Phoenix crossed the Rainbow Bridge

[Steelhorserider]

I rescued a senior draft mix from the kill pen on March 13, 2009. He was severly underweight, wormy, club footed and had been without hoof care for quite a long time. He was between 25-30 years, about 15 hands and a palomino under all the grime and hair. Deb and I nursed him for the past months, wormed him, trimmed his feet and watch him blossum into a very pretty boy with tons of personality. Deb actually took the first (and turned out to be the last) ride on him last week. We had named him Phoenix and had high hopes that he would have a great new life here with us.
Deb came home and found him down in the field and couldn't get him up. I was at the feed store and came home as soon as she called. She had gotten him up by the time I got home. He was having a very hard time standing--looked like he was going to fall over any second. We stayed with him for 1/2 hours and went into the house for 15 minutes to feed the dogs and change out of work clothes. I saw him down again from the window and called the vet. She called back and said it sounded like a severe colic. She took 45 minutes to get there and my poor boy was sweating up a storm, drooling and making sounds of pain. He only wanted to stand but would walk with me if I talked to him. Dr Miller said he looked like he had already ruptured and that there was really no hope for him so we did the only thing possible and send Phoenix over the Rainbow Bridge.
He was only with us for a short time, but he made a huge impact on our lives and hearts. It breaks my heart to hear Lakota and Skye calling for all night. He had a loving home for his last few months and I would do it all over again.
Sorry this is so long, but a piece of my heart went over the Bridge with my old man.

[Jump The Moon]

*hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss, you did an amazing thing rescuing him from certain death and prolonging his life as you did and making it so brilliant for him in the process. He'll always remember you and Deb as the people who loved him and nursed him back to health... though your time together may have been short, that's months more than he would have had and you made those months lovely for him and when the time came, you did what was best for him, and ended his suffering peacefully. *hugs* I'm sorry for your loss, but you did a great thing for that horse... you gave him another chance :)

RIP :(

[mare]

Sorry for your loss. I'm glad he had a happier last months of life because of what you did for him.

[oursarge]

I'm sorry. It's so sad. I am glad at least he had some happy times in his life but sure wish it was longer.

[natisha]

I'm sorry for your loss. There is some comfort in knowing you did all you could for him & he will never again be in the company of those who wronged him, as they will going to a different place.
May you heart be at peace.

[FatSpottedAppy]

I am so, so sorry.. I am sure he is extremely appreciative of what you had done for him in such a short time. RIP Phoenix. :(

[JennyandJosey]

So sorry for your loss. :( Thank you so much for what you did for him. You made his last few months good ones!

[WashingtonBay]

Oh no! - I'm so sorry.... But glad he was with you at the end.

[Petra]

I'm so sorry! He was lucky to have found you though.

[Gliderider]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[shewasmyshadow]

What a blessing you were to his old heart. Sounds like he was one very special horse. Rest in peace, dear sweet Phoenix.

[grandmadeb]

I am so sorry and I will say it for the umteenth time... I hate colic. God bless you for giving him some dignity.

[Horseaholic]

I am so so sorry. :( At least you gave him a happy last home...I'm sure he's running through the endless fields.

[gaited07]

I'm sorry for your loss. At least you found him and showed him what it is to have a good life.
Now that he is in heaven, he's enjoying the freedom and pain free life.

(((HUGS)))

[vicklynn]

Aww hon, Im sorry. Huge((HUGS))

[CircleR]

I'm so sorry for your loss. But he had a good end to his life just being with you! We have a senior too, and I dread the day when it will be his turn. Good owners know what they have to do, to ease the pain of a loved one in their care! God Bless!

[livaward]

Rest In Peace ol guy.....

[Remali]

So sad to hear of this. I am glad that you found him tho and he was able to spend some time with you living the good life.

[moka]

Oh, I am so sorry and can only say ditto to what everybody else said.

[cheval]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[JackieB]

I'm so sorry. Bless you for rescuing him and offering Phoenix so much love.

[Country Girl 43]

OH I hate these stories. :( Brings back my memories of the night we lost Ladybird.

I am so sorry for your loss. :cry: Hugs and prayers go out to you.

[Steelhorserider]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments and thoughts. I appreciate this forum and the people who are here when I need someone to lean on, even if just to express my thought about my old man. He left some big horse shoes to fill in the small time he was here with us. I have to be strong for Deb, so thanks for being there for me. You are most appreciated.

[Mountain Creek]

I'm so sorry for your loss Steelhorserider. I'm glad he was able to spend his last few months with you!

[Dakota Sunrise]

Awe, that is so sad.:cry: I am very sorry for your loss, but I'm glad that you rescued him and that his last days were happy ones spent with you. Rest in peace, Phoenix.

[Gypsy Rose]

I'm so sorry! At least Phoenix had a happy, comfortable life in his last days on earth.

RIP, Phoenix!

[shewasmyshadow]

I just thought that I'd share... My dream is to rescue my next horse from the kill pen. I feel there are horses in that pen that have no business being there. I wanna pull one out, rehabilitate it and then use it as a mascot for others too see and wish to do the same.

[carla]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Steel. What a blessing you were to him in his last few months... RIP, Phoenix. :(

[twofingers]

blessings

[42many]

I'm so glad he was able to have the opportunity to know you, and you him! RIP.

[SedonaThunder]

I am so very sorry for your loss. How wonderful though that he got experience such love and caring in his last few months... you did a fantastic thing. I feel certain that he will be waiting to thank you at the Rainbow Bridge - bless you for what you did.

[farmers_wife]

Oh my. That breaks my heart. I am so glad he got to spend his last few days with you. (((HUG))) to you and your family. You are a blessing.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

aahhh here is a hug for you and Deb((((((hug))))). You know that Phoenix left this world knowing that he was loved and useful in his life. They have such a way of showing what is important in life, don't they?

[valleyrider]

Steelhorserider, ((hugs))I am so sorry to here of the loss of your Phoenix. :(Just remember when you get sad, how happy and wanted you made him feel durring his last months on earth with you and Deb. You are both very special people and he was very lucky that you found him and gave him the love he deserved. RIP Phoenix

[pasolover]

I know it is a hard thing to get through. I am so glad he had such loving care until he went to the better place.

[JetLagaside]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss - how wonderful he had you 2 in his life these last few months.

[luvs2ride1979]

I'm so sorry to hear about Pheonix. It's always hard to lose a family member, no matter what their age. It's wonderful he found you though, so he could at least have a good life during his last few months.

[AdrenalineShowJunkie]

*hugs* I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure it was painful.