Tuesday, February 21, 2017

The Loss of All Heart

Those of you who follow me on Facebook and Instagram know what is coming. This morning as I left for work I grimaced at the drop in temperature. The horses were naked due to the warm weather last evening. I immediately thought of Winston who hates to be cold.





Then almost three hours later, Mom called and said it was bad. Larry found Winston down and rolling covered in sweat. He got him up and put a cooler on before starting laps while Peggy called the vet. Mom and my sister already on the way, floored it. My Mom's voice warned me this one was not one she thought would end well. I told my boss I had to leave and headed out. Nearly there, my sister called and said the vet confirmed it was not good. It looked to be a colic similar to Sherman's, a strangulation colic. Either caused by bands or fatty lympomas. The vet was not ready to give up yet and proceeded to pump fluids into him.
Unfortunately, as the sedation wore off his pain returned and not his gut movement. The vet said he was stoic and that settled our decision. One more palpation confirmed he was not improving.
The best ears ever
After 11 years we were losing Omnis Cor (All Heart), with everyone who welcomed him into the herd around him. Roscoe stood sentinel at the fence line, giving Winston and us his strength. Of course even at the end he was a challenge. We wanted him to lay down, after hours of telling him not to, so he stood firm. When most horses fall back, he came forward knocking the vet down. Winston always did have his own style. DaVinci was really upset so the vet told us to let the horses say goodbye. Rosemary breathed into his nose, then moved down his body. DaVinci too touched his face and legs, but added a squeal. I don't think he appreciated being left in charge of the girls. DaVinci thought hard about leaving Winston. He wanted to stand by him, but soon followed us back to the sacrifice area.
By 1:15 he was resting peacefully in the field, under the trees. Bless the back hoe guy who Dad said treated him like a Viking king.
I nearly lost it when I saw his food bowl with his container waiting inside. He was such a big personality and presence in the barn. As Peggy says, he is still around, just not in sight.

The out pouring of support online is always appreciated. Carly made my day by saying she loved his posts the best. His memorial post will come soon.

15 comments:

  1. Oh no! Literally in tears for you. I'm so very sorry, I absolutely loved reading about him.

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  2. SO sorry for your loss. (((Hugs))) to you, your family and the herd.

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  3. Oh Nicole, I am so sorry to read this! Hugs to you and Peggy and everyone who loved him.

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  4. Nicole I'm so, so sorry. Big hugs.

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  5. I'm so sorry. Cried as I read this <3

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  6. I'm so sorry for your loss. It just never gets easier :(

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  7. Tears as I read this. I know how much you all love your horses and how well you care for them. Take comfort in knowing that his last years with you were so happy for him. We all must leave this earth as you know. It just really hurts when it happens. Hugs to all who loved him.

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  8. I am so very sorry. There are no words to ease your pain but thank you for the care you gave him and for being there to ease his end. (((Hugs)))

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  9. I'm so sorry. I'm sending you, your family an your herd hugs.

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  10. He really did seem like such a cool guy. I always love seeing his splotchy nose in pics. RIP Winston.

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  11. I am so so sorry for your loss. Ugh. I hate this. It is never easy. Hugs and prayers for strength and peach for you.

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  12. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss <3 It's never easy to lose one, but it's especially difficult to lose such a big personality, that was so loved by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you

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