In this photo provided by the University of Pennsylvania, veterinary resident Dr. Steven Zedler stands in the stall with Barbaro after the Kentucky Derby winner underwent more than five hours of surgery Sunday, May 21, 2006, to repair three broken bones in his right rear leg at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa.(AP Photo/University of Pennsylvania, Sabina Louise Pierce)
Handout image of radiograph (front view) of Kentucky Derby champion Barbaro, made following a surgery at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center on May 21, 2006. (University of Pennsylvania/Handout/Reuters)
Thanks for posting that photo of Barbaro in his stall at New Bolton, Norm. It does this sad heart of mine good. Now I can cry.
It's especially heartrending when children or animals get hurt badly. They're innocent and trusting and don't understand what's happening to them. That's what the people who say "it's just an animal" don't get.
I went through this last year when one of my cats got hit by a car. Her hips were fractured in three places and the vets and I struggled for seven months to keep her going. Through it all, she was so sweet and brave. It was the right thing to do when we finally put her to sleep but it didn't make it any easier. I think I understand how devastated this beautiful horse's people feel right now.
Let's just keep praying for the best for Barbaro, no matter what the outcome.
And considering that he's got a full length cast, he's standing pretty squarely on that leg.
Prayers continue . . . he's such a good-natured colt, he deserves a happy retirement with lots of pretty young fillies.