NEWS&VIEWScontinued... Over the next week, her daughter Debbie and


I tried to fi nd time for her mom to come back out, but we just could not fi gure it out, and Miss Donna was getting weaker. T e next week I had a feeling we were


running out of time. I took a chance, drove up to Buckinghams Choice, a retirement community in Frederick where Miss Donna was in Hospice care. I stopped at the front gate and explained to the guard what I wanted to do and that I needed to drive around the complex to see if it was a suitable site with a possible staging area. T ey looked at me kind of funny, and said yeah, go ahead. I soon realized it was a perfect site! So I went back to the guard shack and


the young guard suggested I go to the main offi ce and talk to them. By the time I walked a short distance to the main entrance, the offi ce was already aware of my request. I told them I wanted to do it that Sunday (in two days), that we would clean up after ourselves and that we wanted it to be a surprise for Miss Donna. T ey were very agreeable and excited! I called Debbie on the way home and told


her I had it all arranged! She was beyond words and could hardly talk. I then called my Paradise family and many folks stepped up, as we are so


R &


Equine Services Bedding (Sawdust)


Manure Removal (Roll-Off or Pile)


Call now to schedule your fall pasture overseeding!


Adamstown, MD


301-607-4381 Serving


Montgomery, Frederick, Howard, Carroll,


Prince George's, Anne Arundel & Washington Counties and Loudoun County VA


Visit us on the web at www.midatlanticagconsulting.com 12 | AUGUST 2023 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION All proceeds to benefit City Ranch, Inc.


Together, let’s make a difference! a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.


800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com So we got the boys cleaned up, carriage ready,


harness adjusted and we were on our way that Sunday Morning. When we arrived, every- one was waiting on us with excitement. T e weather was beautiful, we staged perfectly, got everything ready and off we went to go pick up our special passenger. When we arrived at the Hospice House, it was shocking to us how many people were there waiting outside the building. Many were staff on their day off , and her large family and


grateful they do to volunteer their help for our non-profi t, Common Ground.


friends. When they wheeled Miss Donna out- side in her wheelchair, she was in total shock to see Mike and Max! When she saw me she started to cry and exclaimed, "You did it...my last ride!" Well, there was not a dry eye in the


place. We helped her in the carriage and she was all smiles, so surprised to see ev- eryone there for her. As we were pulling away from the Hos- pice House she took my hand and said, "Well I can die in peace now, this was my fi nal wish!"


She really enjoyed her


carriage ride, and seeing all the people on the route waving to her and cheering her on. T e security guards had brought roses to give her as she passed the guard house.


pass on two weeks to the day of her "last ride," on Easter morning.


What we did not know was that she would Her family has special


memories of a "good day" in the face of Miss Donna's end of life. T ere was joy, love, smiles and sadness all in one for her children, grand children, BC staff and friends. We all made a memory that we will never forget. When you can, you should...and we could, so


we did. We all found the joy in horses that day, even when faced with the end of life of a loved.


Save the Date 16th Anniversary Fundraiser


“An Evening at the Farm” Saturday, October 21, 2023 at City Ranch, Windsor Mill, MD • 410.456.2195 Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable evening of philanthropy & equestrian splendor. Great guests, great food, great beverages, silent auction, and, above all, a great cause! We look forward to your presence and kind support.


f


M


A


l A


o C


l


o


f


s


0820


0823


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52