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| credit: Kate Palmer |
The day every animal lover dreads: the day you say goodbye.
Megan was definitely lead mare of the little
herd, long before Tilly worked herself into that position. She had been ill for
some time, but this day, she went down. It had been obvious to Megan's owner
that day was different, so she was turned out on her own, in a field next to
the one normally shared with other mares.
The vet was called, and Megan collapsed
in the field. I had no idea I was about to see clearly, perhaps for the first
time, no ordinary pony had entered my life. The moment Megan went down, Tilly
raised her head. She crossed the field, began to pace and trot the fence again
and again, calling to Megan constantly. The other mares looked up, but carried
on with their grazing. Minute upon minute passed; it seemed a very long time.
Megan didn't stir, and Tilly wouldn't let up.
Suddenly, something remarkable
happened. Megan lifted her head. She answered Tilly softly. She did this
several times before finally struggling to her feet. Somehow, she managed to
walk, then trot to the fence, where Tilly waited and encouraged her with quiet
nickering. Reunited, Megan and Tilly spent time nuzzling each other, and
something passed between them they both seemed to understand.
Megan returned to her chosen spot and lay
down once more. Tilly seemed satisfied and walked away to graze, but she was to
mourn three weeks, because Megan never got up again.
4 comments:
Again, my fault entirely, photo by Kate Palmer.
So very sad and moving
Ah, thankyou Ann. There wasn't a dry eye on the yard 😥
Beautifully observed Irena and very touching.
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