Shakespeare
Gender: Gelding
Breed: Arabian
Approximate Date of Birth: 1/1/1995
Sponsor: A Special FriendArrival Date: 2009
We all know that times are tough for people, but they are also tough for animals. One family in Ramona had four horses. Things weren’t going well. In early July 2009, something happened, perhaps a foreclosure or an eviction, but the family had to move out of their home. They took two horses with them and sadly had to leave two behind. Fortunately, San Diego County Animal Services rescued both remaining horses.
When no one claimed the horses, they were both put up for adoption. One of the horses, a 10-year-old paint gelding, was adopted to a good home with a 10-year-old boy and several other horses as his new friends. That left a 14-year-old Arab gelding, named Shakespeare, in need of a loving home to call his own. When an adoptive home wasn’t found for him, Horses of Tir Na Nog was asked to take him in. Shakespeare is a small gelding, measuring less than 14 hands, but his bright red coat and jet-black mane and tail still turn heads.
He has a beautiful half-moon star on his forehead, but it is his large, gorgeous eyes that are noticed right away. Shakespeare worries about things like fly spray and horse trailers. But with time, the volunteers at Horses of Tir Na Nog will help him to understand that there really isn’t anything to worry about. And of course, he will never be left behind again. Every year San Diego County Animal Services saves thousands of animals from abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Thanks to their efforts and support from our donors, Shakespeare has a wonderful future ahead at Horses of Tir Na Nog with other Animal Services Alums like Simone, Charger, and Sundance.
Farewell Date: July 5, 2024
On July 5, 2024, the day came when Shakespeare and his beloved Missy could no longer be together.
When Shakespeare came to us in 2009 from County of San Diego Department of Animal Services, we knew he had Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD). This is a is a progressive condition leading to the breakdown of tendons and ligaments. It is a genetic condition Shakespeare was born with. It cannot be cured, only managed.
Of course, what we did not know when he arrived is that he would fall head over heels for our spunky little miniature horse, Missy. It was love at first sight for Shakespeare and his devotion to his girl never wavered. She could be a real tease and seemed to enjoy upsetting him by flirting with other boys at the ranch or standing just out of his line of sight. Regardless of her antics, he could not be separated from her without becoming terribly anxious. Fortunately, we were able to facilitate their dramatically different diets using a dining suite for Shakespeare.
We were fortunate that Shakespeare remained comfortable and active during most of his time with us. We are so grateful to Dr Harlan of East County Large Animal Practice for managing his comfort and treatment over the years. Last year we noticed changes in his DSLD. These changes in his ligaments were accompanied by weight loss. Initially the weight loss was muscle atrophy, but he was becoming thinner and thinner. We worked with Dr. Harlan to try a variety to techniques and feed products to get him to eat more. Recently, his interest in food had decreased further. This week we saw a change in his ambulation. After consulting with Dr. Harlan, we dramatically increased his pain medication in hopes that we could return him to his previous level of comfort. Unfortunately, on Friday it was clear that the pain medication was not going to restore an acceptable level of comfort.
With Missy by his side, surrounded by love, Dr. Harlan released Shakespeare from his pain. He was twenty-nine years old. We promised him we would take care of his Missy for him. While all of our losses are hard, this decision was made more difficult because every day he did everything he could to be with his girl. We have no doubt that his love for her kept him going well beyond the reasonable expectations of a horse with DSLD. There is nothing he would not have done to spend one more day with his Missy.
