This weekend a beloved member of my family was laid to rest.  He resides under a tree next to his best friend and around the corner from a gentle mare and the gelding she loved with all her heart.  Behind them in the meadow lie a small bay mare, a dignified gray gelding, and an elderly chestnut that had kisses for everyone.  Each died surrounded by those that loved them, cradled in my arms as they breathed their last. 

 I tell you this not to cause sorrow at their passing, but to share the joy of their life.  All came to me as animals in need, and rapidly became my dear companions, keepers of my heart, joy of my life.  The responsibility of animal ownership is not a burden; rather it uplifts me and gives meaning to my life.  This is my choice, freely undertaken, and completely committed to.

 Tonight, as the sun faded I sat under the tree and thought about all those that died today, not in the arms of love but in the sterile uncaring of the kill pen.  I cried bitterly that their passing had to be reduced to dollars and cents, without meaning to any except the men that pocketed their fees.  I looked at the grass and flowers sheltering the final sleep of my beloved friends and thought of the white paper so soon to wrap the tattered remains of those others.  My companions live in my dreams, the others in the well fed belches of rich diners somewhere.

 I stood up, shook my fist at the darkening sky, and promised with every fiber of my being, “Enough is enough.”  No more must die to line the pockets of the un-caring, feed the stomachs of the un-hungry, or satisfy the puerile desires of the un-democratic politicians.  Do you hear the sound of thunder?  It is the very earth in front of me parting where I draw the line.  This is it; the time to stand and be counted is now!  If Washington cannot hear us when we ask politely, then we will no longer ask, we will demand.  Get out of my way with your reasons for why slaughter of innocence is necessary, get behind me with your prating about not regulating morals for others, get over as I stride through, or my convictions will roll over you! 
A cry is rising from the masses, the majority is hearing and responding, every day more stand up and join us.  Either vote with us, or we will vote you out!  The time to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is now, vote for it, or be doomed to obscurity by your own stupidity.