Standing In The Gap

As I said yesterday, this Blog Talk Radio business is new to me, so I'm just figuring out what's out there. Happily, I stumbled upon Ted Grevelis' Owning Racehorses blog and then his radio show. There are links to his radio program on his site so if you have the time and interest, take a few minutes to listen to his shows.

I was particularly moved by his most recent show from 9 September where he was featuring the story of Standing in the Gap, a thoroughbred rescue in my native Minnesota. I'd checked out their website earlier in the day, reading and watching the stories of the two horses they've rescued, Solo Tour and Maverick. Maverick literally was saved from one of the trucks that ships horses up to Canada where they are auctioned by the pound for slaughter.

The injuries that sidelined these athletes from the racetrack were serious of course, but not life threatening. And the two women who spoke last evening, Darla Jeffery and Leslie Morley, were so eloquent and made such heartfelt statements about their two equine friends that it was impossible not to be moved. I hope you'll check out their website--www.standinginthegap.info and read about the good work they are doing and their two gorgeous charges, Solo and Maverick. Add to this fact that not only are these horses getting much needed second chances, they are also assisting our returning military vets. That's a winning situation for everyone concerned.

Standing In The Gap's Mission Statement:

"We will stand in the gap for injured thoroughbred racehorses just moments off the track. We will provide nurturing care, rehabilitation, and training for these fallen athletes. We will guard their dignity with our integrity; teaching them - through love, commitment, and endurance - to become effective mentors for our returning military vets."

It's so easy to get caught up in the wonderful races we see and the great, winning thoroughbreds that we can lose focus of the horses who are injured or who just aren't making the grade for their trainers.

I'm so glad I happened upon the Owning Racehorses blog and Blog Talk Radio Show and again, links are above for you to listen to both Wednesday's show as well as older broadcasts, you'll be glad you did.

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I'll be taking some time on the 11th to remember the day and all the victims. I was living in NYC then, and walking to my job on Hudson Street in the W. Village when the loveliest day of late summer/early autumn turned so quickly and completely into something out of Hieronymous Bosch. Today is a day to quietly remember and reflect.

As a final note, today is not only the 8 year anniversary of the tragedy of the September 11th attacks, but it's one year ago that my beloved tabby cat, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson Schmenckmann, passed away. In the best of all possible worlds he's a barn cat with a few late, great racehorses and all of our other pets who have passed on--all purrs, no growls. He's still much missed as he was a Tyger in all the best senses of the word. In his honor, a little William Blake. Requiescat in Pacem, Jackson.

The Tyger

Tyger, Tyger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat,

What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? what dread grasp

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears

And water'd heaven with their tears,

Did he smile his work to see?

Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger, Tyger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?