Last August during the Celebration of Wild Horses Through Art and Music; an exhibit and fundraiser for The Cloud Foundation (such a great time/turnout), I mentioned to Ginger Kathrens that if she was ever in our area, she should feel free to come by and meet El Corazon – “Cory.” Last Thursday, she and fellow TCF board member Ann Evans took me up on that invite and came by to meet my boy. (Ginger never had the opportunity to meet El Mariachi, but she knew of him and his story).

Cory, Ginger and Ann.

Cory, Ginger and Ann.

Gotta check out those feet!

Gotta check out those feet!

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Aww...

Aww…

Gold and Ginger with a sleepy Sammy in the background.

Gold and Ginger with a sleepy Sammy in the background.

That's the spot. ;)

That’s the spot. 😉

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Cory is such a sweet boy and he behaved beautifully for his guests.

Cory is such a sweet boy and he behaved beautifully for his guests.

My Foxtrotter Gold just has to be in the middle of things. He's very interested in folks and all the goings on.

My Foxtrotter Gold just has to be in the middle of things. He’s very interested in folks and all the goings on.

He just loves his scratches.

He just loves his scratches.

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Cory quite enjoyed his visitors.

Cory quite enjoyed his visitors.

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And Gold was not to be left out. ;)

And Gold was not to be left out. 😉

Thanks for coming by Ginger and Ann. The dogs and I certainly enjoyed your visit as well. 🙂

If you are interested in learning about and helping the wild horses, The Cloud Foundation’s website is a great resource for information about the latest events, news and legal battles on behalf of our wild ones: http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/

Related stories:

“The Passing of an American Icon”

“El Mariachi’s Gift”

Photos are for viewing purposes only. Most images are available online at: http://www.NickolesPhotography.com. Images by Pam Nickoles Photography, along with all site content are copyright protected and owned solely by Pam Nickoles Photography. Photos and/or text may not be used, downloaded or reproduced in any form without express written permission from Pam Nickoles Photography. Feel free to share, but please respect my copyright.

El Mariachi’s Gift

August 3, 2014

Do you remember when I first wrote about El Mariachi in “Rescuing an American Icon?” That there is always something good that shines through a tragedy? What people call, a silver lining. While circumstances were such that it took a while to get to a place where I could share, once again I’ve experienced just how unpredictable life can be and how it has a way of surprising you with twists and turns you never could have imagined or understood as they were unfolding.

Losing El Mariachi felt unbearable. It had been a very tough summer – so full of sadness and loss. But amidst the challenges, I reminded myself that I had been given a remarkable gift. A gift made even more precious by El Mariachi’s passing.

“The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.”
~ John Vance Cheney

I had been given a rainbow.

The Ballad of El Corazon (written by Rene’ Ferdig)

Images seen with a dubious heart,
Where did he come from?
How did it start?
Questions unanswered that made no sense.
How could such things have been allowed?
No rebuttal found in the eyes of the proud.

Waiting is the hardest part
Of looking for my long lost heart,
Waiting is the hardest part.

Memories of days long past
Floated in her head,
Like a ship with no mast.
She glimpsed the king’s glory many times,
With a heart full of wonder.
Until the day he lost his home,
His family ripped asunder,
This king torn from a perfect throne,
Surrounded, yet all alone.

Waiting is the hardest part
Of looking for my long lost heart,
Waiting is the hardest part.

Soon rescued by her caring heart
Full of hope – a new kingdom to start.
But time began to fall apart.
The king was betrayed
By the lord of the land
Turned to a hidden hell – and…
…Some even died
The king was found starved
And stripped of his pride.
But she came through again
With an elegant plan
At home in the desert sand,
Of his new benefactor
He at her side, Hope’s own protector.

Waiting is the hardest part
Of looking for my long lost heart,
Be strong of mind and strong of heart,
Yet waiting is the hardest part.

Such a glorious young life,
True image of the master.
Her heart beat …faster and faster.
There was no query and no lying,
But there was also no denying,
The old king was his sire –
El Mariachi, flame of the wild.

Waiting is the hardest part
Of looking for my long lost heart
The wild king now has a son,
El Mariachi’s own El Corazon!

Now what will become
Of the young El Corazon?
He belongs with her and no other.
Give him a chance at a brand new life,
And a golden older brother.
Patience comes with practice,
And practice in abundance, but….

Waiting is the hardest part
Of waiting for my newfound heart
The wild boy is headed home,
El Mariachi’s own young El Corazon!

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With his "golden older brother"

With his “golden older brother”

My rainbow, my healer, my gift - El Mariachi's gift.

My rainbow, my healer, my gift – El Mariachi’s gift.

Related Stories:
“Rescuing an American Icon”

The Passing of an American Icon

Images by Pam Nickoles Photography, along with all site content are copyright protected and owned solely by Pam Nickoles Photography. Photos and/or text may not be used, downloaded or reproduced in any form without express written permission from Pam Nickoles Photography. Feel free to share, but please respect my copyright.

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