When I saw this, I had to get back on here and comment. That was the most emotional day I have ever experienced. Janet swears my grey hairs have doubled these past few days. It all happened so fast, yet it feels like it was all in slow motion. It seemed like an eternity. When I saw her break for the woods, I heard you kiss to Smoke, and my heart jumped to my throat. I knew Smoke would catch her, and I KNEW what would happen if he did. I saw him lay those ears back, and that tail wringing, and I knew I HAD to get another rope on her. But I also knew I didn't have enough horse left to catch her. I could hear Smoke gasping for breath, harder and more labored as he got faster and faster with each stride. But I know there would have been no way you could have gotten him off of her. I have never seen him quit, and I don't think he would have that day. I have seen you and Smoke drag many a 1 ton bull out of the arena when the bull fighters couldn't get him out, but I knew Smoke had nothing left. He was running on pure heart, hell bent on answering your call. Like he always has before. I saw the angle you would have to take to turn her from the woods once you got the rope on her neck, and I knew I was about to see a wreck. He didn't have anything left to slow her and turn her with. When I saw you and him go down, I knew right then my best friend and the best horse that ever lived, were dead. And I almost died myself, even as I was running to you. I could hear Smoke's horrible gasps as he struggled to get air, and heard them getting slower and weaker, but I had my hands full trying to keep you down til we could get an ambulance out. I finally told the others to just turn you lose and let you get up. I knew there was no power on earth, heaven or hell that was gonna keep you from Smoke's side. And I knew you were injured so bad inside, that that would probably be the last thing you ever did. And that was killing me. But looking back on it now, I will forever be grateful to God for allowing me to witness what came next. It broke my heart, and broke everyone else's hearts, when you laid down by him, put an arm over his neck, and told him he could go. I heard the pain in your voice when you told him it was ok to pass on over. But Warren, I SAW his eyes open. I SAW him reach down for the last bit of life he had left. Warren, that magnificent horse fought off Death and came back to YOU! He answered your call as he always has. The rest of us were some more sight to see I bet. Bunch of cowboys standing around crying like a bunch of women. Hell, they'd probably want to put us in a Bud Light commercial!! I have never seen, nor heard tell of, nor read about a bigger bond between man and horse. And I promise you this my friend, swear on my life and the Holy Bible. IF you go on that Last Ride before Smoke, rest assured that if I am still here on earth, he WILL be taken care of as good as you always have taken care of him.
There is no shame in getting old and slowing down, boss. You have nothing left to prove to anybody. You have spent your life taking up and fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. It is time to let others return the favor.