ED, an old boy struggling to make it through winter.
Our temperatures are starting to plummet as an arctic storm takes over.
He is a thoroughbred, which means he has thin skin and thin hair and has been struggling to keep the weight on. His vet checks are clean, teeth look good, he's been de-wormed...
His mom said he has been "off" for the past week and wasn't sure what to do.
She asked me to connect with him and see if it was time to say goodbye or if he wanted to try and make it through the storm.
She is hoping to bring him home in one week and wanted me to pass that message on to him.
This was his response...
"I'm not quite ready to go yet. I know it pains my mom to see me like this but it's not as bad as it looks, I can withstand the weather. It is cold though. I know it's not quite time yet. I want to try and make it home."
Though he isn't ready to say his goodbyes yet...the time is approaching and he had a few requests.
He asked that his mom spend quiet time, alone with him. He wanted to have a photo shoot with her so she could have a nice picture of the two of them for her wall.
He also asked that she leave something with him, something special.
He sent me an image of a feather. She knew exactly what he was talking about. The feather in his mane is a special feather they found together that she has kept for years.
She sent me a text the following day after my conversation with Ed and she said he looked much brighter and he was ready for his photo shoot! :)
It is such an honor to be able to check in with your companions as they near the end of their physical life.
Together we can answer those questions that constantly run through our minds and have that peace of mind.
How many of you have been in this situation and would have liked to have those answers? Peace of mind and honoring the wishes of our companions is PRICELESS.