So much has been said about and for Barbaro that I find myself still stunned by his death. Why? Maybe it is because I know firsthand what it means to see a loving pet, a blessed friend, a best companion do all it can to try to survive at odds that if realized would be a miracle of miracles if the surgery, the healing and the constant prayers had worked.

I feel so helpless wondering maybe if all of us had prayed harder or for a longer period of time that maybe things might have turned out differently for him! Maybe not! However, his death has taught me once again that we must not take anything for granted, no matter how well or healthy we may feel, seem or appear to be at the moment or what seemingly powerful and futuristic medical procedures we may have at our disposal to supposedly guarantee us a longer life.

Let us remember, Barbaro, as a real hero, as a real champion, as a real winner and as a real example of raw courage and determination. May he give us another reason to look within ourselves and truly see who we really are, as evidenced by all of our outpouring of emotions, thoughts and expressions of love and compassion for he and his beloved family, who loved and cherished him so very greatly.

Lets let Barbaro's life and passing be a wake up call to each of us and allow what we felt, experienced and witnessed firsthand, both within our hearts and minds and without, at what others shared, experienced and expressed, be a goal that we want to reach each and every day when dealing with our fellow brothers and sisters, as well as our preciouis four legged friends!! In this way, Barbaro's life will not have been wasted but will not be etched and grooved into our hearts and minds as to how we can and should be towards every other living thing in each and every interaction that we may ever be blessed to have during our lifetime here.!! Go Bless, Barbaro, my friend!

Always a friend,

Steve D.

Thank GOD I'm not alone in my almost devastating grief.
To me, HOPE is truly the greatest of all things...okay, LOVE is, too!
But, the hope that Barbaro gave all of us is such a precious gift.....the hope of a Triple Crown Winner...the hope that he would merely survive after the injury...then the hope that he would get better...and then the hope he would be released from the Hospital to enjoy the warm sunshine and fresh grass to graze on at his leisure...
I hope and pray that he is running wild and free now on the wind.
May I express my sincerest condolences to all who were caregivers,trainers,jockeys, fellow fans and especially to his owners...thank you all so much for your determination!
Good night Sweet Prince. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Barbaro was euthanized on Monday morning. It's Wednesday evening and I'm still stopping to dab the tears and blow my nose as I read the news that the great champion was creamated. His owners are taking time to decide where his ashes will be interred. It would be nice to see him at Churchill Downs, the site of his magnificent win, or more personally, on the Jackson's own farm where his daily ration of grass was clipped for his daily meal at the New Bolton Center. I'd like to see a bronze statue of Barbaro, full scale like the one of Seabiscut, another legendary champion horse of the people. Yes, Barbaro was the People's horse, a legendary animal that made ordinary citizens stop to watch his every move, whether it was the glory of the derby track, or the grusome scene of his breakdown, and most endearing, the moments with his surgeon, Dean Richardson, who would hand graze him on the New Bolton lawns during the good days post surgery. Barbaro's impact on our culture and daily existance is amazing in an era of jaded celebrities who flouce out of cars sans their panties, or conveniently sneek to rehab when their mouths forget to have a foot inserted. Barbaro had no problem but to get well and live, to walk without pain, and to be, well, a horse. We wanted to see him survive, and we want to believe he is in a better place. But, he's gone, and the world is alitte more jaded by those who can't imagine all the carrying on over a racehorse. How sad for those few who have never understood the bond humans have forged with an animal who has stood beside us in war, cold, rain, across the praries, and as buffalo thundered past. We owe the horse more than simply chides of "glue factory", "horsemeat," "nag." Barbaro deserves respect as a living creature, one that deserved to survive. Alas, we and all our technology, machines, casts, operations, and good wishes failed. Thus, respect is owed, deserved, and required. At least, that is what civilized humans do.

Did I somehow miss the memo that announced the change in this blog's purpose--i.e. to make fun of Philadelphia and its surroundings?

And maybe it's just me, but my humble opinion of what "civilized humans" do is not to let animals suffer needlessly at a ridiculous cost quite possibly for the sake of potential stud fees. And if that somehow makes me uncivilized, so be it.

There is a wonderful, beautiful STAR IN THE SKY, who carries the name BARBARO that is FOREVER, shining down on us and will NEVER, EVER go away.

We treasure that star.

Love to Barbaro,
Grandma Bea, Ladee Elizabeth & Remington Gobee
Bushkill, PA

TODAY FEB 1ST 07 I THINK ABOUT A HOURSE THAT I HAVE NAVER MET, BARBARO I WATCHED HIM FROM THE DAY HE GOT HURT RUNNING IN HIS SECOND RACE FOR THE CROWN AND HIS LAST RACE OF HIS LIFE MENNY PEOPLE LIKE ME BECAME CLOSE TO HIM BECAUSE OF HIS DESIRE TO LIVE, HE TRIED VERRY HARD TO DO THAT AND THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK GOOD CARE OF HIM DID ALSO. DR RICHARDSON WHO I HAVE NEVER MET ALSO DID A AMAZING JOB AND HE ALSO IS TAKING BARBARO LOSS HARD TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN BARBAROS HEALTH OWNERS, DRS, STABLE MATES,AND WHOEVER, HE TRIED AS A HOURSE TO TELL US THANK YOU FOR HELPING HIM AND WHEN HE GOT IN TO MUCH PAIN WITH NO LEGS LEFT HE WAS READY FOR HIS LAST RACE , AND THAT RACE WAS HIS BEST RACE, HE ALSO WON AND THAT WAS TO HEAVEN NOW HE IS IN A PLACE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE SOMEDAY AND MA BE PERSONALY CAN MET HIM I WILL NOT BE RITING ANY MOORE ABOUT BARBARO BUT WILL KEEP HIM IN MY MIND FOR A LONG LONG TIME GOD TAKES CARE OF THOSE WHO HELP THEM SELVES AND YES HE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO THAT J G CLARK CLAYTON GA CRYSTAL RIVER FL

:::whispers::: they're inside the house. Why, oh why didn't we zombie-proof the windows like I wanted to?!!?

I hope that when Barbaro's ashes are buried that someone does play the Dan Fogleberg song.
And please help us to understand a little better why he had to go, why he couldn't have been made to lie down with medicine etc., the usual questions that people who don't know much are asking. How I loved that horse, his amazing and beautiful spirit ! I hope that new rules will be made in honor of Barbaro; for one thing,if a horse bolts out of the gate early,for instance,that a race is put on hold until the horse is thoroughly checked over. We will miss him , beloved Barbaro.

Seriously, what is going on? Am I overloading on irony here?

This tribute to Barbaro will pass, but to those who impatiently want to move on, then please do so. However, if for another brief moment let us take one last look at this beloved animal and say to him, "Thank You", for all that he gave to us, instilled in us, inspired in us and brought forth from our hearts, especailly for him, and also for all those tireless, professional and dedicated people, who tried to save his precious life.

He will be sorely missed and I send my deepest and most sincerest of symapathies to the Jackson family and "thank them", too for what they gave to us in allowing Barbaro to touch our hearts the way he did as a real and true champion always does and always will!!!

Always a friend,

Steve D.