RIP my dear Shelby

Some of you may already know a bit of history with my girl Shelby. We have been treating her heaves since September 2019. Over the past month and a half she had 2 flare ups even on her maintenance dose. We followed vet instructions and both times she seemed like she was fine. In fact, we were tapering her down still as she just had a flare up last weekend. She had an episode of colic in late August of this year as well. Summer time was always a struggle because of her allergy to bugs. She had the best of fly sheets and treatment. We have always done everything the vet told us to. If something happened we called the vet. They came out when needed. I paid everything I needed to in order to keep her healthy. I bought her senior grain plus Purina Enrich to try and help her keep her weight. 

She seemed to be responding to the latest regimen of her oral steroid to deal with the flare up. She was breathing fine. Everything seemed fine. Saturday during the day she was fine. Saturday evening when my sister fed grain she was fine. Sunday morning about 15 minutes after I woke up I received a call from my sister(board my horses at her farm). She had bad news. Shelby was laying in the shelter lifeless. I rushed to get a hoodie and boots on and make the 12 minute drive. I called my mom(lives 2 minutes from my sister) and told her what my sister had told me. She got in her truck and drove over there. The drive out seemed to take forever. I struggled to keep my eyes free of tears so that I could see. When I got there we walked to the shelter together. There she lay. There was no sign of her having struggled to get up. The ground around here was left undisturbed. This indicates that it was very unlikely colic. It was obvious by her body that it must have happened early in the night. It looks as if she just lay down and went to sleep. Shelby had no obvious injuries, she had no discharge anywhere, nothing seemed amiss.  My sister dug through the hay to see if she found anything out of the ordinary but it was fine. My gelding Valentine who was in the same pasture was fine. They ate the same hay and the same grain...

And so, we began the braiding of her mane and tail. I stroked her neck and told her that I love her and I told her I was sorry. 

Thankfully they prepare for winter animal deaths in summer and already had a set up for cremation for her. 

I collected my braids and her halter and lead rope and drove home. I sat in my driveway dreading have to tell my kids. It was rough. My two oldest boys hugged me and my youngest cried with me. Yesterday I was in bed most of the day. Unable to function at a proper level. Today my eyes are swollen from the crying. I still don't understand why. I feel that life will just never be the same again. My dear sweet girl. She was the horse I could pull out and have someone who had never seen a horse up close stand next her and hand them a brush and say 'There you go'. She was perfect. She was everything you want in an equine companion. She will always remain a part of my heart. 






This group of people(EV) are the first I thought of to seek comfort in. You all make this place feel like home. 

Last edited on 2020-11-16 at 09:31:47 by Olympea

I am so, so sorry for your loss. It sounds like the two of you were very close, which always makes loosing animals, especially horses even harder. My door is always open if you need someone to talk to. ♥

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you & your family. Its horrible when our equine pals pass on. 

I think a lot of us on EV know how it feels and although no words can give you comfort right now as its much much too raw, try be kind to yourself because you did EVERYTHING you could to provide Shelby with a improved quality of life until the end. Its difficult to manage long term medical issues and you tried all you could. 

Sometimes its just the "right" time for our pals to leave us and it sounds like she might have unconsciously known this. I think animals do sorta know when its their time. Be consoled she was at peace when she died, which is a blessing. It will take time for the pain to lessen & even I can now get teary eyed over my own loss some 12 years ago so don't be hard on yourself re being able to function properly.   

I am so so very sorry for your loss! I remember you sending me pictures and telling me all about Shelby and I always ♥ when you'd talk about her and send me pictures of her! Reading this, made me tear up because it seems that not too long ago it was me in your position when Leroy had to be put down. 
Again, I am so so very sorry for your loss of Shelby! Rest in peace sweet girl! ♥ ♥

And you know that my inbox is ALWAYS opened if you want to chat!! I am here for you girl anytime that you need someone ♥ ♥ 

I am so so sorry for you loss! I can't believe how much sadness you are feeling right now! We just lost a kitten last spring, and that was sad enough. I don't know how you can be so strong after losing your best friend and companion! She will always be there looking down on you from heaven! I hope you know that everyone is here for you! Feel free to contact us!
Rest in Peace Beautiful Angel!!!
Know that she passed peacefully, with no signs of struggle or pain! We are all here for you! ♥ ♥

Thank you so much for all your kind words. I can hardly function. I can't stop thinking about it. Saturday we were approved for a new rental house with a fenced in back yard and we were all so happy and excited because we have been looking for 2+ years to move. Now, I'm looking forward to getting out of the duplex we are in but I feel no excitement. I am still in a state of disbelief. Where every time I picture the scene in my head I just...I can't believe this is really happening. I went to sleep Saturday night excited and happy and I had 3 horses...shortly after waking up Sunday morning learned that I now have 2 horses. Every time I lose a beloved companion I think it can't possibly get worse. That it is supposed to get easier each time. It just doesn't. It never gets easier. It never hurts less than the time before. 

Your condolences, messages I have received here EV, and on discord from some such a wonderful group of people is very touching. Again, thank you. 

I'm sorry to hear about your lovely girl. It always hard to lose an animal, but I'm glad she had a peaceful end and what has always sounded like a great life. 

It's definitely okay to still be sad, it'll take as long as it takes and sometime still comes back to hit you again later. But as the vet told me when we lots the boys last year, "bobtailed horses go to heaven". So here's to your lovely lady and the great years she gave you and the people before.

I'm so sorry for your loss, it's always hard losing a furry member of the family. Hugs. ♥

I'm sorry for your loss, Olympia!  I've lost at least three/four horses throughout my lifetime before and it's hard, I know.  But we can't change the past, sadly, so I normally spend time sitting out in the field with my horses a lot and just talk to them and that tends to help me.

Oh no! She is so pretty, I am so sorry to hear she has passed. If you ever need anyone to talk to I am always available. I hope you are ok :)