shit. this could only happen to me

[Kali]

horses rarely get mouth cancer - vet says she has only seen it twice in almost 30 years of practice. took pictures and everything. Maybe poor old Joe the Horse will be in a published article.

he isn't in pain yet, but this thing grew pretty fast and it has deformed the right side of his muzzle. he eats and drinks fine, it isn't affecting his back chewing teeth, but the incisors on that side are shifting out of position and if he had to make a living on his own by grazing he would starve pretty fast. he is starting to dribble some chewed food like horses with bad teeth will do. he might have a couple weeks before I have to put him down.

I have barely had him for a year. but of course I have grown attached to the old man. damn it.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. Lovely old feller.

Give him some kisses from Oklahoma.
As a kid we had horses, one of whom was murdered just after we found out she was going to have a baby. She was a beautiful appaloosa. Some kid got pissed at my dad for not selling him liquor, so he stabbed her through the heart. I grew up with them and they were always high spirited and one thought he was a dog. He'd knock my dad down and lick his face. It was hilarious. I say all that to let you know I understand your sadness and I'm so sorry you are going to lose your friend, because that is what they become so quickly, so fiercely.
Hugs to you too. I wonder what the equivalent to the Rainbow Bridge is for Horses? An emerald green pasture and deep blue pond? He's got good company up there waiting on him.

[Kali]

15. oh god

that is awful, stabbed a horse in the heart? and for revenge - sick!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

42. I thought so.

She was beautiful and gentle...and the kid is lucky my dad was friends with the police chief, so he just had him arrested instead of killing him right back.

[seabeyond]

2. i love your pictures

i was born in whitetanks az. this brings back memories, of what it looks like, lol

i am sorry about your horse.

[Kali]

16. really? did I know this?

born in AZ natives "our age" are pretty rare.

[seabeyond]

25. no. i dont think i have ever said. we moved to ca. when i was 9.

But we had a couple acres, cows, chickens, a couple horses. My dad would milk the cow, pour thru a clothe and put in fridge. I hated it. All I wanted was some sidewalks. Lol. Nah, it was a good life.

[Kali]

30. that is how my Mom was

she traded a horse for a bicycle, pretty much wanted out of here (until much later) - me? I was raised in town and would have traded the bike for the horse. this has ALWAYS been the place of my heart.

[seabeyond]

35. that works. my oldest brother was the same. dont know

If he ever got over it.

[siligut]

3. Good thing Joe has you

You are both compassionate and sensible, I am sure he appreciates you. Sorry Kali.

[Kali]

17. thanks, siligut

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. How awful, my dear Kali...

I'm really sorry.

[Kali]

18. yeah it sucks

thanks Peggy

[ohiosmith]

5. Bummer Kali.

[Kali]

20. yeah

thanks

[livetohike]

6. He's beautiful Kali

for you and Joe.....I'm so sorry this happened. Enjoy your time together....

[Kali]

21. heh

he's not really that good looking, I just deleted the pix that showed his faults up. but he IS a wonderful old guy - the kind you can trust with anybody - scared novices or little kids (or fat old women )

[riderinthestorm]

7. Mouth cancer?? WTF? Kali, I am so damn sorry - it always happens to the good ones... nt

[Kali]

22. yeah, weird huh?

he has a couple of small hairless spots on his back that were a little scabby when I first got him and I was really watching them with his light color - figured that would be the most likely place for some kind of cancer so this was pretty unexpected.

at first I thought he was getting cud up under his lip and when I looked the lateral incisor was kind of pushed inward. There was no obvious sign of trauma but I though maybe one of the other horses managed to kick him and break it. But the gum kept getting bigger without any sign of abscess or infection so I sort of knew. Tried to deny it for a while but when he started dribbling feed I knew I had to make sure there wasn't something that could be done. meh I got some bute to give for a while if he starts to have pain, but I think when that happens it will just be time.

[riderinthestorm]

26. Really bizarre. I wonder if the folks that sold him already had that diagnosis?

I hate to cast aspersions... (cast asparagus and all that but still....) its been such a short time since you bought him. Your guy's such an odd color. Greys almost always succumb to melanoma so we're always freakish about checking them over for that at my place but we don't see a lot of horses like your Joe in my zone.

Bute won't hold the pain back for too long. Call the vet sooner than later is my advice. Damn. Really sorry about that.

[Kali]

31. I don't know - it sure grew fast, so I doubt it.

he was off a guest ranch that shut down, some girl bought him and probably he wasn't pretty enough for her. the guy that helps here got him from her, thinking since he was so big and stout he might be good to rope wild cattle off of, but he was really too old for that kind of rough work and I had asked him to keep an eye out for a couple of kid horses for me...so I traded some heifer calves for him. figured he would be good for 3 to 5 more years. just rotten luck is all.

[blueamy66]

8. I'm so sorry.

I love horses....and he is a great one....

[Kali]

23. thanks

he is a pretty good one, for sure

[RebelOne]

9. Poor guy. I am so sorry.

I used to own horses, but can't afford them now. I know it is going to be heartbreaking to put him down.

[Kali]

24. hay was going for $20 a bale this winter!

freaking outrageous - it is "down" to $17.50 now

I'm lucky to be able to turn most of them out to find most if not all of their own feed and not have to pay for boarding, but for him and another old bum hay and $20 a bag senior feed takes a hunk of my already-squeaky-tight budget for sure.

[ceile]

10. aww poor guy.

sorry kali.

[Kali]

32. thanks, ceile

[littlewolf]

11. I am really sorry

always loved horses ... now I don't have the space for one :<

I am glad ol Joe has you to care for him ...
and sorry that you will have to put him down
enjoy what time you have with each other .

[Kali]

34. thank you

going to try do the best I can for him

[Flaxbee]

12. I love that photo of Joe over his ears as you're riding him. What a sweet old man Joe is ... I'm so

sorry to hear this.

At least his last year of life has been a good one, and you'll take care of him until the end.

I'm sorry, Kali. Kiss his muzzle for me. That nice soft spot between the nostrils.

Maybe AlienGirl (victim of mouth/tongue cancer) can meet up with him after he passes.

[Kali]

36. I thought of her when I was writing.

Didn't want to trivialize human suffering with animal stuff as I do think people are over all more important, but you have made a beautiful connection there. Thanks.

as for "rider-cam" pix - it's always about keeping me out of the shot, that is the main reason for having a camera - so you can be BEHIND it.b

[bluedigger]

13. Poor Joe.

He came to you for a reason. It'll be okay.

[Ptah]

14. Saddened to hear this Kali.

[lovemydog]

19. so sorry Kali

I know you'll do what's best for Joe the Horse

[csziggy]

27. Kali - hug Joe for me

I'm so sorry he's got this horrid disease. I know you love that old guy.

[westerebus]

28. Sometimes doing the right thing really sucks.

But, it is the right thing.

[Rhiannon12866]

29. Oh, what a pretty boy!

I just hope that he's comfortable. I am so, so sorry!

[bluesbassman]

33. That stinks Kali.

I hope your remaining time with the old fella is good time and that he doesn't suffer too much.

[Kali]

37. thanks everybody

I'm not ignoring the people I haven't replied to yet, just need a little break from this. Kind of a crappy day and I think I need to go hunt down some MFM funnies or something.

the support here is so great, I really appreciate it. thanks so much.

[MiddleFingerMom]

43. Remember that first day I visited. I never felt like such a horse's ass before.

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[nolabear]

38. Aw, poor old Joe. Such a hard thing for you.

You and I both know the nitty gritty of living with and not just loving but being, in all ways, intimate with, critters. Sometimes it slaps you in the face when you just plain have to take charge of something awful.

Love him up for me for the next couple of weeks and then send him off easy.

[pacalo]

39. Poor Joe.

I'm so sorry, Kali. He looks like such a sweet horse.

[Worried senior]

40. That is so sad

I know he knows you love him and will do whatever is best for him.

Sometimes life sucks.

[geardaddy]

41. I'm so sorry to hear that.

[GoCubsGo]

44. :'-(

Poor Joe. I'm glad he got to spend his last year with someone who treats him well, and isn't going to let him suffer.

[DFW]

45. That sounds like a bitter blow to take

It's pretty easy to get attached to an animal like that, and REALLY painful when you have to put him or her down.

My sympathies, that has to be one tough decision (i.e. when?) you are looking at.