Patchy Pony, you were with
me for 15 short months. I got you to keep Cisco company after Jesse died,
knowing that you had been starved and were still in bad shape. When you came,
I could count every rib, see your hipbones stick up under your long shaggy
coat, and your head was too big for your body. I worked with the vet
to give you the best nutrition possible. You gained weight and grew stronger
over time.
I took you and Cisco to New Bolton to have the Squamous Cell Carcinomas
removed from your left eyelid barely two months after you came. You also
had cataracts and your pupils were permanently dilated so you wore a fly
mask most days to protect your eyes from the light. But you thrived with
all the attention and love. You grew into a very handsome, proud
pony.
You loved to roughhouse
with Cisco and the two of you were so rough you went out by yourselves. But
you never hurt each other.
Nobody had any clue what
was happening to you inside. You only went downhill the last few days I had
you. It was shocking when we found out that your spleen was so enlarged it
filled most of your abdomen and was so filled with cancer the vet told me
your spleen had actually fractured!
The vets at New Bolton were
amazed how sick you were and give me the credit for you doing so well so
long with the good nutrition and care. You looked great right up until you
died. I'm glad I had the chance to help you and to show you the love you
hadn't had for so long, if you'd ever had it to start with.
I know you're in a better
place now and you and Jesse are best friends now that you know each
other.
Godspeed, Apache, aka Patchy
Pony. You at least died knowing how much you were loved!
Candie
Patchy Pony 
