Dear Toad, "The first day I walked along the corral fence deciding on which horse I would work with, there you were in the distance hiding in the shadows. You looked like you didn't want any new friends or even to be bothered. I continued walking to check out the other horses. I am not sure but something drew me back to you. Could it have been your color or markings or could you sense the pain I was going through. My bet, you could sense the pain I was in. I was holding embarrassment, I was ashamed, I was lost, I was hurting, I lost my confidence, I was living in fear and I was forgetting who I was. Toad, do you remember the first day in the pen... I was so scared that something was going to happen to me. You were also scared and didn’t know what to expect of me. I remember the first time I placed my right hand on your body, I cried my eyes out because I felt this sense of relief, that everything was going to be alright. From that day we began our journey; we began this delicate dance of learning from each other. Every session we learned something new from the tiniest eye movement, to the sighs,, to you putting the pressure on me and then you... With time I learned how to trust you and I am pretty sure you felt the same. I have so many beautiful moments with you, the best moment of course was the day we were in the round pen. I was brushing you and talking about what was happening in my life. I stepped away... you took several steps forward towards me and my heart felt an unbelievable feeling that is so hard to describe. I know you know that feeling so that will be between us. You then proceeded to follow me around and there I knew our friendship went from friends to best friends. Toad, there is no session today, I am here to say my goodbyes. I want to be selfish and have you as my forever therapy horse. You have helped me in so many ways, I cannot express it in words but it certainly is an amazing feeling and I hope you feel what I am feeling. ...you have guided and helped me to find myself. I can tell you today that I am a beautiful, kind, loving, respectful, funny, confident individual. I am not scared, lost, ashamed or hurting and what is more important to me is that you reminded me of who I am, I am Dine’ I know this is not goodbye, I understand that you have done what was asked of you by mother earth and father sky. I know that your beautiful mane represents the dark rain clouds that was given to you by mother earth and father sky, How your hooves are arrowheads that are to protect the dine’ people. ...Oh Toad once again aheeyee (thank you) for your protection of my mind and guiding me in the right direction to becoming a strong minded person. Once again Toad Thank you and you will always be my best friend."
