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Camera: Nikon D50
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
Location: Farm Pasture, Kansas
Date: Jan 30, 2007
Date Uploaded: Feb 7, 2007
Viewed: 190
Comments: 2
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Last week we had to make a decision about one of our horses. Maggie was 26 years old with severe arthritis and calcium deposits on one knee. With the onset of extreme cold weather, Maggie was having a lot of difficulty getting around. She quit eating, and with her grain supplement the primary method for the delivery of her “bute” or pain medication, she was showing increasing signs of being in pain. We discussed her condition with our veterinarian and with our farrier and they both indicated that it probably was time to euthanize her. After much soul searching and discussion with our family, we decided that we should proceed with the vet’s recommendation. We made the decision as a family with the understanding that if any one of us was not sure that the decision was the right one, that we would not proceed. This was very difficult for my son Conner, as Maggie was primarily his horse and he was closest to her. We all agreed that we no longer wanted to see Maggie suffer.
We all spent one final afternoon grooming her and caring for her and saying our goodbyes. There were lots of tears shed and lots of second guessing our decision. We tried to explain that this is a part of owning horses or any pet for that matter and that we become stewards for our animals and are responsible for seeing that they do not suffer. Coincidentally, a couple of days earlier, we heard that the owners of Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner, decided to euthanize him rather than see him suffer. We mentioned this to our kids, but insisted that it not influence our decision.
We went through with the decision about Maggie the following day. This was one of the toughest things we have ever experienced in our lives. It was a very tough “life lesson” for our kids and for us. Our animals are truly members of our family.
Here is my son saying goodbye to his horse.
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