Paul explained his reasoning for walking away from
helping Spirit; ‘the pedal bone is so far rotated that there will be no coming
back from this one, he will not survive much longer no matter what I do today’.
Jessica felt she was playing the lead role in a
surreal sad film like Black Beauty, only she really did not want to be there. She really just wanted to take her beloved
Spirit away from it all.
John, myself, Gary, his apprentice and Jessica
stood in silence for a moment after Paul had said his piece. Unlike me, I held
my tongue, feeling it was not my place to speak; as time ticked by I was
thinking ‘I shall have my say soon if no
one else pipes up.’
Gary the vet was standing with his back to me
facing Spirit Jessica and Paul whilst John, Spirit’s farrier was beside me and
a few steps behind Gary. Gary seemed to grow in size, his medium frame that,
only a few minutes ago hoisted Spirit back into his stable, now doubled in size
whilst John slowly moved forward as if to back up the vet in an imminent street
fight. Gary calmly and eloquently battled Spirit’s corner; Whilst he
understood the basis of the farrier’s decision he explained how Paul was the
only person there who did not know the fortitude of this amazing pony, how
Spirit had the spirit to continue with a content and often mischievous life
whilst in the feet he now has. He made an amazing speech that brought tears to
all of our eyes, even tough John’s. This wonderful vet concluded his speech by
saying ‘We have a saying at the vet college: “we treat the pony not the x-rays”.’
I could see only Jessica's face past the broad
shoulders of Gary, she was trying to hold it all together keeping a serious expression
but I could see a glint of hope in her eye. I had the biggest grin on my face
and was punching the air with my fist in delight; Gary could not have made a
better case for dear Spirit.
Still Paul was hesitating and about to walk away
from the scene when John stepped up to the mark, putting forward his belief in
the tenacity of this amazing pony.
The stage fell silent again, this time the audience
was waiting on Pauls next line....
