Our old horse, Rondo, died on New Year’s Day. Although he was 33, it was unexpected and traumatic.

Our daughter, Sara, was raised on him and he has been a family member for nearly 30 years.

We buried him in his field and when Sara was able to come from Colorado a few weeks ago, we made a stone and put a cross at the head of his grave.
 
On Thursday I was the beneficiary of a “random act of kindness.”

It seems a local gal, Penny, had been seeing the horse for a long time as she traveled the highway.

Penny noticed when Rondo was no longer in his field and wondered on and off over the past few months what had happened to this horse.

Then, she saw the cross and as any horseman would, she knew that the old horse must be in his final resting place.
 
Penny dropped by on Thursday while I was out doing some dog training in the field and brought a large bouquet of flowers along with her condolences and some good wishes.

Out of the clear blue sky and in spite of the fact that we are complete strangers, she went out of her way to acknowledge Rondo and our family and frankly, our common humanity.

Penny told me she knows “all horse people are good people.” Well I want you to know Penny is “good people” and her gracious act was greatly appreciated.
 
If you are ever in Pogo’s Pizza, I hope you will tell Penny that you read about her random act of kindness and that you have been inspired to follow her lead. I know I sure have.
 
Judy Kempler lives in Kelseyville, Calif.