After reading several posts of FB riding friends, having to make THE hardest decision of having animals (particularly equine)...I couldn't go to sleep last night, without putting these words to paper...I've written poetry since the age of 7 and when "the" words come to mind, I HAVE to get them out or I can't complete whatever I was doing...the start of this poem happen to come to me a little after midnight, AFTER I had gone to bed...I fought getting up for awhile, but there wouldn't have been any sleep, had I not got up!! Got it finished in about 15 minutes...I hope no one minds me sharing...

WHAT WILL I SAY...
Written by: Sharon Anderson
8/1/2015...1:00 am

I've wondered what I would say to you
When this day came and our time here was gone
Would I beg you to stay with me
Or, would I urge you on
You let me know with your sweet eyes
Though, the decision was mine to make
So, now I'll send you with tears and smiles
And, I'll be my strongest, for your sake
We'll talk of snacks and your favorite treats
And, how you loved your hay
And, your loud way of greeting me
At the start of a brand new day
I'll whisper and sing those silly songs
I sang on our old trails
And, I'll remind you of all the baths you took
And, how I loved to brush your tail
I'll hold your head and make sure you know
You made my life complete
And, there'll never be another one
Not as special, as you were to me
I'll tell you just how brave you are
And, that you've always been
How strong, how smart, how beautiful
Always true to me, my best friend
I'll not mention the other side
That unknown, may make you fret
No one's seen it, though I know it's there
But, together we haven't rode there yet
So, I'll just quietly ease your fears
With things, we both hold dear
Cause, the only thing I want you to know
Is my love, when you leave me here

I haven't gone through this heartbreak, but once with a horse and that was about 25 years ago...I have, with several beloved other pets though...love to all that have or will have to, make this decision, in the future...

What a wonderful tribute to a special equine pal. We that care to admit have all been there. My first was July 1976 never forgot that horse .Had several since it don't get easier.

Very nice Sharon. Thanks for sharing.

Having had horses for over fifty years I'm, of course, no stranger to these moments. They are never easy, the comfort can come only from doing what's right for our equine friends.
You wrote a beautiful tribute to that special relationship, Sharon.

I'm in my seventies. had horses, both riding and draft since my 20s. The bad ones were sold, the good ones were kept and loved until "that" time came. I don't consider myself a softie or overly emotional, but I can't remember a time tears weren't shed when the good byes were said.

Sharon, you penned something beautiful!

Losing a horse can be harder than losing a human.

Losing my best mare was one of the toughest things I've ever gone through and I still tear up thinking about it.

Sharon,
You captured something we've all felt and been through before. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you all for your very kind words...I appreciate you taking time to post your comments! When I posted this on FB, I've had overwhelming responses from all over the world and I wasn't surprised that 99% of the folks that posted were female...not that I'm less appreciative of your sweet words, Kate, but I'm very honored that on THIS post, 99% of the responses came from men! Not that it's necessary, but it shows the kinder side of hard working, farm living, callous handed, farm minded men on this site!! THANK YOU!! I'm so glad each of you enjoyed my writing and much appreciation to all!!

Sharon.....I completely understand, and see EXACTLY what you're saying. :)

I may face this situation any day now with my three oxen. Thank you for expressing the feelings so poignantly; you make me understand that I am not over-reacting or weird, anticipating a difficult flood of various feelings. Beautiful.

Sharon,Your words say so much about you, Cash and your mules are very lucky creatures.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Bill Lemar

Thank you all again, for your sweet comments...So.Oh.Bill...I do love my mules and Cash, the Border Collie, continues to amaze us daily, with his intelligence!! He's had absolutely no professional training and seems to know every word we say...in fact, we actually have resorted to spelling now, but I don't think that's going to last very long!! HA!! He's now 17 months old and no matter where we go, people notice him and his obedience to us! He is never on a leash, but never leaves our side. Our last outing was 2 weeks ago, to a picnic area in Cades Cove...very crowded...it was just my husband, myself and Cash. We got out of our car and I walked Cash around the perimeter of our picnic space...(about 20 x 20), telling him he had to stay inside the boundaries...he never ventured outside that area!! Family members from both sides of us, commented on how well behaved our dog was!! One man asked his breed, age and laughed about hearing me giving him instructions about
"not leaving the area"...he said, he told his wife, "Yeah, let's see how long that lasts!!" We were there over an hour!!! About my words saying so much about me...don't know about that, but I certainly appreciate it!! Thank you!!!

I hate those times. You nailed it. Thank you so much for saying what the rest of us hold in our hearts. I still love you, Pecho Sambo AQHA.

every animal that you work with takes a part of you with them when they die even the bad ones. Those bad ones don't stay in our mind as long as the good ones and it is not as hard to go on from there death.my firs was a border collie dog that had been around as long as I could remember I was 9 he was 13. I was been raised around all kinds of animals it is a normal thing you just go on and are glade they were part of your life for A while. I have a blue heeler pup that is just 6 months old now he stays as close to me as he can be have to chain him up if I go to town. he has worked cattle since he was 3 months old he now works with all his heart and mind and going to bee one of the best dog Ive ever shared my life with.