The Leaf Falls

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(NOTICE: The following content contains references to euthanasia, which may affect some readers.)

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*turns on phone and hits record*

Curious as to why you're seeing this, huh?

Well, don't worry. All will be explained in due time.

But first, a recap of how we got here...

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The date is Monday, September 12, 2022. 3 days after I put Amber Lee's time in WV to bed, I went through one of the worst days of my life. Those who watched my recording know what happened- I had to euthanize my longtime horse, Bucky- so I won't recount the events leading up to shortly after the appointment. But there was something that took place that night that has haunted me ever since...

About 5 hours after the appointment, I was playing NHL 22 in the living room to take my mind off things. Start of the 3rd period, and my team, the Vegas Golden Knights, was leading the Vancouver Canucks by 2 goals.

"Hey, James."

Enter the sandman. Perfect timing, Miriam.

My dumb brain thinks the right move is to turn my head. "Hey, babe." Suddenly the Canucks score a goal. "Aw, MAN! Now I'm only up by one!"

Miriam laughed. "Sorry."

We talked for a while, mostly about how well the euthanasia and subsequent burial went. Reagan, my other horse, had been given two doses of sedation meds (I refuse to call it Reserpine) and they were due to wear off any minute now, but she would probably be fine by then.

Suddenly, I heard a loud noise. I thought it came from the game- I had one half of the headphones on, with the other half off to listen to Miriam- but it continued after I paused the game.

I walked out to investigate, and I found Reagan in the pasture, whinnying, running around and really frantic. 

I went into the pasture and walked up to her. "Easy, girl. I'm right here." She would usually respond with nickering, sometimes a soft whinny, but this time? Nothing. She kept looking around, calling out for Bucky, although she didn't run as much.

Over the next week, some of our horses showed some sort of sadness over losing Bucky- usually a dull, depressed look, and sometimes with a mild colic. Others helped to comfort those who were sad, like my daughter Lexi's pony, Leo. I was walking by Leo's stall the day after Bucky's euthanasia, and Lexi was there, sobbing, while Leo was hugging her, trying to get her to calm down. Leo has always been our sweetest pony.

None of the horses missed Bucky more than Reagan. She wasn't frantic anymore, but she hardly ate and spent all her pasture time laying next to where Bucky was buried. It broke my heart to see her like that.

I decided she needed time to see the world. So, when I saw the card for this week, I had an idea. I found her in the shed in her pasture.

"Hey, girl. I think I know how you can help me."

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So now you see that it has been a very upsetting week for me. But I have a plan, to grace the Mall of America with my presence, and to assert dominance over the roster.

That's right, WV fans. Reagan and I are coming to Minneapolis. And I've got a surprise for anyone who gets in my way...