Sunday, July 23, 2006

D Boy

I was pregnant with Bug at the same time Blaze was expecting her 1st colt.  Just a tall, lanky quarter horse.  We had bred her to Britton's beautiful paint Tennessee Walking horse.  I'd stand out by the fence and commiserate with her on the woes of pregnancy.  Pete would laugh at me and tell me it's just not the same with animals.  But we "girls" knew better.

He was born, as most colts, with too much leg for his body.  But he was a tri-colored beauty!  He had the gate.  He was a natural.  Pete named him D Boy in honor of his recently departed brother, Danny Boy.

D Boy's eyes would sparkle with mischief when me and the Bug would make our rounds to water the animals.  He'd be waiting to snatch the hose out of the trough, just as soon as I'd let go of it.  Then he'd throw back his head and laugh at me.  I'd shake my finger at him and tell him he was bad.  Eventually broke him of that habit by rubbing his nose hard with my thumbs when he'd come in close to bite the hose.

He grew and he grew.  He was splendid.  A joy to watch.  He filled out and got the muscles and neck to match those legs.  As he grew, we came up with new games to play while I filled the trough with water.  One was "give me nose sugie."  I'd say the phrase.  He'd stick his nose between the boards.  And I'd bend over and plant a kiss on top of his nose.

One day it was unbearably hot as I stood out there.  I leaned over and rested my forehead against a pole.  Soon, D Boy had stuck his head through in order to see my "hidden" face.  When I realized he had "looked" for me and found me, I said "peek-a-boo!"  He bobbed his head in reply.  And a new game was formed.  I'd get my face in close behind a board or a post and say "Where's Mama?"  And he'd look for me.

He remained a stud horse.  Very gentle by nature.  Has a son that is almost his twin.  Only more high strung and nervousy.  Bug would climb the rails of the fence and give him mimosa leaves he loved.  Or pears.  Whatever she knew he'd think was a treat.  We often foundher in that horse lot with that stud.  No amount of warnings or whippings could discourage her.  And no harm ever befell her.

Friday, I came home mid afternoon.  Bubba was making his rounds outside.  Noticed D Boy didn't look right.  Had been rolling.  Pete called vets.  I ran after medicine.  D Boy fought gallantly to keep his footing.  But in the end, he succumbed to the colic.  Too far along, I suppose, before we knew and intervened.  We were all with him.  We are all much accustomed to loss, but it was Bug's first time to witness death as it occurs.

He's buried at the back of the property.  Underneath big, tall pines.  I've requested that Jesus use him on Judgment Day, if at all possible.  He'd make some saint a fine mount!

"Have you given the horse strength, or clothed his neck with quivering mane?  Have you made him able to leap forward like a locust?  His majestic snorting is something to hear!  He paws the earth and rejoices in his strength, and when he goes to war, he is unafraid and does not run away though the arrows rattle against him, or the flashing spear and javelin.  Fiercely he paws the ground and rushes forward into battle when the trumpet blows.  At the sound of the bugle he shouts 'Aha!'  He smells the battle when far away.  He rejoices at the shouts of battle and the roar of the captain's commands."

     -  from God's answer to Job from the whirlwind:  Job 39:19-25


 

11 comments:

  1. Aww I am so sorry to hear of your loss of D Boy! He sounded like a wonderful pet as I am sure he was!

    Theresa

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  2. Ohhhhhhhh...I am so terribly sorry.....He sounded so beautiful and smart...he had a fine name too ( same thing my mama called my husband) ...

    Knowing that You were good to him, and that  he had a good home and a good life here will help make it a little easier losing him...but I know also that your hearts are heavy with his loss...

    I look forward to seeing him at the Judgement..."mane quivering, leaping high for the battle of the Lord"....May God rest his soul...
    love,
    Carlene

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  3. So sorry for your loss. I have never owned a horse and seldom been on one but I know what my granddaughter feels for hers. Paula

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  4. This really got me:

    >>I've requested that Jesus use him on Judgment Day, if at all possible.  He'd make some saint a fine mount!<<

    ::::tears::::

    So sorry for your loss.  I pray that Bug finds comfort in knowing she will see D Boy again.

    Hugs,
    Gwynn

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  5. Aww,Barbara you have done went and made me cry. Such a good horse to have to loose. I pray if it's possible that he will be chosen for some saint a mount. I know the tears fell while you were making this entry. May God give all of you comfort. I hope his son turns out to be just like him. Hugs, Helen

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  6. I'm  sorry to hear of the loss of your horse. Some say that the death of an animal doesn't matter, but I couldn't disagree more. D Boy was part of your life for many years - you can't just switch that off. I hope your wish comes true
    Guido

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  7. So sorry for your lost. This is a wonderful story and thank you for sharing.

    Brenda

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  8. You write beautifully and it's a sad but wonderful story.  Thanks for sharing it with us.  My prayers are with you & Bug.

    Andrea

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  9.       HORSES CAN BE WONDERFUL FRIENDS. THE LOSS OF A HORSE CAN BE HEARTBREAKING EVEN TO A NEIGHBOR.
         WHEN A TEENAGER ON THE FARM, I HAD WORKED WITH A NEIGHBOR AND HIS HORSES. A TWO YEAR OLD WORK HORSE NAMED TROY,GOOD RIDING HORSE AND ALSO LOVED TO WORK.
        AS BARBARA KNOWS,HORSES ARE VERY INTELLIGENT,AND OBSERVATIVE.THEY CAN LEARN TO OPEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF GATES.
         TROY WAS RUNNING,PLAYING IN A PASTURE,STEPPED IN A DEN WHICH HAD BEEN DUG BY AN ANIMAL,BROKE A FRONT LEG AND OF COURSE COULD NOT BE SAVED.
        A CATASTROPHY FOR THE OWNER,DURING DROUTH,DUST STORMS,
    DEPRESSION OF THE 1930S,THEN LOSING HIS BEST HORSE.       sam

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  10. Many of animals here I have loved and losssed I know the pain to well of trying to save one and not being able.
    Terrie

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  11. D Boy sounds like he was a great one.

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So glad you stopped by! Come 'round any time. ~ Barbara

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