Editor, The News:
Doc ‘As Noted,’ May 7, 1997 – Sept. 5, 2013.
My buddy, my steady confident companion left this earth in a tragic flash of lightning, and my heart hurts for the loss.
I met Doc after his seven-year career as a harness race horse.
I volunteered at Greener Pastures after the loss of my previous horse, Cleo, to remain connected with horses.
Greener Pastures is a registered non-profit charitable organization that finds homes for Standardbreds donated by racing owners. (www.greener-pastures.ca).
I was the first to ride Doc. He stood still, gave me his trust and over the past several years did so time and time again.
He survived a serious injury while trail riding that required lengthy stall rest and much care.
He also survived being swept one way down the river while I went the other, and he survived the race track.
Sadly, he did not survive lightning.
Mainly, Doc was my big animal friend. I could take anywhere, trust with anyone, including small children.
We did endurance rides with success, went camping, trail riding, and he was learning to jump.
If he were a human, he would have been the best kind of human.
The best tribute to my boy would be to donate to an organization that helps horses or adopt a horse from one.
There are great people and places that take in these horses, and need your help.
Tina C. Ranger
Maple Ridge