It is with
a large empty space in my heart that I tell our followers of the
passing of TPDR Old Lonnie.
He came to us
from being sent to an auction barn kill pen in April of this year. A
young man had purchased him from that very same auction only weeks
before. Upon getting him home, he discovered that Old Lonnie was
indeed very old, and too crippled to ride. He promptly took him back
to the same kill pen.
I brought Old
Lonnie home with me that cold, snowy day. He willingly tried to load
into my trailer, but stumbled and fell. With my help this pitifully
thin "Old Grandpa" got up and into the trailer and off to Michigan
we went.
In the weeks
that followed Lonnie saw our veterinarian several times. He was
gelded, had a much needed dentistry, and had a minor surgery on one
of his rear legs.
This summer
and entire fall, was a wonderful time for him. He went to a pasture
at will with new friends Laddie, and Wes. The three boys were
always together.
Then came the
winter weather with bitter cold and ice.
Old Lonnie had
seen many, many winters and another one would prove to be asking too
much of this kind old gentleman.
I said goodby
to my friend on Tuesday December 11,2007. He hadn`t been able to
stand without help for several days. The last place he chose to lay
down was next to his friend, Laddie. I would not ask him to try to
get up again.
He had seen
enough winters.
I want to
extend a very special thank you to those of you that helped Old
Lonnie and myself get through his last days with me.
Those very
special friends are neighbors Danny and David Showers,board member
Tia Bonkowski (she had just lost her little horse Flash the week
before) good friends and TPDR members Amy McLean and Jackie Minges.
And certainly to Perry Ragon D.V.M. for the care and compassion he
showed to both Old Lonnie and myself.
Sharon
