At 7pm tonight, this beautiful creature had to be put down at the age of 32. He ate his evening grain, and around 5:30 went into the indoor. When I looked over, he was down and could not get up. Not enough strength in his rear end...I called his owner, Randy, and he got here in 15 minutes. We both tried to get him up and nothing helped. During the winter, Joe went down a couple of times, but if I took off his blanket he could get right up. NOT tonight. The vet was called and got here in half an hour... his life came to an end. Very sad, but the right thing to do. It was raining and there was thunder and lightning. Isn't it interesting that he chose to go to the indoor? If he went down outside he would have been in water. Randy had him for 25 years. He was ridden and driven (my inspiration). I started driving with the equivalent of a schoolmaster. Didn't do a lot, but went in 1 show with him and also took a driving lesson from Olympic Marathon Driver, Larry Poulin. I never had to worry with Joe.
This is how he looked just a month ago. Old age finally caught up with him. May he rest in peace....
Little did I know that my day would end the way it did. It was a nice enough morning.
Nothing seemed unusual...
The dog were doing their thing...Class started at 10:30...I got home at 10:26 after running errands and they followed me in the driveway.
Jean...
Our leaf castings....
Jen brought Finn and Coop up to weed their corn, but they wanted to draw instead. Guess who got stuck in the garden.
Tina is working on a new project...here she is preparing the top of a wooden cheese box.
Connie liked the view from the window and started sketching what she saw in the gardens.
Jean...
Our leaf castings....
Jen brought Finn and Coop up to weed their corn, but they wanted to draw instead. Guess who got stuck in the garden.
Tina is working on a new project...here she is preparing the top of a wooden cheese box.
Connie liked the view from the window and started sketching what she saw in the gardens.My friend Brenda (the primo watercolorist) emailed me three photos of cows today. She took them at the State Fair and I am quite sure she intends to paint them.
Don't have much more to say.... Night all.
He went out the way everyone should..surrounded by people that loved him. Prancing in heaven.
ReplyDeleteOh so sad. What was his name? He lived such a long life. wow. And what a big strong boy.
ReplyDelete25 years is a very long time to care for an animal, when most pets rarely live past 10-14 yrs. I'm sure the owner is so sad.
Those leaf castings are very interesting. What are they used for. Or are they decorations? What type of leaves are they
~Lisa
Those of us with animals know your loss. Thirty-two years and he still looked like an old sweetheart. My sympathy to Randy and all who knew Joe. He can rest now.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so sorry Lori, he was a special horse, to be sure.I am so glad that you were there.
ReplyDeleteJoe will definately leave a hole in your heart.
XO
KacyK
Oh Lori, I'm so sorry. It's never easy to say goodbye. I will miss the pictures of Joe that you take and post. Godspeed Joe!
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad, even if it's the right thing to do. Rest in peace old man. My condolences to his owner. And to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so so sorry about Joe. I know how deeply you love each and every animal under your care. I know that tomorrow and many tomorrow's after that will be difficult for you and your routine. I hope that Pony adjusts quickly to the void in her life. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori. I am very sorry indeed to hear your news. He was a lovely looking, and I'm sure, a gentle and obliging creature. It's a sad part of the human condition that we tend to outlive our animal friends (especially dogs).
ReplyDeleteStill, 32 active and happy years, and a quick release at the end, has to be pretty good.
All our sympathy, Mike and Ann.
All my condoleances for loosing a loved member of the family. Joe had a good life, and I'm sure you did the best thing for him.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear friend. He had such a sweet face.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry about Joe. I'm sure you will feel his loss after all these wonderful years on the farm.
ReplyDeleteEm
I'm very sorry for everyone's loss. He was a beautiful old pony.
ReplyDelete32 years on this earth. A huge, strong horse. Wow! I am sure he was loved very much. There must be some emptiness and real sadness. My condolences and heartfelt sympathy.
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Joe. I have enjoyed all the posts and pictures you have posted of him. My heart aches as I read this. It is comforting to know that he had a wonderful life with you and you and his owner were there upon his passing. Many horses are not as fortunate. Here is a ---HUG--- for you. I picture Joe in heaven watching over all the young horses whose lives have been cut short way too soon... God Bless you , Joe!
We're sorry. Hope he will go to the horses paradise directly.
ReplyDeleteOh, Lori, how my heart aches. What a beautiful horse he was and you and his owners must be so heartbroken right now. This is the hardest part about owning animals - when the day comes that one has to mercifully put them down. It still pains the heart so. I just can't over his face, how beautiful, beautiful he was. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteSO sorry for losing such a wonderful horse. I am glad that he was able to live such a full and long life and that you were able to get a hold of his owner on time so that you could all be with him at the end.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to all!
I'm so sorry, Lori! But what a wonderful life he had. He could not have been more appreciated, could he!
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of love from Sweden,
Esther
Lori, It is such a bone deep loss when one of our herd (or pack) dies. Joe was so fortunate to live his life in the haven of Skoog Farm and to have you and his man by his side as he died. Thinking of you and your sweet ones, Cherie
ReplyDeleteLori, I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of this beautiful horse. Echoing what others have said, he had a wonderful life & is now at peace. I know it is never easy losing an animal - even if it is not 'yours' - and my thoughts are with you, sending you a great big ((HUG)) all the way from Africa.
ReplyDeleteOh no....I'm so so sorry, Lori...and Randy, and Joe :( What a sad day :( But what a peaceful and loving way to leave this world. He was such a lucky boy to have such love and care in his life. I had such a crush on Joe...he was such a big, handsome, sweet boy. Sending you all a big hug and hoping that you can take some solace in knowing that he has joined beautiful Shenna, the love of his life. Sigh...the truth is that it's hard no matter how you look at it.
ReplyDeletexoxoxox
Sue and The Flowers of Dream Valley Ranch
Lori
ReplyDeleteI am SO sorry. I have been so busy the last few days I did not have a chance to read your blog. Joe was a beautiful horse, inside AND outside. I know you will miss him so much. It's a testament to the love that you all had for him that he lived such a long and full life.
This kind of loss hits hard, doesn't it?
Hi Lori,
ReplyDeletewehave been on holiday with the kids and i havent looked on your webside for so long! now i found some time and Joe is not there anymore. i am so sorry, i bet you miss him every day! i remember riding him when i was over there 11 years ago. his picture is hanging in our hallway!!
i hope everybody else is well. we have two more weeks of summervacation left and then the normal chaos starts again! think of you guys lots of times. love and greetings from sabine