A Tough Goodbye

We received the sad news that Jax had to be put down a few weeks ago. One day his back legs wouldn't work and he was not able to stand in the pasture.

Even though Jax joined our family for only a short period of time, his loss is sincerely felt. He was a sweet, sweet boy who just wanted to please and loved "his girls" Casey and Audrey so dearly.







It is a very bittersweet ending. He was kept in a shipping container with no pasture for who knows how long...then when he finally hit pay dirt by being rescued by Animal Rescue Unit and subsequently adopted by Casey, he was only able to enjoy freedom for such a brief a time.

I'm incredibly angry that he had to endure such gross mistreatment, but I'm also indescribably thankful that he passed on knowing he was safe and loved.

Many pet owners are familiar with the concept of the "Rainbow Bridge." Many of you also know I am generally a skeptical person and try to pretend I'm above being sappy. But I found this poem today that gave my heart solace. The sixth stanza especially helps calm the storm of bitterness and anger within me for Jax's hard past, and for that I am truly grateful.

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Message from a Horse Spirit
by Katie Graham

Where am I, now that I am

   Gone from your life?

Leaving you lonely and sad,

   For that I am sorry.

But this is a warm place,

   And the pastures are green.

And now I know just how

   Much you loved me!

Everyone here shares the

   Kindness of your heart.

What am I doing, now that
   I have left your care?

Racing with wide-eyed 

   Foals, orphaned no longer.

Breathing crisp morning air

   With wise old work horses,

Now grown young and

   Strong again.

Looking at mountains

   Through the eyes of the
Blind who
   Can see.

Carrying on my back all of

   The folk who never had the

Chance to know the warmth

   Of my sweet horse breath

Or the thrill of a gallop, but

   Always yearned for it.

Visiting little girls who

   Dream of beautiful steeds, 

Flying over fences and racing

   Past the finish line,

Keeping them safe, giving

   Them hope.

  

Saddest and sweetest of all,

   Greeting the ones who

Cross that Rainbow Bridge. 

   Some were wild and free on

The earth, and they remain
  Wild and free. Some were
Loved and cared for, and
   The will be well loved
And cared for here. 

And some of the horses

   Trotting over that Bridge

Were

   Neither free nor loved.

Those are the greatest joy to

   Greet, for now they have the

Greenest grass and the

   Freshest water, and they

Will never be sick or in pain
   Or alone ever again. And
They will always be loved.

So cry for me as humans do,

   And then move on

To tend the mortal horses
   Who need your care and
Kindness. And take care of
   The children; help them
Find their dreams, nuzzle
   Them for me.

I'll be waiting for you
   When you come to pass that
Rainbow Bridge,
   We will piaffe through the
Clouds and leap the
   Lightning bolts, and then trot
On home together to
  Those green, green fields.

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Farewell Jax. You are safe and you are loved.