Death - The inevitable reality
I have never been one to cope with death in an “acceptable” manner, and when one of my friends leave this world to seek out another, all I can think to do is crawl up in a ball and wish for yesterday.
When Thomas came into our lives a few months back, I had thought we’d struck gold. Here stood a strong, proud man..his big kind eyes telling of the wisdom his years had blessed him. Thomas was a kind horse, with never a buck nor a bite to behold. He was western trained by one of the best horse whisperers around, and famous for his work all over Australia and America, Tim Chamberlain (www.backcreekhorses.com) and Katerina, a renowned equestrian eventer from Denmark (www.tkponies.com). Thomas was truly a sight to behold. He bowed on command, could get down on his knees so that I could climb up into the saddle (handy with a 17+hand horse) and if you offered him your palm, he would stretch out and shake “hooves” with you. Being a schoolmaster, he taught both myself and Eitan, as well as our younger horse Ruler, manners, poise and self respect.
So when we were out riding one day, and Thomas started coughing, worry instantly clutched our chest. Dismounting to inspect what was wrong, we were devastated to see a thick substance, to the liking of custard, mixed with clotted blood, absolutely pouring from his nose. Instantly our vet, Olivia, was called, and we were agonised to discover that our boy, our beautiful, glorious boy, had a brain tumour. Olivia informed us that the tumour had burst, and Thomas could be dead within the hour.
Many tears followed, and we spent the entire night in the stormy winds and pelting rain, laying next to Thomas, wanting to be with him if the inevitable happened.
I shall never forget that night, for never had I experienced another so devastating, never a nightmare so shocking, and when dawn broke across the distant mountains, all I could do was look into Thomas’s pained eyes and tell him I was sorry.
Tim Chamberlain was called, and arrived at the paddock a few hours later. We had agreed to let Tim take Thomas, and perchance retire him back up in the mountains of Hamilton where he had come from. We clung to the hope that although Thomas was leaving us, he would survive, and could live out the rest of his days where he had grown up and loved.
So we said our goodbyes, as did the other horses, and watched as Thomas disappeared in a cloud of dust down the road.
Unfortunately, three days later Thomas died. We received the news shortly after arriving to work, and our hearts sunk.
Tim buried Thomas under his favourite tree, and invited us up at anytime to visit Thomas, and remember the boy who we had loved so much.
Dear Thomas, who taught Eitan patience and confidence, who showed me love like no other animal, and teacher of manners and heart to Ruler…we shall never forget you. May you spend your days pain free now, galloping over those glorious hills and basking in that beautiful dawn sun.
Running wild among all the stars above.