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Cherokee Nation
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Tobiano Paint/Arabian mare |
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June 1, 1993 - June 19, 2014
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21 years old
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We rescued Maiya 16 years ago from abuse. I worked with her for over a year of ground work to gain her trust, and her gain my trust, and love. She became the most wonderful horse. She loved people, kids, everyone. Kids rode her and she loved it.
We had such a wonderful, special bond between us over the years. I can remember wonderful times when she would be out in pasture, and she would just see me and come running to the gate, tail straight out and head held high and ears up. Or, all I would have to do is call her name and she would come running. I never had to go get her out in pasture or paddock. We used to jog together. She figured if she had to work, mommy had to work with her. We loved trail riding, whether with other riders or just by ourselves. Those were treasured times, when it was just my baby girl and mommy trail riding together. She got me through so much in my life through the years. She was always there with her unconditional love. She let me dress her up every Halloween, and it never bothered her. After so many years she just seemed to have that look of okay, let's get this over with. She also had the habit of rolling after mommy gave her a bath. I think sometimes she did that on purpose. She loved to give you hugs and kisses. I miss that.
Two years ago we found out she had Cushings Disease and started her on medication for it, and it was working beautifully. Then a year ago we found out she was Insulin Resistant, and started her on medication for that. She was on medication every day and it never bothered her taking it, even made cute funny faces. Her health had so improved, and she acted like a 6 year old. We figured she would be with us for more years to come.
One day we got a call that her left side of her face was swollen and she couldn't swollow, so I called the vet and we met him at the barn. I could see in her eyes she wasn't right, and she was stressed from not being able to swallow. When the vet tried checking her, the stress pushed her into a major seizure. She ended up having a bee sting on her face and was allergic to it. After her seizure, she was banged up pretty good but she started to recover. But, a few days later she suffered a stroke. We tried medication for a few days to see if anything would help, but she wasn't holding weight even though she was still eating and drinking, and she ended up loosing sight in her left eye, and had neurological damage. We knew what had to be done before she started suffering. So we decided on a day a few days later, so all our friends and family could say good bye to her, and we spent a few quiet nights with her, and she was put to rest on June 19, 2014. I talked to her the whole time until she laid down and took her last breath. I continued to talk to her even though she had crossed to the Rainbow Bridge telling her how much I loved her and always will. It was the hardest day of my life. But everyone told me it was the last "act of love" that I did for her.
I miss her every minute of every day, and the hole in my heart will take a long time to heal. I talk to her every day, and we made a memorial garden in our back yard for her and I sit back there and talk to her. I still cry a lot. My love for you will never die, my baby girl Maiya, and I know I will see you again one day and we will cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Love,
Mommy
Maiya 
