Palm Citys Horse Talk: Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, Union, Missouri: A Goodbye to Koty: by Merian Reins

Marian Reins is an exceptional woman that lives in St. Louis, Missour and multi-tasks a business, family, and volunteers to care for horses at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch....50 miles away from her home. Marian is my guest and enjoy her story.

As a volunteer at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri, I love all the horses, but my main love was Koty. He's a fabulous young Thoroughbred and one of the most affectionate horses I have ever known. Not a day went by that I didn't think of him.
I arrived at Longmeadow at 7:00 a.m. one Sunday, full of anticipation - I had been waiting all week to see Koty. I turned off my car, jumped out, ran to the door of the barn and hurried down the center alleyway toward Koty's stall. Then suddenly everything in my field of vision faded except one small green sign that hung from Koty's stall door. It read, "Adopted."
Many people at Longmeadow have had the same experience of falling in love with a horse, then arriving one day to find the green sign. It's the same feeling of loss that one experiences when a good friend moves away. Love gives these animals new life - sometimes love hurts.
For Koty, his new life was just beginning. I dried my tears and walked back to his stall. He greeted me at his door with his head held low as I hugged his neck. He gently rested his head next to my body. That was the last time I saw Koty. Everyone at Longmeadow hopes that the animals will be adopted by loving families, and for the most part it's a happy time when those days arrive.
Koty left Longmeadow. And we're still there - the staff and volunteers who are blessed to serve our animal friends. And you never know - someday I might be a Longmeadow volunteer who adopts a loving horse, one just like my friend Koty.
-Marian Rein

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My Comment: I certainly can appreciate Marian's emotion. A horse's trust is built by consistency, routine, and love. They are like people, they can sense sincerity. Horses can be your best friend.