After a full and happy decade among friends, Bobo, our 32-year-old blind mare, died suddenly this past Tuesday.

Bobo was one of the most traumatized animals Catskill Animal Sanctuary has ever rescued. We found her eleven years ago in a dark stall, standing on top of six feet of packed manure, where she had been locked up for nine years. Her backbone rubbed against the ceiling; she hadn’t seen the sun, been able to move freely, experienced love, or had a friend in nine years.

Because of that period of extreme confinement, Bobo considered the world a frightening and dangerous place. Everything was scary: thunderstorms, wind, tractor engines, dogs barking….even the meow of a cat. Once safe at CAS, Bobo would take a few tentative steps outside her stall, but retreat at the sound of anything unfamiliar.

Patience, time, and love ultimately prevailed, and after several months, Bobo left the confines of her CAS stall and ventured out to a large pasture, where, little by little, she learned that “unfamiliar” didn’t mean “bad.” We had the privilege of her company for eleven years. During that time, she befriended blind horses Buddy and Mirage and was dubbed “Barn Diva” because whatever Bobo wanted, Bobo got. More accurately, whatever her devoted humans–Lorraine, Joyce, Julie, April, and so many more–thought she might possibly want–Bobo got–even bottled water for a time, and a matching hot pink halter and lead rope. When her blind eyes had to be removed due to debilitating pain, Bobo accumulated even more fans as volunteers and guests admired how quickly she returned to a full and happy life.

Bobo died of a heart attack, and is buried on CAS grounds next to friends. We miss her deeply.