Athena has cancer

Hi RB,

I've not been on HHO at all this week, and have just seen your updates on Athena. I'm completely gutted for you both. She must be a big part of your heart, considering you hand raised her and rescued her. She is such a gorgeous girl, I was delighted to have helped with the naming of her, and was so pleased that you chose that name...I felt personally attached to her for that reason, like a remote-Auntie!
Her photos are beautiful, and she was a lucky girl to have found you. It must be so devastating to think that after all the love, effort, time, commitment etc that have gone into her, that she could get cruelly and prematurely taken away from you.
As others have said, thank you for sharing her with us, we've gotten to know her and love her as well. If she does sadly go prematurely, she'll take a little piece of all of our hearts as well. I'm so sad for you, I can't express in this post how much...

Please keep us posted. And I wish you all the inner strength you need to deal with the next few days / months, whatever the outcome may be.

Big hug for you and lots of carrots and snuggles for Athena.
 
RB I'm so sorry, what you are going through is every horse owners worst nightmare. I have followed all your posts, think you are hilarious and don't mind the photos either ;) just didn't post as didn't want to be classed as a cougar-not quite old enough for that!!

Although this is heartbreaking news and I feel for you, I am also so pleased that she found you...someone to love and care for her and make sure that the best was done by her rather than with her previous owner-would his girlfriend have allowed him to spend enough time with her that he would even have discovered the lump before her suffering became unbearable? Please don't think I'm heartless but, I think many things in life happen for a reason and I think she needed to find you so that you could take care of this for her.

Sending hugs for you and kisses to your darling girl xx
 
Have missed your other posts re Athena as not been on this week. Am so sorry to hear about this. I am sure you will do what is best for your lovely girl no matter how hard it will be for you. Sending hugs for you both. x
 
Oh RB I'm so sorry to hear this. I know from your posts how much she is in your heart. You have done a lovely thing in having her and making sure she is well looked after and checked out. Life isn't fair is it. As stated you will not let her suffer. You have only been on here a short time but come across like most on here devoted to your horses. When you have to make the decision rest assured you have the support of a lot of people on here who will help you get through this tough time. Please give Athena a snuggle from me.
 
Just off the phone with the vet nd the cancer wil have spready by now. He said we cld start her on steriods but be prepared to see her go weak nd deteriate. Ano people hav said ther is a chance she wil pull thro but if she doesn't she will b in pain for the same outcome.

Vet is coming back at 3pm to have her pts till then am gonna spend every last minute with her.


Thank you everyone for the support u gave me and my Athena I cant tell u how much it helped nd its nice to see how many people care for my girl
 
Bless you for loving your little horse and ensuring that she has a good end. You took her on when she needed you and you have never let her down. Will be thinking of you and Athena this afternoon. Go in peace, little mare.
 
Just seen this and wanted to say i'm so very very sorry for your devistating news. I know how it feels to get that awful diagnosis. When Lucys diagnosis was in I just couldn't believe what the vet was saying. I didn't take any of it in except the fact that Lucy was dieing :( My boss had to ring the vet back as she couldn't get any sence out of me at all.
It's such a shock when you are told there is nothing anyone can to to help your special friend. My whole world fell appart when I had to let Lucy go but like you I knew in my heart it was the best thing for her. No matter how much it hurt me I couldn't let my amazing mare suffer.
Athena knows how much you love her and will be forever thankful that you are putting an end to her suffering and letting her be at peace.
This poem realy helped me through the dark time of loosing Lucy. I hope you can find some comfort from it to.

If the day should come when I'm in pain,
And you know I won't be well again,
Promise you'll do what must be done,
If this is the battle that can't be won.

It'll break your heart, but please be kind,
Don't let your grieving sway your mind.
For this is when you'll let me see
Just how much you do love me.

Together we've had happy years
The future now can hold no fears.
Please don't let me suffer
so When that days comes, please let me go.

For my usual vet please will you send?
But stay with me until the end.
Hold me steady, speak to me
Till my once bright eyes no longer see

In time I hope you'll come to see
It's the last kindness you'll do for me
One more time please stroke my mane
And know that I'll have no more pain.

And don't be sad that it was you
Who decided this was what to do.
We've been such buddies through the years
Don't let me be the cause of tears.

You'll always see me graze now,
with the sun upon my back
Painful limbs won't tire me now,
however long the hack.

I live now in your heart and mind,
a lovely place to stay.
And what you have in memories,
no one can take away.


((((((((hugs))))))))) to you. You and Athena are in my thoughts today. xx
 
All horse owners and lovers feel your pain.
I lost one of my horses in June a lovely mare the difference being she was in her twenties and i had had her since she was 2 years old She had a good life long and happy.
When they are taken so early like your girl you feel really cheated . At least in her short life she has known love and care .
It is the last love we can show for them but it doesn't make it any easier for us.

I found this poem on Hoofbeats in Heaven and it seems so appropriate

Your sweet and gentle nature

The kindness in your eye

The softness of your pink white muzzle

That neighed to me each day

Thank you for your trust in me

And those memories held so dear

A special bond meant just for us

Will be treasured year after year after year.....

I loved you then, I love you now

My dear, sweet, sensitive girl

My heart it breaks to say goodbye

As it cannot not tell a lie

The candle flame burns brightly for you now

And will forever more

Gallop with the wind my princess

On that sunny ocean shore.

I will be thinking of you both at 3pm.
 
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Thank u I will be by her side when she does nd that poem summed up the argument in my head thank you so much nd sorry to hear about tour mare :(
 
At least she will be gone before she had a chance to detiorate RB. Just always remember that you done what was kindest for Athena :)

I am so sorry for your loss and will be thinking of you at 3pm x
 
You're doing the right thing, better a day too soon than a day too late, truly. You are doing her a great kindness. Feel so bad for you, will be saying a little prayer for you both at 3.
 
really sorry for you both, but take comfort from the fact your doing the best for her, and sounds like shes had a good few weeks with you. You have made a difference to her x
 
Athena was fortunate to have found you Rileyboy. A caring owner for her last days. She is lucky in this respect and you are blessed for having known her.
Take Care x.
 
Huge hugs for you Rileyboy and to Athena as well, a much loved little filly. I'm no cougar, more of a nanny goat but if I had a son I would be very proud if he was like you. My heart is with you both today.
 
So sorry to hear this. Sleep tight little one. Like others have said, you're doing the right thing, and this way you can remember her happy. Will be thinking of you both at 3
 
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