Letting go...Godspeed Biff

One of the hardest things that I do is euthanizing horses.  They aren't always mine.  Sometimes they belong to my boarders.  These horses are retired, old, have chronic pain, or other issues and when their owner says "it's time", I have to abide by their wishes.  I take comfort in knowing that the horses were loved and well cared for in their final months.

Today, I said Goodbye to Biff. 

I'm not sure what his registered name is or what his whole story is, I only know him as Biff.  He was a racing Standardbred and bears the scars of repeated attempts to keep him running.  When he couldn't race anymore, he was dumped at a low end auction.  He was rescued by Cathy and one other, then rehomed to Chelsea.  When he retired from riding, he came here to live his last year.  He is a character, very vocal at feeding time and has always been a really good boy.  I will miss him!

From Biff's mom, Chelsea: "Godspeed Biff. You were a saint with your 4 club feet, your pin fired scarred legs and 75 races to your name. People let you down your whole life until you ended up in a hellhole of an auction in Oregon tied to a fence waiting for the next round of suffering headed your way. When 2 crazy women showed up and were actually happy to see your scarred legs(they knew you were broke) and wanted you to turn around to see your face- you refused, too used to humans letting you down to believe your luck had changed. Well it did and for the last 6 years you have had everything you could wish for and then some. Warm blankets, full belly, custom shoes to help your tired broke down legs, vets to keep you healthy and people who loved you. I am not sure you ever loved any of us back, maybe you were too far down the road of crappy owners to really ever commit your heart to a human, but you were funny, and you were a trail eating machine and you even tolerated my attempt to get a broken down old Pacing Standardbred to chase cows. You gave me "the look" and were an ass when I wanted you to stand still so other people could take a turn, but you did it. You always reminded me to have a sense of humor, and I am happy your last year was spent with Karen Vermillion, away from Monkey, and with geldings you loved. I am sorry your legs and neurologic system were not as strong as your big brain and sense of humor. Godspeed."

Run the green pastures Biff, with the sun on your back and the wind in your mane.  Know that you were loved enough to be set free.

 

 

 

 

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush green meadow where time stands still,
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.

For here between this world and the next,
Is a place where beloved creatures find rest.
On this golden land they wait and they play
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.  
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They trot through the grass without even a care
Til one day they whinny and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes sharp and alert
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the herd.

For just at that instant, there's no room for remorse
As they see each other, one person, one horse.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,   
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They nuzzle with a love that will last forever,
And then, side by side, they cross over...together.

Author Unknown

Rest in Peace Biff