Hello. I'm here from Backyard Chickens, and wanted to share with some "farm" folks a little story...
I was given the best gift of my life when I was 12.... a Belgian/Morgan?? Cross purchased from a Mennonite farm in PA. We grew up together and he was/is the best horse ever. He is the mascot of our farm and has been for 10 years.
I moved away to Oregon 8 years ago and he became my mother's horse, as we believe a pet is yours for life. I was just home for Thanksgiiving, and as Tucker is starting to get on in age (21, 22 ish) he has developed arthitis and some other ailments, which my mother takes care of more than diligently. Anyway, while I was brushing and petting Tucker, my mother threw a huge suprise at me and said "well, if it ever comes to it, and I need to "make the decision" do you want me to tell you so you have the chance to come say goodbye? Or should I just do it and tell you later?"
Now, this is not something that my mother would take lightly, and it will absolutely kill her to have to do it, as Tucker is our most prized and loved pet ever. I started to bawl immediately and couldn't answer her.
I just don't know how to deal with that circumstance. Should I be there for him? Will it kill me to see him that way? Would it be better to just know the great times we had growing up together and remember those and not see him "go down?" I know he still knows me, even tho I only see him once a year, if that. And he still shows me affection the way he did when we were young...
I was given the best gift of my life when I was 12.... a Belgian/Morgan?? Cross purchased from a Mennonite farm in PA. We grew up together and he was/is the best horse ever. He is the mascot of our farm and has been for 10 years.
I moved away to Oregon 8 years ago and he became my mother's horse, as we believe a pet is yours for life. I was just home for Thanksgiiving, and as Tucker is starting to get on in age (21, 22 ish) he has developed arthitis and some other ailments, which my mother takes care of more than diligently. Anyway, while I was brushing and petting Tucker, my mother threw a huge suprise at me and said "well, if it ever comes to it, and I need to "make the decision" do you want me to tell you so you have the chance to come say goodbye? Or should I just do it and tell you later?"
Now, this is not something that my mother would take lightly, and it will absolutely kill her to have to do it, as Tucker is our most prized and loved pet ever. I started to bawl immediately and couldn't answer her.
I just don't know how to deal with that circumstance. Should I be there for him? Will it kill me to see him that way? Would it be better to just know the great times we had growing up together and remember those and not see him "go down?" I know he still knows me, even tho I only see him once a year, if that. And he still shows me affection the way he did when we were young...