Impact

[attafox]

Many of you will remember our long time poster, Impact (Elizabeth). Her screen name was that of her beloved Saddlebred.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth's Impact crossed the Rainbow Bridge two days ago. Elizabeth is beside herself (naturally). Hopefully, Brian will come out of lurkdom and post more.

Elizabeth, we do know how you feel, and your friends at trot are here for you.

[Gus0429]

She must be devastated. Hugs to you Elizabeth. I'm so sorry for your loss.

((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

[gnome]

The one thing I know about Elizabeth is her love and passion she has maintained throughout the years for saddlebreds. I've lost three saddlebreds during my course of having them...and each one is so very painful. But there is healing....eventually. And you look back on the times you shared together...getting to know the other, learning from each other. Some things will make you laugh, others will cause you to get that lump in your throat.

I still remember when Elizabeth chose impact. Rather, I remember when they chose each other. I remember the reason why they were perfect for one another. I also remember when I heard why Elizabeth picked impact, that my heart ached with the realization of how very special Elizabeth truly is. She has such a huge heart, and the compassion she feels for her Saddlebreds represents this. She always wanted her horses to know that not only were they going to well taken care of for the rest of their life, but that they were indeed part of her family.

Elizabeth, I want you to know that if you ever need anything, I am here. I know how tough it is to lose something so close and precious to your heart as impact was to yours. I am glad that the world has people like you in it that will stand up and take care of horses like impact. The saddlebred world is a better place because of people like you. You and your family are in my prayers.

[BMWgirl]

Oh Elizabeth... My heart just aches for you.

[SmartAlex]

Elizabeth, I'm very very sorry. Moreso than words can convey. It is so hard to recover from losing something so special to you.



p.s. Nice to hear from Brian again though.

[BMWgirl]

Oh Elizabeth... My heart just aches for you.

[Impact]

Hello from the past. I have missed all. It has been a while since being on trot but i know that there are some out there that understand the bond between the person and the once in a life time horse. Impact! was my once in a life time horse. Saturday I had to make the hardest decision I have ever made in my entire life. I thought i had done that already but nothing compares to that decision i made Saturday. Impact was my life she was my best friend we had a unique bond that i have never had with anything in my life. I am lost. I have a BIG Hole in my heart right now that i dont think will ever be filled again. As you know I had to put down Impact!. She has a grash on her hind leg (still tryn to figure out how she did it) and i called the vet. The vet came out, bless his heart,came out and looked at the gash on her hind leg and said that it could not be sewed back up and it would have to heal from the inside out and would take several months to heal changing bandages and cleaning it and everything. I thought ok i can do that no problem. Then came the BUT that was the same leg and area that she ripped open before i got her and had alot of scar tissue which would make it heal slower. And her age would make it heal slower. I thought ok well as long as she is comfortable i can do because nothing i wouldnt do for her. As he was going over everthing she kept raising the other leg and dancing around. She had really bad arthritis and the vet said that her suspensory tendons were also painful and she was to the point that it would be very painful for her to recover. I thought nah couldnt she was ok just a gash i would fix it. But then i looked at her and she started to rock back and forth and would cock her back legs up in a awkward way and the look was just painful i couldnt have her suffer like that. I talked it over with the vet and tried to get just a glimpse of hope but their wasnt any. I kept asking the vet what i should do. What should i do? Course he said it politely that i was the one that had to make the decision he could not say one way or the other. He stated what the pros and cons were from a vet veiw and talked it over with me. I told him it was not an easy decision cause i felt like i was playing god because she wasnt down and couldnt get up then you know what you have to do then but instead she was eating grass rubbing her head against ya so how could you make that kind of decision. The vet said true but also u have a chance for her not to end up like that it easier to make that decision but she would be suffering Unfortunatly there was not a pros to the situation and i had to make the right decision for Impact! and that was to let her go. The whole time my mind said it time to let her go and my heart was YELLING NO U CANT ! I didnt want Impact! to be in any pain and the vet said that she would because the tendons were weak and the arthritis was bad she would be very very discomfortable and b in pain but i could have her on strong dose of bute but then would run into problems with her stomach probably. I hate uncertain things. I really do. I was hoping that the good lord would have taken her home and i didnt have to make the decision. Why did he have me choose. Why did it have to b now. Spring was in the air and summer not to far offer the grass is green and lush why did he have to take her now. But then i thought she has been a true friend to me she has never shyed away from me. She was always there for me when i was having life problems. She loved me unconditionaly and never asked or expected anything from me except the necessities of life. She was allowed to be a horse and nothing was asked of her. I hope she was happy. I would not and could not ask her to suffer just to see if she could beat this. I mean she was old and her body was tired. i could see. I had made her comfortable for as long as i could but her body was just to tired and hurt with arthritis and the tendon giving way to have her suffer. So I asked the vet if i could give her one last supper before he did it. He was sweet and let me do it the whole time i was looking for that light in her eye to shine but as i rubbed her head it was not there. I knew deep down that the time had come for me to say good bye to my special best friend, my buddy, my joy, my rock, My IMPACT!. So i had a friend dig her final resting place. The vet told me to walk her over to where she would rest. Which i did. He told me that once he adminstered the drugs it would be quick. Which it was. She dropped into her grave as if we had placed her there. I was shocked but took it as a small sign that i did the right thing. I just dont want IMPACT! to think that i gave up on her. Because i would have done anything for her in the world.
I sorry i am just rambling now. I am so lost and Emma is too.
Emma was there and saw Impact one last time before we covered her up. She is lost she just stand and stares drops her head and sniffs where Impact is! She still calls for her which breaks my heart because there is no return answer . There is complete silence.
She isnt there in the morning when i wake up and look outside. There is no head butts to say hear i am. There is no grab and take away the brushes. There is no pick pocket of friends tobacco out of his back pocket. There is no lets share my food when you are feeding just before you go to work and get me fithly or take a bite and dump it on top on my head as i put the last bit of feed that stuck to bottom of bucket. There is no calling her and she turn to look with her head cock. There is no more Impact love hugs when you go out in field when you had a bad or long day.
Impact! you were my one and only once in a life time friend and I will never forget you and always miss you. I pray that one day i will see you again and we will wake the fields of heaven. I know that you are running wild in the clouds. I love you dear friend.
God Speed IMPACT! 3/19/79-5/2/09

[roadpony]

Elizabeth:

I am barely able to write this through the tears streaming down my face. I have owned and belonged to a lot of wonderful horses over my lifetime, but can honestly say that I have never had a bond like that which you describe. You are so fortunate to have experienced a horse and friend like Impact. It doesn't make it any easier, nor does it make the hole any smaller, but you did right by your friend, and you are so generous to have shared your story with us. {{{hugs}}}

[SaddlebredMom]

Elizabeth -- Your expression of the wonderful loving bond you had with your beloved Impact is more heartfelt than words can say. I am so deeply saddened for your loss. You gave a wonderful life to Impact and made the toughest decision there is with nothing but her best interests in mind. God speed to Impact and may there be peace in your heart to fill the void left by her passing.

[SmartAlex]

gulp...........:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

[jgreer3]

So very sorry to read about your loss. It sounds like Impact was just as lucky to have had you!

[attafox]

Impact has always been special to me because of the first three letters of her name being shared with my beloved Impulse. Elizabeth, I am absolutely positive that the two Imps have found each other and are feeling no more pain.

That hole is so big, but guaranteed, Impact will find a way to send you another to love. That bond will go beyond the grave ... she will find a way to touch you again.

Thank you for sharing her with us over the years. Please be good to yourself.

[Mainmom]

My heart hurts for you, I'm so sorry. :( :(

Godspeed Impact, and God bless you Elizabeth.

[Gus0429]

My heart hurts for you, I'm so sorry. :( :(

Godspeed Impact, and God bless you Elizabeth.

What she said. :sad: :(

[She's Snow Angel]

Elizabeth, I'm so sorry to hear about Impact. I hope Emma will be able to comfort you and you her, in your time of loss. Give her a hug for me.
Leslie

[Klopfk]

Elizabeth I am so terribly sorry to hear of your loss of Impact. I remember when you used to post on here your stories of Impact. I certainly understand your loss and how much it hurts having gone through the loss of my beloved Goosebumps. Other horses will come into your life but nothing will replace that special love and bond you had with Impact. Impact loved you so much!

Godspeed Impact!



Kris - Goosebumps Mom

[Barbara B Bacon]

Once again these words are so very true, and soothing "Those we have held in our arms for a little while, we hold in our hearts forever."
BBB

[Impact]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind words. IMPACT was such a huge part of me and i cant imagine what life will be with out her. I appreciate the support. There was such a special bond that i had with her and never really understood how much til she was gone. I miss her everyday every hour every min only able to take one day at a time right now. I guess still in raw shock. But thank you and may everyone be able to experince the bond with the once in a lfetime horse.
Thank you again
Elizabeth

[Hey4horses]

Elizabeth,
I too remember when you used to post a lot about your beloved Impact and also about the rescues. I know I speak for others that you were as much missed as you are missing Impact. I hope that only time will heal and fill that hole with yet another fine horse or person. Or maybe a cat. The one thing we learn about living is that every loss brings its toll, but every love or animal brings much joy. Be gentle with yourself and come back to us too.

Fondly remembering you at such a difficult time of loss. Peace be with you.
AnneJ

[gotatrotter]

Elizabeth, I can' t help but think that somewhere, Impact is telling any other horse who will listen (perhaps even Impulse) about her immensely fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime person, Elizabeth. How hard it was to say goodbye, but how thankful she was that her person had the strength and courage to give her a humane and dignified end when it was time.

I don't know how all this works, but I do trust that when we go to our own final resting place, we are greeted by the hearts and souls of those who mattered to us most on this earth. Impact will be there waiting for you one day.

Peace,
Carol

[Lily]

Elizabeth I am so sorry, know that she knows you loved her SO MUCH, I hope your heart finds peace in time:sad:

[sdlbredfan]

Elizabeth, I am so sorry. That tribute you wrote and story of her last day was so moving that I am having trouble typing through tears. She knew you loved her, and you did the right thing, as hard as that was. I am sure she is running now in spirit form and is watching over you as an angel.
Jeanie

[LARMAR]

I am just now getting around to reading this but I am so sorry about your loss. Your tribute to your friend put tears in my eyes. I always loved the name Impact!, too. I wish there was some way to offer comfort. Know you made the right decision for her.