In Loving Memory of Lou

1969 - 2001

What can I tell you about Lou.

She belonged to a man who lives half a mile away from me. He was neglecting her and not giving her the health care she needed. At least once a week, she would get out of his pasture and walk down the highway to my house and stand at the gate, begging to get in. I would always let her in and feed her, then take her home again. Once, she came over and I fed her and she stayed with me for over a month. The man never even called to see where she was. After that, she came over covered with infected cuts from barb wire. I had the vet treat her wounds and called the owner. He didn't return my calls, nor did he pay the vet bill. At that point, I decided to get her away from that man. I bought her and she came to live with me in September of 1997.

When I first got Lou, she weighed about 600 pounds--extremely underweight for a horse. I started feeding her high calorie feeds to try and put some weight on her. Unfortunately, she kept getting colic and choking on the food. After an examination by my vet, he found that she had only 3 molar teeth left in her head! She wasn't able to chew the food and was swallowing it pretty much whole. I started feeding her Purina Equine Senior mixed with hot water. It looked a little like green oatmeal, but she loved it! I affectionately called it "Lou Food". She started gaining weight right away. I also started an aggressive deworming program for her until her fecal test came back parasite free. Her coat became glossy and soft, her eyes were bright and she had lots of energy. Lou was doing very well. She looked much better, she felt better, and she got a very feisty attitude.

Lou stayed with me for the next 4 years. She was very happy living with my other 2 horses and my herd of donkeys. She often shared her dinner with my duck. They could often be seen eating out of the same bowl. The duck followed her around all the time hoping for some of her leftovers. Lou could be a little cranky at times, but that is no surprise knowing how she was treated in the past.

Finally, on January 25, 2001, I came home from work to find Lou lying on her side out in the pasture. I ran to her and she nickered to me when she saw me approach. She was trying to get up, but couldn't. I tried to help her, but she just couldn't do it. I called the vet and we decided to try and treat her with steroids to get her up again and wait until the next morning. I spent the next 14 hours out in the pasture by her side with her head in my lap. I stroked her face and told her that I loved her and prayed that she would be able to rise on her own. I even mixed up some of her "Lou Food" and fed her out of my hand as she lay flat on her side on the ground. The next morning, she was still unable to get up. She was completely exhausted from the efforts overnight. I realized at that point I would have to call the vet to come out and end her suffering.

As the injection was made, I stroked her cheek and rubbed her nose. I looked into her eyes and told her it was going to be all better soon. It only took about a minute for the drugs to work. She finally stopped struggling to get up and relaxed with a peaceful expression on her face. She let out a long sigh. Then it was over.

I cried and sat with her for a few minutes more, then I cut a piece of her mane to keep. I know I made the right decision, even though it was painful. Sometimes the greatest expression of love is to let go.

Lou was laid to rest at Pine Hill Pet Cemetery in Bowie, Texas on January 26, 2001. It is a very nice place with lots of trees and green grass. They plant a tree for every pet there. Now she is at peace.

Lou, I love you and I miss you. I'll see you when I get to the rainbow bridge.

If tears could build a stairway,

and memories could build a lane,

I'd walk right up to heaven

and bring you home again....

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

"When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together......."
(~Anonymous)