Getting started...

WARNING... Expect randomness.

2 days to Christmas, and I'm expecting the bulk of my shopping to arrive via UPS today from Cabelas. How redneck is that? Nothing I purchased has anything to do with hunting or camouflage, if that helps at all. Breyer horse set for LT (Little Toad, my 3 year old daughter) and BT (Big Toad, 5 year old son) is getting a random assortment of clothing, a field guide for our camping adventures (probably nice in theory, and if I actually get it into the trailer next spring I'll be doing great).

So my un-merry Christmas story. Last August I got a sweet, cute 11 hand, 14-ish black and white paint pony for the kids. She had foundered with the previous owner, but Melanie, whom I bought Blueberry from, said that they had never had any troubles with her, she wasn't on a strict diet or trimming regime, so I figured that since I would be fairly vigilant about what she ate, I certainly wouldn't have any troubles.

She was great with kids, to say the least. LT could lead her anywhere. BT, the one I thought might not be too interested, always asked to ride her, and without help (because he's a big boy, you know).

She had one bout of an upset belly/colic. On the kids' birthday in September, of all days. I returned from shopping (yes, it was last minute birthday shopping) and noticed she was acting colic-y. Called the vet up- we live in small town in the middle of dryland wheat fields about 30 minutes from the "big city" of about 30,000. Anyways, he determined that she wasn't actually colicking (is that how you'd spell that?), pumped some oil into her, a shot of banamine, and the birthday party went as planned. Best conclusion I can come to is that there was something in the hay that I got locally that gave her a belly ache, but after going through the bale, I couldn't find anything suspicious.

So anyhoo, Blueberry was a doll. But when the weather started getting cold the first of November, I noticed she was starting to walk a bit tender on her her front toes. I thought a couple of different things... Her feet needed a trim. While I had been gone for a few days, she had been over fed and maybe had a touch of founder from Hubby feeding too much (she whinnies when she sees someone, so she must be hungry.

I had her feet trimmed, nothing out of the ordinary there. But LAME... So, I enlisted the help of smart friends (thanks TX!) and got to work with bute, iodine, biotin, hoof dressing. Then tried bleach, when iodine was not showing any results. Things didn't improve, and bute became necessary, so the call to the vet was made.

Hauled her down to the Big City, and as soon as I saw the films, my heart literally dropped to my knees. I hadn't expected anything great, or even good, but this was worse. My vet is awesome. He took one look at my face and said, Well, I guess I don't need to say anything. I asked him halfheartedly if there was any chance... trailing off, and he simply shook his head. Her coffin bone was so rotated. She would always be in pain, and would need medication in order to remain even "comfortable".

So why is it that she was such a nice little pony? No snarky poniness from her. Mow the lawn 5 feet from her, she didn't even glance. Cute little mover. Patient with the kids. Never flinched when the were around her. Made herself a part of the family with her sweet personality within hours of being at our home.

But having an animal living in pain is not something I'm ok with. Had I not made the decision I did, I would still be wondering if I was doing what was best. She's out of pain now, and I don't second guess that decision at all. It sucks, but I know it was the right thing to do.

So the half hearted search for a new pony begins, and will get into full swing come spring. The story to the kids was that BB's feet were ouchy, so I took her to the doctor and the doctor made it so her feet don't hurt anymore, but she's not coming home. I think BT kinda got it. His lower lip started to quiver and he asked, in that sweet little voice 5 year olds have, "If we get a new pony, can we name her Blueberry?" Sure buddy, sure.

The Toads...