Hi Axa,
I loved, loved riding, and just being around horses. They are like 2000-pound valiums. So lovely, open, funny (some of them), receptive to carrots. Riding was a great escape for me. One of my goals at the gym is to find out if I can rebuild my muscles in such a way that I could ride again without aggravating my pesky disk. If not, I'll just find a place to hang around and do some brushing. That's just as much fun.
I love thinking of you reconnecting to the joy of being an animal, with an animal, in nature...during those precious hours. I know your D is so proud of you. I don't know what an afterlife is, but I think it's more like a presentlife...if we loved them and they loved us, they are with us right now, walking right beside us, laughing with us, sitting calmly near while we weep.
love
Hops