Their End of Days

The phone call was made. The event scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15. It was past time for Cerra. It was in time for Ty. But Chy, the least obviously ill one was the hardest one to say goodbye to. My Honey Horse. My heart was breaking since the decision came and so many tears already shed,  I was strangely somewhat composed when the vet arrived. It wasn't a pretty day like the prior weekend but at least it wasn't raining. Dr. Kristen's kind manner eased the passing of my three best friends to green pastures where there would be no more pain or suffering. 

Later the excavator man came and dug a grave to hold all three. Joe is a longtime horseman and I almost hesitated to call him because I knew it would be hard on him as well. He skillfully placed each horse to be facing east in a running position toward the light. Ty, then Cheyenne, with Cerra leading the herd. He brought apples along which he put in place for each of them to enjoy on the journey. I knew I picked the right man for the job.

Then it was over. 

Really?

I was feeling better on Friday when I planted three cheery pink bunches of my flower box impatients on the site. I decided to take the tractor out to smooth the excavator ruts and was headed back to the gate when smoke started coming out of the hood! I immediately stopped and tried to shut off the motor, but it wouldn't stop. I ran to the nearby barn to retrieve the water hose. It barely reached but there was enough stream to put water on the hood. I'm shaking so bad I can hardly dial 911.  Smoke and flames were now rising to a serious level. I just kept running water while waiting, thinking "This week just keeps getting better and better".

Only in a rural area would you get not one, but two fire departments to respond to such a small event. First a sheriff deputy arrived, then a quick response vehicle and young man who put a couple extinguishers on the blaze. The Pepin rig arrived and was followed by the Lund department. I had so many firefighters here it was an embarrassment. As I was apologizing for sounding the alarm one replied, "Don't worry about it. We hardly get called to do anything so we are happy to have the chance to get out!" That they did in full firefighter regalia. They stayed until the heat was gone and then started pulling off the plastic hood and side panels to find the fire source......a mouse nest next to the exhaust pipe.