a tribute to AA Curious George, 2005-2009
cindi
January morning. He has always been the sweetest horse ever. He sold
at 6 months of age to a lovely family who kept him boarded here. I
did his groundwork training and Allison was the first one to sit on
him earlier this year as a four year old. Then he began under saddle
training and was doing great. He was short and stocky and smart and
athletic and had a wonderful mind. He did not spook and was going to
be a perfect horse for them. The mom of the family was all set to
have her first lesson on him soon. She was so excited.
Here are some baby pics:
http://allisonacres.org/gussie05colt.html
On Thursday evening I was outside doing some chores. My barn help had
just left, right after feeding hay. I saw that George was laying down
and not eating. I called his owner and she headed over. In the
meantime he got worse. I walked him and he would stay up as long as
we were on rocks or asphalt - anything softer and he'd go right down.
I kept him up for a while but then we took a short cut thru the arena
and the new sand was way too compelling to him and down he went.
Since he was laying quietly and not rolling, I just let him lay.
His owner arrived then and gave the go ahead to call the vet. She was
hoping it was one of his typical "Oh I'm so sick and dramatic!" events
but I had a pretty bad feeling... He had never acted colicy before
but he was often very upset over small scrapes and whatnot... and he
had months before been neurologic and they could not afford a big
workup and it was thought he might have to be put down, but then wham,
he was suddenly fine (probably a case of WNV he fought off, the vet
said.)
So, we walked him while waiting for the vet and I gave her the colic
rundown. We were having cold weather after warmer weather so I was
hoping it was just a mild impaction from a reduction in his drinking
(even though I do salt their feed when the weather changes to
hopefully keep them thirsty.)
The vet arrived and explained a bit about what she was going to do. I
held him for the tubing, and immediately he had a whole lot of
reflux. I got a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach as I know
that is BAD. She couldn't do the oil and fluids as nothing was
getting past the stomach. The poor owner didn't really realize the
significance of this and I tried not to let her see what must have
been a horrible look on my face. Then she did a rectal and the manure
in there was fine, which was another bad sign as I knew that meant it
was farther up...
The vet ran to her truck for the ultrasound machine and put it on the
small intestine and we saw the distended small intestine that would
not reduce on pressure... I know what that means since we had the same
thing on my husband's horse but he could afford surgery and the horse
was saved. In George's case, as we all know the current economy has
not been very favorable and there was no way they could afford surgery
or even medical management for a couple of days to see how it went.
The vet recommended euthanasia. She said she could do it right then.
Of course at that point he was sedated and not acting painful at all,
and it was quite a shock. The owner and I were crying. The vet said
it's either enteritis, a small intestine twist, or some other small
intestine type colic like strictures (there is a name for that but I
forget what it is, a syndrome of the small intestine getting
strictures for an unknown reason), and of course a strangulating
lipoma but that would be rare in such a young horse. The vet then
said she would come back after she handled another emergency she had,
and ultrasound his small intestine again. She said that he would not
be better but she understood how it was so abrubt and how he was
acting fine and how that made it really hard to comprehend.
When she left, we cried, and the owner asked me to handle the
euthanasia if that's what it came to. When the vet came back, the
sedative had worn off but maybe not the pain killers - he was alert,
happy, and kept trying to eat scraps of hay. We turned him out and he
didn't roll or posture or anything - just tried to eat. The vet said
it's weird but surely it's just the pain meds are still really
working. The ultrasound showed the same or worse going on in the
small intestine. She again recommended euthanasia but understood how
it was odd with him acting so happy.
So it was agreed that we'd wait for the pain meds to wear off. She
said if it's a surgical case then obviously he won't recover, but if
it's just enteritis there have been a tiny tiny tiny number of cases
that have resolved on their own. Tiny. The owner was a wreck and
needed to go home - just a wreck, poor poor lady. So I stayed up with
George, my husband and I, and we waited. The plan was to hope for
that miraculous resolution, or to put him down if needed.
All was fine until 2 AM. Then he started to turn and look at his
stomach. When his pain meds started to wear off completely at 3 AM,
he started to roll a couple times but not horribly. I called the
vet. In the meantime he got worse - laying down, raising his hind leg
as if it hurt to put it down, like he was squashing something. The
vet had left me with dormosedan to give him once I was sure he was
still symptomatic. It would sedate him and relieve his pain but of
course I shouldn't give it too soon or we'd still be in that "wow he
looks so calm, maybe he'll recover" mode. So when I was sure, I gave
it. We got him up to give it but it was a struggle and he went right
back down. But then he changed from being in pain to just being calm
and sleepy, thanks to the meds. While we waited he really got knocked
out but he was no longer in pain.
When the vet arrived she was able to do the catheter and put him down
right where he was, so he didn't have to get up and move. I had
wanted to do it outside by the driveway for easier access but I
couldn't bear to make him move. So he died very peacefully, already
laying down and not struggling or falling or anything, right in my
arena. It had been almost 12 hours exactly since I first saw
symptoms. Very very short period of time to come to grips with a
healthy horse suddenly being dead.
So that was at about 6 AM. I went in, got my son ready for school,
and at 8 AM called the lady who comes to pick up the dead horses.
She's so much nicer than the rendering truck coming... I waited for
her to get there, which was a noon. George was under a tarp in the
arena. I canceled lessons. I cut some mane and forelock for his
owner. His tail was too short to cut since last year another horse
here chewed it all off.
It was positively horrible feeding later - one less horse. And the
next morning I thought to myself the usual "I need to put Captain out,
where should I put him" - I don't put him with George very often
because his owner was afraid he'd chew up his mane or tail since
Captain did used to do that some when he was younger. So then I
realized I can put Captain anywhere since George wasn't here anymore -
that sucked.
So I've now handled the euthanasia of three horses for owners who
didn't want to do it. I have not yet had to do it for one of my
horses although George was pretty close since I bred him, raised him,
trained him... It just sucks. Not even five years old...
Hug your horses today!
cindi
Sue Leopold
I am so, so sorry for George, for you and for his owner.
Many horses will be hugged today.
So very sad. Believe me, it never gets any easier
Hugs
Sue
Emily Brooks
for hay. So sorry for George, for you, for his owner.
Emily
Tara
news:4a35cb06-17c7-4de3...@a39g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
>
> So I've now handled the euthanasia of three horses for owners who
> didn't want to do it. I have not yet had to do it for one of my
> horses although George was pretty close since I bred him, raised him,
> trained him... It just sucks. Not even five years old...
>
> Hug your horses today!
> cindi
Oh man, there really aren't words :( George and his owner were lucky to
have you.
--
Tara
betsey
>
> Hug your horses today!
> cindi
I'm so sorry. I was there when Dink was put down. For Corky, My
appy, I was 7 months pregnant wIth Katie. I stayed for the carcass
man (he got there first, before the vet) and then the vet. At that
point, my wonderful BO ordered my husband to get me home....
Betsey
Carl
I can't imagine not wanting to be there with my animal. My old mare
went down in the hospital hours away and I gave the OK to do it via
the phone, but I would have preferred to have been there. Delilah,
Belle's mom, was put down at my coach's place and I was not able to be
there, but she had neurological rhino and there was a wide open
outbreak and I could not risk bringing it back home.
I was there with all my dogs and cats at the end, as well as Callie
and Spot.
Eileen Morgan
The Mare's Nest
http://www.themaresnest.com
redbranch
you...been there. George was lucky to have you.
Sharon Potter
Red Branch
Sue Leopold
> So very sorry.
>
> I can't imagine not wanting to be there with my animal. My old mare
> went down in the hospital hours away and I gave the OK to do it via
> the phone, but I would have preferred to have been there. Delilah,
> Belle's mom, was put down at my coach's place and I was not able to be
> there, but she had neurological rhino and there was a wide open
> outbreak and I could not risk bringing it back home.
>
> I was there with all my dogs and cats at the end, as well as Callie
> and Spot.
I've been there as much as possible. But we all handle things
differently. I'll not judge the owner on that.
In the end, George had what he needed - Cindi gave him
a chance, peace from pain and a kind hand at the end.
In short, what she gave him through his life, though sadly
short.
(Cindi - just saw he was a Gussie foal. I'm sorry, I know
how much she meant to you.)
Well done, girl.
Cricket
"cindi" <alliso...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4a35cb06-17c7-4de3...@a39g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
> January morning. He has always been the sweetest horse ever. He sold
> at 6 months of age to a lovely family who kept him boarded here. I
> did his groundwork training and Allison was the first one to sit on
> him earlier this year as a four year old. Then he began under saddle
> training and was doing great. He was short and stocky and smart and
> athletic and had a wonderful mind. He did not spook and was going to
> be a perfect horse for them. The mom of the family was all set to
> have her first lesson on him soon. She was so excited.
Well that just sucks. I get to be the one to stay with them sometimes (and
dogs and cats and whatever)...even when you
aren't attached it's no fun.
But you did what he needed, and that's the thing.
Cricket
Ocean of Nuance
> A dear sweet horse has passed away. George came to us on a cold
> January morning. He has always been the sweetest horse ever.
(snip)
>Not even five years old...
Wow extremely sad. Good that you were there.
sharon
Carl
> I've been there as much as possible. But we all handle things
> differently. I'll not judge the owner on that.
I was not judging anyone, FWIW. I was making a comment about my
personal desire to be with my animals at the end, a familiar presence.
On another, similar note, I am not at all attached to final resting
places, be they grave sites or urns. Nor do I have much interest in
the mortal remains, which are to me like clothes that have been
removed--the loved one is not there any more. That means I don't need
to bury my animals on my property, I let the vet service handle it.
Other folks find great comfort in the final resting place and have a
significant attachment to the mortal remains. One of my dear friends
keeps his dad on the mantle, with a Barbie doll for company, facing
the TV. He talks to his dad all the time, and I think it's terrific
that he has found a way to cope with his loss that he finds
comforting. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have
visited my parents' graves in the 16 years since they passed. But both
of us miss our loved ones.
There just isn't a right or wrong way to grieve and heal, as long as
you don't self destruct or hurt others along your path.
Sue Leopold
> On Nov 23, 6:25 pm, svleop...@earthlink.net (Sue Leopold) wrote:
> > Carl <c...@silverstein.com> wrote:
> > > I can't imagine not wanting to be there with my animal.
>
> > I've been there as much as possible. But we all handle things
> > differently. I'll not judge the owner on that.
>
> I was not judging anyone, FWIW. I was making a comment about my
> personal desire to be with my animals at the end, a familiar presence.
Sorry, that came off all wrong.
All I wanted to say was George had what he needed when
he needed it - courtesy of Cindi and his owner who was
willing to let him go.
I do want to be with them at the end. Sometimes it's not
possible. When we put Chrissie down the attending vet
let us say goodbye and then escorted us from the exam
room. Did not want to chance it due to her grievous injury.
That was hard.
Oh well.
> There just isn't a right or wrong way to grieve and heal, as long as
> you don't self destruct or hurt others along your path.
Yup
Dawn J-L
>
> So I've now handled the euthanasia of three horses for owners who
> didn't want to do it. I have not yet had to do it for one of my
> horses although George was pretty close since I bred him, raised him,
> trained him... It just sucks. Not even five years old...
>
> Hug your horses today!
> cindi
I am so sorry, cindi. Thank you for being a comforting presence to
these horses. It matters.
--Dawn JL
carol grosvenor
So very sad, Cindi. My condolences to all of you.
Carol
Grizzly
>
Sorry for the loss. He was one of the babies you'd brought into the
world, and it hurts as much when it happens even though someone else
owned him at the time he left..You did the right thing by him and you
helped his current owner deal with a difficult situation.
Jane Saranac
"cindi" <alliso...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4a35cb06-17c7-4de3...@a39g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
> January morning. He has always been the sweetest horse ever. He sold
> at 6 months of age to a lovely family who kept him boarded here. I
> did his groundwork training and Allison was the first one to sit on
> him earlier this year as a four year old. Then he began under saddle
> training and was doing great. He was short and stocky and smart and
> athletic and had a wonderful mind. He did not spook and was going to
> be a perfect horse for them. The mom of the family was all set to
> have her first lesson on him soon. She was so excited.
>
> Here are some baby pics:
> http://allisonacres.org/gussie05colt.html
>
across the bridge.
Ruth Baltopoulos
Very sad news, Cindi. My thoughts are with you.
Just had two friends lose horses very unexpectedly in the last few
weeks. Heart wrenching.
--
Ruth B
Grizzly
JJ
Oh, Cindi! I'm so sorry for you and George's owner. So very hard to
loose them when they are so young.
He was blessed having you there to care for him...
> Hug your horses today!
I do, every, every day! I will give her an extra one today...and
sending one to you as well. <<BIG hug>> JJ
Dr Corinne B Leek
<alliso...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>A dear sweet horse has passed away.
Sad, hard thing at such a young age.
You did right by him. Kudos to you for that.
Corinne & Crazy Canuck Crew, sending the condoling Fizz...
Mark VIVIVI, at attention for the passing of a Noble Fallen One who
was way too young...
--
*** Conserve Energy: Laughter is easier than Anger!
*** cl...@ns.sympatico.ca
hpjeannie
that. But thank you for setting it out in such detail so those here
who don't have that sort of experience can glean some knowledge.
And bless you for being proxy for the owners who can't deal with
things. The horses thank you.
Jeannie
helping cry
cindi
appreciate it.
take care all,
cindi
Jeff
<alliso...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>A dear sweet horse has passed away. George came to us on a cold
>January morning. He has always been the sweetest horse ever.
Im sorry, Cindi.
I've only had one horse put down; that was hard. In a few days I''ll
ave to put my faithful Lab of 15 years down.
Think of the good times you had-- better to remember with a smile than
with tears.......
from 40 miles north, Jeff
Dawn J-L
few days I''ll
> ave to put my faithful Lab of 15 years down.
> Think of the good times you had-- better to remember with a smile than
> with tears.......
>
> from 40 miles north, Jeff
Jeff,
My thoughts are with you and your wonderful Lab companion. {hugs}
Dawn JL
who has shared her life with a wonderful lab
Ocean of Nuance
Very sorry to hear that Jeff. That's a big loss.
sharon
Dr Corinne B Leek
<tjon...@together.net> wrote:
>On Nov 26, 12:32�am, Jeff <rather...@earthlink.net> wrote:(snip) �In a
>few days I''ll
>> ave to put my faithful Lab of 15 years down. �
>> Think of the good times you had-- better to remember with a smile than
>> with tears.......
>>
>> from 40 miles north, �Jeff
>
>
>Jeff,
>
> My thoughts are with you and your wonderful Lab companion. {hugs}
As are mine. I hope the passing is as quiet and gentle as my Toby and
MikeyDogs had.
Corinne & Crazy Canuck Crew, sending the fortifyng Fizz to Jeff and a
celebratory one to the Noble Lab to celebrate crossing the Bridge
after a wonderful life with Jeff...
hpjeannie
wrote:
Yes, and he was lucky to have you for 15 years. When we had to
release our Aussie of 11 years in 2006, someone told me that animals
don't know how long they're "supposed" to live, so anything is good.
It really helped me feel better. And, being a service-oriented breed,
I'm sure your Lab will make it as easy on you as our Aussie did for
us. They really do tell you when it's time, don't they?
Jeannie
remembering Kismet
Jeff
<cl...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:05:45 -0800 (PST), Dawn J-L
><tjon...@together.net> wrote:
>
>>On Nov 26, 12:32�am, Jeff <rather...@earthlink.net> wrote:(snip) �In a
>>few days I''ll
>>> ave to put my faithful Lab of 15 years down. �
>>> Think of the good times you had-- better to remember with a smile than
>>> with tears.......
>>>
>>> from 40 miles north, �Jeff
>>
>>
>>Jeff,
>>
>> My thoughts are with you and your wonderful Lab companion. {hugs}
>As are mine. I hope the passing is as quiet and gentle as my Toby and
>MikeyDogs had.
>
>Corinne & Crazy Canuck Crew, sending the fortifyng Fizz to Jeff and a
>celebratory one to the Noble Lab to celebrate crossing the Bridge
>after a wonderful life with Jeff...
Thanks, everyone.
Cajun has been a damned good friend. Even back when my neighbor
first gave him to me at 12 weeks age, he had a almost military-cadet
bearing and demeanor. Even while teething, all he damaged were a few
of my Dad's magazines I borrowed, and some tooth marks on a wooden
chair. He's been many places, from Vancouver Canada to Death Valley,
climbed Black Butte (next to Mt Shasta), played in the California
ocean surf a lot, and fetched a 'googol' amount of sticks in countless
Sierra alpine lakes. Even happily drank Mono Lake water
(alkaline/carbonate/salt)!
He's snoozing at my feet at this moment at the computer. Looking at
him, you wouldn't think he's that old. He has a glossy black coat
without a single white hair. His eyes look fine, as he doesn't seem
to have cataracts-- but the inner eyes are opaque.
As with my first horse, Cajun seemed to adapt to my personality and
interests, except for my love of the deserts (he HATES deserts!)
Some days he seems okay. Other days he'll whimper a lot. His
arthritis is terrible, I've felt his hind legs snap into position :-(
And as with the horse, it won't hit me until after it is done.
http://home.surewest.net/eastsierra/webpages/
better photo:
http://home.surewest.net/eastsierra/webpages/2005's%20visit%20to%20the%20UNKNOWN!.htm
a couple more, on the "Four Corners" webpage:
http://home.surewest.net/eastsierra/webpages/2006%20Vacations.htm
Jeff
Tom & Win
I'm sorry for the pain it will cost you.
Winnie
Hunter Hampton
wrote:
>http://home.surewest.net/eastsierra/webpages/2005's%20visit%20to%20the%20UNKNOWN!.htm
Jeff,
He's beautiful, I really feel for you.... it's so hard to lose a good
dog. Dogs are truly family members.
I've stayed at Mono Lake so I enjoyed your other pictures too.
Hunter
Susan
obvious.
I always cry when I read these, I've also had to say goodbye to my share
of cats and dogs and I know your pain.
You're doing the right thing, I don't need to tell you that. I'm sure
his passing will be gentle and he'll be waiting for you at the Bridge.
Susan
Dawn J-L
>
> Cajun has been a damned good friend. Even back when my neighbor
> first gave him to me at 12 weeks age, he had a almost military-cadet
> bearing and demeanor. Even while teething, all he damaged were a few
> of my Dad's magazines I borrowed, and some tooth marks on a wooden
> chair. He's been many places, from Vancouver Canada to Death Valley,
> climbed Black Butte (next to Mt Shasta), played in the California
> ocean surf a lot, and fetched a 'googol' amount of sticks in countless
> Sierra alpine lakes. Even happily drank Mono Lake water
> (alkaline/carbonate/salt)!
>
> He's snoozing at my feet at this moment at the computer. Looking at
> him, you wouldn't think he's that old. He has a glossy black coat
> without a single white hair. His eyes look fine, as he doesn't seem
> to have cataracts-- but the inner eyes are opaque.
>
> As with my first horse, Cajun seemed to adapt to my personality and
> interests, except for my love of the deserts (he HATES deserts!)
Well, of course-- there is no swimming in deserts!
>
> Some days he seems okay. Other days he'll whimper a lot. His
> arthritis is terrible, I've felt his hind legs snap into position :-(
The price of a full active life. I have no doubt he still dreams of
scaling mountains and swimming in any body of water he encounters.
>
> And as with the horse, it won't hit me until after it is done.
>
That allows you to enjoy each other to full measure. He will tell you
when he is ready to go. Your heart will recognize the request.
What a wonderful bond you have with Cajun. I just love a great Lab,
and he is clearly one of the best. He has had a rich life filled with
adventure and the companionship of a fine human being. You've done
right by him all through his life and he is a wise enough dog to know
that.
--Dawn JL
Jane Saranac
"Jeff" <rath...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:mfh1h55vo33o5i27e...@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:50:51 -0400, Dr Corinne B Leek
> <cl...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:05:45 -0800 (PST), Dawn J-L
>><tjon...@together.net> wrote:
>>
>>>On Nov 26, 12:32 am, Jeff <rather...@earthlink.net> wrote:(snip) In a
>>>few days I''ll
>>>> ave to put my faithful Lab of 15 years down.
>>>> Think of the good times you had-- better to remember with a smile than
>>>> with tears.......
That's for sure.
I feel for you and feel your loss... I still have our 17 year old pup's
ashes in an urn in the livingroom : ).
Dawn J-L
> "Jeff" <rather...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
I'm getting quite a collection of old friends in boxes. I like having
them nearby. I figure I'll keep them all with me until my time is up,
and then their ashes can be co-mingled with mine. That seems fitting
somehow.
--Dawn JL