Foaling season nurtures hope. But the gate swings both ways. This week, two well known cutting horses were lost to untimely deaths, while last week, an aged broodmare and a beloved canine companion, the subject of a series of popular books, were humanely put to rest.

Earlier this week, the 11-year-old stallion Bets CD, owned by Gary and Susan Rosenbach, died at a breeding facility in Weatherford, TX, where he had been standing to the public. The red roan son of CD Olena was out of Bet Yer Blue Boons, an NCHA world champion and the daughter of all-time leading producer Royal Blue Boon.

Bets CD earned over $120,000 during his show career with trainer Kobie Wood. His first crop of foals includes Bets Pretty Sue, winner of $72,217.

On Monday, May 11, Lisa Langdon’s 5-year-old mare Little Bitty Hippy died following surgery for a colon impaction. Langdon had ridden the Hickorys Indian Pep daughter as champion of the 2008 Augusta Amateur Futurity, as well as an amateur finalist in the NCHA Futurity, Super Stakes and Derby.

“She was a tough, gritty mare,” said Tony Langdon, Lisa’s husband. “She will be greatly missed by Lisa and me, as well as by our daughter Taylor, and by David Stewart, who trained her.”

Two weeks ago, Cutter, the plucky little Australian terrier that starred in a series of popular books by Evonne Severinsen, had to be put to sleep at the age of 10. It was Severinsen’s granddaughter, Megan Merrill Miller, recent winner of both non-pro divisions of the NCHA Super Stakes, who gave Cutter his name.

The Cutter, the Little Red Dog series evolved from small albums made by Severinsen for family and friends, who convinced her that the books were too good not to share. The books are still available through Cutters Friends at 405-834-1554.

Sweet Lil Lena, a leading producer of NCHA money earners, was also recently euthanized, and I wrote about her in an earlier post – click here.

Reminder: In a special section tabbed “Milestones,” I will provide timely reports of special passages – human, equine, canine – and welcome your notifications, as well as details regarding services and memorials. The notices might not appear on my home page, so check the “Milestones” tab for updates, whenever you visit the site.