These top two pictures were taken on Monday and if you look closely, you can see that she was blind and was losing weight. Her arthritis was very bad and sometimes if she laid down, I had to help her get up. This last week, she sometimes would get disoriented, especially when the wind was blowing. My guts and conferring with Beth told me it was time.
Beth (critter lover who comments here occasionally) owned Kelly before me and her nearly grown up kids learned to ride on her so Beth had lots of love invested in our dear little pony mare, and came to help say good bye.
Once again I am so grateful to friends and family who gather around in stressful times and offer their support. I'm so thankful to Matt who took time from his crazy, busy farm work to bring his back hoe over and bury Kelly in the woods, and to Russ, our dear vet, who gives supportive hugs.
I would like to tell you what a loving, kind pony Kelly was. She was gentle and even after going blind, trusted humans to help her out. Like this spring, when she was down and got caught under the bottom rail of her fence. Even though she was terrified at being trapped, she stayed still while I talked to her and knocked the boards out so that I could help her up.
She patiently helped many youngsters learn how to ride back in my riding instructor days. She even made it to a few horse shows. Below is a picture of my now 10 year old grand daughter taking first place in a lead line class at a local show.
So, Thank You, Kelly, for the lessons in patience, kindness, trust, and love that you have given to so many of us.
With love, there is also great loss and suffering....
14 comments:
I have to tell you, I am crying with you as I read this........We have had to make that decision many times for our animal friends over the course of our lives. Nothing is harder. I have 2 older horses, 20 and 26, and dread the thought of that day coming. It looks like beautiful Kelly had a wonderful life, and was loved, and will be missed.
Dear Maple, i am so sorry for your loss, and so happy that you had such a great friend, and a great love between you for so many years. I am watching my elderly dog, Gipetto, sleep more and more and want to play less and less. He still loves his food, but you know we watch for these little changes to tell us it's time. I think the greatest love we can show our animal friends is to give up what we want and need from them, and to do what is best for them...Kelly was so lucky to have you...
So sorry to hear about Kelly. It is so hard to lose a pet, but at least you know she is no longer suffering. I'm sending you comforting thoughts today.
why is it that doing the right thing is always so hard? {{{HUGS}}}}
sounds like she had a great life
Goodbye to dear Kelly and hugs to you, Maple....I spent a little extra time with Lisa and Sam this morning thinking of you ~
Sorry, Can't comment....too many good thoughts and if fingers can get choked up like a person's throat can, then I'm done. Loved you Kelly and THANKS so much! Thanks also Maple for giving her a lovely retirement setting!! Dang, dripping tears between the keys....
Beth
I'm sorry you had to suffer another loss my friend. She was lucky to have you for an owner. Hugs!
I am so sorry about the loss of Kelly. She sounds like such a dear. It's never easy. Thank you for sharing with us how wonderful she was.
I can tell Kelly was very dear to you and I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story. It is wonderful to honor our animal friends.
I'm sorry for your loss, Maple. Another friend of mine recently lost one of her wonderful dogs to pancreatitis. The following is the story she sent out with the announcement. Perhaps it will help you now:
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, K-E-L-L-Y....
Loved singing that song to you.
Thanks for taking care of my Meredith and showing her compassion.
You deserve peace.
-Nikki
I've been out of town so I missed this post. I'm so sorry - I know that must have been a very difficult day for you. Kelly was a beautiful animal if the pictures are anything to go by. Wish I could send you some Casey kisses to help you feel better. The batts are wonderful and I'm so thrilled that you made them for me. Take care friend - T
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is hard with a beloved animal such as Kelly. It does seem that it was the best thing for her given her progression. But it is still hard to make that call.
It is great that you have so many loving people to help you through the time.
I am sorry for your loss. I grew up on a farm and saw the passing of many long loved animal friends and helpers. I still remember when it was time for the one old draft horse, who remained from the working horse time on the farm, to be helped to pass. I really only knew him as a stoic figure way over in the pasture, who I sometimes went along to help feed, but I still get choked up thinking about old Prince.
I am glad to have found this blog as I am considering raising Alpacas myself. It seems to me that the climate here in Alberta is coming to be more suited to them than to cattle. I look forward to reading here.
Peace and comfort to you and yours.
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