Friday, December 25, 2009

In The Words of Barbaro~December 24, 2007

In The Words Of Barbaro

"The walls echoed with the sounds of holiday music and off in the distance there were voices, many voices, people passing by and a few stopping in to visit with me. They were all so excited, every one of them, their enthusiasm was contagious as it quickly filled the room, surrounding me like a warm, relaxing breeze. I remember the Christmas cards from the children, those were the ones that brought the most joy to my heart. Simplistic views and pure innocence, with a similar, heartfelt message in each one, 'stay strong Barbaro, we love you'. It was at that moment that I began to ask myself, what are the true hidden powers behind this type of 'love'? So many people supported me throughout my journey and loved me, yet most of them never 'met' me, never fed me a treat, never glided a hand along my neck, never brushed me, never physically looked me in the eyes.........yet they loved me. What a wonderful gift I was given.....to be unconditionally loved, from the inner most depths of one's heart......from people all around the world. It made me realize what my purpose on this Earth was, and all the good that would continue because of one word, 'love'. It made it easier for me to accept my 'calling' and it was truly one of the best Christmas presents I could ask for really. I realize that it will soon become difficult in the coming weeks, but please know that I will always be there with you, during your struggles, during your hardships and during your accomplishments.  I learned many things about 'love' along my journey, but one of the most important things that I learned, is that 'love' is endless, timeless. You have all made me proud with your continued determination, togetherness and strength with regards to your 'United Causes' and as you lay your head upon your pillow this evening, give thanks for all those in your life that you love unconditionally and to those who love you back without conditions, for there is no better gift under the tree on Christmas morn' than this.......~Love Barbaro."


Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Another Entry From The Equine Heaven Archives!!

This report was posted on Friday, December 7, 2007!!  Let me give you a little background info first.  Felix the Heavenly feline is one of our avid exercise riders up here at Heaven's Gate Farm.  One of his main duties is to get out on the Heavenly dirt track and get those Heavenly equines moving along!!  On this day, however, he decided to try riding western (something he has never done)!  He was riding the great American quarter horse, Poco Bueno!!  Let's see how he does...

"Tails From The Rails"~
Felix's Training Report!!

Update 0090: Ohhhhhh nooooooo!! A nervous morning this morning at Heaven's Gate, I'm shakin' in my little Heavenly western riding boots!!  I did a little research on pole bending before hitting my cloud last night and needless to say, I didn't sleep a wink!!! Apparently it's the equine equivalent of SLALOM SKIING...WHAT?????!!!  I've never even seen a ski, let alone know how to "slalom" one!! GEESH!! These are the basics.... It requires a horse with speed...CHECK!  It requires a horse that knows what his task is...CHECK! It requires a horse with agility...CHECK!  It requires a rider that can hang on.....NO CHECK!! NO CHECK!! MAYDAY, MAYDAY!!! YIKES!!!  Considering I've adopted many nicknames due to falling off the Heavenly thoroughbreds so much.....names like "The Sand-Man", "Ground Hog", (no, not Sirrus the Heavenly gopher, ME!!) and "Mud Puppy"......(I know, I know, I'm a Heavenly feline, which makes it all the more difficult to comprehend!!)  Ok, I'm ready.....I said I would try it and therefore, I will try it! Didn't say I'd be good at it, but I will at least give it a go!! Of course the great Poco Bueno is ready, he's looking at those poles like he's gonna eat them up!!! OOOOHHHHH!!! Here's the "gist" of the challenge....Six Heavenly poles are set up in a straight line at the far end of the sand ring, approximately 21 feet apart and 20 feet from the end of the Heavenly ring. (Do you think the distance of the Heavenly poles REALLY matter at this point???) We are to gallop FULL THROTTLE parallel to the poles to the end, turning around the last pole and begin weaving in and out of them! GOSH, I already feel sick and I'm only explaining to you all what I will be doing! Not only do I have to WEAVE down...I have to turn around the last pole and WEAVE BACK UP THEM...then "haul hiney" parallel to the poles back to the finish line (which is the starting line...??!!) Are you all confused yet?? I AM!!!!! Thank goodness POCO knows what to do...I'm just along for the ride due to my "beginner" status. OK, downed some Heavenly Gravol and here we gooooooooo........He's doing that "shot put" thingy to start again, you know, the "going in circles"in order to "slingshot" his start. WAIT POCO!! STOP!!! Poco stopped and asked me if everything was alright and I immediately skimmed the Heavenly fence of the sand ring!! Where is Northern Dancer and that two-sided tape that I asked for?? Oh, there he is, way at the other end, waving the tape at me, laughing hysterically!! GREAT!! THANKS FOR THE TAPE WHEN I NEEDED IT THE MOST!!! Nevermind..let's go POCO!!!! I grasped the horn of the Heavenly saddle and this time I kept my eyes OPEN...figured it was necessary!!! One, two, three.....FULL GALLOP, parallel to the poles, heading towards the end of the ring!!! YIKES!!!! All that I could hear were Poco's hooves digging and pounding into the ground while my face showed all the signs of major G-FORCE!!! We get to the end of the Heavenly ring and Poco turns a sharp left to begin his "weaving", while I slid sideways in the saddle, half on and half off!! WHAT???? IN AND OUT AND IN AND OUT AND IN AND OUT....I felt like a pair of pants in a washing machine that was set on TURBO SPEED!!...BACK, FORTH, BACK, FORTH....The Gravol is NOT working, I repeat, NOT WORKING!! OUCH, left leg "nails" a pole, right leg "nails" a pole, left leg "nails" a pole, shoulder "grazed" that one...!! I quickly think to myself, "Is there any gymkhana event that DOESN'T REMOVE HAIR???" Poco weaved better than any "basket maker" out there...he didn't hit ONE POLE!!! We made it to the end and he turned around the last pole and I thought "PHEW all done!" NOPE!! We had to go back through them AGAIN....OH NO!!!! BLACKOUT TIME!!!! My Heavenly eyes were zig-zagging and the feeling of vertigo was apparent....the minor loss of Heavenly leg fur didn't even faze me anymore....just finish ALREADY!! Finally the last pole and it was at this point that POCO "PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL" AND HAULED IT TO THE FINISH LINE...running parallel to the poles!!! My Heavenly paws were out of the stirrups, I had no idea where my reins went and I could see the fence rail getting closer and closer while POCO GAINED SPEED??? Why is he gaining speed as we get closer to the wire, WHY, WHY, WHY....can someone please tell me???!!!! One would want to slow down this close to the wire, would they not???......OK, EYES ARE CLOSING....CAN'T WATCH......Why do I hear tonnes of laughter from the Heavenly rail????? SCRREEECCHHHH!!!! Poco SLID on his haunches to a grinding halt and due to the fact that my Heavenly paws were OUT of the stirrups.....I FLEW "Tail over Tea Kettle"!!!! WEEEEEEEE!!!!! Landing ever-so-NOT-gracefully into the Heavenly mud!!! YUCKKKKK!! *spit* *choke* *cough* Hey, I'm still in one piece!! That's a GOOD sign right?? There was an immediate round of applause along the Heavenly rail and Poco came up to me and gave me a pat on the back, saying, "Well done Felix!!" Yayyyyy!!! What was my time you ask? Let's just say that I could compete if I wanted to........but do I want to right now??? NO WAY!! I need to re-grow some of my Heavenly fur back first!! Now I have a new nickname......"POLE CAT".......isn't that another name for a skunk???? Oh well!!!!


A Cherub's Welcome To:

La Pan Dow
Jackman
Truth and Justice
And all animals who have currently joined us.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Comedy Central

The Pottery Barn is full this evening as "Slew The Entertainer", is once again practicing some of his stand-up comedy routines......He seems to think that he has a Heavenly future making all the residents at Heaven's Gate Farm laugh, but what he doesn't realize is that usually his normal day to Heavenly day activities is enough to keep the gang rolling around on the floor in stitches!!  Just keep in mind that when Slew was on your Earth, there were many things that confused him regarding humans and we think that he may have a few questions about them......Let's listen in shall we??  [Slew is on the Heavenly stage wearing a gold and black tie...and we think that this will be his "trademark" when doing stand-up, since these were his Earthly stable colors]

Slew:    "I cannot figure this one out...If airline seat cushions are such great flotation devices, why don't you ever see anyone take one to the beach?  I mean, instead of water wings for the kids, why not just sit them on an airline seat cushion in the family pool and pull them around?  The kids would LOVE that!  Kids love new and exciting things!  Speaking of kids, does anyone remember Bozo the Clown when they were growing up?  I remember hearing of him, but I'm perplexed......Do we really need 'the Clown' part?  Honestly, are we going to confuse him with Bozo the Tax Attorney?  Bozo the Mechanic?  And what's the deal with this.....Why is it when you turn on the TV you see ads for telephone companies, and when you turn on the radio you hear ads for TV shows, and when you get put on hold on the phone you hear a radio station?  How confusing is that???"  [The Heaven's Gate residents are in an uproar at this point!!  Slew pauses to take a drink of water]  "I remember traveling to many a racetrack in my days on Earth and there was always one thing I could NOT figure out....Did you ever notice that when you are sitting at a red light, and the person in front of you pulls up a couple of inches, you are compelled to move up too?  Do we really think we are making progress toward our destination?   'Whew, I thought we would be late, but now that I am nine inches closer, I can stop for coffee and a danish!'  [The Pottery Barn is filled with laughter!  Slew is laughing too!]  "And another thing I don't get...I would be so tired of having to come up with another little outfit for myself everyday if I were a human.  In fact, I will say this—and I think many Earthly people would agree with me—I think eventually fashion won’t even exist.  I think someday you’ll all wear the same thing.  Because anytime I see an Earthly movie or an Earthly TV show where there are people from the future or another planet, they’re all wearing the same outfit.  Somehow they all decided, 'All right, that’s enough.  From now on, this is going to be our outfit. One-piece silver jump suit, with a V-stripe on the chest, and boots. That’s it.  We’re going to start visiting other planets and we want to look like a team.!!'  [Northern Dancer and John Henry are rolling on the floor laughing hysterically!!] 

Well, we're heading off to cloud, but we think Slew will keep them laughing all night long.......We hope so, he's pretty good at this!!!


A Cherub's Welcome To:

Destiny
And all animals who have currently joined us.