Keeping Kahlua

By Maeve Lawrence

A Memoir Written from the Heart of a Horse.
Born on April Fool's Day, Kahlua is a colourful, spirited, and fun-loving horse. His life is full of lively adventures and challenges while his mischievous personality often lands him in trouble.
When his human partner suddenly abandons him, he faces a terrifying, uncertain future.
Now, as an aging, arthritic horse, he quickly becomes vulnerable and fearful, deeply afraid that he will be silenced forever.
While desperately searching for a safe haven, this unlikely hero discovers that even in his senior years, he still has important, life-changing work to do -- this time in the corporate world.
Kahlua finds his voice and has a truly inspirational story to share.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Weaver of Words Publishers
• Release date: Jun 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393260073

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Best Year of My Life

I am one lucky guy. I’m living the island life having landed the dream job working at a corporate retreat on Vancouver Island.

At 23 years of age, I am excelling at my new career in personal development, coaching industry leaders to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. I absolutely love my job, but the best part is I’m a natural at it. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am genuinely recognized for all my innate talents.

The job also has great perks, including free room and board, complete with six meals a day. I have my own personal assistant to look after all my requirements, both physical and emotional. It doesn’t get any better than this.

But what is it I actually do, you ask?

Well, I have some unique skills that few others have, enabling me to do my job. With my partner, I help business owners overcome the limiting beliefs, blind spots, and obstacles in the way of them succeeding and reaching their greatest potential. Working with me helps them to understand themselves better. Sometimes they are not even aware of their own thoughts or emotions.

One of my exceptional abilities is I can read body language and silent intention. I see and feel things that others cannot, and I react instantly to what I encounter. Some people think I must be psychic in order to achieve what I do.

My partner then translates this information for our clients, so they can understand what is holding them back from achieving their goals. I help to change the lives of leaders, and they tell me I am pure gold.

Ironically, in my younger years, I was considered so handsome they used me as a poster boy for selling gold bars. That’s right, real gold. I had the good looks for the job, but it was a short-lived modelling career.

I have finally found my niche, the place where I really shine. It took months of frantic job searching and three intense interviews, but at last, the job is mine.

They call me Spirit Igniter because of my fiery nature. I help my clients move forward, by not letting their past stories get in the way of their future – just like me. My own personal experiences taught me how to be successful in life. They tell me now I am a rising star, and I love my life.

By the way, did I happen to mention that I am a horse?

Not just any horse either, but a rather remarkable one, a National Show Horse, a stunning mix of Arab and American Saddlebred, a winning combination of beauty, intellect and sensitivity.

From the moment I was born, I knew I was different from the others, and I was determined to shine. But I didn’t always lead a charmed and beautiful life.

Just a few years ago, I was sure my days were numbered, and to be honest, I wasn’t certain I would survive or come out of it alive.

When I was 20, I was suddenly abandoned by my human partner. I had been promised a forever home, but now I was old, unemployed, and potentially homeless. I started having nightmares about being sent away to the auction where the meat buyers hang out. The unthinkable horrors of what can happen to horses as we age are very real. I have seen other older horses just disappear and never return. It doesn’t always end well for old, arthritic horses – especially ones with a bit of attitude. I was absolutely terrified. Every day I woke up wondering, is today going to be that day?

But let me start at the very beginning. Far away from Vancouver Island my life began on a day that is typically reserved for practical jokes.

Chapter 2

April Fool’s Day

Go ahead and laugh. Yes, I was born on April 1st, also known as April Fool’s Day. And then, to make matters even worse, they register me as Murphy’s Law.

Anything that can go wrong – will go wrong.

Ha-ha, very funny.

Not only am I the April Fool’s baby, but they decide to call me Murphy for short. I am sure the name doesn’t do me justice, but I figure I will deal with it for now. When I am older, I will choose a name that will better suit me, one that combines both beauty and spirit.

April Fool’s Day that year dawns on a beautiful Alberta blue- sky day. Within minutes of my birth, my mom takes one look at me and declares, You are destined to be a star!

I am an exquisite bay colt, with an expressive face that has very distinct markings. A white star, a strip, and a snip, which all together form the number 1. Not only does it mark my birth date, but it also reminds me that I am one of a kind.

With my charisma and mischievous personality, I am determined to live up to my mom’s prophecy. I just need to find the right people to give me a good start on my journey.

I never actually get to meet my dad because he is from another country, but people tell me he is beautiful. He is a purebred American Saddlebred with flashy patterns of white patches all over his coat, something that was highly sought after at the time. Everyone expected I would also have his colourful coat, but I am born a beautiful solid bay colour. Yet I do have all the other desirable traits: a well-muscled stature, a striking physical appearance, intelligence, and personality plus.

I personally think my colour is exceptional, but the fashion of the day is white patches. Everyone seems to want a pinto horse. I soon realize I am going to be sold off because of the colour of my coat.

However, I am not going to let a superstitious name, a fool’s date of birth, or the lack of white patches hold me back. I am determined to fulfill my destiny. Look out world, here I come!

Chapter 3

The Early Years

Time passes quickly during my first year as I enjoy playing and racing in the herd with all the other foals on the breeding farm. I seem to get into trouble quite frequently, although I’m not quite sure why. Perhaps it’s my curious nature and vivid imagination, but the owner of the farm is definitely not amused by my brilliant antics.

I am only a yearling, brave and adventurous when I decide I should make the move to a new home. I have big plans for my future, and from the moment of my birth, I search for the right person to take me there.

Falling in Love

One day, a woman arrives at our farm. She has come to look at a mare they have for sale. As she steps out of her truck and begins to make her way to the gate, there is something about her that catches my eye. Even before she sees me, I tune into her. Immediately I can sense she is all heart with good intentions.

I fix my gaze on her the moment she walks through the gate. She is heading towards the mare she has come to buy and then she glances over at me. She stops in her tracks and takes a deep breath. Our eyes meet for just a few seconds as I pause and take my own deep breath.

I must choose carefully.

That’s her – I just know it. She is the partner that is meant to accompany me on my life’s journey. She will be my new beginning. I am absolutely certain she is everything I want and need.

I can read that a mile away. Reading intention and emotion are survival instincts I have inherited from my ancestors in the wild.

Ironically, I am everything she is not looking for, yet I am going to be everything she needs. Our eyes meet, and instantly, she is smitten. She doesn’t even realize her lucky day has arrived. We have a connection right from the start, which will develop into a deep and caring bond.

I toss my head in her direction and call out loudly, Hey sweetheart, come on over.

She walks away from the mare and comes straight to me. She moves as if she is spellbound, and she knows instantly I am different from the others. When she reaches me, she lays her hand on my side. I can feel the flow of energy and the heart connection between us, and I know she can feel it too.

Well, hello there,

Reviews for Keeping Kahlua

[Betty B. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Keeping Kahlua: A Hero's Journey

A charming story about a charismatic horse that tries to find his way in life. On a deeper level the story truly highlights the extraordinary relationship that can develop between horse and human. Loved the story & illustrations!