01/20/2020
This morning we said our goodbyes to the gentlest giant we’ve known. As i write this with tear filled eyes, i can’t help but think of all of his little quirks that, quite frankly, annoyed me, but now I’ll miss most of all. I’ll miss him pawing at the gate when he saw me come up to the barn to feed him, I’ll miss him walking into the barn behind me just as easy and quiet as a church mouse. I’ll miss him kicking the stall door while he watched me make his food and the anticipation to get it to his stall. I’ll miss his very low and deep bray. He has left a mammoth sized hole in our hearts.
When we rescued him off of the kill lot we were beside ourselves about having the chance to own such an incredible creature. Elliot was Amish trained, and sold to the US military for search and rescue missions where vehicles could not make it. I think about all the lives he saved, all the times when he made the difference between life and death for people. It was heartbreaking to know that he was dumped after his feet started causing issues. Elliot served this country with pride and grace. He was truly a spectacular animal, and even though we had him just shy of a year, the impact he made on our lives will be ever lasting.
He went down yesterday and despite all of our best efforts we could not get him back up. The vet said he more than likely twisted something in his back leg and went down. And with the cold weather, stiffened up and just could not get all that weight back off the ground. Tractors, family, and 4 of our closest friends tried everything to get him up and going again. I knew when we went to cover him with blankets last night that would be the last time we told him goodnight. He was exhausted, he’s tried all day to fight, and he was just giving out.
We called the vet out this morning and made plans to give Elliot the last gift we could, to end his pain and suffering. In the 25 minutes it took him to get here, Elliot passed on his on.
Today we are sad, not just for us, but for him and his herd mates too. Everyone loved this gentle giant. Standing at 17 hands high, and weighing over a ton, he was definitely the biggest creature we’ve ever had. We were so honored to have him here with us and to be able to provide him with the love and care he deserved in his final days. He will be so missed. His gentle spirit will never be forgotten.
“If you love me don’t you be afraid to look in my eyes and open up the gates, then watch me ride beneath the new born sun, just like them horses, when it’s time to run”
Your gates open, run free. 💜
