Saying Goodbye

[Just12345]

I'm a regular but I've name changed because I'm just to sad to talk about this in real life and know friends are on here.

After 27 years together I've booked the vet for next week for us to say goodbye and I guess I'm posting for re assurance.

He's 38 years old and I've had him since I was 11 and I always promised myself better one day to early than a day to late but now I've made the call it feels just so hard .

I just don't want him to try another winter I'm worried he will get down and not be able to get up and I'm worried this winter will be horrendous weather wise, he can't eat hay anymore so grass and hard feed is all that keeps him going and he needs to live out 24/7 . Last year he lost so much condition and it's come back over summer but I thought that a lovely day with the sun on his back and a healthy shine was better than a wet winter day. A few weeks ago I noticed he found the farrier painful holding his legs up and he's really started to slow down as he moves around.

I love him so much . He's not Ill. In fact he looks well at the moment and seeing him everyday is putting doubts into my mind.

I'm not sure what I'm looking for from this post but it feels so nice to write down my worries because I can't face talking about it .

The vets have been amazing and agreed with me when I booked it but goodness me this is the hardest choice.

Has anyone else with a golden oldie been through similar

Sob.

You are lucky he just lay down.

My mare hit the ground like a ton of bricks.

Then her ear twitched.

😢

Im sorry for your loss.

❤️

I did manage to get some keep sake mane and tail which I will get made into something when I can and also I've got his shoes! If anyone had any suggestions of reputable companies and things to do I would be ever so grateful,

I saw a lovely little post somewhere that said something along the lines of

Horses who arrive in heaven with haircuts were truly loved by those below

And whilst I know lots of very much loved ponies arrive with full manes and tails it's given me a lot of comfort .

Today was hard in so many weird ways! I rode my other boy and suddenly burst into tears about never riding my gorgeous oldie again. But the silly thing is .. I hadn't ridden him in 4 years .. so I don't know why that was what was upset me

Don’t fret. You’ll be crying for years. 2014 I had my last mare pts and I’ve sobbed all night after reading your post.

It lurks just beneath the surface.

@JayAlfredPrufrock crying for years. So true. I lost my old boy in a field accident 8 yrs ago. I've had (and have) many horses and Ponies but he was the one. There was a song playing when I got back in the car, even now when I hear it I sob.

''@MyAnacondaMight · 06/10/2023 18:14

Letting them go with dignity, at a proud age, after a good summer, is the best possible end we can give them.

It’s heartbreaking but you’re doing the right thing. ''

This absolutely!

He had 38 wonderful years being loved and cared for by you.

You don't want him to reach a point where he is in pain everyday, not enjoying life anymore and losing more and more independence.

It really is the kindest thing to do.

I’m glad he went peacefully - my old boy’s much-loved companion was PTS yesterday and I’ve been in tears on and off since then and he wasn’t even my horse. My boy’s been calling for his friend which is very hard to hear too (he has another companion but the two of them had a real bromance going on 💔)

My horse was retired for years before she died - it always troubled me that I never had a “last ride” and that I didn’t even remember the last time I hopped on bareback for a ride back to the field. I just stopped one day and didn’t know it.

I said goodbye to her last year, after 25 wonderful years. It was her time and I mostly now smile rather than cry when I remember her. But I wish I could remember our last ride.

I'm really struggling with lots of the lasts at the moment!

This grief thing has floored me. It's such random waves

I have gone back to work today ( I took annual leave last week)

And it's been a good distraction but I have had to hide in the toilets a few times for a good cry .

My younger boy despite being wonderful isn't affectionate like my old boy and I'm really feeling the loss of the nose scrunchs and the kisses he gave on command

It does get better but it takes a while 💐

I still randomly cry for my previous cats, been gone nearly 3 and just over a year. I miss their unique little ways and shouts, the type of cuddles they gave.

I wonder if my current cat hoard will ever be such a big part of heart.

You are doing really well to be coping at work 💔

Hey all,

So I have been doing ok. I still cry a lot and sometimes I don't think the tears will stop
but on the whole it's at night in the pesky small hours.

Unfortunately yesterday I got my invoice and just seeing the words euthanasia written out made me lose it. I had to hide in the toilets at
Work for 20 minutes and then spend ages trying to make my eyes looks normal 😞

Bless you. I discovered on my insurance policy I could claim £1k for her death. Insurance company wanted chapter and verse on the whole sorry saga, despite them having paid out all the way through.

I could no more sort through all the invoices than fly.

😢

This won't give you consulation OP but Euthanasia comes from the Greek for "A Good Death" ( I found this out when I was having one of my guinea pigs euthanised )

Any animals we share our lives with there is always the acceptance that at some time they will die .
I'm not as fan of Put to Sleep / PTS or even worse , years ago people talked about having an animal "destroyed" <ugh>

Though its the toughest decision to make , the end you want for your beloved animal is a Good Death . And that us what you were able to give him.

A good death. Lovely way to look at it.