SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Roberto Gonzalez is paralyzed. His organs are failing. As he lay dying in a Veterans Administration hospital he had one wish, to see his beloved horses Sugar and Ringo one last time.
Gonzalez was shot and injured May 21, 1970 in Vietnam, his wife Rosario told WOAI.
That did not deter him from working as a horse trainer for nearly 40 years, one of only a few handicapped or paralyzed trainers in the state, Gonzalez told WOAI.
Roberto was taken to the hospital to treat a wound in his back. He had liver problems and his kidneys started to shut down, according to WOAI. Because of the health issues, he wanted to see his horses one last time.
The wish came true Saturday.
"When the horse came up to him he actually opened his eyes," Gonzalez told WOAI. "They came up to him and I think they were actually kissing him."