Goodbye Darby

Darby had a good last day today.

She got to graze in the yard all morning, something that was previously forbidden due to her metabolic condition. She ate a ton of carrots, got brushed, ate more carrots, and even had a good headshake and a buck while she trotted around for a couple steps. She was definitely on lots of drugs, but she was feeling good and the sun was shining, and that was a good way to go out - on a high note.

We did everything else first, which I'll blog about later, and saved her for last. Funny sweet girl that she was, she stood with her ears pricked even when Dr. H was putting the needle into her, and then was munching a carrot when she just abruptly fell over dead, with her ears still pricked. I've seen a lot of animals die over the years and while still a bit traumatic to witness, I can still in some way be happy and pleased that she went so abruptly with a happy look on her face. We didn't use sedation and sometimes they act all crazy without it. But luckily that didn't happen today. She was old, and she was ready to go.

See you on the other side, old gal. I feel lucky to have been able to share my time with you. 

Bye Bay Girl.

Bay Girl left this evening. She was getting so close to foaling time that the owner felt it would not be prudent to wait until next week to pick her up and take her to the location where she'll be foaling out. I gave her one final bath today, gave her some love and cookies, and said goodbye to her. My heart hurts knowing that I won't be seeing her again... probably ever.

I'm really quite sad about the whole thing... Bay Girl genuinely seemed very attached to me, and I can't imagine she'll get the same level of attention anywhere else that she goes. Everyone thinks that their horse has a special level of attachment to them, but in this case she genuinely seemed to enjoy my company. It wasn't about cookies or snacks, it was about companionship. She actively sought it out from me, and would leave her herdmates to come find me and be with me. She just started giving me reciprocal grooming whenever I'd scratch her shoulder... I love that. (Even though she liked to use her teeth a bit.) I've never seen her groom any of her herdmates either, so this was specially reserved for me.

I got to leave work early today, after her bath was complete, and went out to her field to say goodbye to her. When I got in my truck to leave, I made a momentary stop next to her pasture fence to get one last picture of her out grazing with her girls. To my surprise, when I rolled down my window to take the picture, she turned around and came right to the pasture fence, starting at me through my window:




Sweet girl. I sure am going to miss her. Even my boss commented on how connected she was with me.

I truly don't know if I will ever get to see her again.