Dixie's last summer 2008

In loving memory of our Red Dixie Cup who we love so much. Red Dixie Cup will be greatly missed and be in our hearts forever. Dixie first joined our family when she was just 14 years old, she was a registered Apalosa Mare. I was prevlidged enough for her to allow me to ride her in 4H shows, and for pleasure. She would give my friend's horses a run for their money around the track. Dixie could be stuborn, but she was always a great friend, she would always greet us when we would walk out the door. Buttercup her pasture companion will miss you very much as will your human family. Thank you for so many wonderful years, now you can ride the clouds.

This is the last picture I have of Dixie with my daughter Allie and Buttercup

Dixie came to us from a home where she was used for hunting and was pastured most of the time. What a boring life that must have been. Dixie buddied up with my mare that I received as birthday gift, Dusty. They became instant friends, Dusty was too small to be ridden so I would pony her up when I went on rides with Dixie. Eventually I had to sell Dusty when I got married and started a family, I just didn't have time for my baby. My parents kept Dixie, she was one of the best horses we had since my childhood horse Tonya.

When I was pregnant with my first son, I was still riding Dixie, though a bit slower and more careful as to not fall and hurt my baby. When my son turned a year old, I have picture of me and Justin on Dixie, and in my tummy was my oldest daughter Allie. Dixie became a babysitter for my children, she was so calm and sweet around the kids, yet out in the pasture she could really kick up her heals.

The past four or five winters have been realy emotional, each year my mom would cry and say she didn't know if Dixie could make it another winter. The winters in Calhan, Colorado can be pretty harsh, cold winds, heavy snow, and ice. A couple weeks into winter mom and dad would look at Dixie out in the pasture with her heavy winter coat and her strong spirit to survive and they would decide "she can make this winter."

This summer something told me that I needed to get pictures of Dixie and that we should spend as much time with her as we can. When I called my mom on Wednesday to talk, she was so upset I couldn't understand what she was saying so I asked her to put dad on the phone. My dad went into another room and told me the news, Dixie had a stroke during the day and was blind in the right eye, and was stumbling and fell. He said that she was staying close to the barn and was managing to eat, but that she didn't look good. It was time to put her to rest, she wasn't going to make it this winter. So I contacted my brother and let him know what was going on. He needed to have the vet check on one of his horses Kitty, and so he would have him check Dixie at the same time. Thursday around noon, I received a call that a visit was scheduled for later that afternoon, and she would be put to rest. I wasn't able to go as I knew it would be too upsetting for me and for my children, I just couldn't remember her that way.

My sister in-law called me just as I was walking out the door at work to tell me that everything had gone smoothly and she was resting. When I called my dad later he told me that she went down fighting, she just didn't want to let go. I couldn't talk to him long because I was close to tears, I need time to process everything. This morning when I talked to my dad, he told me that while the vet was getting the shot ready, she had another stroke. It was time to let go whether she wanted to or whether we were ready to let her go.

Dixie, ride those clouds and wait for us to join you in heaven. Tell Tonya we all send our love and can't wait to see you two again!!! We will miss you until we are together again.