Tuesday, November 22, 2016

it feel like a nightmare




This was Saturday.... a warm beautiful day... I had promised a friend a drive with Duke.. she took me up on it... I happily hitched and she, her little daughter and I were off. Duke was wonderful... after they left, I even took a little ride.. just the two of us... it was a perfect, perfect day!!!!

It was just what I needed... still grieving from Camille... and trying to "get on with life"... Mocha getting her therapy horse certificate and the pretty new snow helped a little. But weather can be a curse.. and this is what has happened.... Our darling Duke is gone...even now as I recall the words.. my tears come quickly. 

All "horsemen" know.. extremely changes in weather can be bad for horses, partially older ones, it can cause them to colic .. and not that you can control things like that.. but we watch..I always worried about extreme weather with old Silver and never really worried about Duke, but he was older too. Saturday weather in the 60's and Monday in the teens.... not not good.

I got out of dog classes and found on the phone several messages from Ed... Duke was down and the vet was on the way. I called home fast... the vet was there, and Ed said come right along.. things were not going well. 

Arriving home, I found Ed, the vet and our dear Duke in huge distress... the vet had already been there a couple of hours, and had done everything that could be done. Duke was calmer so there was a glimmer of hope, but he still did not have any "gut sounds" on one side... and she was "afraid" to give him any more meds. We walked him, we watched him, and then instead of turning the corner, the pains began again, and he was back, perhaps even worse than he was when it all began.  

I told the vet that we just lost Camille four days ago, that we couldn't be facing the loss of another one of our beloved pets... but nature can be cruel. We talked about taking him to the equine clinic, but the night was so bitterly cold and the vet didn't think a ride int he trailer would be wise... and that they probably couldn't do much more at the clinic than we had already done.  Time passed, he was not better.... there was no other decision to make....

Tonka was beside himself when we walked Duke out of the barn, and laid him down ... Ed sobbed.... I did too... so did the vet..... our beautiful boy was "gone".....











Our gentle giant .. we just celebrated his fifth year with us. He taught us so much about driving, he was Tonka's best friend , he brought such joy to our farm, and I still can't believe he's gone until I walk out and see his stall.... empty.....

We were going to do the Wells parade with him, I was thinking about sleighing and so very much enjoyed our drives this fall in the little wagonette.... and this hurt... on top of Camille's... is going to take a very very long time to heal.

thank you Duke, thank you for your love and your understanding... we gave you the best home we possibly could.. I think you knew that.. and for the short time you were with us.. we will never ... never forget.....