02/26/08, 11:12pm…the good, the bad and the ugly…

February 26th, 11:12pm: We had a great ending to what started as a bad day for me. Windchill was in great spirits this evening, waiting for his 6pm lift which began with a team meeting outside the barn, out of earshot of the little fella. Our lift team already knew what this was about – do we move the little guy to the U of M or do we keep him here and continue caring for him. I already had misgivings about the idea, leading to the post this morning that brought out everyone’s opinion – the vast majority of which were from people who have never examined or seen Windchill. Thus we wanted to hear from those that are here every night. After an hour long consultation with the University of California-Davis Equine Clinical Services starvation expert, it was their opinion that the stress of moving Windchill would be very harsh on his fragile system, and the loss of the continuity of care (and yes love, which is a big factor) that has been created would probably be even rougher. Our care regimen was reviewed and endorsed. They were impressed by his progress. The unanimous decision is that unless there is some change in condition, we are going to keep him here where we can continue our round-the-clock care of our friend. Is it worth the efforts – the changing of sawdust, hay, cleaning, giving him water, grain, turning him every six hours, keeping him covered, massaging his legs, giving him meds? Unquestionably. He’s bright eyed and spirited. We don’t keep him alive for us. We keep him alive because he chooses to live – his bright clear eyes burn with desire.

Tonight’s lift went very well, Windchill stood immediately after the lift and went back and forth between saying “hello” to Kisses and then over to the other stall to say “hi” to Sunday. We had a little celebration tonight. Rick L. brought over several pizzas and pop for the lift team, and Windchill got a new mix of hay that he loved. Of course I never have the camera for the cute stuff like his nuzzling with Kisses. We looked at pictures from two weeks ago and what his coat looks like now and what a difference! He stayed up for a couple of hours and decided it was bed time.

Apparently I have quite a crowd reading this, many with strong opinions of a being they haven’t been near. Will that change how I feel or how I write? No. I don’t think it’s fair to start filtering content to cater to certain elements. Plus we have that pesky constitutional right to free speech thing I guess I’m exercising here. I can appreciate the opinions of others. I respect and value input. But that’s where it stops. Windchill is in a barn sleeping peacefully on a thick bed of sawdust and hay, covered in blankets rotated and washed several times a day in a washer and dryer on their last legs. He doesn’t have the heated barns of the polo playing ponies (none of whom called over here offering up their barns – that offer came from a small dairy and horse farm in Cloquet who had more caring than money I’m betting)…but he does have love, shelter, monitoring and good medical care. We have been, and will continue to be in constant contact with experts, which include UC-Davis, as well as our vet. CORRECTION: The U of M would like us to correct this statement that their records do not show constant contact. They are unsure why there was not return calls to us, they show our initial contact and the contact regarding the sling useage. Unfortunately I’m a horse lover but not a horse expert. I love working with them. I love being with them.  So what you’re going to continue to get from me here is the unfiltered thoughts, sights and feelings of a cowboy who enjoys cigars, loves the smell and sound of his 50hp diesel steed – Excalibur -  as it carries the hay bales to the pastures (the herd considers this meals on wheels), drives a pickup, listens to country, classical, jazz, and big band and still thinks the Partridge Family might make a comeback. I say grace, I say sir and ma’am, I still believe in this great nation and I believe in God. The dog’s my best friend and I of course have the 3 brightest, most talented kids on earth. I’m not asking you to believe in any of that, just respect it.