I am halfway through an interactive online wellness course hosted by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner). As a member of a small pilot group for this new course, and am being introduced to a whole new world of information that I was previously unaware of. Ideas about hormones, exercise, diet, mindset, and more… It was Deborah’s nutraceutical supplement that helped me back from the edge of some very serious health issues, so I am eager to learn everything I can from this amazing woman.
So, when Deborah touched on the Loving-Kindness Meditation (also called Metta Meditation) during this week’s class, I made a note and went off to consult the Oracle Google once the class was over. It was a productive search and I found more than enough information to help me learn more.
The more I read, the more I realized that my dogs and horses have already mastered this meditation. They don’t know the words – but they sure know the unspoken part.
“Loving-kindness, or metta, as it in called in the Pali language, is unconditional, inclusive love, a love with wisdom. It has no conditions; it does not depend on whether one “deserves” it or not; it is not restricted to friends and family; it extends out from personal categories to include all living beings. There are no expectations of anything in return. This is the ideal, pure love, which everyone has in potential.” ~ more here

Nobody knows how to do love better than these two.
Billy was once a rental trail horse in the rugged South Dakota Black Hills. Horses work hard there, the culture and the climate do NOT suffer weaklings, and those that are, perish. I met Billy in 2008. His body was battered and scarred; I could tell he was tired and sore, but he cheerfully and carefully carried me on those challenging trails so I could enjoy the scenery on my vacation. How much easier it would have been for him to plod along, not doing any more than I was able to make him.
His wise and accepting demeanor made such an impression on me, that I wrangled an exceptionally complicated and expensive plan to purchase him and have him shipped 1,000 miles to Indiana a few months later. For all the hardship, pain and confusion this horse has suffered in his life (full story here), one look at his eye tells you he is, indeed, filled with light and love.
Bailey was half grown when she and her sister Ellie were tossed out beside the road and left to fend for themselves in 2010. Named for the main character in the best selling book (and now movie) A Dog’s Purpose, she is exemplary at showing love toward those who do not love her back.

The internet is full of websites outlining the Loving-Kindness meditation, ranging from short and simple to lengthy and complex. But I know that if I forget the words, all I have to do is look at these two – and do what they do.

Wanna read more?
For more fun on the farm, go here
Adventures in remodeling are here
Is the house haunted? There are some stories about that here
Laughable housekeeping advice is here
Is this all I do? Post pictures and stories about life here on the farm? Nope! HoofPrints.com is my “real” job.
Gina, This is beautiful, thank you so much for sending it to me. I think all of us with animals can relate to this, much love-gabrielle & the gang
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Beautiful, just beautiful!
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I have read this before but read it again and again today. It is such a heart warming story of your love for horses, dogs ,and all animals.
What a great person you are and helped direct my daughter the right way.
Thank you again
GINA
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Beautifully written and filled with gentleness and love.
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