legacies

Stormy
27+ Years
Stormy raised me!
He kept me young and reminded me everyday of life's unexpected turns!
Stormy was sired by Anders and out of a QH mare. At the time, Anders was
the only registered Haflinger in the state of Maine. Stormy was born on a rainy night
hence the name. My parents wanted to get into haflingers at that time, but there just
weren't any around. Stormy's dam became very aggressive as soon as she had
Stormy and she was suppose to be a kids horse. Needless to say, Stormy came home
when he was just a few weeks old. He came home with hopes of being a draft horse.
However, he moved away from that career and went on to be a saddle horse for my
mom, at the same time I was growing fast and my pony was not keeping up! I,
therefore, was given Stormy. Stormy's sense of humor was annoying to most people,
however, his Trojan courage and enormous heart led us into many disciplines and
endeavors. Through the years this small horse and I won every blue ribbon the state
of Maine ever had! He got better and better with time as did I. He literally had more
miles on his feet than most peoples cars! I would get up before the sun and we would
ride in the fields, through the woods, down the roads, up and down the gravel pits,
across streams, jumping obstacles that looked to be challenging, even swimming in
the lake in the summer months and we wouldn't quit until the sun was firmly down
for the evening. This was our life. I rode before school, after school, and every other
chance I could. We would ride to the store, just a few miles up the road and pick up
bottles to get enough money to get tootsie rolls! Everyone in town would come out to
say hello to Stormy and I! He liked pepsi, pizza, subs, and one cent bubble gum too.
He could schmooze anyone for a treat! On the way home he would go so far, than
stop and turn his head, waiting for his tootsie roll. He loved them! Stormy probably
loped more miles than most horses have ever dreamed of. Stormy became a legend
in the state of Maine and everyone wanted a Stormy. As the years progressed, my
family acquired more and more haflingers. Don't worry, I rode them too. But
nothing could keep up with Stormy! Stormy gave his all. From winning numerous
barrel races, to pole bending, to the fastest key hole horse in the state and on to three
day eventing, he could and would out jump warmbloods twice his size just to prove
us. We later got bored with that too, and went on to team penning, where he once
again poured his heart out to please me! I remember we would get to a show, if it
was close, within 10 miles or so, I would ride to the show, otherwise he would get
hauled, but every time people would see him for the first time, they would laugh,
point their finger and make sneer remarks about my little horse. By the time the day
was over, every kid and parent around wanted to buy him! After winning ribbons
upon ribbons, buckles, money, and even a stable sheet, it was time for me to go to
college. Due to financial circumstances, Stormy had to stay home and I had to go
find the world on my own. After I was out of college and later could afford him, I
drove home to get my best friend! He spent his last few years with me in Colorado
and made many friends here too. Due to a tragic colic, which I spent four days and
three nights fighting to keep him alive, as did my vet and friends, I decided it was
time. The fourth evening was coming fast and it was almost 10:30 pm. He would not
let go on his own, bless his heart. He was a golden hearted horse that never let me
down. I called my dad to get permission I guess and I than fed him his last tootsie
roll, led him out of the barn, buried my face on his neck and said goodbye. He was
laid to rest. My vet said a prayer.
Stormy had a way of touching everyone's heart that he ever met, and if there is a
horse offered to heaven, its Stormy for sure!

If Stormy could talk right now, these would be his words for sure:

I got to the gate of heaven today,
After we said goodbye.
I began to miss you terribly,
Because I heard you cry.
Suddenly there was an angle,
And she asked me to enter heaven's gate.
I asked if I could stay outside
For someone who would be late.
I wouldn't make much noise you see,
I wouldn't whinny or neigh.
I'll only wait here patiently,
And quietly munch my hay.
The angle said I could stay right here
And wait for you to come.
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
If I went in all alone.
So, I'll wait right here,
you take your time,
I won't go in while we're apart.
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
So, just keep me in your heart.