Sage

We don't normally share photos with people in them but this time we have special permission. Leslie and her family started Sage Stables in honour of Sage, the horse who started it all. I think many rescuers can relate, there was that one horse that started it all. For me it was Hope and Horse Aid Canada would never have happened without her. It is a legacy of her love and all she taught me. Leslie wanted to share Sage's story.

"She had been taken to a cattle auction in northern Ontario. She was the only horse there, making it pretty much guaranteed she would sell for slaughter. A family friend rescued her and sent me a photo. The image of Sage spoke to me and I said "I'll take her".

When this beautiful 14.2 chestnut mare with eyes that saw through to your soul walked off the trailer I knew I made the right choice bringing her home. Right away I noticed she was a bit off in her rear end. At our first appointment my vet said she was probably due to being worked hard all her life. We guessed her age to be between 15-18. We rode a few times, but mostly we just spent time together. I didn't want to work her when she looked off in her rear end.

Later I found another vet. It was then we got the actual diagnosis, but I already knew, as I had been researching. She had DSLD( Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis). When the vet confirmed my fear, I was broken hearted. This is a death sentence. Knowing what DSLD is we went into full Retirement. We tried different therapies and did our best to keep her comfortable.

Last winter I knew it would be her last one. Not because I couldn't afford her, not because I no longer wanted her, but because that day she stepped off that trailer I promised her the best. It was a difficult winter, and I knew I couldn't ask her to do another for me. It was three years since her diagnosis.

In June we put her on Palliative care, medicating her more, doses that would eventually damage her kidneys or liver. She was living her best life with us and her horse family. We chose October 11th as her date to be laid to rest. We did everything together in those last months. Spending hours a day together. It was a beautiful summer.

I was never so broken hearted and thankful at the same time as I was the day we laid her to rest. Everything went exactly as planned. She was surrounded by love and the people and horses that loved her most. There was no trauma, no emergency, no fear. She closed her eyes at home with the sun on her back and me right there with her. It was as beautiful as you could make the most heartbreaking decision of your life.

I'll be honest, I panicked the days before. I worried I was doing it too soon. The emotions that went with planning your best friends end of life is horrible. This was not easy for me. I would have done anything to keep her longer. But I loved her too much to ask her to go through another winter. It's only us who is left with heartbreak, they leave knowing only love. This isn't a choice we make for us, it's a choice we make for them. Us showing them unconditional love and care. Its our last act of kindness.

There is no regret and when this life is over I know she will be at the gate waiting for me."

Thank you Leslie, for everything you did for Sage, and especially for giving her the Last Act of Kindness when you knew the time had come. We were so pleased to have supported you with our Humane Euthanasia grant.

Leslie is one of several private horse rescuers across the country. They open their homes to the broken and unwanted, and provide them all the care they need to heal. Today we ask that you think of all these unsung horse heroes and send them love and gratitude. All it takes is one person at a time to make a difference because when it is all added up the result is so much larger than we ever imaged.