memories

Don Soileau

My dad. Teacher, football coach, mentor. He was very well loved and respected by his students and players. I lost my father suddenly on Father's Day, June 18, 1989 when he collapsed following church services from a massive coronary. We were told later that there was nothing anybody could've done to save him. It was simply his time to go. It's been nearly 20 years and I still miss him very, very much. I love you, Dad.

Fred

I was often asked why I named a female dog "Fred". She just looked like a "Fred" to me. This unusual colored dog was brindle striped with a long thick coat similar to an Australian Shepard. She was thrown out at a local dump site as a small puppy and I didn't have it in my heart to leave her there. Fred loved baby animals of all kinds. Once she brought home a newborn orphaned fawn and would not let any of the other animals near it. She was one of a kind. Very loyal, a quiet dog and never got into any trouble. At the age of twelve, a stroke left her nearly blind but she still managed to make her daily rounds on the farm, making sure everyhing was as it should be. A second stroke several months later was more than her body could handle. She's now watching over her domain from up above.

Lucy Burch

Lucy was a part of our team who departed way too early. Shortly before her 29th birthday, she lost her life in an automobile accident. For more on Lucy, see the Distant Rumblings entry titled "Reflections of Lucy". There is an interview with her on the female jockey website: www.femalejockeys.com

Lil Miss Sparkles

Sparkles was a beautiful bay mare with contracted tendons.This condition affected her all of her life, making it difficult for her to stand for any length of time. She produced three foals during the ten years she lived with us. The first, a gelding named Just A Wishin, now lives in Alabama with his new person, Lynne Blackwell. The other two foals, Sparkle My World and Kitty Glitter, both fillies, still reside here.