Hug your horses (and your people too)

[FlashGordon]

With the loss of a few of our members, and other sad human tragedies, it seems a little trite to be missing a horse.

But today I am, moreso after seeing a video of a horse the same color/size/build with a similar way of going. It just made me miss him all the more! I don't have any vids of Dan, not even any pictures of me riding him, because I thought we had many years for all of that. Thankfully I do have a few pics of us together and a couple nice head shots.

So tonight I will give Windsor extra treats. He doesn't let me hug/snuggle him the way Dan used to... but I am sure I will get a nicker and his trademark tongue flapping trick. :lol:

Hug your beasts, your friends, and your family... seems they come in and out of our lives all too quickly.

[arabhorse2]

Someone I know lost two of her horses a week and a half ago to lightning. :no:

I know that sh*t happens, but two at one time is almost too much to bear. She's understandably bitter and inconsolable, although one of her horses survived completely unharmed.

We just never know when we're going to have to say goodbye.

[citydog]

Very true.

And I'd add: take lots of pictures. You can never have too many.

[chai]

Flash, I am very sorry about the loss of your special horse. That kind of loss stays with you forever, although hopefully in time the memories will bring you more comfort than pain.

You are right...we should take every opportunity to hug our horses and humans that we love because you never know. Last Friday was the two year anniversary of my sister's death. She was staying with me to escape from an abusive monster of a husband and when we parted that morning, I hugged her, told her she looked beautiful and that everything was going to be ok and I'd meet her back at my farm for lunch. I never saw her again.

Something went awry and we still don't know what happened, but instead of meeting my other sister that morning, she wound up in a city 20 miles from here where she either jumped, fell or was pushed from the 8th floor of a parking garage. I didn't even get to see her body to say goodbye because her evil would-have-been-ex husband refused to claim her body or allow my parents to claim her, and he left her in the unclaimed body room at the city morgue for almost a week. Nice guy.

Life can take an unexpected turn when you least expect it and you are so right about the importance of appreciating every minute we have with the ones we love. I tell my horses I love them every night at night check and I do not let my husband or kids say goodbye on the phone without hearing "I love you," from me.

You just never know.

[Chardavej]

Hug your dogs and cats too!! In March I suddenly lost my 13 year old Min Pin and I didn't even get to say goodbye. Now my Italian Greyhound is battleing his third round of cancer and the vet is saying NO to more surgery so I might have to put my old man down tomorrow. : (

(don't cry, don't cry, don't cry... gah!!!)

[monstrpony]

Lost my Best Ever corgi almost four weeks ago, it was a progressive thing, I knew it was coming, but there is still the biggest hole ... My horses are well, and I have two other dogs and a cat to keep me company and we're all adjusting quite well, but the hole is still there, and it still hurts.

Just treasure all of it, always .... :sadsmile:

[relocatedTXjumpr]

Its been almost 9 months since I lost Rudy. We were supposed to have fun this summer before I retired him for good. We had hunter paces, poker rides, and maybe even a return to the jumper ring planned...and all to quickly those dreams were...well...just dreams.

He was supposed to be in my engagement pictures and my wedding pictures...
He was supposed to be around for my kidlets to hang on and learn to love...
Dang it...he was just supposed to be there!

I am still angry over loosing him but I know he is pain free and running wild taunting the fillies!

It still hurts and I imagine it always will. Even after 15 years together I feel like it wasnt enough time...

So yes, hug your horses and humans. Life can change all to quickly.

Tomorrow is never a guarantee.

[Trakehner]

I've started taking photos and movies of my guys (and my friend's horses too!"). What awakened me, a friend had a nice guy riding her horse..he'd beaten cancer and was learning to ride. One day, he had an accident on the road leaving the barn...he died. There were no photos of him riding or with the horses to give his family or to remember him by.

That situation got me filming friends at the barn, got a cheap little Argus "Bean" camera that takes movies and still photos and I clip it on my belt or hang it around my neck...Taa-daa! I've got photos and movies of trail rides and slices of life at the barn.

Take photos and have fun...I sure wish I had them of my past horses, dogs, cats and friends.

[LearnToFly]

Am dealing with the possibility of losing my wonderful boy right now due to a coffin joint infection. I would not wish this worry on anyone.
Our two year "anniversary" will be on monday if he survives the weekend.

[FlashGordon]

I've started taking photos and movies of my guys (and my friend's horses too!"). What awakened me, a friend had a nice guy riding her horse..he'd beaten cancer and was learning to ride. One day, he had an accident on the road leaving the barn...he died. There were no photos of him riding or with the horses to give his family or to remember him by.

That situation got me filming friends at the barn, got a cheap little Argus "Bean" camera that takes movies and still photos and I clip it on my belt or hang it around my neck...Taa-daa! I've got photos and movies of trail rides and slices of life at the barn.

Take photos and have fun...I sure wish I had them of my past horses, dogs, cats and friends.

What a shame about that guy... to survive cancer and then to die in an accident... how awful. :(

Thanks for the tip on the Argus Bean. I am going to order one right now. I've been lugging an old digital around with me everywhere, as I love to shoot pics and vid of Little FG. But the Bean looks like a great, durable, portable and affordable option. Will be great around the barn, too!

Learntofly... I am jingling for your boy!!!!

[farmgirl]

Hugs and prayers for all who have broken hearts. i came home last Th from a trip to the veterinarian for my horse to find that one of my German Shepherds had developed a case of bloat (can't remember the technical term). She died before I could get her into the car to take her to an emergency clinic. So incredibly sad.....

[Trevelyan96]

6/28 will be 9 years since I lost my son. 4 months since losing Trav, who was my 4-legged son. When you lose a loved one, all you do is regret the little things you put off doing with them, saying to them, and saving of them.

So hug them, and never let yourself or them think you're too busy, too tired, or too stressed to show them you love them.

And I just realized on the 28th I'll be volunteering at Ride for Life. I think its a fitting way to spend that anniversary.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

We just never know when we're going to have to say goodbye.

so true.

[sisu27]

Hugs and prayers for all who have broken hearts. i came home last Th from a trip to the veterinarian for my horse to find that one of my German Shepherds had developed a case of bloat (can't remember the technical term). She died before I could get her into the car to take her to an emergency clinic. So incredibly sad.....

Ughh...I am so sorry (to all that have experienced loss). I HATE bloat.

2 months and 4 days ago I lost my Mak (dobey), doggie soul mate to Cardiomyopathy (he too bloated but had surgery in time and lived 3 more great years with me). Had lost his predecesor suddenly at 6 yo and vowed to always live each day with my loved ones like it were the last....not stay angry, not get angry and always show them how much I love them....human or furry.

[vacation1]

I didn't appreciate being laid off early this year, but the good thing about being unemployed is that it's given me so much wonderful time with my current dog. We've explored the surrounding countryside more and enjoyed the area parks more than we've ever been able to on crowded weekends. What is a malestrom of soccer games on a Saturday is a peaceful walker's paradise on a Tuesday, particularly in cold or rainy weather. We've found ourselves totally alone so often that I've even begun letting her run offleash, which she really enjoys.
I will always remember those walks with her.

[abbydp]

Thank you for the reminder. For all those thinking of a loss you have already had, or one coming, I am sorry. Learntofly I will be wishing good things for you. I had a horse go through several coffin joint injections, and my boy gets his hocks injected. Always scares me. Arabhorse I am so sorry for your friend's loss. Two at one time would be unimaginable. I catch grief frequently for bringing my boy in due to approaching storms. Doesn't bother me, though. I would not be able to live with myself had I known it was coming and chose to take that chance. He doesn't have a run in and stands under the tallest tree to get out of any rain, so just not worth it. A few shavings and an extra flake of hay won't cost me but so much. My very very special boy had colic surgery soon after I got him, and we had several serious complications. I went out to the hospital expecting to put him down four times. Now, every time I walk away, either at bedtime or to go to work I have to tell him how special he is and how much I love him. He doesn't care but it makes me feel better ( I do think it's swelling his head though :lol: ). My old boy was sold when I went to college, but came back to me a few years ago, when he was 25. We got 2 really good years and lots of time together. One day he colicked, and ruptured. We did everything we could, gave him every chance and took him to the hospital. I rode with him all the way there. Yes I know really dangerous and dumb but I couldn't let him die alone in that trailer and could give him meds the whole way so he felt no pain. I got 3 hours to remember all of our good times with him and tell him how amazing he was. I will always be grateful for that time. I try and tell my family every time I talk to them. I will never forget Nicole Brown Simpson's mom saying she meant to tell her daughter she loved her that night but didn't do it. Every minute to me is extra and reminders of that are always good, so thank you. It is never what we are afraid of that gets us.

[Gunnar]

AW FG you always make me sad with your tales of your Dan! Win will make you feel better. :yes:I was so lucky to have Gunnar back in my life for the last 3 months of his life. We spent quality time just hanging out! :D He had been out on lease for about 6 years so we grew reaquainted!:cool: Alas he died shortly after that but his was really sick so at the time it was a good thing! :sadsmile: I have tons of pictures of him and video so I can relive the good time anytime!

Hugs to you FG! :yes: