Today, Dusty went home to heaven. It was sudden, so sad and sorrowful. Tiffany is heartbroken. She had Dustbucket since she was nine years old. He was bleeding some on Thursday, Tiffy called the vet and he was going to come at the beginning of the week. Bad call indeed, Dusty never made it.
He came to us out of a pasture, calm and gentle and full of life. As a youngster, Dusty would follow us everywhere we went when we were outside with him. One time, he even stepped inside the door from the backyard ready to come inside our home. He was so humanized. We loved him so very much. He was definitely a part of our family and it was not hard for him to weasel his way into our lives the way he did.
He grew to became a stunning boy, showing nicely in 4-H, the arena and trail. Dusty became Tiffy’s buddy; comforting her, loving her and staying by her side. She’d spend hours brushing him, bathing and just hugging his big, strong neck, sharing her dreams and sorrows with him. He would nudge Kenny's side as Ken was building a pen for the sheep when Dusty was about nine years young. Tahlya and Nathen loved riding him and what a love he was to anyone on his back. This past spring Chrissy got to show him and then this summer Tiffany enjoyed her last showing with Dusty. He did wonderful. What a pair Tiffany and Dusty made.
When Jeff Murray, Dusty's farrier, would trim his feet, Dusty would turn around and take off Jeff's hat with his lips. Dusty loved water and would play with the hose when we filled up the water trough. He'd grab the hose with his teeth and throw his head all over, getting Jesse all wet while she was standing by for her own drink.
Dusty was gentle with all creatures beneath his feet whether it was Tahlya as a toddler or a puppy that had escaped its mommy's reach. He was like a person when he touched you with his muzzle. He was always so curious and would come up to you, in your bubble and sniff your breath as if to say, "Hello." Dusty so carefully would take an apple from Nathen's hand without ever touching Nathen's hand or fingers.
Just about one month ago I was with Tiffy while she was working Dusty and Jesse. While I was standing on the outside of the round pen, I felt something push me gently on my back. I turned around and Dusty's gigantic rear end was against my back and his head turned towards me, eyes staring at mine letting me know he wanted his rump scratched. It was hilarious. He'd actually backed himself against me while I was leaning against the chain link fence. He didn't want me to forget him while i was watching Tiffy work Jesse. I just laughed, squeezed out of the way of the fence and gave his rump a nice long scratching.
We learned so much from you Dusty, like how to enjoy life, be silly, curious and relax. How everything is worth exploring and nothing should be taken for granted. Thank you Dusty, for your many lessons in life.
We truly miss you Dusty. Rest in peace, run free in heaven, graze and lie in the warmth of God’s love. Life will truly not be the same without you in it.
