The editorial on page 6 of the Oct. 16 Olds Albertan by Johnnie Bachusky “Special friends, special moments” was a very heartfelt memory of his special friend, Lady.
Over the last three years I have had to do the same with my special friends. Our special friends let us know in their own way that it is their time, and as hard as it is for us we know what we must do.
On Oct. 23, with a heavy heart, I had to take my 32-year-old mare, Chance, to the vet.
The winter months were not very kind to her last year and when I took her blanket off in the spring I knew that she could not go through another winter.
She was still full of spirit and when I would come home from work, she would call to me demanding her oats. If I didn't respond right away she would keep calling till I came. When I brought her oats she would nicker as though to say ‘thank you.'
Through the spring and summer she was spoiled with her treats and we had a game we played where I would have horse crunches in my hand or pocket and turn my back on her. She would then push my arm or shoulder with her nose demanding more, and I would laugh and give in to her demand.
The night before she was to go to the vet, we spent time together. She demanded her oats, I brushed her, and played our game, even though it was cold outside, and I didn't care. I wanted this memory along with all the others to last forever.
We went the following morning and I stayed with my riding partner of nine years, till the end. I only had her for nine years but it felt like a lifetime. My husband held me in his arms as I cried, saying goodbye to my big furry friend, partner and as I called her, “My Baby Girl”.
When I came home, Chance's pasture buddies were waiting for her to come out of the horse trailer. They don't seem to understand. The gelding calls but she doesn't answer. He keeps looking out toward the field or toward the house, not understanding why she doesn't answer. The gelding looks at me as though to say, “Why is she not answering or coming?”
It breaks my heart to watch him.
My other mare seems a little lost as well. Does she understand what has happened? Will she trust me if I try and put her in the horse trailer to just go somewhere fun? Will she trust me period now that I have taken her companion of eight years away? We have to wonder if they feel the loss like we do.
To me when I have to say goodbye to a special friend, it is like losing a family member. There is an emptiness in my heart and mourning of a loved one.
Yes, some people say it's just a dog, cat, horse or snake, however, when we raise these special friends there is a definite special bond that happens without even knowing it until the time comes.
Some people may think we are foolish for feeling the way we do, however to most of us our special friends are a part of our family like our children.
Kim Salmond
Olds
