There has been a shift at the Sanctuary.
A new order.
With the passing of Revel, our sentinel,
the watcher of comings and goings.
He was especially interested in feeding time,
alerting the Herd that it was getting close all the way up until the time when they were fed. Constant, it’s strange not seeing him standing in wait.
He never made a sound—well, maybe a very slight nicker when he saw you. However, he was very noisy, quite loud in his presence. I always, somehow, knew what he was saying, or implying.
Before we named him Revel, he was Rebel, waiting for me to take him to HeartSpace Horse Sanctuary.
Revel was adopted (rescued) from a rescue in the Portland area. They contacted me to see if I would take him before his “time ran out.” I went to see him and made him a promise that I would be back to take him home. His name was Rebel and considering that he did have a bit of an attitude, I felt he would be better suited to a new name. We called him Revel so he could now revel in life every day.
The day I picked Revel up from the Portland rescue.
When I went to pick him up, he didn’t want to load into the trailer. We found out during his last ride he had fallen during transport. I knew then we would need a whole lot of patience to get him to load again. Luckily there were three of us and we all were skilled in reiki, an energy medicine. We filled the trailer with reiki; his head lowered to the trailer floor (after continuously throwing it moments before). He then walked right in and held perfectly still the whole ride home. He never had to get into a trailer again. That day I promised him he would call the Sanctuary home for the remainder of his days. One more promise kept. Revel lived and thrived here for 10 years. He also always loved reiki, even if only from a distance on some days. He really soaked it up during the last year as the arthritis in his knee got worse. The time we had with him would never be long enough. Yet there is comfort in knowing that he felt love, safety, kindness, and consistency for the last 10 years of his life. What more could I ask for?
Revel enjoying his life on 20 acres of land in Redmond, Oregon, home of HeartSpace Sanctuary. Revel reminded everyone when it was time to eat.
It’s never about me, it’s always what’s best for the horses. Which, to me, isn’t keeping them alive at whatever cost for a few more days or months. Their well-being is the main concern. No more suffering is the best I can do with the love I have for them. It’s the kindest thing I can do for them.
Death is a part of life, the end game. I understand that and am at peace with it; horses have taught me a lot about life. Like when I’m faced with the death of one of my herd and my heart shatters into pieces I remember that it is breaking open to hold more love and to grow bigger, fuller.
That sadness tells me how deeply I loved and how that much love is a beautiful thing. I’m grateful I had the time I did with them.
Revel, run free from your tired body.
Revered by many
Respected by all.
Allowed to be you to your fullest expression.
We miss you; yet we feel your presence running through the Herd,
Guiding them as they navigate their new place within their ever-changing, evolving dynamic
We love you dear one!