Giga-waabamin minawaa, Mikwamii. Ice, birthdate unknown, arrival date 12/24/13, walks on, 08/06/17.

Photo copyright Aji, August 4, 2017;
all rights reserved.

I will see you again, Ice.

He had — has — many names: Mikwamii. Shongeska. Ice. Tough Guy. Warrior. My Boy.

He walked on about 10:30 this morning. He's out by Cree in the ank of wild sunflowers, awaiting Johnny and his tractor, which will probably be tomorrow.

His earlier neglect before he came to us made what happened probably inevitable; the liver issues and the cancer would shorten his life anyway. But I knew, when I went out at 8:00 this morning, even though I still fought it. The earlier compromising of his gut set the stage for displacement. He was a fighter to the end, willing to try that one last thing if it was possible. But he was suffering, and we would not let him suffer more. 

Maybe someday I'll be able to write about what the damage of his early years of abuse and abandonment caused. Today is not that day. (It is not the day for much else here, either. I will put up Wings's post, probably late; that will be it.)

For now, my Warrior Boy is already on his way to Cree, who he loved so much . They will have their own herd of two right now, up above the Thunderbirds, in the brilliant ice of the stars.

We love you, Ice.

My heart is torn in half.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.