In Memory of Dillon
1993- 2004
One day I found you,
my best dearest friend
And the love that you gave me never did end.
Silent partners we were, telling stories each day
Laughing and joking as I brought in your hay.
Never wanting to leave
you, many days was I late
While we stood talking, alongside the gate.
The bond that we shared was special for two
Taking care of each other, as kindred spirits do.
Now there are no more
smiles, just tears
Of missing your love and support through the years.
I thought that forever was the time we would have
More fun, more rides and runs at the calves.
I long for your hugs
and your all-knowing eyes
But you live in my heart and dance in the Skies.
Goodbye wasn't something I was ready to say
All I wished for, my boy, was just one more day.
But God didn't listen,
a special place you were to go
Many tears I have cried and how I miss you so.
Farewell my dear friend, I bid you ado...
Until we ride again, I'll be thinking of you.
Written with love from
mum,
Julie MacDonald
Our Story
Losing Dillon has been one
of the most difficult journeys I have ever been on. I am not one to remember
dates, but Saturday, October 2, 2004 will forever ring in my ears and pull
at my heart. It is difficult to put our story into words, as I could fill
pages and books full of the many joys, lessons, stories of heartfelt friendship
and gifts brought to me because of this horse.
We were only together for 5 short years, but they were five years to last
an eternity. Dillon was only 11, although his birth date and heritage was
not known, he was a Sorrel Quarter Horse, a great athlete and an even greater
spirit. Dillon was my greatest gift.
My entire life I loved horses, you know the type, horse pictures on the
wall and always trying to run to the horses' galloping beat. I was raised
on a beef farm, so dreams of our farm becoming a ranch, cattle round ups
and cowboys riding off into the sunsets, danced in my head while working
at my chores.
My first steed was a black pony named Thunder, she was wonderful. Thunder
followed me around the pasture and protected me from any cattle who came
wondering about to steal her attention. She was a sweetheart, but she would
not allow a rider on her back. I clearly recall a day Dad and I spent trying
to 'break' her, Thunder was very spirited! Although ever unwilling to accept
a rider, she never caused me harm. I could sit on her back easily enough,
but ask her to move!?? No Way! Never kicking or bucking, she would squat
and wriggle around to get rid of me, always ensuring that I landed on my
feet. With that Thunder was sold, as my Father explained we couldn't have
a horse around that wouldn't be ridden. As sensible as that sounds, to a
7 or 8 year old it makes no matter and it was difficult to say goodbye to
her.
Over the years I was introduced to a lot of different horses
as Dad was buying and selling for a while. Most of these horses were ill
tempered, after trying to ride and getting hurt many times, I feared that
I was never going to be a 'cowboy' because I couldn't handle these horses.
I still loved them, but I became more afraid and my confidence was crushed.
I found Dillon when I was 20, or rather he found me. I was in Alberta with
my boyfriend Martin (later to become husband Martin) on a hunting trip. I
had always wanted to see Alberta and if I had to pretend I wanted to hunt
some deer, that was ok by me!
Besides I might just meet me a real cowboy! What I met was a horse who stole
my heart the second I looked into his eyes.
Martin's Mother and Father found this horse at the Inisfail
auction barn. Struck by the way he moved in the ring, Dillon was bought.
We later discovered that Dillon was a very scared horse, with extreme head
shy problems and an uneasy distrust for man. Dillon had many old scars and
even new wounds behind his ears, most likely from pulling on a tightly drawn
halter in order to trailer him. We guessed that was why when he freaked
out loading and broke my mother-in-law's hand. They showed him a great home
and caring people, but Dillon remained uneasy. When I first laid eyes on
this horse, it felt as though he looked me in the eye and peered straight
into my soul. When I tried to approach him, I could sense he was afraid and
backed away, only to look behind me and see him walking towards me again.
I remember the look in his eye, he seemed to say to me, Please don't go,
I want to be with you but I am afraid! So stay I did. I spent over two hours
with him that day, just sitting on the ground as he seemed happy to have
someone around talking to him. Over the next two weeks, lots of treats and
walks though the fields, I was hooked. I felt such a powerful connection
to him and those eyes pleaded for me not to leave. But. Our trip was over
and back to PEI I went, taking memories and a little clip of Dillon's tail
with me. I thought about him a lot and even found myself missing him, but
he was too far away. Or was he? Through that winter Charles and Ingrid found
that Dillon wasn't getting any easier to handle. For a couple who just wanted
to ride and enjoy the outdoors, Dillon wasn't working out. They too loved
him, but Dillon was hard to catch, spooked easily at people, and was difficult
to handle most of the time.
That spring they told me that they were going to sell him, returning
him to the auction barn were he was found. I knew I didn't want that to happen
to Dillon. Was it even reasonable to truck this horse across the county,
not even sure I would be able to do anything with him? I didn't know, but
I just couldn't bear the thought of what might happen to him if I didn't
take him. That November Dillon finally arrived home with me.
Everyone thought I was nuts, paying to have what appeared to them as
a good-for-nothing mutt, shipped across the country. When I could have bought
a perfectly good horse here. They didn't see what I did; besides it was love
and love can make you do crazy things.
We sort of shared the same complex, I wanted to trust horses again, but was
afraid, and Dillon's eyes told me he wanted my help, but he was afraid too.
Together we worked things out, I always calmly and gently talked him through
scary things, and even when he got nervous, he always made sure he didn't
hurt me and tried his best to be calm. The entire time we shared together,
he never trusted anyone as much as me, even the vet had to leave certain
shots for me to give to him after she was gone. And Good Luck to anyone else
who tried to give him a de-wormer! Over time our bond grew stronger and he
was my greatest support system, and my best of friends. He came to
love his treats and always stretched his neck out for kisses and hugs. I
still can't believe how much this horse trusted and loved me after everything
he must have been through.
We tried many different events, hoping to find something that we could
do together. Unfortunately, Dillon came up very sore due to an obvious older
injury when trying to run left leads, which just about exhausted all options.
Besides, I could tell Dillon was never impressed doing any of the fancy stuff.
So we trail rode, miles and miles of trails, never a sore shoulder and never
missing a beat. He loved to run and so did I. Two years went by and I was
so happy to have Dillon, he made me feel safe, and I trusted him to the ends
of the earth. I know it sounds silly, but together we were invincible. I
would always take care of him no matter what, and he gave me wings. I know
he would have laid his life on the line for me, as he knew I would do the
same.
One day a friend of mine told me I should take him down to practice
team penning with them and see how Dillon would do. Well! I couldn't believe
it, neither could they! He was all over those cows like white on rice! He
knew what he was doing and I could tell he loved it! I was laughing so hard
in my disbelief; I just remember trying to hang on while Dillon did his thing.
The rest is history. Not only did we prove everyone wrong, we loved each
other and we both loved working the cattle. And Dillon never got sore doing
his "job". He and I became well- known here as cattle penners and I received
many compliments on my boy. Yep, we felt on top of the world, our bond was
very special and now we had something to work at that we both enjoyed. Dillon
made my dreams come true - a cowgirl and her horse, heading the cattle and
riding off into the sunset.
We enjoyed two years of penning, I always thought that we would be together
forever. Little did I know that Dillon would leave me that Saturday, bound
for a better place.
My heart broke in pieces and he took some of it with him when he left. I
will never forget the life lessons this horse taught me, nor will I forget
the love we had for each other. I miss his kindness and support,
he carried me through some difficult times, as I saw him through his.
Somehow Dillon always made it better, without saying a word, he knew. He
was my Rock and my best of friends.
Although it seems that this chapter in my life is over, it is quite
the opposite. Because of Dillon I have been given new beginnings. I
am a better person, and a much better horse person, everything he taught
me is used every day in dealing with people and other horses. His patience
and trust will forever be engraved in my heart. I like to think that
I helped him learn to trust and be happy again, but we all know who helped
who.
Thank you, my boy, I am so glad we took the chance on one
another.
Our hoofbeats were many,
but our heart beats as one
Author
Unknown
This is a poem I found
on the internet one day, before Dillon's passing. I thought it would be nice
to keep, saved it and never thought much about it. After he died I remembered
it, I found it saved on my computer, file created August 2nd, two months
to the day before he died. I believe that he was telling me I did the right
thing and it was time for him to go. It brought me a great sense of peace.
After reading this I knew for sure that he was happiest with us.
My Horse's
Wish
Could you bed me down
with kindness on the soft, sweet words of love.
Could you ride me in man's finest, with hands light as a
dove.
Could you teach me with
old wisdom by the laws of just and fair.
Could you be my friend forever with a trust so true and
rare.
Could you meet me on
the morrow, with grasses green and sweet.
Could you free me without sorrow on the plains of loam and
wheat.
Could you say farewell
with honor on the day my life is through.
And remember me forever, as I shall remember you.
Barbara
Dunn-Reeves
Dillon 
