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Missing Fuzzy

Many of you are aware that I lost my horse, Flash, a few months ago. On the day he peacefully passed, I composed what is, in my opinion, the best-written and most heartrending work I’ve ever done. There were tears, yes, as I began writing his tribute within hours of the event, and yet as I wrote, I felt…peace. I still believe I was in some state of shock–the dreadful thing had happened, had come to pass–yet my mind was acting in self-preservation mode, to get things done. Writing is catharsis and writing my beloved Fuzzy’s eulogy proved extremely healing. I wanted to acknowledge every important little detail about the time we spent together, the happy memories made. And of course, the everlasting impressions this equine had not just on me, but on everyone, he knew.

I still, and will forever miss, my best, furriest, fuzziest friend. As I said in my eulogy, “I will miss (insert event/ feeling).” I still catch myself thinking, “I’ll go to the barn,” but then reality strikes quick, and a weight of sadness descends upon me…

BUT:

I take GREAT comfort in knowing that Flash spent his last summer on earth surrounded by family and friends, being spoiled every day with tons of treats and attention. I thought I’d spoiled my horse before but was it tenfold this summer? On top of receiving grain every day, he grazed on the lushest grass and ate carrots and apples smothered in molasses. I let him wander wherever he wanted, as he was always so curious, interested in his surroundings, and making new friends (be it human, equine, feline, or canine). As one of the girls who rode him said, “Flash reminds me of how older folks eat dinner, and then afterward go on a walk.” That was exactly it. As soon as he’d finished inhaling the last bit of feed, he’d start wandering somewhere, usually over to the “Hay Buffet” (the hay trolley), or to a patch of verdant grass. I’d follow him around, and it was both amusing and heartwarming to observe his wanderings. If he crossed paths with someone, he’d stop to say hello, and was often rewarded with kind pats and treats.

I miss my furry equine friend. I miss him every day. Yet in my sadness, there is one feeling absent—agony. I have no remorse, no regret, in choosing the why and how we let him go. Flash was old, 94 in human years (!), and had had a long and very, very happy life.

Choosing when and how to say goodbye to an animal friend is always extremely tough. What made it even more difficult was that Flash was still Flash: the happy, carefree, loving pony I’d always known. Mentally, he was all there. But physically he was declining. My dad and I used to joke that Flash looked like a “middle-aged guy with a gut”–slightly overweight at times, but very healthy. But Flash was shrinking, despite his great appetite. And no matter how much we fed him, nothing worked. Having been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease a few years ago, a disorder in which the pituitary gland overproduces cortisol (stress hormone), it is also possible there may have been tumors in other parts of his body. Regardless, Flash was old, and his time was limited. Mentally alert and intelligent as ever, yet his body was slowly failing. It was only a matter of time before something catastrophic happened: Flash collapsing, too weak to get up, in fear, and in pain.

Despite my constant care, Flash was not going to improve in the end. I couldn’t cure him. In late spring the vet looked him over and decided it was time to make that decision. I cried as she discussed why she thought it best, but I understood. She made it clear I could spend a few more months with my pony and spoil him rotten.

In those last months, I researched euthanasia, which means “kind death.” A form of lethal injection, most vets administer a sedative first so that the animal is made unconscious, unaware of what is happening. The lethal shot follows immediately after, taking less than a minute for the animal to slide from unconsciousness into death. There is no pain at all; it is the kindest, quietest way to go. More than once I’ve heard that euthanasia is the final and ultimate act of love, in choosing to have a beloved creature avoid any suffering.

In the minutes leading up to that final goodbye, my vet, assigned to administer the euthanasia…this makes me cry to write it…hugged me tight as I sobbed my heart out. She said, “Know that you will never have to worry about discovering him in his pasture, injured and in fear. Know you will never have to see him suffer, that he will never have to know pain.”

Somehow, my voice beyond raw, I replied, “He’s lived a long and extremely happy life.”

The vet looked me full in the face. “If only all animals could be so lucky.”

Amen.

-LMC

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Run Run Run

The tennis player who discovered running…photo courtesy of Buddy Bear

Yesterday I went on a 10 mile run, my first in a long time, and it was…delicious. Seriously, it was heaven.

I know, I know. For those who absolutely DESPISE running, you think we runners are INSANE. And in truth, we are.

Humans are bizarre creatures. After all, what creature exercises for fun? I remember those XC runners in high school, who proudly wore shirts that proclaimed, “Our sport is your sports’ punishment.” True dat. As a kid, I was never a big fan of running. Niether of my parents are runners, and on field day in elementary school, I was the slowest runner in my class. Every sprint, every relay, I was schooled. The taller, stronger, more athletically inclined kids crossed the finish line long before I had run past the first turn on the course.

I am, and will forever be, a tennis player. It’s the sport I’ve been playing since age 6, and continued all through my adolescence–USTA tournaments, practices, high school and college tennis. It’s only been the past few years that I haven’t been playing as much, but I never set aside my racquet for good. I still love tennis, it’s the sport I first identified with. Running came later–my college years.

I can tell you the exact day I discovered I actually LIKED running. 18 November 2010 was like any college day for me. Go to classes, have lunch before tennis practice. But instead of the usual 2 hr. tennis practice, it was a shorter one as the women’s team had to run 3 miles to raise money for the college tennis teams (our annual Runathon). I had never run 3 miles in my entire life. The days leading to the run, I was very nervous. Thoughts swarmed me: I’m never gonna make it, I’ll have to walk it, I’ll embarrass myself, I CAN’T RUN!

The day of, I told myself to do my best, whatever that meant. The course was city sidewalks in the middle of my small college town. As we all assembled in the parking lot next to the courts, my heart sped up. As our coach called go, we all started running up the first hill. Keep pace with the other girls was my thought, but I immediately realized something: they weren’t running competitively. Nope! They wanted to socialize instead, whereas I found myself wanting to break free of talking and running as a group; I wanted to a) run fast and b) run solely on my own. So I did. Quickening my pace, I soon found myself passing everyone and taking the lead. With my trusty iPod Nano blaring Crystal Castles in my ears, I flew away, rounding corners and speeding across town. I CAN DO THIS! This revelation reverberated through my being. I. CAN. RUN. And I realized I didn’t feel tired at all; my fitness from months of tennis and conditioning had come to fruition. I felt free and was having…fun! Fun while running! What a concept.

The last 3/4 of a mile were a gradual slope, and I flew down the hill at such a pace that a guy standing in front of his house cheered, “Go! Go! Go!” and waved his arms in the air. Encouraged, I sprinted the last quarter mile back to the tennis bubble: first one to finish!

My feet seemed to float as I walked into the tennis lobby, and my face and body felt aglow: my first runner’s high. Who knew running could make you feel soooo good? I was hooked—and for life.

I don’t remember the time I got, just that it was under 30 minutes (the time limit for us). Once the team started finishing, they looked at me in astonishment: “Dang, you were quick!” “I didn’t know you liked to run! Wish I did!” “You took off!” My tennis coach high-fived me: “Well done out there!” Uber-proud and content, I knew I had just discovered a lifelong passion.

~LMC

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CONFRONTING REALITY: VISITING THE BARN THE DAY OF

If you are wondering if I have been able to bring myself to the barn since Flash passed away (I still can’t bring myself to type that four letter word), the answer is yes. I went back the same day he was put to sleep. I never even thought I’d want to go back the same day, but I did. I needed to. Flash drew his last breath at approximately 9:17am; I went back around late afternoon, early evening. In the tidal wave of emotions accompanying the event, I’d left his feed bag and brushes from his last morning meal in the same spot we always fed him this summer, near his pasture gate. I figured no one would touch those things, but I wasn’t going to risk it. And like a magnet, I felt the equestrian center pulling me back. It honestly felt like a palpable current was tugging at me.

So I found myself walking the short distance down to the stables; it was as if my body, not my mind, was in control. I’d spent the majority of the hours after it happened pouring my soul out into his eulogy; it had to be perfect. And writing, it helped so much that day. I cannot stress enough how writing helped me heal, even on the very day of it all.

When I was done and I’d posted it on Facebook, I just had to go back. And as it is, where the euthanasia took place is right near where the walking path ends and where I step over a small fence marking barn property. Selecting this spot was a conscious decision; you don’t want someone unsuspecting to come upon euthanization, especially children. The barn manager and I talked beforehand and agreed this was the most discreet area to do it.

As I approached the fence, I felt caught in a world of “Before” and “After.” Before, I’d always crossed this fence on my way to see Flash, feed him, let him wander. Now, it was time to confront reality.

A few paces beyond the fence was where I had said “see you later” to my friend. I refused to say the word “goodbye” during my last talk with him. Gazing at the sandy ground, I could discern exactly where it had occurred.

I took a breath. Before I could stop myself, I sat on the very ground where Flash had taken his last breath, where his body had lain immediately once the euthanasia had done its swift job. I dug my fingers down into the scratchy earth, and began to cry. But I was quick to remind myself that Flash’s soul would not occupy this spot; he was elsewhere, everywhere. So in less than a minute, I was up and walking.

But I wasn’t just walking. My stride was purposeful, and I marched into the tack room. My locker was decorated with posters and flowers. My parents, cousin Nate, and Elizabeth and Madeline (who lovingly cared and rode Flash when I was away at school) had put these up that morning. I’d made two posters the night before, each with pictures of either Flash and I, or Madeline. One of these posters adorned my locker, the other was at the gate of Flash’s pasture.

I then walked over to Flash’s pasture, and immediately saw that a new horse had been put in. I’m not going to lie, I felt anger. It felt like Flash had just been…replaced. It was stupid, I know, but it hurt. And it didn’t help that this new horse was obnoxiously banging his hooves against the gate begging for attention.

Not only that, but the poster we’d taped to the fence was already on the ground, torn off by the wind, I guess. I did my best to dust it off, and re-taped it back on the fence. The flowers we’d left had also fallen over, so I re-arranged those too.

Ignoring the new horse, I walked to where Flash had had his last full meal. Bits of feed lay in the grass, and his brushes and hoof pick nearby. I’d cried as he ate that morning, knowing it was the last time I’d ever brush him, ever feed him, last everything. Once again, I just sat down, alternating between sadness and shock, but never agony. I FELT my boy’s spirit was, and is, at peace.

“Was it only just this morning?” I whispered softly, gazing at the foothills, where the morning sunlight had cast them into gold. In the late afternoon light, they were now a dark emerald green, and I marveled at how it could still be the same day. For five solid minutes, I was lost in my thoughts.

Some movement at the pasture gate caught my attention. Looking up, I saw Flash’s best friend, his pasture mate, a beautiful sorrel mare. The new horse was gone. The mare’s head hung low, so unlike her normal, bright expression. She looked, quite honestly, sad. As if she knew. I unlatched the gate and stepped in, and petted her silken mane and neck.

“Thank you for being a friend to my boy,” I told her. This whole summer, those two ponies often ate at the same feeder, and I often saw them standing together . Not once did I ever see them try to bite or kick each other. The mare was always happy to see me, and she was always content to hang out with Flash. I buried my face in her mane and hugged her tight, and didn’t let go for a few minutes. She stood still like a statue, the two of us mourning as I let myself cry. I am forever grateful for her kindness, and that moment we had together where we both acknowledged our loss.

~LMC

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WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM: VISITING FUZZY’S FINAL RESTING PLACE

Written the day after Flash’s passing…

Yesterday I went to visit my boy. He’s up in the mountains resting peacefully “where the buffalo roam.” This is not an exaggeration. A small herd of bison actually do live in the large meadow where he slumbers. Not only that, but three white buffalo, extremely rare creatures and a scared symbol for the plains Indians, are among those safeguarding the final resting places of Fuzzy and so many other beloved equines. Visiting this place brings me great comfort and peace. I couldn’t dream of a better place for my dear friend to be; it is so beautiful and serene. We do not know the exact spot where he rests, but using binoculars my parents and I scanned the field and found some spots that appear like freshly churned earth. There is one spot in particular by the lake that borders the fence that looks especially fresh. Right in front of us, the entire herd passed this spot on their way to drink and cool off in the water…I’d like to think this is the spot where Fuzzy sleeps…Regardless, his spirit now runs free amongst the buffalo.

~LMC

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FUZZY: A TRIBUTE

Keeping with the nouns that start with “r” theme, one of the descriptions of myself in this blog I use is “Rider” as in horseback rider. I love horses. They are a part of my life. I want to share this piece I wrote two months ago…

FLASH

“When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spine…you know you are loved.” –John Lyons

Flash—Flashykins, FlashBash, Fuzzball, Super Flashy, most beloved, beautiful, kind Fuzzy—I love you, my sweet, furry chestnut boy. And I want to thank you. For everything. From the way you always trotted up to the gate whenever you saw me, to your patience and understanding as I learned to ride, to how you would always nudge me with your velvet nose, you were always there for me. When I say I had a ridiculously happy childhood, I’m not kidding. You’re one of the integral reasons why. I was 11 when I first met you, a bespectacled, gap-toothed kid. At 25, the glasses and the gap are gone, but my adoration and love for you remain constant as ever.

You had the kindest, most soulful and beautiful eyes of any horse I have ever seen. I mean it. Looking into your eyes felt like looking into your very soul. The bond we forged and will always have lives in the very core of my being, and is part of the legacy of your long and marvelous life. I remember winning our 1st blue ribbon together like it was yesterday. Your patience and compassion towards everyone, especially with young children, cannot be surpassed. I will always remember your days with Picnic with the Ponies, the way you would tenderly baby the kids you were carrying on your back. I can’t even begin to count how many people your kindness of heart and gentle spirit touched. You brought everyone together, from the most experienced horsemen to individuals who’d never been around horses, and made each and every one of us laugh and smile. Last night was a prime example of that.

I’ll miss seeing you waiting at the gate, so excited to see me that you’d be pacing around and tossing your head, like a little kid. I’ll miss being able to brush your coat which felt like suede, or braiding your mane and tail with Miss Madeline. I’ll miss leading you around the arena with a youngster aboard, showing them they have nothing to fear. I’ll miss slipping onto your back to ride the smoothest lope. I’ll miss riding in the warm summer rain. I’ll miss watching you toss hay into the air and knocking over your feed bucket, you were quite the messy eater! I’ll miss the way you always managed to slobber me with your nose, and the way you’d lick my hands and arms like a dog. There was no walking away from the barn with clean clothes, no sir! I’ll miss talking to you, how you’d direct one furry ear my way, hearing what I had to say with no judgement. And I’ll certainly miss the nighttime escapades we had at the barn these past weeks, watching you roam around the equestrian center, no lead rope needed, with Basil the barn cat and the Rascals (barn raccoon family) close by. It was peaceful to see you so happy just cruising around, day or night, stopping to say hi to whoever crossed your path. This last summer with you is a gift I will cherish forever. This, and so many other memories, will stay with me to my dying day.

To those who made Flash possible in our lives: thank you. Joanna: it is because of your kindness and generosity that Flash came into my life. You sure found a gem in Flash, an incredible and freakishly intelligent equine! I cannot thank you enough.

Dionne: you truly took my riding skills to the next level (and beyond) with your patience and dedication, and my memories of our riding lessons and Picnic with the Ponies summers with Flash will stay with me forever.

C. Family: Flash and my family are so lucky to know such a wonderful and loving family. It makes me so happy to know Flash became friends with and was looked after in his golden years by a compassionate girl, Madeline, and her equally kind mom, Elizabeth. Thank you for the care you lovingly spoiled my boy with; know he is very grateful in return.

And last, but certainly not least:

Mom, Dad: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. For everything. You made horses happen in my life, and I am forever grateful. Dad: thank you for helping me tack up Flash when I was too little to lift the saddle up, and for watching me ride. Mom: like Spencer said, you are “Flash’s Mom.” Knowing you had no background with horses, it was so incredible and special for me to see you bond with Flash. It is because of your guys’ continual support, encouragement, and love that we all have come to be blessed with knowing the friendly, beautiful, patient and kind spirit that is FLASH, our beloved FUZZY, which leads me to finally say:

We are all so honored for having known you Fuzzy. The happiness, joy, memories, and fun you brought to us all is your legacy, as is your pure heart and soul. You are and shall always be an integral part of my life and my very identity, Fuzzy. Eternal thanks and kisses, my friend. You shall forever be my bestest, furriest, fuzziest friend! As Elizabeth wrote, “I have known several horses in my life, but none as well or as deeply as you.” It is the same for me, also. You didn’t just teach me how to ride: you taught us all patience and kindness with your pure character, too. Run free in Heaven my friend, where there are no fences, no gates, no corrals, no pens: you are free to wander wherever you please and eat the sweetest grass. You are my childhood, and your spirit resides in my heart and soul forever. Thank you for 15 wonderful years together. I love you Fuzzy.

~LMC

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NIGHT MUSE IS BLOGGING…

WOOT WOOT I’M ON A BLOG 🙂 But please note, alas:

My artistic muse never fails to show up in the wee, early morning hours (12:53am to be exact). Oops. THIS HAPPENS. A LOT. Not all the time, no. Whether it be writing, drawing, painting (usually watercolors), coloring, etc., this often happens at night. I can’t count how many times I’ve stayed up till at least 3-4am working on some creative project. Truth be told, my artistic muse can be, frankly, a b%&*%! Always showing up at the most inconevenient hours…or maybe not. I’m a night owl by nature, and if it’s a beautiful day, I’d much rather be outside—you guessed it—running. Hence part of the title of this blog. Cool stuff.

May I point out: I never stayed up that late in college while working on essays, speeches, sufriendo los examenes (from the Spanish phrase “sufrir un examen” or literally “to suffer an exam”). When it comes to personal, free time projects, I let the night muse direct me, versus my academic, get-it-done self.

I’d write more, but I’m ready to turn in (I spent some time polishing up the format of this blog). I look forward now to the actual writing portion. Stay tuned, let’s see what the night owl muse will start cranking out…

-LMC