April 27, 1982 to March 5, 2009
Thank you for your prayers. Although we had to put Dapper to sleep this afternoon he had a miracle. On his last day on earth when the Vet said it was impossible that he was walking on his bad foot, he walked. He stood in the snow alert and happy to be outside one last time.
As my daughter Sarah sobbed, he nudged her and seemed to almost want to hug her, letting her know it was okay. The owners of the barn were outstanding and caring and helping to shoulder the burden of the day. The Vet brought an ex-ray machine which confirmed for Sarah that she had no other choice. The Vet looked at the screen in disbelief. “How is he standing, no less walking?” The hoof had completely disconnected from the leg. The infection was through the bone.
Sarah walked alongside Dapper and the Vet down the long driveway to a convenient spot to put him to sleep. Flashbacks of so many times that I had watched with joy as Sarah walked beside Dapper came flooding back. The other girl who boards her horse at the barn works in animal rescue. When Sarah called her to tell her the Vet was putting Dapper down, she said that she would be there with the lift and truck to take Dapper away. She would be there in twenty minutes.
Sarah stood crying and saying goodbye to this joy of a horse. The Vet waited for me to pull up and have Sarah get into the car before he administered the shots. We drove for a few minutes and I looked at the clock...it was 4:44 o’clock. The number associated with angels. Dapper was free, out of pain and running in the golden fields, just like he did when he was young.
Ashley said her goodbyes to Dapper on Wednesday. She is heartbroken at the news, but fondly remembers lessons, mucking out stalls and grooming Dapper. Horse shows, and visiting Dapper over the passed twenty years. Numerous friends of hers have also shared the joy of this wonderful horse.
Sarah said, “I just can’t believe I will never see him again.” I told her of course she will. She’ll see him someday in heaven and when she gets there, he’ll escort her on horseback to show her around.
I believe we were covered by prayers today, if such an event could be beautiful, it was, surrounded by so many supportive people helping my daughters with such a burden. I will be contacting all of you lovely people over the weekend, who left such nice words on my last post...so that I can get busy with your gifts. Thank you for yours.
The song for this post is Time To Say Goodbye.
What a beautiful post. I know your daughtres will come here and find so much comfort in the words you worte and the pictures you posted. They will feel the love, and understanding you have for them. Such a sad day but their was beauty also. The beauty lies in the love that all of you had for your special Dapper and the love your family and friends have for all of tyou. My prayers are with you all. ....sending my love and hugs...m..
I am so sorry to hear that. I didn't catch this message the other day, sorry for that. Sometimes I read over messages as english isn't my native speak, especially when I had a tyring day, which I had, sorry again.
It is always hard to say goodbye but in the long run love really conquers all as the good memories will last. I hope your weekend will be a little better. I'm sending my thoughts to your daughters too.
Karen, I just became "acquainted" with you and your blog yesterday, and so sorry to come "into your life" at such a sad but memorable time - but nonetheless, I wanted to tell you how much I love your blog, the Christian tone of it, your softness, the beauty of your words, images and music have touched my heart. Thank you so much for having it here for my enjoyment. Bless you and your family - love and prayers.
I just noticed the time on my first post - 3:33 - the number of completeness or resurrection. Very blessed am I to have come here.
Karen, my heart goes out to you and your family. Dapper is such a beautiful horse but more than that, a good friend.
I like to think of Dapper running around in God's fields and jumping over brooks, having a wonderful carefree time.
Hi Karen
So sorry to hear about Dapper. My prayers ae with you.
Love Rhondi
Karen, thank you for allowing your readers a glimpse of this experience. I'm very weepy and my beloved will wonder what I've been reading and I will tell him about a horse named Dapper and the love of the girls for him. Saying prayers of comfort and sending gentle hugs. Goodbyes won't be forever...
Oh Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your daughters horse. It is so hard to lose our animal friends. My condolences to your daughter.
Oh Karen I am sitting here with tears just rolling down my face. I can feel the pain & the love you have for Dapper! I am so sorry for your loss but, so thankful you had the wonderful time with this special friend. Please give your daughter a big hug & tell her to carry Dapper in her heart for there he will live forever until she sees him again in God's most wonderful heaven. I posted recently about going with my son to put his Dalmation Taz down. He is 32 years old & that doesn't matter. When your child hurts SO DO YOU! God bless you & give you comfort. HUGS
Hello Karen,
This is indeed a wonderful post.
A big hug and love for you all there.
~ Gabriela ~
Dear Karen, once again I am crying.The memory of Dapper will be in your heart, and your daughter's forever. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers today. You were truely blessed to have such a good friend in your lives. Hugs, Kathleen
Oh Karen, I am so so sorry that you lost Dapper. I can see him now running around in heaven, tossing his head back with pure joy, unencumbered by pain, just running like the wind. You are right Karen he'll be waiting....Love and Prayers, Sharon
I'm in tears this morning, Karen. My heart truly goes out to you and your daughters. What beauty can be found in the ashes though. Thank God for Dapper and his years of companionship and service to your children. My prayers continue to be with you as you mourn such a deep loss. ~Kathy
Oh, I'm convinced the animal members of our family are waiting for us to join them in our Heavenly homes.
I know the hurt will continue and I do pray for your family.
What a lovely tribute to Dapper! I am sorry for you loss. Our pets & animals are like family and it hurts when we lose them! Take comfort with the knowledge that we will see them again in heaven.
May God Bless you and your family.
HUGS!!! my heart goes out to your family! such a hard thing to do but it sure sounded necessary! Dapper is not in any pain anymore! HUGS!!!
This post made me cry. Sorry,I didn't see the other post.This story is one of beauty and friendship between human and animal. The fact he nudged your daughter says a lot of what she meant to him. This horse, like many beloved animals we have to say good bye to, knew he was loved and cared for. Goodbyes are never easy and I can feel your daughters heartbreak from here. She can take solace in the fact she shared a special bond with him that can never be broken...and he'll always be in her heart.
XOXOXO
Oh my gosh, Karen! I could cry. This was a beautiful post. It is so very hard to lose a pet. We experienced that last May and I could still cry. You did such a beautiful job with this post. Very nice.
A beautiful, heartfelt post...you are all in my heart as you move through this loss. May angels guide you.
I am so saddened to learn of the loss of your dear friend. My sympathy to you and your girls. Hugs
Oh, you made me cry again. You have all been blessed to have each other: you and your daughters to have Dapper, and Dapper to have you all.
I will pray for you and your daughters, may you be filled with the love and peace of our Lord Jesus. I can picture Dapper in heaven running free and jumping too, no more pain. He will always live in your hearts. I hope you will find comfort in knowing he is free. You will always miss him but he is still with you in your hearts.
Jacquelene L.
jacqlml@sympatico.ca
Karen,
Dapper was and is a beautiful horse, you can see the warmth and friendliness in his eyes.
I am sorry to hear about this sad day, but as you said, he is no longer in pain and but free, among the beauty and Angels above.
I am sending loads of love and joy to you and your family!
Many Hugs!
XO!
Lisa!
My sister has horses and I have pups- I know how some would say they are "like family" - no - they ARE family. My thoughts are with you and your daughter. I will send up a little prayer for Dapper and thanks that he got to spend such a wonderful time with you. The photos are wonderful and the memories will stay. blessings to all of God's creatures that we are so fortunate to get to spend time with.
I hope you, your daughters and all who loved wonderful Dapper can feel the big hug I'm sending right now. I think God puts these animals in our lives to help soften our hearts when the outside world is hard and stressful. He is a wise and merciful God.
Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts
I'm so sorry to hear your news. Dapper will always be your hearts. Your post was loving & beautiful.
Karen... I am so sorry. There is nothing quite like the love for a horse.
My Chester died in my arms after having a heart attack when I was about 20 years old. My mom bought him for me when I was 14 and I used to show him in hunter/jumper classes until he was too old and he retired at my mom's ranch. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to witness.
Please tell Sarah how sorry I am.
(((hugs)))
rue
with his head in my arms... sorry I was getting emotional...
Hi Karen
I just read about Dapper on Vee's blog and I wanted to tell you and your daughters how sorry I am that you lost this special friend! You were all so good to him and he knew he was loved, and as you said now his beautiful spirit is running free!
Hugs, Pat
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