Carmen
She was beautiful beyond words.23 total reviews
Comment from judester
This is a heartwarming story and a sure winner, ha ha. I am sure that Carmen felt the love and care you gave her after such obvious abuse. Why are we so cruel to animals? Elephants,horses,dogs, dolphins and chimps to name a few, seem more intelligent and compassionate than man some times.
We are working on an nantipoaching project here in Tanzania to try and stop the slaughter of elephants before it is too late. They are so social and have a family structure, can you imagine the grief when they find their family members slaughtered? It is real pain and they carry the bones sometimes,much like we honor the ashes of our loved ones. Bless you, judester
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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This is a heartwarming story and a sure winner, ha ha. I am sure that Carmen felt the love and care you gave her after such obvious abuse. Why are we so cruel to animals? Elephants,horses,dogs, dolphins and chimps to name a few, seem more intelligent and compassionate than man some times.
We are working on an nantipoaching project here in Tanzania to try and stop the slaughter of elephants before it is too late. They are so social and have a family structure, can you imagine the grief when they find their family members slaughtered? It is real pain and they carry the bones sometimes,much like we honor the ashes of our loved ones. Bless you, judester
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Thank you, judster. We don't have many elephants here in Michigan; they would probably freeze to death. I have watched stories about the elephants on animal planet and witnessed their devotion to their family members. It was heartbreaking to observe when one was killed or died. Other animals are often the same. I had a pair of cats (brother and sister) who were constantly together. The brother got sick and died and the female actually grieved herself to death. You don't t often see something like that in cats but, in this case, I witnessed it. She refused to eat or drink. I took her to the vet and he said nothing was wrong with her. I tried everything but she died about two weeks after her brother died.
Where is Tanzania?
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Tanzania is on the east coast of Africa,just beside Kenya. My husband and I are from Montreal Canada and have lived here for 20 years. We had a large vegetable farm here for 15 years and now we are involved with antipoaching,Trying to protect the dwindling herds.I spend alot of time in Zanzibar,cooking for the young American volunteers that visit. Nice to meet you,cheers, judester
Comment from Unspoken94
A wonderful love story. I was in New Mexico a few years ago where a ranch
rescued horses and troubled kids came to take care of them. Equine
therapy is so powerful with kids. They are not allowed to ride the horses.
Just take care of them. Your story is indeed therapeutic. -Bill
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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A wonderful love story. I was in New Mexico a few years ago where a ranch
rescued horses and troubled kids came to take care of them. Equine
therapy is so powerful with kids. They are not allowed to ride the horses.
Just take care of them. Your story is indeed therapeutic. -Bill
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Thank you. I have seen rough and rowdy kids have complete personality changes when they begin caring for horses. There is something about horses that bring out the best in SOME people. I have also seen horses suffer brutality and neglect at he hands of other people.
Comment from Robert Louis Fox
This is a very touching anecdote. I have saved animals too, and I know what it's like to rescue one that captures your heart and stays with you for it's remaining days. You have expressed the experience with emotion.
This is a good anecdote. As an essay it's a little out of sequence. An essay has a premise or topic statement (I knew there was a beautiful animal), followed by supporting ideas (how you found her, what she looked like, how you cleaned her up and named her, what a pleasant and grateful horse she turned out to be), and then a summary of the topic and the supporting statements (Carmen regained her health and was beautifully behaved)--which often includes an idea synthesized from the information presented (Carmen loved and was loved by you, and in the end, even died a beautiful death; she was truly a beautiful animal and had deserved the best you could give her) which proves your original premise.
I like your story. It reminds me that some of the World's greatest loves are not between people. Keep up the good writing! Best regards, BobFox
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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This is a very touching anecdote. I have saved animals too, and I know what it's like to rescue one that captures your heart and stays with you for it's remaining days. You have expressed the experience with emotion.
This is a good anecdote. As an essay it's a little out of sequence. An essay has a premise or topic statement (I knew there was a beautiful animal), followed by supporting ideas (how you found her, what she looked like, how you cleaned her up and named her, what a pleasant and grateful horse she turned out to be), and then a summary of the topic and the supporting statements (Carmen regained her health and was beautifully behaved)--which often includes an idea synthesized from the information presented (Carmen loved and was loved by you, and in the end, even died a beautiful death; she was truly a beautiful animal and had deserved the best you could give her) which proves your original premise.
I like your story. It reminds me that some of the World's greatest loves are not between people. Keep up the good writing! Best regards, BobFox
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Thank you. I don't really think this had to be written as an essay. The contest just called for a beautiful animal story. I also had to keep it short as the contest only allowed 300 words. I appreciate your comments and thank you for the great review.
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The contest did say essay.
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Yep, you are right it does say essay, I apologize to you. Oh well, it will either win or lose. It doesn't matter I just write for the enjoyment. Hugs to you
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It's a good story. You can change it into more of an essay if you like and I think it would still be just as good.
Comment from damommy
What a beautiful story! Carmen was a lucky horse, but you were lucky, too, in getting such a loving creature.
This story reads very well. Your photo is lovely. Thank you for sharing this. 8-)
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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What a beautiful story! Carmen was a lucky horse, but you were lucky, too, in getting such a loving creature.
This story reads very well. Your photo is lovely. Thank you for sharing this. 8-)
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Thank you. Carmen was an exceptional animal. It is hard to find a good parade horse because all the noise and people scare most horses. Carmen was a natural ham and loved to strut in front of a crowd.
Comment from DonandVicki
A very touching story about you and your love for horses. The emotions come flowing out of your words and onto the page. A very loving story.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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A very touching story about you and your love for horses. The emotions come flowing out of your words and onto the page. A very loving story.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Thank you. Carmen was an exceptional horse. I kept her until she died of old age.
Comment from Bill O'Bier
I loved reading your story and was drawn in. This piece paints a picture of this event in your life. The descriptive language flowed well. Thanks for sharing.
Bill--
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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I loved reading your story and was drawn in. This piece paints a picture of this event in your life. The descriptive language flowed well. Thanks for sharing.
Bill--
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Thank you for the great review and your kind comments. Carmen was a great horse.
Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep
I love this because it kept me engaged from the first line. my heart always goes out when I see an animal neglected and I felt proud on your behalf that you had rescued this beautiful horse and given her such happy years. You have done exactly what the contest needed, I thinkk Good luck with your entry.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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I love this because it kept me engaged from the first line. my heart always goes out when I see an animal neglected and I felt proud on your behalf that you had rescued this beautiful horse and given her such happy years. You have done exactly what the contest needed, I thinkk Good luck with your entry.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Thank you. My husband and I rescued quite a few horses over the years. It is terrible the way people abuse those lovely animals.
Comment from jpduck
What a gorgeous story -- a true one and all. I loved it. Just one extremely nitty nit-pick: 'Carmen' was an opera by Georges Bizet long before it was made into several different movie versions, the first and best of which was entitled 'Carmen Jones' (1954)
Adrian
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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What a gorgeous story -- a true one and all. I loved it. Just one extremely nitty nit-pick: 'Carmen' was an opera by Georges Bizet long before it was made into several different movie versions, the first and best of which was entitled 'Carmen Jones' (1954)
Adrian
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Thank you. I only remember seeing the movie Carmen. I know it was an opera originally but I never saw the opera. The main character in Carmen was beautiful so I named the horse after her.
Comment from RonCraig
This was an engaging story and I enjoyed the transition from abused to the life you gave back to her. A few thoughts below;
Her mane and tail (was) full of cockleburs and she was so thin I (were plural)
leopard appaloosa (should this be Leopard Appaloosa in caps?)
death as an animal could get and still (keep) breathing. (be)
Ron
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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This was an engaging story and I enjoyed the transition from abused to the life you gave back to her. A few thoughts below;
Her mane and tail (was) full of cockleburs and she was so thin I (were plural)
leopard appaloosa (should this be Leopard Appaloosa in caps?)
death as an animal could get and still (keep) breathing. (be)
Ron
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Thanks for the tips. I will go back and edit. I originally typed the word still (be) breathing and my word processor kept telling me I was wrong. So who is right, us or the word processor? I'm going to go with us because I think it sounds better. You do to. Sometimes we are maybe smarter than the processor. LOL
Comment from Scarbrems
Aww, a lovely piece. You do a fine job, both in your writing here nad as a real life rescuer of abused horses. I'm glad Carmen had a much better end to her life. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Aww, a lovely piece. You do a fine job, both in your writing here nad as a real life rescuer of abused horses. I'm glad Carmen had a much better end to her life. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the story.