Winterlakesfarm Toad

[winterlakesfarm]

This is a very hard day. My wonderful Toad has COPD. When I first bought him a couple of years ago he was in horrible condition. He had been abandoned at a boarding facility and was confined to a stall with terrible ventilation. He was roaring so badly you could hear him 2 aisles away. His big sweet face haunted me and I went back to get him the next day.

The best $200 I ever spent.

His registered name was BH Cody, but from the start he became Winterlakesfarm Toad. He could get his substantial bulk up off the ground in some amazing airs above the ground. I called him a frog which soon became Toad.

His breathing was pretty good after the first month or 2 and rarely did he need any help from drugs. Sometimes shots for a day or 2 or a puff from his inhaler and they set him right quickly.

Sadly, this last cold snap took a huge toll on him. He became horribly congested and had a hard time breathing. It has gone on for weeks.

The best way to describe him was that he never did anything wrong. Ever. The vet, the farrier, my family, and friends all loved him.

Gentle giant with a silly sense of humor, he tolerated inhalers, steroid injections and in a last ditch effort to help him, a percussive sound wave machine stuffed up his nostril.

He tolerated all with a longsuffering sense of humor.

He followed me around the other day inserting himself between me and the muck wheelbarrow and kept putting his massive head on my chest.

He was letting me know it was okay to stop trying. I love him too much to let him continue to feel bad.

I am letting him go today surrounded by people who love him.

Godspeed Silly Old Toad

[Buena]

Oh Chelsea. I am so sorry. Toad was one huge love bug and he is very missed. Thank you for letting him stay here for a while. He was a joy to be around.

{hugs}

[schwung]

I am so sorry. Such a sweet horse, the kind you would love to keep around forever. It's too bad the COPD got the best of him. I know you will miss him, I am so sorry.

[jaybird]

Oh Chelsea. My heart stopped when I saw this post. I am so so sorry. Toad was the special-est of special horses. I can't imagine how hard it is to let him go, but bless you for trying to make him better. And bless him for telling you it was okay to say goodbye. What a horse.

tears for Toad. rest in peace dear boy.

[schwung]

Here are some more photos of the Toadlet I found from the Bodywork clinic (I hope you don't mind me posting these Chelsea):

[Juliane]

Chelsea - I am so sorry that it is Toad's time. He truly is a lovely fellow and I absolutely adored having his charming self at my barn a couple years ago. Thank you for taking such good care of him!

Goodbye Toad!

[jennywho]

So sorry to hear about your loss of the wonderful Toad. He was very lucky to have stolen your heart.

[Whitewolf821]

I'm so sorry to hear this Chelsea. Thank you for giving him such a wonderful home.

Based on the pictures, it's pretty easy to see that Toad touched many lives. Who could ask for more than that?

[mymercedes]

Chelsea, my heart goes out to you today. Toad was obviously a very special and well loved boy, and bless you for knowing when his time had come!

[trillium]

Chelsea, I am so sorry to hear about Cody. He was a sweet guy. When Dancer was at NWEC, he was in the stall next to her. Kathryn and I used to feed him treats and clean his water bucket and fill it. I always felt so sorry for him because no one came to take care of him. I was so happy when you took him. He had a couple of great years with you and was loved in the end. Hugs to you. Laurie

[cat67]

I was so happy when Chelsea took him. He would never have made it this long living in a barn. Her place was perfect for him, he received the best of care, and he was such a wonderful, wonderful horse who deserved all of it. It was hilarious to watch him do his "airs above the ground" out in her big front pasture. He would just throw his front legs out in front of him and LAUNCH through the air, but he never ever put a foot wrong under saddle. RIP, Mr. Toad.

[Whitewolf821]

Jan 21, 2009 18:49:25 GMT -5 cat67 said:

Is this a photo of Cat trail riding I underestimated how special Toad was!

It is obvious that he will never be forgotten. He has Chelsea and everyone else to thank for that.

[coconut]

Chelsea, I'm so sorry to hear about Toad. I've enjoyed his photos very much & it seems he's touch many lives.

Thank you for loving him!

[safehorses]

Chelsea, I'm so sorry that it was Toad's time to go. I never met him myself, but he sounded like such a joy to be around. Thank goodness his last years were spent in a loving home, he knew he was loved.

[cardicorgi]

Oh Chelsea, I'm so sorry.

I loved Toad when I met him at the clinic - he obviously had a really good mind, and his eye - -so kind wise and soft.

It is great he lived the life of Riley with you for his last two years -especially when I'm reminded that he didn't have a "person" of his own, really, before you.