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Post by Julie on Jun 22, 2010 17:40:29 GMT -6
I've lost too many dogs over the years, but this one is SO hard to write about. We lost our big boy, our young man, our Peter Pan three weeks ago in a riding accident. I had been training for a road trial which is a competitive event where Dalmatians run with a horse (or horse and carriage), and are judged on obedience exercises and endurance. Anyway, I was out riding with Simi and Peter and they were hocking which means they are running in a specific position beside the horse. Here's a picture of Simi hocking.  Peter was closest to the horse and Simi was running beside Peter on his left. There was high grass to the right of me and the horse, and without warning, some birds flew up from the grass right beside us. From there on, everything happened so fast it was just a flash. The horse shied to the left, then whirled, and bolted. I don't know for sure if Peter got kicked or run over. I was just trying to not get thrown off the horse. I was able to get him to the vets, but the injury to his head was severe and we made the decision to put him down. It was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do with any of my animals. It wasn't anyone's fault, just a horrible HORRIBLE accident. Peter would have turned 4 years old in September. Fly with the angels, sweet boy. I miss you soooo much. CH Hattrick N RiverRd's Gotta Fly RA (Peter Pan) Sept. 23, 2006 - June 2, 2010 |
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Post by michellec on Jun 22, 2010 18:18:04 GMT -6
Hugs to you, Julie.
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Post by susan w linden on Jun 22, 2010 19:30:18 GMT -6
Having riden horses for twenty-nine years I can understand how fast things can go wrong. My horse Sundance got into a nest of yellow jackets years ago and took off bucking and racing to get away from them. I slowed him down enough to bail off and rolled. But I came to a pretty fast stop when I sat up at the end of the roll and I guess my brain bumped my skull and I got a mild concussion. I had a good helmet on but it won't protect you from a fast stop.
Two things spook horses very quickly, birds flying up and the snort and foot stamp of a deer. Both of those freak them out, even the best of them.
Sadly, my step-son lost his beloved dog Bandit to an accident with a horse a few months back. Like you he is not sure if Bandit got kicked or stepped on. He found him in the pasture the next morning. He had brought Bandit back with him from being out west when he was only in his twenties so Bandit was getting older. He met us at Huntington Beach just below Myrtle Beach and Bandit was just a ball of fuzz about eight weeks old.
Peter was a special boy. He will be missed for sure.
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Post by lynndar on Jun 23, 2010 8:06:50 GMT -6
Julie,
Again, I am so sorry about Peter. It is hard to lose one after years of companionship, but I think it is sometimes harder when you've only had them a short time.
May the days and weeks ahead ease your pain and the wonderful memories you have give you comfort.
Hugs to you and yours.
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Post by Julie on Jun 26, 2010 18:42:21 GMT -6
Thank you, Michelle, Susan and Lynnda. I appreciate the sympathy so much. I miss my boy so much. Crystal had one of her graduation pictures done with Peter and she even brought it on vacation. So I see him everyday and it still brings a tear to my eyes. This will take a long time to get over. It was just too tragic.
Julie
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Post by susan w linden on Jun 27, 2010 0:08:06 GMT -6
Julie, Don't be concerned if you can't totally get over the loss of Peter. I lost my horse Pepper in the barn fire twenty-one years ago as of April 14 of this year. I will never get over that because he was murdered in that fire.
But one day at a time I am able to focus more on the wonderful memories we made together and less on that one tragic, horrible, awful day. He was so much more than that one day.
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Post by dottydog on Jun 27, 2010 7:05:07 GMT -6
Hi Julie, this must have all been so upsetting for you.What a terrible accident and to lose such a young boy with no warning must come as a terrible shock to the system. I hope you feel better soon.
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Post by jakester on Jun 27, 2010 10:09:23 GMT -6
Julie, I was so sad to hear about Peter. It's so hard to lose a loved one, especially so unexpectedly. But I know that God will bring his peace to you and your family. My best wishes for you and yours.
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Post by Julie on Jun 27, 2010 12:20:12 GMT -6
Thanks dottydog and jakester. Before we left on vacation, the house seemed so quiet, even with 6 other dogs in the house. Peter was such a PRESENCE. I think the only board people that have met Peter are Susan, Amy, D'Leosmom (Jane) and maybe obeddal (Becky). Although Lynnda and Jennifer were both at the national specialty this year, I think Peter was in the room when I met them.
And even though I'm missing him dreadfully, I AM having a good time in Florida. But it sure is HOT here!!!
Julie
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Post by chris on Jun 27, 2010 18:51:17 GMT -6
Julie and I talked a lot about Peter. There should be not second guessing, it was an accident. You are just very lucky that you did not get thrown and break something...
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Post by Julie on Jun 27, 2010 19:58:20 GMT -6
Julie and I talked a lot about Peter. Actually I was quite proud of the fact that I didn't dissolve into a sobbing, babbling mass of protoplasm although I did have to fight the tears a couple of times. Julie |
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Post by Bemo on Jun 28, 2010 5:59:53 GMT -6
Hugs to you Julie! I'm so sorry about Peter. He is good company, everyone was waiting to welcome him.
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Post by Julie on Jun 28, 2010 19:49:37 GMT -6
Hugs to you Julie! I'm so sorry about Peter. He is good company, everyone was waiting to welcome him. Thanks, Bemo. Maybe Peter and Zeus are playing together. It's nice to think it could be true. Julie |
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