November 2011 Articles

Archives by Months

Dedicated To The Ones We Love!

As a three year old many, many years ago I experienced a moment that I have never forgotten. The moment I am referring to is when my Father brought a young bluetick cur cross puppy into our home, sat it down beside me and said, “Son I got you a puppy.” That bluetick colored puppy became known as “Old Blue” and fifteen years later as I was driving home from school I found him lying in the highway where he had been hit by a car. Even though I knew Old Blue had gotten old, could hardly hear and his eye sight was very poor I still wanted to cling to him and he to me. To that point in time, we had spent practically all our lives together and what adventures we had as I was growing up. Heartbroken, I picked his body up, carried him home, and gave him a final resting place beneath an old pecan tree near my bedroom window. To this day I still think about Old Blue and how special he was to me, how much I loved him and how much he loved me. I’m sure you can relate to my feelings because most people have or have had a special animal or animals in their life. This brings me to the main point of this story—on October 10, 2011 another heart breaking event took place in our family. “Ole Okie To”, a sorrel gelding, owned by my daughter, Dana, had to be euthanized. As I with “Old Blue”, Dana knew Okie had gotten old, wouldn’t gain weight and was failing fast but still she wanted to cling to him and him to her. What memories she has made with “Ole Okie To”. Memories of the love she had from the very first day she saw him and memories of love he showed to her. Memories of the places they traveled to, the events they participated in, and the awards they won. Memories of trail rides they went on, working cattle, and just memories of a young ten year old girl growing into a young woman with the love and companionship of a sorrel gelding, named “Ole Okie To”. Memories I can cling to as well—memories of my daughter, Dana, growing with her horse. I know you can relate—your children, your grandchildren, and even yourself—think back to your childhood and how much the love of an animal—your animal, dog, cat, horse, etc. meant to you. Great memories aren’t they. All a part of life—the good life we all enjoy. On October 10th as my youngest daughter, Blair, headed to the barn to feed her show calves and the horses she called back to say that she found Okie lying by the pond and he couldn’t get up. I knew it was his time. I immediately called Dana, who is in college at La Tech, to tell her she needed to come home. Upon arrival home, Dana went straight to the pond to see her sorrel gelding and her Mother, who had been at the pond with him– comforting him until Dana could get home. October 10th was a beautiful, mild day with an even more beautiful, moonlight night. As I called the vet I could see the silhouette of Dana and her horse—the moon shining brightly over them as she held his head in her lap, comforting him, and talking to him about the life they had enjoyed together. When Dr. Brantley arrived he ask me, “Is Dana alright with this?” I told him she was—she knew it was time—she had to let him go. As he approached Dana and her sorrel gelding I heard Dana say to Okie—it’s alright, I am with you and I love you so much. As he looked at Dana with those big eyes you could see the love he had for her and the comfort she gave him. He too knew it was time. As he slowly breathed his last breath Dana kissed him and whispered I Love You again. That night I saw my little ten year old girl who had grown up into a twenty year old young woman face the heartache of letting go of a very important part of her youth. What memories she has—memories she can enjoy and share throughout her life of an old sorrel gelding “Ole Okie To” who taught her a lot about life. As with “Old Blue” the sorrel gelding, Okie has a special resting place on our farm.