2006

     Casey is a 19-2 hand Belgian gelding. We purchased him from some people in Oregon who had the second leg in his rescue from Washington State. Casey was purchased by a wealthy man, who soon tired of his newest toy and put him to pasture. Some ladies had found Casey standing in a mud hole, little to drink, and even less to eat. Casey was a talented fellow. He could be driven single or double, ridden and even had logged some. He was once the head horse in a six horse hitch. Even after buying him, it cost $1100.00 To have him shipped to Texas.

     Upon arrival, we had our Veterinarian come to give us advice as to where to start. He had mud fever, his hooves had rotted off, he had cancer in his right eye, and many problems too numerous to describe. He advised us first to get the cancer removed. He recommended a Vet in Weatherford, Texas stating he had more experience.

     The cancer was in his inner eye lid and successfully removed. Next we had to try  to get shoes on him. Since there were no hooves, we had to wait for them to grow. Finally there was enough to trim and shoe. Our very good friend and farrier Tim Lewis, did his best and actually looked to be a very good  job.

Tim said leave them on as long as they would stay. They stayed about  7 months. During that time, Casey began to heal, he began to feel better and look better.  He began to walk without the obvious pain in his face. It wasn't long before Casey was getting around like he owned the place. And  at 1800lbs who was going to tell him different. He was still 600 to 800lbs  under weight, but was coming along. Casey was improving daily. Everyday we could tell something was better than the day before. The time had come to change Casey's shoes. A call to Tim was placed. He arrived the next day and started the "chore" of changing shoes. The first one was  not too bad. Then on the second one, BAD NEWS!

     Of the many abscesses Casey  had in his feet, one had " blown" out the front. It was completely through the hoof wall. Tim told us it would eventually break off at that line.  If that happened, his hoof would be shorter than it was when we got him. Well all we could do was hope it wouldn't.  But it did. Within 2 weeks, Casey was already back like he was when we started. He couldn't stand or walk, he laid down so long he again had sores on his side. 8 months of work was gone. Casey was going downhill so fast, we feared if we didn't do something quick, he would die any day. Amanda, my helper, went to the internet and sent out pleas for help from shoeing schools in the Texas, New Mexico, and Missouri areas. She explained the problem to every horseshoeing school we could find. We received a few responses, but one in particular stood out. Shur Shod Horse Shoeing School in Missouri, sounded like Casey's best hope. They would take him and work on him daily.  We just had to get him there. We left Stephenville Texas the next morning  at 7am. It took all day.

     We stopped often, letting Casey rest his legs, and each  time we could all but hear him say "Are we there yet!!!" We arrived in Missouri at 6pm. For most people it is hard to imagine just  how tall a 19.2 hand horse is (about 6ft 4in). Shur Shod had made a nice stall in the barn for Casey with hay, watering and feed buckets. Just one problem, he wouldn't fit though the barn door! When we unloaded him, everyone made the same  comment, I don't think he is going to fit. And he didn't. So, on to plan B. They quickly took some portable panels and made him a nice place with a large lean to. Kelly and Max, the owners of the school, were shocked at the sight of this giant animal. They each looked him over and studied his feet for quite some time before commenting "all we can do is try".That was all we wanted was for someone to try. We said our tearful goodbyes got back in the truck and started the long journey home. For the next few months, the only contact was by e-mail or phone. Almost daily there would be an e-mail or message on our phone from Shur Shod.

     Very soon they began to know Casey the way we knew him and could not believe an animal could have that much personality. They would call and tell "Casey stories". One day they would laugh at the funny things he would do. Then the next, cry because he had such a bad day. Those people had literally fell in love with Casey. They had never had a horse, especially one this size, to lie down while they worked on his feet. Max has a good friend that now works at Columbia University in animal research. He needed somewhere to send blood samples, tissue samples, urine samples and the like, to see what would be needed to treat him. ( The urine samples, now that was funny I'll tell the story later)  We have Professional people in every aspect working on Casey from his head to his feet!

     The first sample sent was from his coronet band on his front foot. It was thick and black and looked allot like TAR!! After a few days, Columbia University called and asked where exactly they had taken the sample from. Kelly told them "from a geldings front foot". They then told him that it was a bacterial infection that gets in a mares bladder!! Not only that, but it is always FATAL!! But in doing other tissue samples, they determined it was not in Casey's blood stream or any other part of his body. They agreed it would possibly be OK if it stayed there and didn't spread. The University sent packages of pills and said to start giving them to him immediately. It seamed to improve Casey dramatically over the next few weeks. Next they wanted a urine sample. The task was given to Kelly's daughter. She appeared to be in her mid to late teen's. She got herself a cup and sat down to wait. After a few hours, Casey stretched out to get ready, so the girl goes over and holds the cup in the proper location. Well, Casey just turned his head, looked at her as if to say " what are you doing" he then stood up and decided he would wait a while. It wasn't long before it was time again. Again Casey stretched out, and again the girl placed the cup in the proper location. She said the funniest look came over his face as if to say " can't a person even use the bathroom in private?" He stood up again and continued grazing. After a few minutes, she heard a loud rumbling sound, ( not only could you hear Casey run you could feel it), She looked up and Casey was running away from her. He went about 200ft, stopped, stretched out, and began his duty. She took off in a hard run and caught up with him just as he was finishing, but managed to get enough for a sample. Woo-hoo !!

     Kelly also took a blood sample to send with it. About the first of September and we each had a few days off, so we decided to go visit Casey. We hadn't seen him since June. We bought a pickup load of horse feed and took it with us. We knew Casey could not eat the feed because of his special diet, but the other horses there could.We arrived in Missouri around 3pm that day. And there he was as big as life. They had given him the run of the place. He wasn't tied, but made no attempt at wondering off. We met Kelly and Max and listened to numerous Casey stories. About the time he stuck his head inside the U.P.S. truck almost scaring the driver to death, about eating the apples off their trees, and with a reach of better than 10ft. he just about got them all. How he sleeps out by the door of Max's house. Each night, Max would have to make a bed for him to lie on, THEN make a PILLOW to rest his head!!! They agreed this animal had all but became part of the family. Everyone took care of Casey.

     Casey looked better than ever! He had gained about 250 lbs, and just acted great. He even showed us his new "room", which was the barn stall they had fixed for him in the first place, but couldn't fit. They just walked by one day and there stood Casey in the stall. They don't know how he got in there, but he now comes and goes whenever he wants.

     We visited till dark then once again said goodbye and left for home. We were extremely pleased to see Casey's progress and to know we made the right choice for his health. On our way home, someone would start laughing just thinking about the stories Kelly and Max had shared about Casey, and we'd tell them all over again. If we only knew how short lived  that happiness would be. Within a week after our return, we came home  to a message on our answering machine. It was Kelly and he needed to talk to us. The test results from Columbia University were in. We tried several times that night to call him, but no answer. Finally the next day we were able to reach him. He explained to us what the university had found. Casey has a severe case of bone cancer. There is no treatment, and nothing that can be done. WE WERE IN SHOCK!!

     Kelly and Max were the same. We all asked the same if's, and's, or but's, but the answer was still the same. None of us could even think straight, so we decided no decisions would be made till we had time to think this over.  Several weeks went by and not a whole lot changed except for the fact we were not ready to give up. Kelly,  also was not ready to quit.  We wanted to call them, but were afraid  of what we would find  out.  We then received a call from Kelly.  He had been searching  and looking for anything that might help.  He learned about a  treatment using "Sodium Iodide" and those who survived the first treatment, were  having  good results. The only problem  is the treatment "COULD AND SHOULD KILL  HIM" Kelly talked with the people doing the treatment and  decided that it would likely be our only hope. So the treatments started. Kind of a "horsey chemo" therapy.

     The first time was very nervy, I mean you give him a shot then wait to see if he falls dead. Casey did get sick, but after a day or two was doing a lot better. Then all of a sudden the next day, out comes the black "tar" looking stuff oozing from his foot. Within a couple of days, Casey was doing great. After a few more treatments, always having the same results, Casey is doing "fantastic"!! He has now put on another 200-300 lbs. So far, he is responding very well. He still has several more months of treatments, and we know he will most likely never be cured, but his quality of life has greatly improved. The Casey stories they have to tell are so funny, and once you know the horse, so true. Kelly's wife draws character cartoons. The one Kelly wants her to draw is First picture is of Casey on the phone talking to the second picture who is the ASPCA president who is replying " No sir I don't believe being 15 minutes late at feeding time constitutes cruelty to animals". You would have to know Casey to just how true this is.

     Our "deal" with the guys at Shur Shod was for Casey to be there  for  one year. We are fast approaching the time when Casey should come  home. When I mentioned this to Kelly, he was  taken aback,  as he is not ready to discontinue his treatments.   We don't know how long it will take, but we have decided to let them keep  him awhile longer, to continue  his treatments. In the meantime, we will just wait patiently for his return to Never Too Old.  His stall is  ready when he does come home.  My husband took his annual "Father and Son" motorcycle  trip.  Since the trip this year was riding Route 66, and Casey being only minutes out of  the way,  Bill decided he was just too close  not to go see the Big Guy. So, he  headed for Shur Shod. Casey looked great!!  Here are some photos taken the end of April, 2005.

     Words cannot say how much we appreciate the guys and students at Shur Shod for all they have done for Casey.  Without their help,  Casey would surly be dead. We know that someday, the cancer might take over, but until then, we are doing all we can to help Casey live happy and without pain.

UPDATE!!!

12/26/2005

     Casey is Home!!

     Bill and I left the day after Christmas, headed to Missouri to pick up Casey.  We arrived late that evening, and was greeted with disappointment as Casey acted as though he did not quite remember us.  None the less, we gathered the much needed information about what he was eating, the schedule and of course what his treatment currently consisted of.  It was bitter cold, so not much visiting was done. The next morning early, we loaded up and headed home.  Kelly's daughter said her "good-byes", but Kelly did not come out.  I guess he had gotten more attached to the Big Guy  than he intended.

     Previously to leaving for Missouri, we had not had time to re-furbished Casey's stall and install his stall front, so he was put in an  outside pen. He did not much care for these arrangements, for whenever we would turn him out, he always wondered back to the barn to stand in his favorite spot.

     We got the point, so first priority became making his stall front.  Now, his homecoming was complete.  Due to winter he had lost some weight, and this could have been in part to his needing front shoes again, so we contacted our current farrier, Wes Jeffress.  He came out to look him over, and I imagine his words were the same as everyone else who meets Casey.  "Oh  my gosh, he is HUGE!!!"  (We love to hear people say that!!)  But, he went to working, measuring, designing, and coming up with a plan.  A few weeks later, he was ready.  We made arrangements with Dr. Hobbs, to use his stocks to confine Casey in.  While he is gentle, we could not afford for him to move around and injure himself or the guys working on his enormous feet. Surprisingly enough, no drugs were needed for Casey, which considering all the circumstances, was remarkable and just goes to show you just how gentle and tolerant Casey is.  Oh, now, I must admit, as the last foot was being trimmed, Casey had had enough of this, and wanted OUT.

     Casey's new shoes were constructed out of ½ thick steel, 1 inch wide and 28 inches long.  Those puppies should last a while!!  As you can see, they were huge. The business where Wes purchased the flat stock, inquired about the horse these were going on, and Wes tried to describe Casey, but sometimes, it is just hard to do him justice. But Finally, he was done.  While his first few steps were placed gently, he  soon realized it did not hurt!. It was like..Oh my gosh, my feet don't hurt!!, and away he went, taking Keely with him.  Don't worry,  he brought her back. They walked, they trotted, grazed, it was amazing to see the pain in his eyes, lift and be replaced by joy.  The three guys who had just spent two and ½ hours working on his feet, the vet, myself and Bill all looked in awe at this wonderful animal walked around, Keely in tow, and acted as though he was just as normal in all areas as the horses he nickered at across the pasture. Feeling normal, yes, but we were along way from him actually living a normal horses life. 

     For the next several months, Casey spent his days longing for whatever was in his feed trough.  Some days, he ate with vigor, while others he just nibbled.  I am sure his past life has taken his toll on him, and while he remains healthy and the cancer does not spread,  we still take every day, just one at a time.

Final Update: June 17, 2006

     For those who have followed Casey's progress through the last three years, I am saddened to say Casey was killed this morning by lightening during a rain shower. The lightening and thunder woke us up around 6:00 am.  We laid in bed listening to the rain thinking finally, a break in the heat  and  dryness. But when I went out to feed, the other horses were up, all except Casey. I looked out to see him lying in the pasture. Sleeping lying out flat  was  not unusual, as  he slept that way most of the time.  When  hollering to him to "Get UP, lets eat " did not  cause him to look up,  I just started calling Casey,  Casey! As I got closer and closer to him  and realized I did not see anything move, I knew  then something was  terribly  wrong.

     When I got up to him,  there was not doubt that he was gone.   And  there was also no doubt as to  what had happened.  We  laid Casey  to rest under a big tree in the corner of our ranch that has  become  our own "Rainbow Bridge" Everyone that came in contact with Casey, fell in love with him. From the UPS delivery man who was blessed with Casey's entire head in his brown van's driver side window, to the people who just stood in awe saying those words we loved to hear "HE IS HUGE!!!" 

     Casey was a sight to behold. While losing him was so very hard and came as such a shock, we truly believe God in His infinite wisdom made the decision to take him home with us in mind.  Casey had cancer. He would someday die. We knew that. But, we also knew that we would someday be faced with making the decision to  put him down when the pain was far more that Casey could endure.

     Thanks to everyone who gave us encouragement and to those who lifted Casey up in prayer in the past three years.  We have received tons of emails, from those who knew Casey and wanted to give their condolences, to others who never knew him, but felt they did.  The past two days, I have found myself questioning whether or not I can keep on doing this.  It is so hard, emotionally and financially. I wonder, "Am I really making a difference  in the lives of  these guys?" I don't know, but I do know Casey made a difference in our life. His incredible strength and even stronger will to live,  has forever  changed us.

     Good bye Casey.

     Deana and Bill Donohue