"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm afraid we're going to have to put her down."
Hearing those words echo in my ear, I fall to the filthy ground. The vet looks down at me with concerning eyes, and a face full of pity. My heart drops to my stomach, and my hands start to shake. I was so hopeful, so sure she would be okay.
"A-are you sure? I mean, there has to be something-" I stuttered.
"I'm so sorry, Lucy. I know tho sis going to be hard. But do you really want her to suffer?" The vet said quietly. "I mean if she remained alive, her leg would cause her pain for the res of her life. She would have to be taken to expensive horse therapies and operations. and at the end of the day, she still would never race again. And all that work you have put into her…"
But what about all the work I already put into her? I've stood by my horse, Easy Days, since she was a foal. I bottle-fed her when her mother passed away. i trained her when she was old enough to become a racehorse, and I've loved her like a sister i never had. Was it all nothing? it seems like I invested over half my life, for a filly what would be dead soon.
No, I would't let that happen.
I glanced over at my dad, who had his eyes closed in worry. He knew how much I loved her, maybe if I could just convince him…
"Dad…" I pleaded.
"Lucy, no. We need to do what's best for her. Do you want her to suffer?" He responded.
Why do I keep getting asked that? Of course I don't want her to suffer.
Suddenly, my best friend Cassie burst through the stable doors. she was panting and out of breath, so obvious she much have gotten my text about Easy's situation.
But my mind was in another place.
The whip was all it took.
If that idiot jockey didn't flash the whip by her face, she would have freaked out. He must have forgotten that she is terrified of whips.
She freaked.
Her body, along with her right leg, twisted painfully to the side. She was flung on her back, and landed directly onto the jockey.
He was killed on impact.
I won't go into the gory details, but i remember at that time, all i could do was sit there and stare. My wonderful horse, my beautiful girl…
It was surprising that they didn't out her down right there on the track. But now, hours later in the racetrack stable, was when they decided to do it.
"Hello, Mrs. Vet Lady, I'm Cassie. And I refuse to let you put this horse down." She said with a voice full of confidence.
Cassie's booming voice rung loudly through the stable, and I immediately snapped out of my trance and stared at her. She was my saviour.
"Cassie, this isn't your decision…" My dad tried to reason.
"But it is mine, Dad. Let me do in and see her." I managed to say.
"Girl, I'm sorry." Cassie said, and ran over to hug me as I stood up. She was being so supportive and I owned her so much for that.
I made my way past the vet and my dad, who both looked worn out and now pissed off because of Cassie's arrival. Well, her fiery spirit sure could do that to people.
I unlatched that stall door and entered Easy's personal hell. She was lying down, her leg propped up by a weird contraption. She didn't mrs at all, only stared up at me with warm brown eyes. They pleaded, " Please help me." It broke my heart to see her so broken. Lifeless.
And if she was lifeless, so was I.
I turned back to the three people waiting outside the stall. "Can you guys give me some time alone with her?" I asked.
They walked away.
I sat down by Easy, not caring whether sand droppings stuck to my butt, and she instinctively laid her head on my lap. I began gently stroking her face until I felt her relax a little. I knew she probably medicated with a thousands different pain treatments, but hopefully she would remember this moment.
"Easy, Easy, Easy," I muttered, and she nuzzled my knee. Her chestnut coat was covered with sweat. "What have you gotten yourself into now, beautiful girl? You know, I remember when you were a baby; you were so full of life. And damn, your legs were long as hell! It took twice as long to stand up as it would for other foals. but when you did finally stand, you took off running. I remember that moment specifically, because that's when I knew you'd turn into something great.
Something spectacular. A horse that we could brag about to our friends, one to join with in the winner's circle. And you know what? i was completely right. Three years later, you're in your prime. You've already won prestigious races. You've proven yourself as a racehorse. But now, I need you to prove yourself as a CHAMPION."
" I don't mean a champion racehorse. I mean a horse so brave in the heart that it outshines all the other horses. I mean, you're alive now, aren't you? So yeah, you're in pain. You're always going to be. But if you live past tonight, I promise that you will a horse everyone looks up to as a hero. As a survivor. All I need from you is a sign. A sign that you want that for yourself. What do you think beautiful girl?" I looked down on her.
She's staring me straight in the eye. There's nothing playful in her expression, it's as though she actually understood me. Even though that;s impossible, right?
The next thing that happened changed my life forever.
In one fluid motion, she turned on her stomach. Her legs struggled beneath her, but that regained balance.
And she stood up.
Comments
Post a Comment