Here is Rocky's Story...conclusion

June 22, 1999. We took Rocky to the vet today to have his other cast removed, as he has been favoring that leg over the weekend, so I figured he must have a sore under there. When we got there, I asked my vet to see if he could get some approximate prices for me as to what it would cost for surgery. He said "For an orthopedic surgeon to do surgery, you are looking at no less than $1000.00 per leg, and that's probably a LOW estimate."  I broke down then, as I knew that Rocky would need 2, and possibly 3 legs done, and we just didn't have that kind of money.

We took him in and removed his cast. As soon as we were able to get it off, you could see the stuff that had drained onto the gauze from his sore, and the smell was putrid!  We got the gauze wrap off, and there was a big gaping hole(similar to that of a donut hole)in his leg.  We put him on the ground and it was instantly obvious that we would not let Rocky go on this way. 

We made arrangements to have the vet come out and put Rocky to sleep for us tomorrow, but but then realized that it will be our daughters graduation, and just too busy a day for it, so we rescheduled for Thursday.  It was such a hard decision, but our vet, my husband and myself, all knew it was time, and we all wanted to do what was best for our little Rocky.  Where he was just a little uncomfortable before with his casts, and  less agile than the other foals, he was now clearly showing signs of pain, and there would be none of that where I was concerned.  I knew we had done everything that we could for him, and his time had come. We made the decision to do it at home, with his Mom and in their stall. This way, his Mom would know(sense)that he had died, and her parting with him would not be so difficult, thus making it easier on her too.

June 24, 1999. Well, this was really a hard morning for us.  I let Rocky and his mom out of the stall and into the round pen just off of the barn.  It was a beautiful bright sunny morning, which helped to make the day less dreary.  It was a beautiful day for Rocky for his last day on earth. 

We spent all morning with him, cuddling and talking to him, and saying our goodbyes before the vet came.  We decided to do "it" right where he was laying in the bright sunshine, instead of bringing him into the barn. We left his mom with him for an hour afterwards, before my husband took him to bury him. It will be easier for his mom too now, as she now knows he is "gone".

"Rocky" will suffer no more, and all of his days will be just as they were today...bright and sunny, but without pain. 

"Rest in Peace little man"...you have really touched our lives, and we will miss you, but we will meet up with you again, some day.  Thank you, for being so special.

Below are the last pictures we took of "Rocky" on the morning he was put to sleep   :-(

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