I suddenly, unexpectedly, found myself at high speed on horseback with few good options approaching fast. Coming around a sharp turn, I had about 5 seconds in real time to make a decision and respond. Sharp turn to the right could lead to a tumble over and down an embankment full of roses. Sharp turn to the left, also not good with a slippery surface I knew was there and could lead to the horse falling on me. We were going way too fast and stopping in time before hitting the corral fence in front of us seemed highly unlikely. So I calmly made the decision to do nothing, and let it unfold as it may.
The next thing I remember is looking up into the faces of several paramedics and lots of flashing lights behind them. I had trouble using both my arms, but I stood up and walked, apparently had some light conversation, and politely refused to go in the ambulance (at least I hope I was polite). I figured I seemed mostly ok after the fall, the ambulance ride would cost a fortune and it was late Saturday night so likely they would just have me sit around and rack up medical bills maybe until Monday when I could get treated anyway.
So I went inside, vomited, took some ibuprofen, fought agonizing headaches and slept until Monday. Somehow my kids got the message to Aspen Park Vet that DrQ would not be in Monday and contacted the clients. Monday one of my dear beloved tech’s took me to the hospital. 6 hours later the CT scan of my head is normal and a broken left elbow is the diagnosis. Which is interesting since the right side of my face and shoulder looks like I took on Rocky Balboa. I’m lucky my right eye is intact. Tuesday I slept and Wednesday I went in for a few hours to work with some modifications due to my sad sorry condition. Today is Thursday morning and the first time I have opened my computer since it happened. I’m going to see a surgeon today to see if I need surgery on my left arm. I highly suspect it broke from the whiplash effect of my being flung at high speed, and from the fact it's been broken before and there's lots of hardware in that arm so probably a fulcrum point.
Now I’m left to swallow my own self pity, despair, anguish, scrutiny, self doubt, regret, embarrassment and any number of other feelings a mother, a leader, a human can feel as this scenario, like an ocean wave, crashes around and affects all those around me, too. I have not even yet been out to the barn to see any of the horses since it happened. I am grateful for my children, my staff and my clients for their loving care and support which I can only hope to ever repay.
So it's a great opportunity to get to know my little quail better, who although has only been here a couple of weeks, seemed to genuinely miss me the past few days. A house pet quail you ask? Allow me to explain.
Some of you may know of the pet rooster, an unofficial mascot we had for over 2 years. He had been brought into the hospital to be euthanized for aggression, but my daughter fell in love with him and developed a truly amazing bond. She carried him around, and he fell asleep in her arms. We took him on television, on the Great Day Colorado show, and he had this powerful ability to affect people, especially during our summer classes at the ResqRanch. It would literally blow some people’s minds to see a young girl and a huge rooster share a trusting, loving bond. It really got people to think about not only what they were eating, but what is possible. He was even more powerful than our beloved donkey at stirring people’s emotions, something I never expected. That bird deeply affected something in many people’s lives in a way that even a majestic horse could not. It was amazing to see the way he affected people on the street, in the studio, and everywhere we went with him. Their bond was truly powerful, and unique. His death left my daughter devastated, and a hole in our ability to connect people and animals.
So at the rodeo, after watching huge lines of people stand for hours in the blazing heat and drain the ATM in order to eat endless turkey legs, I just imagined the impact I could have had, if the loving rooster had been there. So I started searching animal shelters all around the state, and did not find any turkeys, but alas, a baby quail dumped in the overnight box at the Denver Animal Shelter. So we went and adopted her (and 2 elderly rats, why not), amongst all the scary pit bulls and parolees at the rough city shelter. For now we are just calling her Princess and getting to know her, and her fascinating sounds and sweet behaviors. Not sure she will have the same impact as the rooster on people’s lives, but just like my smashed up face, it is what it is, and we shall see.
Thank you in advance for your patience and grace as I heal, and I hope the rest of your summer is much more fun and safe!
-DrQ and the Crew of Aspen Park Vet Hospital and the ResqRanch.