Rest In Peace
Though your life really just begun, we are now saying good bye.
A few months ago, we met you and your herd of 12 miniature horses and donkeys, 8 females and 4 intact males. We took the 3 hour drive to meet the veterinarian, rounded up the wild herd and had some unplanned rodeo action because of being unhandled. We had everyone's coggins done and planned on getting you
and your herd mates to great homes.
You were pre-adopted to a very loving home. They chose the name Gentle Ben for you to start your new loving life.
The first 3 gelding procedures, done in the field, went well but when you were sedated, the vet said there was only one testicle. This meant you needed to have surgery to be gelded correctly and safely. It may cost 3 times a normal gelding but worth the cost to be safe. We have an abundance of experience with donkeys and realize how delicate they can be. Their vascular system can cause excessive bleeding, and like any surgery, anesthesia can be hazardous, in this case deadly. We scheduled the procedure with an experienced surgeon, Dr Elliott and assisted by Dr Gabriel
at Piedmont Equine Associates in Madison, GA.
I have total confidence in these doctors and we have
had many successful surgeries.
You were a little trooper walking onto the trailer. I was so proud of your progress. Your first trip in a trailer was more of a wrestling match but we patiently coaxed you in so you only had good experience from the day we took over your care.
I dropped you off for surgery and said good-bye not realizing it was our last good-bye. I anxiously waited for Dr Elliott to call when surgery was over and you would be in recovery. When I heard Dr Elliott's voice, I intuitively knew something was very wrong.
It was the anesthesia. They just couldn't bring you back. He apologized over and over and I knew his heart was
as broken as mine. It happens.
Surgery is always a risk and donkeys are a higher risk.
Now I have to share the terrible news with all the volunteers and supporters who loved and cared about you. You are now running free in greener pastures but our loss is still with us. It hurts. All the justification of how we brought you to a safe haven, showed you love and kindness doesn't take away the emptiness and sorrow we feel in our hearts. We wanted to give you a long, happy life full of love and kindness, instead we say good-bye.
www.SaveTheHorses,org
#WeAreRescue
#RIPSweetDonkey
2 comments:
RIP Sweetheart :(
I'm so sorry for your loss. It gives no closure; you CAN'T behave as if every goodbye is the last one, but sometimes that makes you miss the most important one.
Did you know veterinarians have a high suicide rate? https://time.com/5670965/veterinarian-suicide-help/
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