It Is Our Children Of Today That Will Be Leading Our Horses Of Tomorrow
The date was the 11th,the month September, the year was 2001. I awoke that day like many others thinking that I was jumping out of bed to get the days plans underway, mine being to go and pick up my friend and his daughter to drive to the airport to celebrate her birthday in Disneyland. Little did I know that the second of two Twin Tower’s in New York was being struck by an airplane; this was beyond belief. This day changed our lives forever and our world has never been the same since. I tried to no avail to contact my European friend whom had just arrived to visit the United States but to no avail. My heart like many others was heavy.
The day must go on so I grabbed my coffee and headed out to the country to see my horse. The sky was such a beautiful blue, but it was very quiet. There was a small airport in the area with lots of activity usually going on, but not this day. In this quite peacefulness I wondered as I hand walked my horse down the road if he might be feeling the heavy heart that I was feeling. Did he know that my life changed that day? Did my horse know that his future may also have been uncertain? Did he know that in the years to come we would enter into a very troubled time for both horse and humans? I did not..
Fresh Restaurant @ the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel ~ Surrey, B.C. Canada
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel ~ Surrey, B.C. Canada
Without even thinking about how my evening shift would unfold at my job at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, I showed up for work as usual. It ought not have been a surprise for me to find the room packed with hundreds of senior citizens who were not able to fly home to their perspective states in the U.S.A., but it was. These seniors had been shuttled out from the airport to stay with us until airports would re-open where they could then return safely home. The bar was packed; business travellers that were supposed to be checked out early that morning sat at the bar drinking, and having another one, eyes glued on the big screen TV’s and CNN. I felt overwhelmed to see all of this happening around me but was so pleased that I was there this evening to serve these special guests.
Moments later a gentleman walked into the lounge and sat down at the piano. Normand came in from time to time to play just for fun and specialized in playing the blues which he softly started to tinkle with on the keys. Slowing he brought the vibration up in the room where smiles were starting to appear on peoples faces. It was not before long an elderly woman tugged on my shirt sleeve as I passed by her and asked if I would ask the piano player to play God Bless America. I smiled at her and told her I would be delighted to pass on this message and did. When I asked Normand if he would play this song not only for her now as I was understanding, but to the entire room as it was filled with mostly visiting American’s, he gave me this look that said “I play the blues and have never even thought of playing this song ever in my repitoire!!”. I smiled at him and asked if he would give it a try, he looked at me and considering the dynamics in the room, he said yes. So, then we heard the quiet notes at first coming through from the piano of God Bless America. It did not take long for Normand to be playing this song like he had a million times before and the way the faces on these beautiful people lit up that sat before me, brought tears to my eyes and still does today when I tell this story. Normand received the biggest applause for his playing of one of their national songs and it was in this moment and I will never forget it, the feeling that we were all so connected when we were coming from this place of both love and compassion ~ it was amazing graceas I have ever known it to be.
Click here to read the true story and experience of a friend of VFTH, Author/Writer Deanne Stillman after 9/11 ~ an aftermath and ten year perspective of where we are today.
When It Comes to Matters Of The Heart, There Are No Borders ~ Voice For The Horse
I will never forget this day and recall for many years after this event, how my customers had to adjust to their ways of travel and for some of them, the unease they felt wondering if they would make it back home to their families. These were true concerns and I always did my best to help my guests feel even more at home not because it was my job, but because I cared.
Today we have so many other issues going on within and between our countries, even as neighbours. Several years after this life changing event I later learned about the hard side for horses in the equestrian industry that truly have hardships in that they have been neglected, abused and with others becoming, simply unwanted. I do not believe because of a border between us that this exempts me from reaching out to help make a difference for horses that need the support and representation. And one must remember also that a horse has no borders for free in the mind as they are, do not know where it is they are putting their muzzles to the ground to graze and eat the fresh grasses before them. It is my wish that the offerings of my work and this project may support for the highest good, the wild mustangs, horses and burros through this effort.
Yvonne Allen ~ A Voice For The Horse
If you care about the horses in our Country that need our help, we encourage you to visit our web page Voice's Of Our Youth and join up on two very special FB Groups that have been started and hosted by Amy Michelle. Here you will come to realize the need out there for more representation for horses at risk. You will also learn of perfectly healthy horses and in some cases later on in years which make for the best beginners horse one could ask for as they have class and savvy and have been around a long time if you are looking to adopt. Many of these fine equines are just looking for their next student they would feel so priviledged to pack around!!
Saving Canada's Horses
Horses For Adoption In Canada
Saving American Horses at Risk
Voice For The Horse is seeking other similar groups like the two listed above that are operating in the United States. If you see anything posted that relates to placement of rescued horses and horses for adoption, please contact us as we would like to help these organization promote the good work they are doing. Also PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE NOTE:Voice For The Horse is only here to help those of the horses we can with the increased awareness that this project may provide; a project based on LOVE for ALL living and sentient beings. May WE there caretakers, do our BEST by THEM
“Celebrating horses in our lives for their past, present
.gif){kind=small}
