06/13/2026
Please keep my dear friend in your thoughts and prayers. She really has had her heart broken so many times.
Goodbye Rocky 💔
He came to teach a Masterclass in self belief for those that were willing to learn.
I always thought of him as a messenger of some sort. From day one he was never like a “real baby”. He was an old soul in a foals body, and he just happened to only have 3 legs. Making the decision not euthanize Rocky at just a few days old was not one we took lightly, nor is the decision to send him back to God, so well loved that He will know when he arrives that we listened and we honored him till the very end. An end that we promised Rocky would only come when he had been given every opportunity to live the life that was intended for him, but not a day too late. Rocky lived every day like it was the very best day, and he taught me as he went to cherish every day, knowing that any day could be our last.
Rocky was pure joy. He loved life, his friends, and his people with a heart wide open. He took advantage of every opportunity to create mischief and fun. He looked for things to explore and do, and he was kind. So very kind. I have so many photos and memories of him checking on others during vet visits. He was goodness in every cell in his body.
I remember standing in the barn one day and I told my husband “people really need to watch how they treat him, he’s reporting to a higher power than most”. I’ve often asked why God sends us these special babies only to take them back too soon, or why He has given me the task to decide when, if, and how long they have. With Rocky, I can only say he was a full blown final exam of how to honor a life that most found unworthy of living. Rocky found himself worthy, and it was only my job to give him the space and chance to show us that. That a disability didn’t mean can’t or won’t, it meant embracing the time we had and making it count. He did it to fullest and I’m forever changed by witnessing him do so. He inspired me daily and at a time when I wasn’t sure if I could continue to do this, Rocky single handedly brought me back. I owe him so much and I have tried every day to make sure he knew how very much he was loved. He knew, and that’s all matters at the end of the day. He never knew of the bad things that came with him, and I made sure no one talked about it around him. He had no fear, I don’t think that was an emotion he ever felt actually and for that I’m grateful. His life was going to be short, so it was protected of course, but the beauty of it was that he was given the opportunity to really live. Sure I could have kept him in a stall and wrapped him bubble wrap, but I wanted him to experience everything he could, while he could, and he did just that.
He made real and family like friendships with a select few orphans of his choosing and he loved each of them in such a way that they developed the self confidence he had. A gift that they will carry with them long after he’s gone. He developed the same type relationship with me as well, and what he instilled in me will always be a gift. Know who you are, and stand on it. I know that every decision I have made has been in Rocky’s best interest and he knows that too. It would have been much easier to crumble from the pressure and the never ending posts about how it was cruel to allow him to live. Instead, I learned to look at him only. He was the guide, not the internet. I will rest easy in knowing that I honored him till the very end, with a fierce protection for him that grew out of necessity and respect for his life.
As the decision was made that it was time., I found myself walking away for a minute and just sat on the pond dam with tears running down my face. I knew the day would come, and I was trying to be thankful for the days we have had with him. Thankful that nothing “happened” it was just time. He was growing so rapidly and it was my commitment to him to never ask more of his body than he could handle, because I know that Rocky would have never given up. Dr Longoria limped over to me and since she couldn’t bend down to reach me I just held on to her leg and cried. She is truly the only one who has witnessed Rocky as much and on the level I have. She said some of the kindest things to me in that moment all I could say was “I would give him my own leg if he could stay” and she replied “I know you would.”
This is a loss that is felt so deeply here, by his sweet little friends the most. They truly lived for him and he was everything to them. I have never witnessed such grief and feel their sadness tenfold. Please remember them in your thoughts.
To everyone that loved him for exactly who he was, thank you from the bottom of my heart. He deserved every ounce of it, near or far.
I’ll look for you in the stars and in every lifetime Rocky, until we meet again, unending love my precious one 💔.
If you would like to honor Rocky there are a few things you can do today. Check on a friend. Smile at a stranger. Tell someone you haven’t lately that you love them. Forgive. Take a walk and be thankful if you can. Do something that sets your soul on fire, something that maybe you don’t think you are cable of. Believe in yourself. Talk to God.
I know that those of you that loved him will grieve his passing too, and my heart hurts for you as well. Please be kind to one another.
