and I really hope there aren't any repeats.

Got a phone call from the wife, she's crying and can only say something a disaster. I got pretty worried because her Mom had been diagnosed with cancer shortly before I left for Michigan...so naturally my thoughts went that direction. When my wife finally calmed enough for me to understand what she was saying I was relieved to learn her Mom was fine, but my turn to tear up came quickly.

Our "disaster" centered around one of the horses, the oldest horse, the one the oldest daughter has learned to ride on. My wife went out to groom the horses and found Opal shivering in the warm California sun, her head was hanging and she was unsteady on her feet. My wife called the Vet out and the news wasn't good. Judging by her shivering and lethargy, coupled with the fact she hasn't shed her winter coat (while the others have) all signs pointed to a brain tumor according to the Vet. The decision while tough to make was made and she was put down by the Vet .

This horse, a Whelsh Pony, was a guestimated 30 years old and loved to run. Meaner than all get out toward adults but gentle with kids. A hard headed old nag who always tried to get her way. The oldest daughter, almost 8 now, learned to ride on her and learn to extert control over a willful horse. She loved this horse.

Opal had been an English Jumper in her youth which gave her a very distinctive canter. She loved to run as much as our daughter loved to ride her. They would spend hours riding around the arena at a canter, so much so that at times I worried the old girl might go down while my daughter was riding. My daughter learned to control Opal well enough that she could leave the arena for open fields, she loved it when I would saddle up our other mare and we'd ride out together.

The whole ordeal was sad, and it made me even more sad because I knew how hard the news would be on Barbara. My wife had to be the one to break the news, we discussed how best to do it. My daughter is very upset, upset enough that she didn't even want to talk to me on the phone. I wish I could have been there to help, but sacrafices must be made.

I hope I'm not boring everyone...I just had to vent a little bit


The only picture I have available

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.