Compassion Can Hurt

My friend Sabrina has had a very tough tough run with luck and her rescue horses. Yesterday from out of the blue she had to make that decision every horse steward hates making. Her Fjord rescue boy, Sven, was colicing. Bad. He was going septic. Her vet was called in and he was gently allowed to go where fate had pointed him in a much unkinder process. Spared his pain, he slipped away. Leaving behind a searing new sort of pain transferred straight into and through Sabrina’s heart.

She grieves today not just because she lost Sven, but because several weeks ago she had to endure a similar situation with another of her rescues, Dennis, and this after only a couple of months after the passing of her dear little mini Duke. You’ll see in the tribute video she just posted that these rescues came to her as ruined spent shells that blossomed under her conscientious care. Watch for the IVs, the new blankets, the hugs – and see the horses transform; Dennis especially.

Why do I do what I do? Why do I blog, and post good news and help connect people who care? Because I can’t do what Sabrina does. I can’t physically take in the rescues. I can’t attend the slaughter auctions and try to buy the neediest horses. Sabrina can. And does. Today her pain is deep. Maybe you’ve experienced a similar loss. Maybe you understand the strength she draws from that allows her to carry on with her mission. Maybe you’ll shed a tear watching her video as you understand like me she’s working through such a powerful sadness. You probably have some stories you can share. Maybe you have some helpful words of comfort.

Angels Who Fly Too Close to the Ground

Some of us believe we humans owe a debt of gratitude to equines. Some of us act on that like Sabrina does. Each of us acts in the ways we’re best at. And sooner or later all of us will run right into a wall of sadness because we will lay ourselves open to grief and loss like Sabrina’s. But today it’s her turn and  I for one want to tell her thank you. Thank you for making these old boys’ last days among the happiest any horse has ever had on earth. These guys knew warmth, cookies, mash and proper care. They knew comfort and comradeship. They knew love. Eventually love costs alot. Sabrina is paying its price again today. We love you SparklePants. We are crying with you as we are envisioning these boys in their rainbow meadows dancing and singing a song about you for all time.