you had a great day romping in the paddock and getting pampered by your mid-husband Matt. Looking forward to the day when baby/foal Z/B hits the ground “running”. XXXXOOOO
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
My dear Zenyatta, thank you for your kind words, the reason for caring the way we do for each other is so simple, and the reason is you. I can see we all love horseracing and you made the spot so much better, one more time I say you and your team are awesome,
I been in this country close to 50 years, I only wish I can express my feelings the way I will like to. Love you forever Ingrid.
quarterhossgal
Good day Queen Z…hope you are enjoying a cool fall day with your friend Tasty.
I did not see the race where Cloud Man was injured, I was busy so I taped it. When I heard what had happened to Cloud Man I knew I didn’t want to see the race. My thoughts and prayers are with all his connections.
It is a difficult decision to put an animal down but we know we must think of the animal first and then make the correct choice. Most vets say that is the hardest part of their job, releasing the animal from its pain and trying to comfort the heartsick owners.
maryp (New York)
Yes Z, this is a special place started by special people, attracting more and more special people who love you and the sport.
God Bless us EVERY one!
signofthetimes
Dearest Mishca,
Thanks for being a great barn kitty. You are a very important part of the “TEAM”, keeping spirits up and playing to make everyone laugh. Our barn kitty was so brave he would lay across the three
foot jumps and let he horses jump over him, without the bat of an
eye. Barn Kitties are very special. Hope you are enjoying the cool CALI weather. XXXXOOOO
signofthetimes
@quarterhossgal
So well said and so true. Veterinarians are very speical people.
signofthetimes
@Susan Romano
So exciting retirement and another chapter in you life. Hurry up and get a home computer. We miss you already.
admiringfan
It is difficult to lose an old, old animal–but to lose a vibrant, promising youngster is tragic. His name came up on a listserv as hurt, but when I read he was one of John’s and belonged to the Mosses, it was clear his death was a tragic accident. Bad step. There are risks in any sport–for animals and humans. Who can forget the tagline, “…the agony of defeat…” and that poor skier falling end over end…
The best was done for Cloud Man, a beautiful animal with a deep pedigree. The greatest kindness is to prevent unnecessary suffering. Team Z did that for Cloud Man.
If the way our animals get to heaven is by being carried in our hearts, he made it and is waiting for there. Courage…courage…
dmamaklock
To repeat a comment left …….. this diary brings joy, laughter, and sometimes tears. Today’s message brought a tear. BUT each message is filled with love. All of these things bring us thru bad times. so indeed — HIGH HOOF to all
Rosemarie Cola
Dottie,and Zenyatta
Thank you for the kind words about us fans. We have all faced bad times, just in different ways. Coming here, with the common love of one fantastic horse has made this a special place. When all is not at it’s best, you know someone will say a kind word. Cloud Man is resting now in some peaceful pasture, free of pain and only us humans are left to suffer. But that’s okay, cause we, together can handle all that life, and racing can throw at us. Like a champion racehorse, we keep coming, never giving up!
peaceandlove
RG
Mary Copelin
BRENDA S ONTARIO- I really appreciated your entry today. I thought it succinctly
reflected what most all of us are feeling and thinking. Thanks for those words.
Mary
Georgia Harper< Seattle, WA
Dear John and Dottie: I am sure as you took your walk last night you reflected on the joys and sadness of this past weekend. I hope that knowing all these wonderful people on this sight love all of Team Z and it might help to heal in some some way. I know for me, reading everyone’s beautiful posts helped me get thru the low of yesterday.
Love to all from Seattle
Lorri Hix
Nice post Momma Z & Dottie! Hugs Dottie to you especially for the night Cloud Man died. I as well love that the people that post on here are kind to all of your team and to eachother. Have a good night everyone! xoxo
Allie in Texas
@Jeanie ~ I hope you get many donations for rescuing the horses set to be slaughtered very soon. I love the idea of naming the pregnant mare’s foal “Cloud” in honor of Cloud Man. Donating to this cause would help to create a new life, a living memorial to Cloud Man. I pray that your project is a success.
Mary Copelin
SUSAN BENOIT – The quotation you offered is so powerful, and I think true. The actual quotation is: “Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” I believe it originated with Anatole France. Mary
RuthG
There are no words to convey my sadness at the loss of Cloud Man. Such a stunning boy – it is hard to believe he is gone. My condolences to all the Z team. He will not be forgotten. Miss Z you bring us all such joy. I will reflect on you and your little one to help ease the sadness.
eastcoastkid
@ Jenie; what a GREAT idea to name the foal “Cloud” in Cloud Man’s memory…I pray you get generous donations of money and time and prayers for your work…every little bit counts and $5.00 donated 100 times is a windfall….May you have success in the rescue…payers for the effort and a positive outcome…I can’t think of a better way to honor Cloud Man’s memory….
Mary
Jeanie
Dear Allie in TX,
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I REALLY appreciate it.
I SO WANT LITTLE “CLOUD” TO HAVE A CHANCE IN LIFE AND I’M HOPING ALL Z’ISTERS CAN HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN BY DONATING AT http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com. WE WANT TO PULL HIM OFF THE TRAIL TO SLAUGHTER AND GET HIM STARTED OUT RIGHT IN LIFE.
LET’S HELP LITTLE “CLOUD” GET HIS CHANCE IN LIFE. WE ARE ONLY ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY TO OUR GOAL OF $3,000. WE COULD SURE USE YOUR HELP!
THANKS, ALLIE!
J
Jane (S. California)
You have made us one big, supportive, happy family Zenyatta! The kindness John, Dottie, Mr & Mrs Moss and the entire team shows us has multiplied with each other! What’s that saying, “play it forward”?!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a wonderful day Zenytatta and baby “Z”! xoxoxo We miss you!
Doreen in CT
@Dottie, John, Mike, Mr. & Mrs. Moss, and to Barn 55, I give all of you my heartfelt condolences. It is comforting to know that all of these condolences have helped ease your pain through this very difficult time.
@All – Last week was such a devastating week for breakdowns, first it was Ghost Gunner, then on Thanksgiving, General Maximus and B Z Warrior broke down at Aqueduct. At that point I decided that I had enough of horse racing because this is the part of racing that just tears me apart. If this makes any sense at all, I wanted to see To Honor and Serve one more time before I quit being a fan. I just love this horse. I congratulated him on his win on this site and promised myself that I would at least keep up with Zenyatta because she helped me to love horse racing again. Ruffian’s breakdown took me away from the sport for quite a long time. Through this site, I found out about Irrefutable, Waltzing the Blues, and Cloud Man. It just breaks my heart. I cannot imagine how all the owners, trainers, groomers, hot walkers, and jockeys of all these horses are dealing with their pain, it must be very devastating. This site and its responses to these tragedies have helped me, whether I return to racing as a fan, only time will tell. Thanks for being such thoughtful, caring and giving people. You are the best!!
Paula Higgins
Cloud Man has been very much on my mind since hearing about this yesterday. It is the hard, painful and very sad part of racing for all of us, but most especialy for his family. My thoughts are with you all and my prayers with Cloud Man.
I did want to share this with all of you. I went to have my Zenyatta print framed on Saturday. They were having a 60% off sale on custom framing (more on that later). Anyway, I laid my print out on the table and the other 4 people who were there having pictures framed all commented on the beauty of the print and asked who the horse was. I told them, “Zenyatta.” Two people had heard of her who didn’t actually follow racing, which is telling. All were impressed with her magnificence. Well, 20 minutes later I had picked out my mat and gold frame. The lady then added it up and told me it would only be $300.00! I laughed out loud I was so shocked. Apparently, it would have been over $600.00 WITHOUT the 60% off. Well, I decided to go ahead anyway. She is worth every penny of it and my husband agreed. It will hang where we can see her every day. I think many people who see it will be asking about her story.
JAG ~ Zenny & John Henry Live in my Heart / So. CA
@ ALL
I frequesntly type this expression on the gratefulness candles for Zenny and John Henry:
“Thank you, God, for giving us Zenyatta (John Henry).” or “We are blessed for having known Zenyatta (John Henry)” I’m blessed for having been around both of these Great horses… Judy G
JAG ~ Zenny & John Henry Live in my Heart / So. CA
@ Paul Higgins gf!
I can relate to the framing store scenario — every time I’ve taken by lithos/prints/photos to be custom framed, I’m often asked “who is this?” I love sharing my stories of both Zenyatta and JH :-D
Germaine
Jeanie, Saving Little “Cloud” sounds like a great way to celebrate Cloud Man. If each us donates $5 to $10, I think we might just pull this off. Zenyatta, we need all of the inspiration that you can muster. http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com