Ugh! Hard post to write but dog people generally understand better than others.
My daughter's 17 year old horse is very sick with cancer. His liver is failing and this is our last week with him. She knows he is very sick but we have chosen not to tell her we have decided his fate due to the way horses go to sleep. She is 10 and would not be able to handle it, let alone all the "what if we tried this" questions following the choice to put an animal down. Heck, I can barely handle them myself.
Please pray foe Chloe to remember the amazing memories they made together and for me to be strong enough to let them have this week without losing it in front of her. Buddy has truly been the greatest horse we could have ever imagined for her.
I have over the years hold many horses for my clients as the vet and I try really hard to convince them not to be there.
It is very hard when it is your horse. Many people keep some mane and the halter to either burry them or make some memorial out of them. The last time I had to have one of mine put to sleep I was 15yo. I was very difficult but today with what I know I am very happy not to have been there. Back them I was very mad at my parents.
Kristin Muntz Webboard User Reg: 05-09-2012
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I'm so sorry for your family's loss - losing a being you love so much at that young age is difficult. I think you're doing right by trying to cushion it for her. Parenting star for giving her the opportunity to love her animal while she can.
Elaine Haynes Webboard User Reg: 08-16-2005
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I'm so sorry to hear about the tough week you're all having. Cushioning your daughter is the right thing to do but also, when you do have the horse put down, please don't just have it disappear from her life. Explain at her level that her horse was very ill and has gone over the rainbow bridge to heaven.
And, when that time comes, it'll be greeted by a Keeshond named misty who always preferred horses and who will lead it in and make sure it's happy.
Anne Jones Webboard User Reg: 04-29-2004
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So sorry to hear the sad news. Hopefully you daughter will remember all the wonderful times they had together & hold that close to her heart.
I truly understand the heartache that you are going through. My 'old man' was put down last March, he was 3 months shy of 30 yrs old. I had had him from a 4 yr old. He was my 'main man' & my x-country competition horse & it broke my heart.
Treasure all the wonderful times. You will relive them over & over for the rest of your life. They are a precious gift.
I'm very sorry for what your family is going through, Amy. I love horses as well as dogs, and I understand how difficult it is to make that final decision for our equine friends. No doubt this will be very tough on your ten-year-old daughter, but you are being a good parent and doing everything you can to make this a bit easier for her to bear. Run free at the Bridge, Buddy.
Thank you everyone for your kind words. It has helped ease my doubts about how we are handling it with her. Yesterday we brushed and treated and petted and spoiled. Chloe hung out on his back as he wandered around grazing and he loved every minute. He still lives for his girl- nearly lifting her off the ground As he pushed his nose into his halter so they could head into the arena. Leaving was heartbreaking as he kept gently placing himself between Chloe and the gate, putting his nose in her hair. He's never done that before.
Tomorrow he will be burried in his favorite pasture at the edge of our building site. We will clip some of his beautiful white mane and have it sent to be made into a bracelet for my little girl. This is one of the hardest weeks I have had as a parent and I know its going to be an awfully sad weekend at our house. Thanks again for all your thoughts.
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