Doc ~ We Have Gone Full Circle...<P>

Doc ~ We Have Gone Full Circle...

May 30, 2003
Photo Above: American River Ranch East Side (front entrance) - Just after Surgery

This picture was taken almost a full year ago. Doc was released from the hospital after his hock surgeries to be in a place that would be clean, yet confine his movements to give healing a chance to take place. He ended up staying only two weeks, as Doc began to feel so good and full of young energy that he took to bucking in his stall, risking hitting his head or breaking a bone on the pipe corral fencing. But at the time this was taken, all my hope of ever riding trails with Doc was totally sucked out of me. I was convinced that he would be an arena horse only. Oh ME of little faith!

April 30, 2004
Photo Above: American River Ranch Back Side (access from trail) ~ While On a Trail Ride About a Year Later

Doc has been doing great, as you all probably know! It was so strange, yet so very meaningful to see Doc look at the place that he lived during those first two weeks after his surgeries almost a year ago. There we were...on the TRAIL--someplace that I had thought we would never be! He seemed almost to recognize the place, although he couldn't possibly from this view. Somehow, though, I think he knew that ARR represented a LACK of hope to me and to him. But from where WE sat this morning when this photo was taken...well, all that has happened is history and the future is yet ahead. Doc and I *will* grow old together and see beautiful trails and places together in the years ahead. We have just begun our journey! Thank you all for praying!