 |
TOM NEVER GAVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT... Many of you who will read this will more than likely have followed Tom's amazing story from the start, sadly this is the final chapter. Two years ago I was told Tom would be lucky if he survived 2 days, let alone 2 years. When he did, I was told I would never ride him again, but against all odds & sheer determination we proved them wrong. When Tom first got ill, I was introduced to Reiki, I didn't really know anything about it, but for Tom it worked. I am now a Reiki Master working towards becoming a Master Teacher so that I can help others help themselves and their animals like it helped me. Without the Reiki, I wouldn't be where I am today. Even Andy will soon be attuned to Reiki, as he went from a total sceptic to a firm believer that it works! |
|
On the 6th January 2007, for some strange reason I went to the yard earlier than normal. As I approached the yard, everything was as it should have been & Tom was there waiting for me like he always was. It wasn't until I approached his stable, when I had a feeling all wasn't well. Tom had disappeared into his stable, which although wasn't unusual for Tom as he is quite impatient at times, I instinctively knew all wasn't well. Tom was having an attack of colic. I opened his stable, and quickly got him up, as best I could as he had decided to put his foot through his fleece, only Tom could do this & not panic. Once I had wrestled his rug off him & organised him again, I took him for a walk round the yard. I had been waiting for this day for nearly 2 years since his last attack of colic, but I knew in my heart that this would be his last ever colic.
When we got into the school, I asked him what was going on. Tom & I did communicate regularly but in a different way to which Ginny would communicate with him. If Tom wanted something, I would instinctively know & if I gave him a choice such as wearing a rug he would bunt me. Tom & I never communicated in pictures until that day. What he showed me confirmed what I already knew. Tom was lying in the school covered in his 2 blue rugs. I soon told him what I thought of that idea & as we walked past the green tarpaulin covering the saw, he said that will be big enough for me then. Well, I had to laugh at this; despite being poorly he was still being cheeky! Not long after, the vet arrived. It was a female vet, so Tom was on his best behaviour and only freaked twice & run Andy over when he saw the syringes coming at him. It was confirmed that Tom had colic. As the vet left, we let Tom mooch about the school; he instantly went to the tree & began eating them. No wonder he had tummy ache! Anyway, Ginny called at this point to see how we where getting on & to explain about the pictures Tom had been showing me. Apparently, he was trying to say that he would be around for ages yet, but I now know that he meant this in a different way. Ginny then began to talk us through where Tom needed healing & even Andy joined in. I'm not sure who was more shocked at that point, Tom or Andy for doing the healing. It appeared to be working though. Once Tom had had enough of the healing he wandered off again for a munch on some grass. He really looked quite perky at this point, and when we called the vets back, they advised we could turn him out in a little pen but to keep a close eye on him. Tom was out in his pen for little over an hour before he began digging a rather large hole in the mud to sit in; I often wondered if he was a hippo in a previous life. This wasn't just a roll for fun, this was rolling for pain. Once again, as the vet was on her way, Tom had perked up again, but upon examination Tom was telling a different story. However, there was still a chance we could make it so we took it. This was a horse that should have been on his way for surgery, but he still kept going with as much gusto as a racehorse racing to the finishing post. I might add at this point it was throwing it down, I was soaked to the skin and my wellies had holes in or should I say mini pools of water, so that didn't help with the thought of even more running around. Just one look at Tom made me all the more determined then even if it meant we ended up crawling round with him, just to keep him going. After a couple hours, Tom was bored and asked to go for a wander somewhere else. We had walked round the school so much, that a trench was beginning to form! I took him towards the field and he instantly put his head down & began to eat like he had never tasted grass before. When I called Tally to update her on our progress, she was amazed. In the condition that Tom was in, he shouldn't even be standing, let alone eating! It was near to tea time now and I was flagging really badly, and I knew the end was getting ever closer, despite an abundance of healing something was niggling at me telling it wouldn't be long. It was obvious that Tom was absolutely knackered at this point so we kept stopping for a rest, each time he had lots of healing. As soon as he started kicking his belly we where off again, but by this time, he was finding the wet sand to be rather comfortable, so three of us where walking him round to keep him upright. I knew that when Tally came back she would only be administering one injection for permanent pain relief. Tom knew all this anyway, but this didn't stop him from walking round with a renewed spring in his step, which made me feel all the more guilty for making the decision. As soon as Andy or I flagged though, he was there nudging us in the small of our backs, willing us to keep going. To the end Tom didn't give up without a fight, as when Tally examined him he wasn't toxic & his heart rate was high, but not dangerously high despite being so distended. I didn't need to tell Tally of my decision; she knew already, that's why she came out to us despite being off duty that night. Tom had now resumed a really tough stance and stood stock still. When I gave him a cuddle to say goodbye, I knew he had gone to pastures new. Within seconds Tom was on the floor sound asleep. Just before Tom went I sent Ginny a message simply saying its time to go. In reply, Ginny advised me that she had ensured Tom had a smooth transition over with her spirit guide Jara, whom he has gone to work alongside and that Tom was very upset to leave me, but to remember the good times we had together & that he would visit me often so to trust my instincts as I would feel him often. After he had gone, there was a very strange sense of calm everywhere. Tom got his wish & was covered with his 2 blue rugs as he had shown me earlier that day. He was even covered with the green tarpaulin too, in case it rained again. It was late by now, so we kissed Tom goodnight & left him until the following day, when he could be collected for his cremation. That night was the first night I saw Tom since his transition over, he stood in the bedroom doorway to check if Andy & I where ok & to apologise for going. Before I could reply he was gone. Andy & I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts, who have helped us both in one way or another along the way. Words are just not enough to express our thanks. Jenni & Andy Xxxxxxxx A special note for Tom Tom I will not deny that loosing you has been extremely hard, but without the Reiki, I truly believe that I wouldn't have coped as well as I have done. It was through you I was introduced to it all & I want to thank you for doing so. All those years ago you came to me for a reason, and now I know why. You have taught me things that no one else could ever teach me, introduced me to some wonderful people, drawn out talents I never knew I had, but the one thing that stands out more than most is to NEVER GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT and because of this I am a much stronger person. So until we meet again properly, thank you Tom for all what you have given me. Lots of love & hugs Mum xxxx |
|