fine_and_dandy
Well-Known Member
This is a tribute Wonka, my beautiful blue eyed boy.
I first met you in 2005, when I was still at uni and helping out with the scurry ponies. You were a nervous half wild little black pony with an odd blaze and bright blue eyes whom I fell in love with instantly. I worked with you for a little while, on and off, before leaving uni the following year. I remember the little things, such as the joy I felt the first time you let me catch you by your headcollar.
I had a call from John in 2007, offering you to me for sale and I jumped at the chance. A month later, you were with me; extremely confused, frightened and not knowing who to trust. Our first couple of months were so difficult. We would go 1 step forwards and 100 steps back and at times I felt like giving up, but something always stopped me.
In a last ditch effort, we attempted join up. 2 and a half hours later and in the pitch black, you were still refusing to give in, and so the next day, I picked up where we had to leave the night before and half an hour later you were following me wherever I went. This was our turning point.
We had a few trying times when riding; I came off in a spectacular fashion onto my head and was out cold before coming round and speaking nonsense. I remember coming round after falling off and seeing you with your nose down nuzzling me, and the concern and panic in your eyes when you were back in your stable and I was on the floor with people around me.
You learnt to trust me and became my little shadow; if there was a chance for you to follow me - in the stable, school, field - then you would. We had such a strong bond. When we moved yards, people would comment on how much you looked for me when I disappeared from view. One person said that if it was possible for a pony to know what love and adoration was, that you did and you adored me and I you.
You could be a little terror when you wanted - when the weather was good you would refuse to come in from the field, and generally only me and a friend whom you also trusted, would be the only ones who could get you in.
I knew early on that I would only be able to take you so far, and it was clear that you had talent and ability. I made the decision to sell you and put you up for sale late last year. A few people saw you, but I didn't think they were right for you - your new home far outweighed any money.
One Sunday in November, a little girl came to try you. Within half an hour of them leaving, I had a call to say that they wanted you, and she had fallen in love with you. Watching you with this little girl on your back was a moment of realisation where everything seemed to click and come together. Two weeks later, they arrived with a box to take you to your new home, just 11 days before Christmas. 15 people on the yard came to say goodbye to you. Loading you onto the box was the hardest thing I have ever done. You followed me up completely trusting as ever, and it was only when the side door had been shut and you saw me through the groom's door that you realised something was up. It broke my heart doing that but I knew it was the right decision.
Your new family were fantastic. They called me to give me updates as to how you were doing, they sent me photos too, including the ones of you on Christmas day, with a bow in your forelock and tinsel and ribbon on you, being marched up to this little girl's front door to meet her
In February you did your first show and came 3rd, with the judges commenting on how beautiful you were and they couldn't wait to see more of you. You also did a gymkhana and came 1st twice.
I had a call last week to ask whether you had ever had colic whilst I owned you as you apeared to have gassy colic. You never had any health problems with me, so I let them know and they prmoised to keep me updated.
A call on Friday told me that you were in the vets and had been all week. They operated on you and despite being on a worming program, they found tapeworm which had impacted your gut. They also mentioned you had grass sickness due to toxins being released in your body. You were a little fighter and the vets couldn't believe every hour you got through. You had the drip out and everyone thought you would pull through.
My phone rang on Saturday. I answered it and will never forget that call. The sobbing down the phone and the attempt to get the words out to tell me that you were going to have to be put to sleep. They couldn't try and operate again, your tummy was just packing up on you and there was nothing more they could do. You were in so much pain.
I felt like my heart was being broken inside of me and just cried. I asked that they told you how much I love you, how I never had and never will forget you, and to give you a kiss and a cuddle for me. Half an hour later, you had gone peacefully.
Everytime I think about you I get a raw searing pain, and I cannot help the tears. I am in denial; I cannot believe that I will not be able to see you at the summer shows, or get anymore updates or pictures of you. I keep thinking about your beautiful blue eyes and that they do not see anymore.
You taught me so much. You touched the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing you, and I have so many memories of you which, in time, I will be able to look upon without the tears and smile.
I love you so much wonky donkey, and I truly thought that in years to come I would get you back to retire you. I am completely broken hearted.
I don't have anything left that was yours to keep, or any of your hair. Some may see it as silly but I am going to put a bunch of daffodils under your favourite tree where you used to play hide and seek.
RIP little man. I love you. Run pain free and be impossible to catch at Rainbow Bridge. Just remember to let me catch you up there when I see you.
X X X X X X X X X X
Wonka ?? - 18.04.09
I first met you in 2005, when I was still at uni and helping out with the scurry ponies. You were a nervous half wild little black pony with an odd blaze and bright blue eyes whom I fell in love with instantly. I worked with you for a little while, on and off, before leaving uni the following year. I remember the little things, such as the joy I felt the first time you let me catch you by your headcollar.
I had a call from John in 2007, offering you to me for sale and I jumped at the chance. A month later, you were with me; extremely confused, frightened and not knowing who to trust. Our first couple of months were so difficult. We would go 1 step forwards and 100 steps back and at times I felt like giving up, but something always stopped me.
In a last ditch effort, we attempted join up. 2 and a half hours later and in the pitch black, you were still refusing to give in, and so the next day, I picked up where we had to leave the night before and half an hour later you were following me wherever I went. This was our turning point.
We had a few trying times when riding; I came off in a spectacular fashion onto my head and was out cold before coming round and speaking nonsense. I remember coming round after falling off and seeing you with your nose down nuzzling me, and the concern and panic in your eyes when you were back in your stable and I was on the floor with people around me.
You learnt to trust me and became my little shadow; if there was a chance for you to follow me - in the stable, school, field - then you would. We had such a strong bond. When we moved yards, people would comment on how much you looked for me when I disappeared from view. One person said that if it was possible for a pony to know what love and adoration was, that you did and you adored me and I you.
You could be a little terror when you wanted - when the weather was good you would refuse to come in from the field, and generally only me and a friend whom you also trusted, would be the only ones who could get you in.
I knew early on that I would only be able to take you so far, and it was clear that you had talent and ability. I made the decision to sell you and put you up for sale late last year. A few people saw you, but I didn't think they were right for you - your new home far outweighed any money.
One Sunday in November, a little girl came to try you. Within half an hour of them leaving, I had a call to say that they wanted you, and she had fallen in love with you. Watching you with this little girl on your back was a moment of realisation where everything seemed to click and come together. Two weeks later, they arrived with a box to take you to your new home, just 11 days before Christmas. 15 people on the yard came to say goodbye to you. Loading you onto the box was the hardest thing I have ever done. You followed me up completely trusting as ever, and it was only when the side door had been shut and you saw me through the groom's door that you realised something was up. It broke my heart doing that but I knew it was the right decision.
Your new family were fantastic. They called me to give me updates as to how you were doing, they sent me photos too, including the ones of you on Christmas day, with a bow in your forelock and tinsel and ribbon on you, being marched up to this little girl's front door to meet her
In February you did your first show and came 3rd, with the judges commenting on how beautiful you were and they couldn't wait to see more of you. You also did a gymkhana and came 1st twice.
I had a call last week to ask whether you had ever had colic whilst I owned you as you apeared to have gassy colic. You never had any health problems with me, so I let them know and they prmoised to keep me updated.
A call on Friday told me that you were in the vets and had been all week. They operated on you and despite being on a worming program, they found tapeworm which had impacted your gut. They also mentioned you had grass sickness due to toxins being released in your body. You were a little fighter and the vets couldn't believe every hour you got through. You had the drip out and everyone thought you would pull through.
My phone rang on Saturday. I answered it and will never forget that call. The sobbing down the phone and the attempt to get the words out to tell me that you were going to have to be put to sleep. They couldn't try and operate again, your tummy was just packing up on you and there was nothing more they could do. You were in so much pain.
I felt like my heart was being broken inside of me and just cried. I asked that they told you how much I love you, how I never had and never will forget you, and to give you a kiss and a cuddle for me. Half an hour later, you had gone peacefully.
Everytime I think about you I get a raw searing pain, and I cannot help the tears. I am in denial; I cannot believe that I will not be able to see you at the summer shows, or get anymore updates or pictures of you. I keep thinking about your beautiful blue eyes and that they do not see anymore.
You taught me so much. You touched the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing you, and I have so many memories of you which, in time, I will be able to look upon without the tears and smile.
I love you so much wonky donkey, and I truly thought that in years to come I would get you back to retire you. I am completely broken hearted.
I don't have anything left that was yours to keep, or any of your hair. Some may see it as silly but I am going to put a bunch of daffodils under your favourite tree where you used to play hide and seek.
RIP little man. I love you. Run pain free and be impossible to catch at Rainbow Bridge. Just remember to let me catch you up there when I see you.
X X X X X X X X X X
Wonka ?? - 18.04.09
