Closing one chapter in life.......

[Ashley]

I the past few months I have have been deciding what to do with my animal life. My intrest in the horses is dieing out, and im over done on pets all together.

I have come to a point my life where I am ready to expand my human family, and give up what was my life. My intrest and desires have changed.

When it comes to the horses they their expense has increased greatly in the past few months. The two senior guys live pretty much exclusivly on grain only now. I also dont get much help with the upkeep or feeding of them, and im just burnt out. While they are in good health, and I have been doing fine with them it has been tight money wise to feed them and keep up with everything else. Today I took the step to contact a rescue that is near me that has a retirement group of horses, several in the same range of the two I have. I have asked if they would beable to take them or know of anybody that would beable to give them a home.

For months now I have had my other big horse needing to go This would put us at one older crabby mare left. She is not mine so its not my option.

I have also been looking for a new home for two of our dogs. This was mainly do to some issue they have that dont make them fit here well. THe one is very cat aggressive and trying to keep him apart from the cats inside and out has been a feat. ITs come to the point I have to lock the cats up while he is out and vice versa. The other does not do well in a multi dog home, he is very unhappy here and spends most of his days groweling at anything and everything. I do have an older retired lady that is intrested in him, which I think would be the perfect home for him.

So with that said, this chapter in my life will be closing, and I will be walking into a new chapter.

 

[Jill]

I'm really sorry you've come to the conclusion to not keep your animals and pets in your life. I hope they will all be okay, and that you will be, too. It's just impossible for me to fathom the day when I could look at Watson, Wilson, Kelsey, Destiny, DunIT, ETC. and think "I don't want you anymore." It makes me sad to read your post.

 

[Ashley]

I'm really sorry you've come to the conclusion to not keep your animals and pets in your life. I hope they will all be okay, and that you will be, too. It's just impossible for me to fathom the day when I could look at Watson, Wilson, Kelsey, Destiny, DunIT, ETC. and think "I don't want you anymore." It makes me sad to read your post.

Its not that I dont want them anymore, just that I cant have both worlds. And if I cant find good homes for them they wont go anywhere anyway. I have already turned several people down on the older horses as they dont have the set up to care for them as needed. As for the yonger horse, I dont have the time to train her so why sit and let her wast away when she would make an awsome riding horse. I am also realizing I dont have what it takes to do it anymore. I havent done anything but feed the horses for a long time. I havent showed, rode or even done any training other then the basic, lead, tie and halter. Theres better homes out there for them.

The dogs its not an easy decision, I have tried working on issues with each of them, but its not getting any better. They would be better and happier in other homes.

Its not as fleeting as you may think it is. Its something I have been think about for well over a year now. Theres a time I have to stop and listen, I wont be like some people that wont put animals in new homes. Aside from the one older mare, the rest all have a lot of life left and can do something for somebody.

 

[Bess Kelly]

While it is sad, I applaud you for recognizing your limits and life changes and taking the steps to be sure these animals are treated well and cared for. But, this doesn't mean you don't love animals -- far from it!! -- only that, at this time, you need to pass on the responsibility to another.

Nothing wrong with the decision. IMO, you are doing what is right for all of you. Best of luck in your changing lifestyle.

 

[Ashley]

While it is sad, I applaud your for recognizing your limits and life changes and taking the steps to be sure these animals are treated well and cared for. But, this doesn't mean you don't love animals -- far from it!! -- only that, at this time, you need to pass on the responsibility to another.

Nothing wrong with the decision. IMO, you are doing what is right for all of you. Best of luck in your changing lifestyle.

Thank you for actually understanding! I am sure someday later in life I will have big horses again. I will probably always have at least one around(its loris horse). I also want to get school done and get settled into a real job, hopefully own my own business. Nows the time to do that before its to late.

 

[LindaL]

Ashley...I understand where you are coming from. I have been thru a similar situation (for different reasons) and while it was a difficult (well, one of the most difficult for me) decision I have ever been faced with, it was for the best at the time. So, if you are at that point, then that is what you need to do.

You are an animal lover and you will have more animals when the time is right again. For now, concentrate on your life and goals and I wish you the best in everything you do.

BTW, any test results yet??

 

[wcr]

I did the same thing when I was in my early 20's. Sometimes you need to back off to give yourself time to get your life started. It doesn't mean you won't get back to your animals in a few years when your life is more settled. I think the sign of a true horsewoman is that you may get rid of the animals but keep your saddle(or mini stuff) because you know they will be back in your life at some point.

 

[bcody]

Ashley, sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing to do. If animals were to meant to be in your life, there will come a time when that door opens again. You are doing something that is right for you and for your family and the animals, so there is nothing wrong with that. This day and age a good education is so important, as is a marketable skill to be able to make a living with. Comcentrate on those, because without them you would not be able to have the rest.

A lot of us have been where you are now, and we do understand. I hope everything works out well for you.

 

[Shari]

Sounds like you are doing what is best. Understand the feeling all too well lately and being overwhelmed isn't a good thing. You need to do what is best for you. Hugs

 

[Reble]

BUT human family sounds wonderful to me.

Cannot go wrong there. Wish you all the best.

 

[Sonya]

When we bought our "camp" up north of our house, I had to make the decision as well...we spend all our weekends there, even in the winter. I was paying a petsitter a fortune to take care of 4 minis/2 goats/ 10 chickens...it was silly. I didn't spend any time with these animals during the week because I work full time and drive an hr each way to work. My time with them consisted of cleaning/feeding/grooming...no quality time, I didn't have the time plain and simple. I don't think the goats or chickens minded so much as long as they were fed, but I did feel guilty with the horses, they would come to the fence when they'd see me and whinny, wanting attention and I'd be leaving for work. It wasn't fair to them or to my husband as I was spending so much money on animals I didn't have time for. I wanted to be at camp on the weekends, so I had to make a decision...I was lucky that of the horses they went in two's, the same way they came...and the goats also went together. All 10 chickens made it to the same home as well. I only have 2 dogs now and they go back and forth with us to each house. I don't think I could of given up the dogs, nor would I have wanted to, I don't have children, so they are my children.

I wish you the best of luck...it wasn't easy for me to see I was getting overwhelmed and I did hold on too long (I could see the frustration in my husband although he never said a word). It was a good decision for me and I'm sure it will be for you as well....things change in life and you have to adapt...one day I will have horses again (biggies again this time), but it will be when I retire in 8 years and move up to "camp" permanetly.

Good luck.

 

[bfogg]

Ashley I think it's wonderful that you recognize that you need to rehome your animals!!

Good for you for finding them new homes!

You are doing what is best for them! Bless you!

Good Luck with moving on to the next phase of your life!

Hugs

Bonnie

 

[Ashley]

THanks everybody.

I am only 26 and feel like I have lost alot of time. I started school late and its been takeing me awhile to get done due to various reasons. I am checkin with the school today to try and get more aid so I can be done by summer. Then I can move on to get my Masters. I havent worked since June and its driving me nuts. However, do to the last job and there now being a lawsuit its putting a huge damper on get another job. I make it past the tests, physical endurance and then once they get to the backgroud info I miss out. That is the only bad thing on my background history, my record is clean, im in good standing on bills, and with neighbors and previous coworkers/jobs(other then the last one). I did learn, while I did what was right and stood up against something that was very wrong, I will never be opening my mouth again and will just take it.

I also hope to be in a job that can support us with in the next year when Lori needs to take off work to do her internship for her Masters program so she can get licensed to be a therapist.

Up to this point I have always taken care of my horses. They get the food they need, and have never been with out. They have shelter, warm water daily and those that need it have blankets 24/7. There current on vacs, and hoof trimmings. They are however lacking attention. I have managed to do this, but it has made things tight for the family. When trying to find homes for the horses I have been up front and honest. I lay out in black and white what the old horses require, and the approximate food costs for a month. If they dont find good homes, they wont go.