Saturday, March 26, 2022

Everybody's Horse.

 Laid Scout to Rest..
yesterday morning.

Willy, from up the road, came here with his backhoe.
Willy, is a long time Friend, of Son, Justin.
His Family also has Horses.
This isn't something Willy is used to doing.
It was very difficult for him, I know.




Justin...couldn't be here. He, just couldn't.
{Justin didn't want me present, either.}

Willy called me, when he arrived, about 8 a.m., told me if I'd rather not be present, that would be just fine.
There was no way...I wouldn't see Scout, through...this last step.
No Way.
<3
Always have been there for Every Critter, I could.
They'd All be There...for me, I...know, if They...could.
<3 <3 <3 

I wanted to be there...for Willy, too.
He knew Scout.
<3

It was so cold, and windy...I couldn't stop shaking.
Don't know...if it was from the cold, or...grief.
Probably...both.

Told Willy, I didn't think...watching Scout being laid to rest, could be more difficult than thinking about him laying in the pasture, all night, volunerable...it was a tuff night.

Scout was covered by an old feather tick, that I put over him, to keep him warm, yesterday morning.
When Scout went down...the blanket stayed perfectly on him.
; )

As I walked to the pasture, to meet Willy, the School Bus pulled up.
The LAST thing...I wanted to see.
Those Children, and George...the Bus Driver, Adored Scout.
Fed him apples, daily.
{I didn't want Those Children...to see Scout, Gone.}
: ( : ( : (..........

George, opened his window, and said... "Well...he passed away, didn't he."
It was All I could do, not to melt.
Then...
The Windows of the Bus....all began to open.
The Children, were sticking their Smiling Little Faces, through them...
Telling me How Much They LOVED Scout....and he was The Best Horse EVER!!!

oh my...God.
oh..my God.



After George, and The Children...pulled away, went to stand beside Scout, and Willy.
A few times, I truly thought...I was going to go down.
Had to find a place to sit...a couple times.

Willy did such an amazing job.
He was careful...with Scout. So...gentle.
<3
The blanket and Beautiful...Alfalfa Hay, our Farmer Friend..., Kevin, has furnished Scout with, over the decades...was his bedding, that blanket...somehow, perfectly went with Scout, and formed a pillow for Scout's head, and neck.
It was like Scout was just taking a nap, a luxurious nap, with his Hay, and a Feather Pillow.
<3 <3 <3 
I asked Willy to cover Scout, in his Hay...before he buried him.
He caringly did.
<3

After Willy left, found my way to the house.
I, couldn't stop shaking.
It was hours, before the chill...left my body.

Early afternoon, heard someone at the door, it was a young Man, Joe...that picks up our dumpster.
oh my.
I invited him in,...he burst into tears.

He brought Scout Apples, with every pick up.
Scout knew Joe's Truck...and would come Running to him...every time he came, over the years.
Joe, was absolutely heartbroken.

He wasn't the only one.
I received calls, and messages from Folks, I know...and barely know...
who were equally as heartbroken, as Joe.
Some, mostly Men...were sobbing inconsolably.
Sending me pictures, and videos...of Their Time, with Scout.
<3

Found myself, having to be The Strong One, because...these Folks...were Lost.
just...
Lost.
: ( : ( : (..........
Some...were sobbing so hard, I couldn't understand their words.
but...
grief...
doesn't need words.

I knew Scout was Loved.
but...
what I didn't understand, was that for SO MANY....Scout, was such a Light, for them.

They all shared their experiences with Scout, and What He Meant To Them.

I've always taken that for Granted, I guess.
When Folks would stop by, and ask...over the years, if they could bring him an Apple, or pet him...
well...that was so foreign.
Glad they asked, but...Of Course!
: )
We always encouraged Folks...to Say Hello, and Visit with Scout.
: )
{Apples would be Greatly Appreciated by Scout. ; ) }

I've always had Horses, and Critters, in my life.
So Many Of These People, have never.
They'd never touched a Horse, or...even been close to one, before...Scout.

I'd, never imagined that.
Couldn't imagine...that.

Scout...was such a Rock Star.
; )
He was Mr. Personality.
: )
He Loved Everyone.
He'd Whinny, and Be So Excited to Meet People, {and Their Treats!!}
: )
He'd put on quite a Show..for them.
<3 <3 <3  

Part of me...wants to fight Fairfax, again...about getting another Horse.
They told me with the Chicken Fiasco, when...Scout passed, we couldn't have another Horse, here.

People NEED a Horse, to be able to Visit With.
They...do.
<3

The thing is, there will Never be another 'Scout'.
He...was one of a kind.
{They All...Are. <3 }

and...so much is happening now, still...with IDOT, and Fairfax...I, don't think I can take anything on.
Gotta get through these Messes.
: (

Did want to say...a few things about what we believe 'happened' to Scout.

This...was So Sudden.
Scout...at 26, was The Picture of Health.
He...probably...could've been with us, another 10 years.

A Neighbor called, the day Scout passed away, said she saw him Rolling.
Horses like to Roll.
then...the next day...Scout didn't finish his Supper.
The next morning...he was down.

I'm pretty sure, Scout twisted an intestine, when he was rolling.
Farrier, Rick...said that's the number One cause of death, in Horses.
We lost Babe, White Albino Quarter Horse Stallion, that was only 3, that way...22 years ago.
He was in Vet's care....and they couldn't save him.
: (

There was no fixing that, had The Vet been there...on the 24th.

What I've tried to explain to Folks, after...thinking this all through....
trying to soften this horrible time, is that Scout...had a Life, few Horses get.

That Pasture...was His Domain.
He was never sick...Never saw a 'Sale Barn'...after he came to be part of our Family, 20 years ago...
Didn't have to 'work'...just Hang Out.
: )
Be Loved and Spoiled.
<3

Having Horses, all of my life, I...Knew...the next 10 years...should he have them...
would have gotten harder, and harder, on Scout.

Horses, are like people.
Their teeth get bad, can't eat as much...they get thin, and frail.
THAT...is why I never wanted to really remember...Scout's age.

Every Summer, going into Fall...these last few years, I tell Justin, we've got to keep Scout's weight up, and watch him closely.
Winter's get harder, and harder...on elderly Horses, and...people.


So, tho...it's too soon for us, to lose him...
{always would be}
Scout...lived the Best of His Years, with no trouble, until...there was.
It was very quick.

My heart is Broken...for All, who Loved Scout.
There will be people, I know...for a long time, coming...looking for him.
That...breaks my heart, too.

I want to Thank...
Rick Elson, our Farrier, who is one of the Kindest, Gentlest Horsemen, I've ever known.
Rick, truly is The Horse Whisperer.
He took such Great Care...of Scout,  over the last 20 years...and is so wise.

Dr, Christine, {'Mona Lisa' ; ) } from River Basin Equine, who...has also...caringly looked after Scout, over the decades.

Theresa, from Abraham's Equine Clinic, for helping me So...on the 24th., concerning Scout's arrangements.

Mayor Frieden, tho..we don't see eye to eye, on several things, he was helpful on the 24th.
{when the chips are really down, we are... still...
'Fairfax'.}

Thanks, again...
to Everyone, who Loved...and Spoiled Scout.
<3
I'm So...Incredibly Sorry, 
For Your Loss.

Scout...was Everyone's Horse.
'Friend'.
<3

As I said Good Bye, to Scout...yesterday, told him to tell John, and All of our Critter Family, "Hello"...for me.
<3
Heaven...I, Know...is a Beautiful...Beautiful...Place.
<3

Fairfax Councilwoman, Kate...sent the below to me, yesterday.
{we don't see eye to eye, at City Hall, on some things...
 but, again... this is...still, 'Fairfax'.}



Love to You.
Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Special Thanks, to Pal, Steph...who came to visit the night Scout passed away.
<3
and...
to Everyone, who's called, and stopped by.
<3}




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