I have received an abundance of help from my veterinarian, friends, neighbors, children, my parents, and my loving husband in trying to help my injured horse, Tonka. Tonka, you made the many years and miles we spent together some of my best. And, I who was with you on that darkest of all nights, tasted deeply the most hurtful of all cruelties; hope, when all reason told me there was no hope. I stayed with you til the end so that you might not step alone into the unknown; and that your last knowledge should be that the trust you had in me had not been misplaced.
Your eyes, which will never more look upon pain, could not see the tears shed upon you by those who loved you. Your name sign and this “Horse’s Prayer” will hang on your now empty stall door: “I pray thee, master, to care for me through long winter days and nights when I cannot earn my keep. Feed and water me, and give me a warm bed, that I may keep well, and duly repay all your kindness when trail riding season returns once more. Treat me kindly, and do not beat me when i do not understand what you want me to do, but watch me, please, and see if I might not be ill….my back, shoulders, or feet may be sore. Remember that I cannot go my own way, but must obey your commands, my master, and that I serve you well and faithfully, to the best of my ability. “Please, master, have mercy on me. Protect me from the hot sun, the fall rain, and winter’s ice and snow.
Remember that horses have long been the servants of man throughout the ages. We have pulled the prairie schooners from sea to shining sea. Plowed the new fields, that man might grow the food to keep body and soul together. We helped build the mighty railroads; stayed with the cowboy through his long night watch under the lonely stars.
We died heroically with man on the battlefields of nations. “I shall do my part, for I have learned to love thee well. So, my master, when i am old, and can no longer perform on the trail, and thus serve you profitably, please do not turn me out to starve , or sell me to some cruel man. Just let me die at the hands of my master, and God will bless thee.” On Monday, Sept. 21 1987 the sweet gentle buckskin quarter horse gelding, “TONKA” was laid to rest. He was 30 years old and my pet, my very best friend for 26 years.
Love Always & Sadly Missed,
| TONKA |
| 21, Sep 1987 |
| Cheryl J. Green |