Taking a Pause

 Well, I didn't expect to be writing this today.  I had started a new post last week to update on the past month's events and activities, but that information can wait.  This seems more time sensitive.  Somehow, we lost another pet overnight; not sure what happened, but Dancer is no longer with us.  Nick said that he parked the truck in the barn last night (which he usually does not, but there was a chance of hail/storms) and all was well.  When he went to leave this morning she had passed.  He came into the house while Owen and I were getting ready to leave, and said "Dancer is gone."  My first thought was "Dammit, where did she go and how did she get out?" But after inquiring with a couple of words, Nick said, "No, she's gone."  My heart dropped.  Sometimes life throws things at you that force you to pause, process, and just ask so many questions that will probably never be answered. Death, loss, and grief are things that cause us to slow down even if it's just for a minute, hour, day, week, or more and take consideration of the things that really matter.  Nick let the kids know before school and they both wanted to say goodbye before they left.  So Gracie and Owen took some time this morning before proceeding with the day.  Man, it is so hard, even when kids are older to help them process and to just let them grieve in their own way.  I am so thankful that they were not the ones to find her, though, which might have been the case if Nick hadn't parked his truck in the barn last night.  God sure has a way...

Deb estimated that she was about 24 years old and I really don't remember when she joined the Merrills in Searsboro, but it was well before Gracie was born, I think.   It doesn't seem possible, but we have had her with us now, for almost 9 years.  She and Bullseye both made the move with us to Missouri in 2016.  She loved kids and hated Nick for the most part.  😂  Nick always needed help wrangling from Owen or Gracie when he needed Dancer to come to the barn for anything.  I don't think she even liked treats from Nick.  Nonetheless, she became a part of our family and always came to Deb when she was visiting.

I think this is one of the first pictures I have of Dancer.
Gracie was not even a year old, and I think this was either spring/summer of 2009

Earliest pic of Owen and Dancer that I could find.
I would estimate this as fall 2012 based on size of children and color of corn.

Most recent picture that I could find.
Thanksgiving 2023 with Charleigh and Sawyer

Here's another recent one of Kaia with Dancer and Sonita.

And so many happy kids and smiles in between.
Everyone loves a mini horse.

Dancer in Spring 2020


This was possibly taken right before she bucked him off.
He always got right back on.

Living in transition at the equestrian farm in Columbia


Thank you for the smiles and happiness you brought to others, Dancer.
She will be missed.


Comments

Deb Merrill said…
That's lovely. Thank you, Sarah. My heart has been hurting all day and these are awesome pictures.
April 16, 2024 at 7:05 PM
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