Second Post of the Day
Hokey was euthanized yesterday morning just before a major snowstorm and an Arctic front blew in. It was time. He never was quite the same after that lightning strike that took Abby and Two Socks. He hung out most of the time in the barn, he'd lost the sight in one eye, and was beginning to lose it in the other.
Belle on Sultanna, her son on Hokey, and Tim on Eazy this fall.
Very recently, he was walking slowly and painfully. With the storm coming in, and most especially the Arctic front, Tim did the merciful thing and had him put down.
We all knew it was coming. Tim had told me last summer that he was concerned about putting Hokey through another winter.
He had had a good long life. Tim got Hokey when he was a 3 year old and they were together 27 years - Hokey was 30! His registered name is Hokkaido - Tim and Loni's son was living in Japan at the time and they liked how it sounded. Eventually the name got shortened to Hoki and finally Hokey.
Hokey will be laid to rest next to Abby and Two Socks. I feel really, really good about that.
Here's a little walk down memory lane.
Hokey and Abby, just after I'd rescued her.
Lisa was very fond of Hokey. She joins Tim, Belle, and me as we grieve his loss.
A photo of Tim with Hokey and Sultanna taken last summer.
Hokey gave my family a lot of rides around the paddock. Lisa leading Curt,
and helping Kate during a Christmas visit with Cole spotting.
Trinity giving him a hug during a grooming session. Hokey didn't need to be tied - he'd just stand there and let the brushing begin!
With Sultanna at the gate, hoping for carrots.
Who knows what he was doing here! Big goof.
Holed up in the barn where he felt safe and secure just a few days after the lightning strike.
Sweet boy.
I received this poem shortly after Abby's death and shared it with Tim and Belle yesterday. It expresses the feelings I had then and that I still do. I thought it might help them find some solace.
We are all feeling the loss. Hokey was a connection to my Abby, and now he's not there anymore. It's like one of the last bits and pieces of Abby's life is now gone. But we all know that this was the kindest thing to do for him.
Rest easy, Hokey, and thank you for all the wonderful memories. You were a great horse.
What a good life he had! My thoughts are with you all.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to read your headline.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, this was one of the most difficult decisions for Tim to make. Also one of the the kindest.
RIP Hokey, you sweet old boy!
A beautiful tribute to.a beloved horse. Thank you for sharing him with us and love to all his people.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Hokey the horse that you rode (Lynn) when you wanted to get back up on a horse again? What a sweet boy. I'm sure he knew he was well loved.
ReplyDeleteYou have shared Hokey so well. Your love and kindness shows through, and even those who didn't know him well can see him plainly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice horse. I wonder if was hit by the lightning that night too. Your lovely tribute brought tears to my eyes. A good friend lost her cat today to an illness they had been treating and another friend is planning on saying goodbye to her old gelding next week. All so sad. 😞
ReplyDeleteOh, I haven’t had a good hard cry in a long time. My horse Lacey was also 30 years old when she passed. I’m so glad that Tim gave Hokey the best life he could have.
ReplyDeleteOh, my. Sorry to read of Hokey's demise, although it does sound like a wise decision that put the horse first.
ReplyDeleteThat poem- oof. I often feel bookmarked in the chapter with my cat Merlyn, over a year later.