Okay, Listen Here

Okay, Listen Here

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Casper - the Friendly Horse


When Allah created the horse, he said to the wind, 'I will that a creature proceed from thee. Condense thyself.' And the wind condensed itself, and the result was the horse. -- King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry, 1948

Nothing in the world is as beautiful as a horse running in the wind, free just as God or Allah made him. I have always loved horses since I was old enough to follow them around in the pasture and scare my mother to death. Their form and their beauty is noble and wondrous. Nothing can compare.

Even the ugliest of horses has his merit. Meet Casper, the friendly horse.




Poor Casper, when looks were being given out, he must have been hiding behind the door. A purebred Appaloosa, he is what is called tick-seeded because of the gray dots under his white hair. He’s a tad overweight and doesn’t like to move too quickly. But when God was handing out good dispositions, this horse got a double helping. Gentle and patient, he is the only horse we own that I feel comfortable letting non-horse people ride. He seems to understand that he has a job to do – teach these people to love horses.




Casper joined our family about three years ago. His previous owner, sure that he was foundered, had made the decision to have poor Casper euthanized. He was being boarded with us and I had grown to love his gentle, easy nature. When I heard what was to be his fate, I immediately offered money for him which was gladly accepted. I was left with a lame horse but I didn’t think he was beyond redemption. Foundered means that the blood supply to the coffin bone in the hoof has been compromised and the bone turns causing the hoof to drop off from the leg. (Barbaro was put down because he foundered after breaking his leg in the Preakness). A horse this kind surely deserved a chance. The old saying - One white foot, buy a horse; two white feet, try a horse; three white feet, look well about him; four white feet, do without him – wasn’t even being considered by me. Casper has four white hooves but I couldn’t do without him. White hooves are not as strong as black ones and can cause the horse a lot of trouble. I had his hooves x-rayed and the coffin bones were fine – no founder. After a year of corrective shoeing, Casper could run and cavort with the other horses in the pasture.

If you look closely at him you can see that early in his life he suffered some sort of severe trauma to his neck.




The vet seems to think that a stallion must have grabbed him by the neck, leaving some serious indentations. Those dips are deep but he doesn’t care. Casper isn’t worried about being a beauty. He only worries about when he is going to eat again or get his head rubbed.

So you see, Casper has had some tribulations in his life but he has kept a good outlook. A gentle soul. When I noticed the other day that there were some small lesions in his right eye, I immediately called the vet. There are so many infections that can blind a horse; I knew treatment was imperative. I never expected the vet to examine the horse and then give me the LOOK. I’ve seen that before - three times before three horses died. I bit my bottom lip and asked what the vet thought these were. Squamous cell carcinoma. This is a cancer that is common in Appaloosas, especially white ones. Only a biopsy could tell if this was what Casper had. I set up the biopsy for today, Tuesday October 11th. The results won’t be back for a few days. If it is cancer, they will remove the eye. If it hasn’t spread, Casper may be all right. If it has metastasized, he will only live around a year or so. I dread the results.

As I sit and wait for the boys to take him to the vet, I wonder why I do this to myself. Why do I have pets? But, a wiser person than me said something one time that makes me glad that I saved Casper – Without knowing him, I would never have known his love. So today, please remember Casper – he deserves it.

14 comments:

  1. Cheryl, do you do it because you love them. Simple as that. When you choose to have animals, you're taking on the responsibility of giving them the best life possible, just as if they were children. You've done that. I pray it's nothing and Casper continues to live the good life, but if the news is bad, then you still know you've loved him and given him a good life, which is the best anyone, animal or human, can ask for. I've been in your position. It's hard. I've cried buckets. It's part of life.

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  2. It's so hard to have make that decision. Over the years we've learned to ask ourselves two questions when faced with the sad decision:

    I am I keeping him alive for himself or for me?
    Is the through being a cat?

    Hope Casper is okay.

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  3. You are right Maven Linda. I only do this because of a great love for these creatures. They give me such peace and happiness. I know I fuss sometimes about having to deal with the small things but it it like a mother fusses - we do it with love. It is just so hard because he is such a gentle animal. Sometimes I can swear he understands me when I talk to him. Thank you for your comment.

    Jean, when the vet told me the possibility of this being cancer, I said the same thing to myself. I won't keep him alive to make me feel better if he is suffering. Unfortunately I did that once with a horse and I regret it. I won't cause another one to suffer because I can't let go with grace. I love them all too much sometimes and it breaks my heart but I will do the right thing should I have to. Thanks for the good wishes.

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  4. Aw, Cheryl, hugs! Your love for Casper shines through. I hope it's good news, but if it's not, I know that you have already done right by him because you gave him a chance. I really, really hope the news is good. Hugs.

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  5. Thanks Lynn. I have told the vet to call my husband. I seem to take the news better coming from him. My vets (there are five in the group) know how upset I get and I think they understand. It's just so hard to accept bad news. I am keeping good thoughts today and I am sincerely hoping it's just some strange infection. Casper got watermelon last night for dessert - his favorite!

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  6. Aww, I'll be praying for your horsey.

    I understand the anxiety. I've had so many pets since childhood, and the emotional attachment runs deep. Even with the less intelligent ones. If they can express affection, they worm their way into your heart.

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  7. Cheryl,
    I think you are right to keep positive thoughts! After all, it can't hurt!

    You and Casper are in my thoughts!

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  8. Oh, Cheryl! I'm praying that Casper will get a good diagnosis. Blessings to you for the wonderful way in which you step forward to care for those in need, especially animals.

    There is something about looking into a creature's eyes. There's a link there, a connection to something higher than ourselves. We're tasked to care for animals. In that caring comes great appreciation for the breed and great love for a friend.

    I recently had to say goodbye to a friend (three in the past 2 years). What more can you do than love with all of your heart, and then step aside when the time comes to allow that wonderful spirit to ascend to a better place.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and Casper!

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  9. Hey RP thanks for the prayers! I know, I have lost many loved ones, pets, through the years. It never gets easier. My son even had hermit crabs which he kept for seven years and those things knew him. Animals all have the capacity to give and receive love.

    Thanks Stephanie. I am going to be positive. Thanks for remembering Casper!

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  10. Thank you Katherine. Casper needs a good word to the Big Man in Charge. Gentle souls like him and like your Mr. Billington are hard to come by in this world. I would hate to lose him. I know you have had a rough time of it with the loss of your pets. And yes, I believe all these animals will be waiting for me when I pass; nuzzling me for a treat.

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  11. I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of you. Those are difficult options to choose among. I hope the results are positive for good news! Sounds like Casper could use the break with all his other tribulations he's endured.

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  12. Thanks Betty! I appreciate all positive thoughts! Casper does deserve a break! How did your dog do with the heartworm treatments? I've worried about it but never heard. Thanks for dropping by!!

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  13. We saved a dog several years ago that required almost more care than was possible to put his broken body back together. But his sweet, sweet disposition has made it all worth while. Then a few years ago he fell to a mysterious illness that dragged him to a mere shadow of himself while we waited for test results. Treatment eventually worked and he is again a lolloping, funny dog who has lived many years longer than was predicted. My hope is that Casper will enjoy beating the odds as well. It's hardest to part with the 'good ones'.

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  14. How wonderful for that dog! He was so lucky to have found you and your family! We do go the extra mile for our pets - they give us unconditional love. I hope Casper does beat the odds and that the vet (who is wonderful) is completely wrong. Thanks for the good wishes, Cathy!

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