Running with the angels
As many of you know, we put my horse down on November 17th. It was a crisp, sunny Monday. The day before, I made a post about it and all the sweet, kind comments I received helped quite a bit. It didn't take the pain away, but it was eased slightly. I know we made the right decision. Afterwards, my heart felt a bit lighter, and I know he took a tiny piece with him. I also felt relieved to know he was no longer in pain from his terrible arthritis.
Joshy belonged to my sister and I for 12 years. He was our partner, our best friend, and we used to joke and say he was our big brother, always watching out for us. His last days were spent getting spoiled absolutely rotten. He loved carrots, so we bought him a 5 pound bag of the best looking carrots we could find. We fed him so many in 2 days that he wouldn't take any more from us.
Our farrier was up at the barn that morning, and he gave us each a hug, apologizing for not being able to fix Josh, and telling us that we are doing the best thing for him. Our vet told us the same thing, then told us how things would go. Amazingly, this was the first vet visit we had where Josh wasn't terrified of the vet. I think he had a feeling that he would no longer hurt.
My sister went outside with the vet and my wonderful horse. I'm glad she was with him. He passed while grazing, his favorite thing to do. He has a beautiful spot along the treeline, right by the cross country schooling course. We'll be planting a tree there in the spring.
My sister made a scrap book, showing his life from the day we bought him to the day we lost him. My boyfriend's mother is an artist, and she is painting a portrait of him. I'll also be ordering a horsehair bracelet from windywithers, just as soon as I can get the guts to look at the portion of his tail I cut off.
Thank you all again, those of you that kept us in your thoughts on that day, and those of you that offered such kind words.
Rest in peace, Joshy.
Copper Legend
"Joshy"
May 1989 - November 17, 2008