Conference noted::equitation

    
    JoAnne, I am very sorry about Neo.  I only got to meet Neo a few times
    and he was wonderful playful guy.  You gave him the best life he could
    have, try and take confort in that fact.
    
    Do you know what happend to him yet?
    
    I will give our horses a hug for you and Neo.
    
    Louisa

    
    
    JoAnne,
    
    You just broke my heart.  Loosing a friend like Neo is a terrible
    thing.  He was lucky to have you there with him and I'm glad he didn't
    have to suffer.
    
    Please accept my deepest condolences.
    
    Simone
    

    
    	JoAnne.. I am also so very sorry, even tho I never met Neo he
    must have been very special.
    
    	Please think about how important it was for him that you were
    there to the end, even tho that must have been incredibly hard.
    
    	d.v. and I will say a little prayer tonight.  I know how I would
    feel and that would help.
    
    	Give yourself a hug too - holly
    
    

    JoAnne,
    
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a sad time this must
    be for you. Your fellow noters are here for you if you need to
    talk on or off-line. 
    
    Tina

    JoAnne,
    
    I never know quite what to say at times like this. Even though we all
    know that old friends die, we are never prepared for it emotionally.
    It's even harder on us when it's sudden like this was. As horrible and
    heart breaking as it was, at least you had a chance to say goodbye.
    Sometimes, we don't.
    
    I'm sure he loved you as much as you loved him.
    
    John

    JoAnne-
    
    	I'm so sorry to hear about Neo, too.
    
    Michele 

    
    So sorry, Joanne....
    
    Lynne

I know neither yourself or your friend, but I can't imagine how difficult
this must be for you, someday soon I must face this for an old friend and
I spend many a moment wondering just how I am going to survive. Feel the
strength in your friends to help you survive the dark days to follow.  I
am so sorry for the loss of your best buddy.
We are here if you need us !

I wish I had some words of comfort to add for you.  I know you must
be in terrible pain.  Please know that we're here for you in the
notes file.  I'll be thinking of you and Neo.  

I'm so sorry.

Jan

    Joanne,
    
    My heart goes out to you. I was only 12 when my first pony died....it's
    a feeling you never forget. Fortuneatly, in time your memories of his
    life will be much stronger than those of his death. Be kind to
    yourself, knowing you gave him a good, happy life.
    
    - Linda
    

I would like to thank all of my friends in this notesfile. The support I have 
received through the mail, phone calls and replies to this note have really be
overwhelming and a gift.

One lesson that I have learned from this experience is never to take anyone you 
love for granted because in one swift instant they can be snatched away without 
warning. I am just happy that I told Neo everyday that I loved him.

Neo's other best friend Zeus was in a terribly distraught state for two days.
I had only two horses at home and so he was left alone. Thanks to Sue Alex at
Farewell Farm and Bob Lingham at Proctor Hill - Zeus has a new roomate. This 
will buy us some time in finding someone more permanent.

I hope to have a chance to return the support that people have given us. 

	Thank you again,
		JoAnne  

    No words can truly express the grief, and no words can alleviate the
    pain of the loss.  Nothing can.  And I believe you're right that only
    other horsepeople, such as the noters here, can fully understand.
    Personally, I can't imagine anyone reading your note with a dry eye.

    I tried to post this reply yesterday, when I first read your note, but
    was bumped off the net.  I did, however, give each of my "pals" a hug 
    for you and Neo when I got home.

    Sincerest condolences,

    Steve Frisselle

    

    There are no words...just thoughts and emotions.  
    
    Kathie
    

    Joanne, I'm so sorry about your horse Neo.
    
    Karen
    

    Joanne-
    
    So sorry to hear about your loss.  My heart aches for you.  
    I wanted to cry when I read your note.  At least you can
    feel good that you gave your equine friend a good life.
    
    Take Care
    
    Cheryl 

It was a year ago today that I wrote the base note. My heart had never been more
devastated than it was when I wrote those words.

Today, a year later - I want to thank everyone that answered the note and sent
me e-mail.

Zeus and I have recovered from what I never thought we would. We have a new
horse - she will never ever replace Neo - but she has taken a place in our
hearts and paddock and our family feels back to normal.

This note is for anyone who is suffering a loss like this, or who may in the
future.

You may not feel like you will ever recover - but you will with time!

(Notice I said *recover* and not *get over* - I'll never get over the loss of my
friend)

    Joanne,
    
    I'm glad to hear you are both doing well!  
    
    I lost my little pony the day after Xmas this year.  It's still hard,
    to be sure.  We have found a new friend for my mare - a 13 hh mix
    who we are adopting from the Nevins Farm in Methuen Mas (MSPCA).  She's
    having a Coggins done today, and will come home as soon as the
    results are in.  While we're looking forward to her arrival,  it's
    a little sad to know that a new face will be in 'Pesky's' stall.
    For a little bitty brat, Pesky sure did leave behind some big
    hoofprints to fill.  Yet I know that 'Crackers' will work her
    way into our hearts just as Pesky did.  
    
    Recently I decided to have enlarged pictures of all 4 horses who
    have lived in our barn - Plympy, who has been there from the
    beginning of time and will remain until the end (when she passes
    on, the world WILL end) - Ck, my brother's TB who boarded with us
    for a time - Pesky, whose stay was so brief - and now Crackers,
    who's stay will hopefully be much longer.  I thought hanging nice
    photos of them in the tack room might be a nice tribute.