It started out beautifully. I woke up late (there were a LOT of fireworks and gunshots at midnight), saw color out our window, and jumped up to capture this:
As you can see, it was a gorgeous day and I took Jackson along. He was excited to be included, but taking him was a mistake. As we headed up the final hill he lagged, and tonight he is clearly feeling it, walking like an old man. Poor puppy; I won't do that to him again – and feel bad that I did it to him today. Hard to accept that my best doggo is getting older. 😞
I putzed around until noon, waiting and wondering about the day's plans. Getting on my horse on New Year's Day is my one firm tradition (I'll also eat black-eyed peas if I can), and a friend and I wanted to ride together if possible. Once I got the 'all clear' from the family, I headed to my friend's place to ride there.
We were enjoying good conversation, good horses, and great weather when something happened. I was in front, and then my friend's horse came up alongside – riderless. I whipped my head around to see her laying on the gravel drive....
Tonight my friend is in trauma intensive care with serious injuries, and I am beside myself. Mts. Hood and Jefferson glowed in the evening light as I neared home with Lance, but they could not elevate my mood. I don't know if I'll get to those other posts that were percolating; right now my heart isn't in it....
16 comments:
Oh NO! Michelle, fingers crossed and some heartfelt prayers for your friend. Hugs all around. We/ve had decent results with Pentosan injections weekly for Jack. We refer to it as his joint juice. Don't know if it would offer up any help for Jackson but it isn't terribly costly to give it a whirl.
Oh, Michelle, I’m so sorry. What a nightmare. I hope your friend will be OK. Do they think she might have had a seizure or stroke and fallen? Absolutely not the way you wanted to start this new year. Thankfully you were there to call 911 for your friend.
Oh, that is terrible! Such a nice day and such a hard ending. Hoping she will recover without too many problems.
Aging pets are so very heart breaking. Their lives are just too darn short. Cuddle that old pup and enjoy them at this stage of life. They are the sweetest then. I love old dogs the best because they are so dear.
Oh gosh, that must have been terrible for you. Prayers for your friend's recovery. Not a good start for the New Year - let's hope it only gets better from now on. xx
Fat Dormouse
Like the others, I'm wondering what in the world happened to your friend. If she had gotten thrown off (something frightened her horse), would you have heard the scuffle? Please let us know more when you can. A true trauma for you and your friend.
Do you think frequent, shorter walks and exercise would help Jackson once his stiffness goes away! It's so hard to know the best for our aging pets as they can't communicate the way we wish.
Oh, dear! Thoughts and prayers for your friend. And for you.
Oh, no, Michelle! How awful! I hope she recovers fully, and soon. Holding you both in my thoughts - and thank you for the sun shine. We have seen so little of it here. Hugs to you, my dear.
Oh, I am so sorry about your friend!! I am praying for her complete healing. I thought her horse might have spooked and threw her. However it happened, God is right there with her in that hospital bed, and he will never leave or forsake her.
I'm praying for you, too, my friend. I know your heart is heavy.
Theresa, I haven't noticed any mobility issues with Jackson before, so I think it was just too much all at once. I'm giving him the CBD treats; he's some better this morning.
A, my friend was able to communicate that her mare got frisky. And I didn't call 911; she asked me to go get her husband and their electric cart, with which we carefully transported her back down the driveway to their house, and then he drove her to the hospital while I took care of her horse (and mine)
Elaine, between worry over my friend and guilt for taking Jackson on much too long a walk, it was an emotionally exhausting day, and the stress continues.
Alison, keep praying. My friend has a long recovery ahead.
Mama Pea, I didn't hear anything until her horse hurried up beside us. She did whisper later that her mare had gotten frisky; not mean, just frisky. All us horsewomen know there are risks; I just hope this accident doesn't end her saddle time for good. As for Jackson, I think shorter walks would be fine, like to the mailbox and back (0.4 mile total instead of three miles).
Thank-you, FFG. (By the way, your blog won't let me comment, but I'm still following and reading!)
Susan, yes, at least the weather has led us gently into the new year....
Mokihana, not a spook, just frisky. Keep praying (and thank-you for them); waiting for an update this morning.
Praying! What a frightening, traumatic experience. Praying for you and for God's healing touch on your friend.
So sorry to hear of this. It's never good to experience a fall from a horse, but at our age, it can change things dramatically. Hope she pulls through with no long-term side effects - physical or mental. :(
Poor Jackson! The heart is willing, but the body is waning. Do you think the CBD helps? CBD oil was recommended as something for us to try with Ruby, for her anxiety episodes that seem to happen all too frequently these days.
We certainly don't bounce anymore, Lorie! I haven't been able to tell that the CBD treats help either Jackson or Dozer (Dozer was the impetus for getting them when they were recommended by a friend) but I have them and figure I might as well use them up.
Prayers to your friend. Hope she heals quickly and is able and willing to get back in the saddle. Every time I get on I wonder if... but you and I both know we can't live like that. Hang in there and take care of yourself.
Michelle, I'm so sorry about what happened to your friend! I'm praying for her complete recovery, and also for you - that you will be able to be strong. I know how it can be when a dear friend is hurting. Please let her know that a lot of people are lifting her in prayer...
Prayers for Jackson, too! It's hard when our furbabies suffer.
Oh Dear! I hope all goes well. At least you were riding together when it happened.
So sorry to hear of your friends riding accident. Sounds really scary. Hope she's ok.
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