Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Ride on Stormy

I had a sad reminder this weekend to never take my horses (and other animals) for granted...

On Saturday, we helped my friend bury her beloved 30 year old horse, Stormy. They had been together for 25 YEARS.

Making the hard decision, the right decision, for your animals is never easy. It never seems right for us, but in the end it's not about us. We have the ultimate obligation to them.

My friend sent Stormy on to greener pastures where he is young and whole again.

Ride on Stormy...

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

A very thoughtful post...ride on Stormy!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Huge hugs to her and happier pastures to Stormy!
I was wondering if you had picture of Stormy? I sold my Stormy there about that many years ago. He would have been about that old. Unlikely but just wondering.
Sarah

KayzKreationz said...

I am so sorry for your friend and her horse. I had to have my mare Shoshoni put to sleep about 5 years ago. It still hurts and I still look out the windows expecting to see her running through the pasture. But she had gotten hurt and would never be able to walk right again. It was the right thing to do for her, whether it was for me or not. We will always miss our loyal friends. She would follow me through the pastures on my walks (if I wasn't riding her) and I still sometimes expect to see her right behind me. My thoughts are with your friend.
http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com

Angie @ thejunkranch said...

It's always such a hard decision to make. I agonized for over a year about my daughter's first pony who had Cushing's Disease. She was 30 + and gave us everything she had until her last breath.

I remember the vet telling me afterward that I made the right decision and he was forced to treat horses for many years that had no quality of life left at all, but the owners just couldn't see it that way. So hard!

Anji Gallanos said...

What a nice tribute.

Krystina said...

So sorry to hear of your friends loss. May Stormy live on in your hearts forever.

Deb said...

that's a nice tribute,it is hard to loose a loved one, animal or human

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

Awww, that's so sad. I also have lost several of my horses through (mostly childhood) the years...my most recent four years ago. An appendix filly whose bloodlines went back to War Admiral....very fancy little thing. She was my very first (5 mo. old filly) as an adult after 30 years of being without horses. She was 2 yrs. old. I found her colicking at 1:30 A.M. in her stall. It was too late...she had twisted her gut. I was devastated. It's very hard to lose a pet at any age.

Christina said...

Godspeed on your journey to the bridge Stormy. All I can say is thank god we have this option. It is the greatest gift we can give our beloved animals. To end their suffering is a terrible choice but so loving towards them. To be able to talk to them, hold them and comfort them as they leave as we did while they lived.

Maria said...

what a nice tribute and the picture is a perfect visual to think of

jane augenstein said...

So sad that your friend lose her beloved horse. But Stormy is in a better place; beautiful picture. I have had to make that decision for some of my dogs but never a horse, that to me would be the hardest of all.

Dusty Devoe said...

beautiful picture of your friends horse. i can't even imagine having to make that decision. hugs to you and your friend.

Diary From Africa said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Stormy - it's never easy to lose an animal. I'm glad that you were with your friend during this sad time.
Lynda, Kilimanjaro, East Africa

Phyllis said...

Yes, it is always so hard...and sad, but it is the right thing so they don't suffer. I had one of the sweetest dogs I've ever had put to sleep about 6 weeks ago and still miss him every day.

My condolences to Stormy's mom.

Elenka said...

I just happened on your blog through Lynda's in Africa! Crazy, huh?
Sad about Stormy, tho.

Jennifer said...

A very nice and thoughtful post. I am so sorry for your friend's loss. Losing any pet is so difficult, but after that many years together it is really hard.

BloggessJ said...

It's hard to say goodbye. We had to put one of our dogs down the day before Thanksgiving so I totally understand what your friend is going through.

Rocki Adams said...

Oh my sincere condolences, that is such hard thing to go through.

I don't have to tell you as I know you feel the same, but our "animals" are not JUST "animals", they are our 'kids', family & buddies and a big part of our lives. Loosing them is just like loosing a family member.

My heart goes out to Stormy's family & friends.

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Tell your friend she did a wonderful thing for Stormy. Seeing them out with dignity is just as important as bringing them along.
To quote the post...ride on Stormy

Resting Racers Ranch said...

That is one of the hardest things in the world to have to do is let one of our horses go on from here. I've had to do it twice and it was very hard.

My grandmother told me once that the reason our horses go to heaven is because God needs a horse up there for a cowboy.

My sister had to put down one of her horses (5 years old died from complications of colic) and 6 months later she lost her husband to cancer. So I believe what my grandmother said is right.

Desert Rose said...

They leave hoof prints in our hearts...condolences to your friend!

A Palmer said...

Sarah told me about your post and I just wanted to stop by an offer hugs to your friend and to you. I've lost much loved dogs and cats and it was really hard every time, but to lose one of our beloved horses - it's hard to wrap your head around. Stormy is no doubt running around up in the greenest pastures ever and someday she'll see him again. xxxoooxx

Blackfeatherfarm said...

Whew, this is a tough one for me. When I had to let Pockets go, he had cushings disease, I had only had him a few short years. I couldn't get my breathing right for eight hours. I still can't talk about him much, and the tears come easy if I do. I cannot even think of losing Indi, I think the vet will have to put me down too, when the time comes. Please give your friend a hug fom me.