A year ago today I wrote about my mare, Porsche, in the blog Porsches and Horses. She was also featured in a blog about a "spring garden" and breeding mares last year. She was in foal with a colt by Festrausch, a Westfalen stallion owned by Hilltop Farms, Inc. I was seriously considering keeping her for myself after she foaled and returned to work under saddle because she had wonderful gaits and an even better attitude. She was one of my favorite horses. She was beautiful, sweet, and kind, with large soft eyes, and was gentle with people and horses alike.On January 3, 2009 we had to euthanize Porsche to end the suffering she was enduring due to a reaction her body had to antibiotics she had been on to treat a persistent case of pneumonia. This not only ended the life of my beautiful mare but also her unborn colt - he was too young to save. Now all I have are her ashes, a piece of her mane, and the pictures and memories of our short time together.
It has taken me a while to be able to write this, and it is very, very hard. I think that this was supposed to be the day, though. When I went back to find the blog I first wrote about her, I was surprised and pleased to find that I wrote it exactly one year ago. I think she is telling me something!
The grieving process for a horse is just like that for a human, dog, cat, or whatever else you have lost who was a significant relationship in your life. It is especially hard when they are taken young and suddenly. I searched online for some help in dealing with this and found some good websites and books. I liked the idea of creating a memoriam and so that is what I am doing.
I am making a tribute to Porsche on Squidoo. I have created several lenses on Squidoo and like that it is easy and fun and that you can have any money you make go to the charity(ies) of your choice. So I am making one in her memory that will send
money to several horse rescue groups and help people who are grieving the loss of a horse with links to websites and other sources of comfort. The process is therapeutic and helps me with recalling the good memories and it feels like she lives on with this tribute. When it is finished I will post a link so you can visit if you like.No one's death comes to pass without making some impression, and those close to the deceased inherit part of the liberated soul and become richer in their humaneness. Hermann Broch
5 comments:
So sorry to hear about Porsche. I know how hard it is to lose a wonderful horse that is loved. The memorial you are doing at Squido will be a good way to help you through this. There is really nothing to say to make us feel better about losing our friends. I like to think of my two boys running across open fields and drinking from clear mountain streams. It does me good to think of them young again and together. Although I will always miss them, I am now to the point where I can remember them fondly and sometimes with laughter at their antics. I hope you get to this spot soon.
Your story has realy moved me to tears. I am so sorry for your loss. If you google. "RAINBOW BRIDGE", you will find a wonderful poem that I still find comforting after many years. It sounds like a fab place and thats where I believe all my beloved pets are. And I am sure yours are too. Be strong. The memories will never go away but the pain will xx
Thank you. I am starting to picture Porsche and her colt grazing in a beautiful pasture happy together forever. It makes me cry, but I am happy for them. I just got the book "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" which is specifically about horses and am starting to read it.
I guess I was supposed to read this today. I lost my first horse six years ago today. He lived to be 27 and was, and is, an angel sent to give my life meaning. I have lost three horses now. All within five years. Tucker, my second horse also lived into his twenties. I had both Beau and Tucker for 17 years. Beau was a little gray quarter horse who taught me to jump, then taught my husband and then several little girls. Tucker was my show horse for ten or more years doing Hunters, Eventing and Dressage, anything I ever asked him to do. I showed him as "Dancing in the Dark", he was a 17H dark bay TB. I found Dylan when I wasn't looking for a third horse. I took a leap of faith and was well rewarded by a Hanovarian bay who came to be known as the Canter King. His dressage was a joy. I lost him suddenly in August 2008 when he was only 14 and I am still having trouble accepting it. I feel a terrible void where my life was filled by him, but I also feel I let him down. I'm not sure how to resolve that. I can understand the pain of those who have lost a special horse (and they are all special) and I share the joy of horse lovers. Thanks for this blog.
I guess I was supposed to read this today. I lost my first horse six years ago today. Beau was a gray quarter horse who taught me to jump, then taught my husband and then several little girls. He lived to be 27 and I enjoyed his company for 17 years. I was lucky enough to have a second horse, Tucker, who also lived into his 20's. He was a 17H dark bay TB and I showed him in Hunters, Eventing and Dressage. As I told people, he did everything I ever asked him to. I lost Tucker three years ago. I found Dylan when I was not looking for a third horse but couldn't pass him up. He was a blood bay Hanovarian and I always said he was the best of Beau and Tucker and many special traits all his own. We liked to call him the Canter King. He made Dressage a joy. I lost him suddenly in August 2008at the age of 14 and have not found a way to deal with the loss yet. It has left a terrible void, but worse, I feel I let him down because he never reached his potential. Colic took him in less than 24 hours despite surgery. I understand the pain of those who have lost a special horse (and they are all special aren't they?). I also share the joy of so many horse lovers. Thanks for this blog.
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