Sad Day for my Daughter

[retiredhappy]

Well, the time finally came. Yesterday we had to have my daughter's 27 year old horse put down. She knew it was coming but that doesn't make it any easier. She helped birth Desi and has had him since she was 19. My granddaughter doesn't even remember life without him. I can remember when he was a colt my daughter and him would play tag out in the field. He enjoyed that game as much as any kid I've ever seen. She moved with him from California to Arizona to Texas. He's been the one constant in her thru her life's ups and downs and boyfriends and sassy teenage daughter. She did Western riding, English Pleasure and jumping and finally Dressage. As a home trained, backyard horse she took 6th place at the Arab Nationals when he was around 16. I'm sure when the sorrow lets up some she will remember all the really, really good times she had with him.

As a final tribute to him yesterday right after we had buried him a redtail hawk came flying in screeching, flew low over his grave and flew off. They've never seen the hawk before or since.

[mitch5252]

I'm really sorry to hear about your daughter's loss.
The red-tailed hawk story gave me goose-bumps.

[avalen]

my deepest sympathies for your daughter and all the family.

[BarbaraRose]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how special horses can be. I'm sure it will be a huge loss for her and her family.

PS> Just curious...how does one bury a horse? Always wondered about that...

[retiredhappy]

Barbara, it helps to have a friend with a backhoe. Dug a deep trench. Luckily she lives in the country and could bury him on her property.

[VickieP]

I'm so sorry. Loss is so hard, don't matter if it was a person or a loved animal, it still hurts and you have to go thru the grieving. I'm glad she was able to bury Desi on her property.

[WickedLady]

So sad Hard to loose a loved one. I had an exceptional horse in my life too so know what it is like.

[dayspring39]

Thank you for sharing this deep sorrow... losing a beloved pet is so very hard... I send a warm hug to her...
Kathleen

[OutandAbout]

Sorry for your daughter's loss. I never really thought of horses "playing" until I saw some horses throwing around plastic pails and running after them. What an enjoyable sight. Linda

[BirdbyBird]

(((((( hugs )))))) for all of you. I sometimes think the sadness in the lost of our "family" members with fur (or hoofs) comes also from the realization of the time and memories passed.....youth/years gone in what seems a blink of the eye...reminding us that we are only temporarily here also...even if we are "expected" to live longer.....

[AlmostThere]

I'm so sorry for your loss, but happy to hear that Desi and your daughter had shared so many wonderful times together.
What beautiful memories. Hugs to all.

[cpatinjones]

Sorry to hear about her loss. I am a horse lover, as well.

[Mollysmom]

Letting an animal friend go can be so hard but it's a very loving thing to do. Blessings to your daughter - I'm glad she was able to bury him on her property, it'll be nice for her to be able to plants some flowers or a flowering bush on his grave.
Give her a big hug from Molly, Murphy, Bob and me.

[Redetotry]

So sorry for the loss your family is going through. Girls and their horses have a special attachment it seems so I know this is very hard especially for your daughter. My first DH was a farrier and horse trainer, he had to use care when working on horses belonging to young girls and be extra gentle with how he handled them. I myself remember starting to hit a farrier working on one of our horses because he was too rough, my older brother was there and stopped me. (((HUGS))))

[Bethers]

No matter how much you know something is coming - it doesn't seem to help when it does. At least not in the loss of any of our loved ones. She's going to be missing him for a long time, but think of all those years of wonderful memories. You just shared a few.

The hawk story gave me chills. How fitting.

Hugs to all of you.