One Last Wish

My good friend Cristy writes a blog called Horse Stories Illustrated. Besides being a remarkably talented photographer, Cristy stretches her creativity and includes lovely considered stories to accompany her images. Today, her entry is called One Last Wish.

I find it amazing, just mind boggling, how many horses suffer the same horrible treatment by people here in the United States. Collected (and for what?) and then left to starve in pastures or paddocks it is not unusual for weeks or even months to go by before someone notices and is able to intervene. The law here makes it quite easy to abuse animals, unfortunately.

But One Last Wish is mostly the story beyond the shameful treatment by the original owner. Its lovingly told with dignity by Cristy, which mirrors the care the mare received in her final months, weeks and hours.

This story is so poignant to me now as I still am providing "hospice" care to my little Cielo. Every morning I hold my breath and am ready to find a still and cool body, but again, not yet this morning. Sometimes I wonder if I am nuts. Caring as I do, committing the time as I have been, every day, to care and keep this boy alive. My friend Marie says she would not let her animals suffer. I too, of course, do not want that for any of my creatures. I look at Cielo every day and ask him, and myself, are you suffering? So far the answer is "no".

No, he is not normal, he is certainly not healthy. Even without his stroke he would be a geriatric rat. But he is alert, has a great appetite, is able to groom his face, and he is affectionate towards me and his brother Dante.  He does not cry or seem to be in pain. So we have yet another day to be together, here, deep into October, when the odds were so great that he should just slip away early last May.

Here is Cielo grooming after his breakfast.

I am really hoping I don't have to make the decision to decide his last day. I am hoping Cielo decides that for himself.