Sea Spray

Angel

March 26, 1992 to April 3, 2005

It is with an unimaginable grief that I am letting you know that my beloved Sea Spray passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2005 at 10pm. He showed signs of colic while I was riding him at the Groton Town Forest and nearly collapsed to the ground; however I was able to load him on the trailer and bring him home.

We called vets, administered banamine paste and injection, then Dr. Gaby arrived to administer more meds and make Sea Spray comfortable for the ride to Rochester Equine Clinic in Rochester, NH. We were unsure if Sea Spray would survive the 90 minute ride but he did.

Sonograms didn't reveal anything promising; they couldn't see his small intestines.

During surgery, the doctors found out the true cause of his suffering. Sea Spray had a 6" tear in his diaphragm and at least 60' of his small intestine had gotten lodged into it. The doctors told us that the tear likely happened when Sea Spray was playing in the paddock and fell down; the pressure causing the diaphragm to tear. Even if it had been discovered immediately there is no cure.

I held Sea Spray as he breathed his last breaths, kissing and talking with him. Being with him is helping me cope with this unfathomable tragedy.

I will work with the children as they need to grieve for Sea Spray. I have purchased many materials from which they can make special memories of Sea Spray. I understand that there will be some children who do not understand what has happened and their therapy will continue as scheduled.

Understandably I have had to take some time for myself and cancel sessions. I have been with Sea Spray for seven years and this experience has been devastating to me and my family.

Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts.

This is a poem written by one of my client's mothers.

Thank you Sea Spray

Thank you Sea Spray for loving our children,

For making them feel as special as we know they are.

For not judging them.

Thank you for making them feel strong and courageous just by being in your presence.

For making them feel comfortable enough to share their feelings.

Thank you for teaching them that you can be big and powerful, but still be gentle and soft.

Thank you for bringing out the confidence in them.

But most of all, Thank you for loving my daughter, Who in turn loved you.

We will miss that big dappled face as we turn the driveway. We will always be grateful that you were a part of our lives.

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