It is amazing to me that it is coming up on a year from the day that I received a phone call about Chance’s health! As I think back over the many months of diagnostics, research, hyper vigilance, wishes, decisions, stressors, and connection- I am truly amazed.

I am amazed at Chance’s strength.  He never gave up; he kept on fighting.  No matter how sore, tired, or sick Chance was there was ONE thing that remained- his gentle and determined soul.  He never seemed deterred by the obstacles in front of him whether the obstacle was a hill, walking a straight line, or walking in general; he just kept trying each and every day.  He showed kindness to the numerous vets who poked and prodded him; never once trying to bite or kick at them. Chance did not give up throughout this tiresome and seemingly, never ending journey.  He persevered.  We persevered.

Every single day I am grateful that I have been able to spend this time by Chance’s side; to reconnect and go through this journey together.  We have made up for the time lost while he was in Forest, VA. If today was Chance’s last day, I can honestly say that I would be at peace.  I wouldn’t have been able to say this a year ago.

Over the last year, while the journey was overwhelming, sad, tiresome, and at times, heart wrenching, I was able to witness Chance become a horse.  That may sound strange, but after enduring the many years of pain medications and intermittent bouts of lameness and Lymphangitis, I saw a horse that was not able to 100% enjoy his life.

And for the first time, I have seen him doing the very opposite, I have seen him enjoying life. Life as a horse. I’ve seen him running in the pastures, laying in the sunshine, & rolling in the snow. I’ve seen him make friends, eat warm bran mash, and devour his hay. I’ve heard him whinny and I’ve seen the light come back into his eyes.

For that, I am truly grateful.  I can say without a shed of a doubt, I have no regrets about the decision I made a year ago, no matter how difficult it may have been.