Everyone knows how excited we've been with our new additions. The donkeys are great and grow on me more everyday.
We were excited to come home and rushed out to play with our animals before feeding time. The weather was gorgeous today, but rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.
The little donkeys were all there to greet us. My goats came running up when they heard the car and so did my gelding and pony, but my son's mare, Abby, didn't appear. I assumed she was in the back pasture and would be up shortly when she realized we were home.
I spent a good 20 minutes playing with donkeys and laughing at the goats. My gelding stayed there at the fence, needier than usual. He's always a pest, but he didn't seem right. It was time to feed anyway, so I sent the kids to go find Abby while I went into the barn to go feed.
Then I heard my son screaming. I feel so guilty because I sent the boys back there and they found their beloved horse dead in the pasture. I'll spare you the details, but she was only 11 and although she's had some health issues, this was completely unexpected.
Abby was a rescue and the effects of long-term starvation were something she couldn't overcome in the end. I have to comfort myself with the knowledge that her last year was filled with love and companionship, that she didn't want for anything. She doesn't seem to have suffered. She simply laid down and died.
It's amazing how fast the world spins. Hug your critters and be glad that they have loving concerned owners who want the best for them.
We were excited to come home and rushed out to play with our animals before feeding time. The weather was gorgeous today, but rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.
The little donkeys were all there to greet us. My goats came running up when they heard the car and so did my gelding and pony, but my son's mare, Abby, didn't appear. I assumed she was in the back pasture and would be up shortly when she realized we were home.
I spent a good 20 minutes playing with donkeys and laughing at the goats. My gelding stayed there at the fence, needier than usual. He's always a pest, but he didn't seem right. It was time to feed anyway, so I sent the kids to go find Abby while I went into the barn to go feed.
Then I heard my son screaming. I feel so guilty because I sent the boys back there and they found their beloved horse dead in the pasture. I'll spare you the details, but she was only 11 and although she's had some health issues, this was completely unexpected.
Abby was a rescue and the effects of long-term starvation were something she couldn't overcome in the end. I have to comfort myself with the knowledge that her last year was filled with love and companionship, that she didn't want for anything. She doesn't seem to have suffered. She simply laid down and died.
It's amazing how fast the world spins. Hug your critters and be glad that they have loving concerned owners who want the best for them.
My son was only five or six when he went outside to feed the family dog and discovered her dead on the patio. I felt so bad (like you) that he was the one who discovered her. Hugs to you and the kids tonight.
I am soooo sorry to hear about your loss. I know you must have felt horrible to know it was your children who found her. I don't think it's easy for anyone at any age to lose a beloved pet, but especially when a child find it. I hope your two new additions take away at least a little of the grief.
