THE 9/11 TIMELINE

After I posted my article entitled THE 9/11 CROSS, I've received a few interesting e-mails. 

It appears a few people are not real happy with my saying that since 9/11, I have learned that Islam, their so-called Prophet, and its followers, are all evil, murderous, bloodthirsty, sick.

And what makes me think that most Muslims, if not all Muslims, are evil?

Well, there's been suicide bombings, car bombings, beheadings, the torture of the innocent, the stated desire for mass murder, death threats against voices that Muslims disagree with - like say cartoonist and really anyone else who points out how Muslims insist to stay on the road of insanity.  

But the big lesson, the one that all Americans received, well now that was on 9/11. 

The year was 2001, and it was a clear September morning in New York.  No one knew how that morning would change our country.  For me, I believe that even those fanatical Muslim terrorists responsible for what was to happen - did not know what changes they would create.

For one thing, 9/11 showed Americans how we respond to evil.

7:58 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 175 departs Boston for Los Angeles, carrying 56 passengers, two pilots, and seven flight attendants. The Boeing 767 is hijacked after takeoff and diverted to New York.

7:59 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 11 departs Boston for Los Angeles, carrying 81 passengers, two pilots, and nine flight attendants. This Boeing 767 is also hijacked and diverted to New York.

8:01 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 carrying 38 passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants, leaves Newark, N.J., for San Francisco.

8:10 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 departs Washington's Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles,

carrying 58 passengers, two pilots, and four flight attendants.

8:13 a.m. - American Flight 77's pilots last radio communication was made from the pilots to ground control, "twenty right American eleven."  The Boeing 757 had been hijacked.

8:15 a.m. - Boston Air Traffic Control began unsuccessful attempts to contact the pilots of American Airlines Flight 77 after the plane failed to respond to an order to climb.

8:20 a.m. - American Flight 11 stopped transmitting its transponder signal, and veered northward and departed dramatically from the westward heading of its planned route.  The controllers concluded that the plane had probably been hijacked.

8:24 a.m. - The following transmission was reportedly received from American Airlines Flight 11:

"We have some planes.  Just stay quiet and you'll be okay ... we are returning to the airport. ...

Nobody move.  Everything will be okay.  If you try to make any moves, you'll endanger yourself and the airplane.  Just stay quiet.  Nobody move please we are going back to the airport .. don't try to make any stupid moves."

8:41 a.m. -  One of pilots of United Airlines Flight 175 reported that he had overheard a transmission from hijacked Flight 11, he said, 

"Ya we figured we'd wait to go to you center ah we heard a suspicious transmission on our departure out of Boston ah with someone ah, ah sound like someone sound like someone keyed the mike and said ah everyone ah stay in your seats." 

Shortly thereafter, the last radio communication from United Airlines Flight 175 was made from the pilots and air traffic control, where one pilot says, "that's ah cut out ... did you copy that?"  

8:46 a.m. - American Flight 11 from Boston crashes into the North Tower at the World Trade Center. 

Later, human remains recovered from Ground Zero were identified as belonging to Flight 11's victims. 

8:46 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 veered severely off course.

8:50 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 has its jet's transponder shut off.

8:56 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 has its last radio communication between the pilots and air traffic control. 

The pilots' last transmission was, "ah direct FALMOUTH American seventy seven thanks." 

9 a.m. - While this was going on in the air, President George W. Bush arrives at Sarasota, Florida, at Emma E. Booker Elementary School to visit children there. 

White House Chief of Staff Andy Card informs the President that a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center. 

9:03 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the South Tower at the World Trade Center.

Later, like that of American Airlines Flight 11, human remains at Ground Zero are found belonging to the victims on United Airlines Flight 175.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shuts down all New York area airports.

9:05 a.m. - While President Bush is visiting a second-grade class, Andy Card comes into the classroom to interrupt the President and whispers to him that a second plane has struck the towers. 

President Bush makes the decision to delay plans to address the tragedy, instead deciding to get more information first.

9:21 a.m. - Bridges and tunnels leading into New York City are closed. 

9:25 a.m. - All domestic flights are grounded by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

 

9:27 a.m. - United Airlines Fight 93 was hijacked.

9:30 a.m. - United Airlines Fight 93's transponder signal ceased. At about this time, the plane apparently reversed direction and began flying toward the capital.

9:30 a.m. - President Bush meets privately with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, who briefs him.

President Bush then delivers first remarks on the tragedy and asks for a moment of silence the victims and their families:

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a difficult moment for America.



I, unfortunately, will be going back to Washington after my remarks. Secretary Rod Paige and [the] Lt. Governor will take the podium and discuss education. I do want to thank the folks here at -- at Booker Elementary School for their hospitality.


Today, we've had a national tragedy. Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country.


I have spoken to the Vice President, to the Governor of New York, to the Director of the FBI, and have ordered that the full resources of the federal government go to help the victims and their families, and -- and to conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act.


Terrorism against our nation will not stand.


And now if you [would] join me in a moment of silence.


May God bless the victims, their families, and America.


Thank you very much.


9:38 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon and exploded, according to numerous eyewitnesses on the ground. 

The NTSB places the time of impact of Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:37:45. 

A Minnesota National Guard C-130 that had just taken off from nearby Andrews Air Force Base followed the jetliner in the seconds before it crashed.  The pilot of the C-130, who described the plane, provided the following account:

"It was like coming up to an intersection. When air traffic control asked me if we had him in sight, I told him that was an understatement - by then, he had pretty much filled our windscreen.  Then he made a pretty aggressive turn so he was moving right in front of us, a mile and a half, two miles away. ... 

They told us to turn and follow that aircraft - in 20-plus years of flying, I've never been asked to do something like that.  With all of the East Coast haze, I had a hard time picking him out.

The next thing I saw was the fireball.  It was huge.  I told Washington the airplane has impacted the ground.  Shook everyone up pretty good.  I told them the approximate location was close to the Potomac.  I figured he'd had some in-flight emergency and was trying to get back on the ground to Washington National. 

Suddenly, I could see the outline of the Pentagon.  It was horrible.  I told Washington this thing has impacted the west side of the Pentagon."

 

9:43 a.m. - President Bush's motorcade arrives at Sarasota's airport and pulls up close to Air Force One.  He learns a plane has hit the Pentagon as the motorcade gets near the airport. 

President Bush immediately boards the plane.  Security then does an extra-thorough search of all the baggage for the other passengers, delaying its takeoff.

9:55 a.m. - President Bush finally departs the Saratoga, Florida, airport on Air Force One without any fighter escort.  Air Force One takes off and quickly gains altitude.  Once the plane reaches cruising altitude, it flies in circles.

9:59 a.m. - The South Tower starts to collapse after burning for approximately 56 minutes.


10 a.m. - Aboard Air Force One while headed to Louisiana, President Bush calls Vice President Dick Cheney and puts America's military on a high alert status.  It was the highest alert status since the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962.

The President continues going through reports from his staff, which also includes erroneous reports that a car bomb had struck the State Department.  Then he gets news that a plane has crashed near Pittsburgh.

10:05 a.m. - The South Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

10:05 a.m. - The capitol of the United States and the White House are evacuated. The first time since the War of 1812 when the British burned Washington to the ground.

10:06 a.m. - A large section of one side of The Pentagon collapses.



Todd Beamer

 10:06 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in a wooded area near Somerset, Pennsylvania, after passengers confront hijackers.

One passenger, an American by the name of Todd Beamer, calls his wife on a cell phone and tells her of the plan to overpower the Muslim hijackers.

The connection remains open after Todd puts the phone down. Lisa Beamer hears her husband tell the other passengers, "Let's roll," signaling the start of the attack.

10:28 a.m. - The North Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

10:32 a.m. - Vice President Dick Cheney calls President Bush and tells him of a threat to Air Force One. 

President Bush is also informed that it would take between 40 to 90 minutes to get a protective jet fighter escort up to Air Force One.  Because of this information, Air Force One turns toward Louisiana.

10:40 a.m. - Vice President Cheney called the President and informed him that The White House had just received a threat against Air Force One.  The caller had used its code word, "Angel," suggesting terrorists had inside information. 

President Bush told an aide, "Air Force One is next." 

Everyone on the plane knew that President Bush was angry that we were attacked, and this news didn't help to make things better.  "We're going to find out who did this," the President told Vice President Cheney, "and we're going to kick their asses."

Vice President Cheney urges President Bush not to return to Washington, saying, "There's still a threat to Washington."  Secretary of State Rice agreed, and had told the President the same thing.

The Vice President also voiced his concern that the terrorists might be trying to decapitate our government by trying to kill our leaders.  President Bush agreed.

Air Force One took evasive action because there is still no fighter escort.  Then within minutes those on board the president's plane could feel it bank suddenly and sharply to the left, its course now heading West to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. 

10:59 a.m. - Two F-16s meet Air Force One as escorts.  Piloted by Shane Brotherton and Randy Roberts from the Texas Air National Guard, this was the very same Texas Air National Guard that President Bush himself once served in as a Pilot.

11:29 a.m. - Four more fighters jets join up to now protect Air Force One.

11:40 a.m. - President Bush arrives at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where he makes a series of telephone calls from the Base Commanding General's conference room.

The President tells Vice President Dick Cheney, in one telephone call, "It's the faceless coward that attacks."  

He also talks to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and then talks to New York Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.  Both cannot say where they are, even to the President of the United States.

12:36 p.m. - President Bush gives a short speech at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana that is taped and played by the networks at 1:04 p.m 

1:04 p.m. - President Bush speaks to our nation from a briefing room at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. 

His address to us was simple, short, reassuring, and to the point: 

"I want to reassure the American people that the full resources of the federal government are working to assist local authorities to save lives and to help the victims of these attacks. 


Make no mistake:  The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.

I've been in regular contact with the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the national security team and my Cabinet.  We have taken all appropriate security precautions to protect the American people. 


Our military at home and around the world is on high alert status, and we have taken the necessary security precautions to continue the functions of your government.

We have been in touch with the leaders of Congress and with world leaders to assure them that we will do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans.

I ask the American people to join me in saying a thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a prayer for the victims and their families.

The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake:  We will show the world that we will pass this test. God bless."

1:15 p.m. - President Bush departs the conference room for Air Force One in a camouflaged Humvee. He talks to Vice President Dick Cheney again while en route to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. 

The President then schedules a 3 p.m. meeting with his National Security Staff.

He also talks with New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki, saying, "I know your heart is broken and your city is strained, and anything we can do - let me know." .

2:50 p.m. - Air Force One lands at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska. President Bush stays on the plane for about 10 minutes before entering United States Strategic Command at 3:06p.m.

The President is taken into an underground bunker designed to withstand a nuclear blast. 

Once there, the President uses an advanced strategic command and communications center to teleconference directly with Vice President Cheney, National Security Advisor Rice, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, and members of the National Security Council, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, CIA Director Tenet, and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. 

The meeting ended at 4:15 p.m..

4:33 p.m. - President Bush then departs for Washington.  While headed to Washington, he calls First Lady Laura Bush and says, "I'm coming home, see you at the White House."  He then gets to work on his prime-time speech to the nation.

At around 6 p.m. - Members from both sides of Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate, make a joint statement regarding the attacks.  They end their press conference with the singing of  "God Bless America".

6:46 p.m. - President Bush arrives at White House to prepare for address to the nation. 

8:30 p.m. - President Bush speaks to nation from The Oval Office, and says,

"Good evening.  Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate deadly terrorist acts.  


The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. 


The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger. 


These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat.  But they have failed.  Our country is strong.  A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.


Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America.  These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.


America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.  And no one will keep that light from shining. 


Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.


The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.


Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.


The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts.  I've directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks.

And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.  America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened.

And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23,  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace.  America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.

None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night and God bless America."

8:35 p.m. - President Bush meets with his full National Security Council, followed roughly half an hour later by a meeting with a smaller group of key advisers. 

President Bush and his advisers have already decided that Osama Bin Laden is behind the attacks.

CIA Director Tenet says that "al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan are essentially one and the same."

President Bush says, "tell the Taliban we're finished with them."

8:35 p.m. - President Bush then attends another National Security meeting.  

10:21 p.m. - After the meeting had ended, the Secret Service radio relays the news that President George W. Bush has gone upstairs to bed, "Trailblazer. Second floor of the residence."

Then it happened! It happened over night, it happened unconsciously, and it spread across the nation as if a strong wind had blown the dust off of it.  And yes, it was something that our enemies always underestimate.

If there is one thing that American History shows, it shows that we argue and squabble and fight over issues and priorities. We disagree over the direction which our nation may be headed. Heck, we even argue over the weather.

On the overall we have always been like a family arguing. In 1861, well that was us at our worse when we took to killing each other over problems. But that was an extreme, and I thank God that we have yet to revisit such a time. 

Today we still argue. We argue amongst ourselves and we can be pretty harsh at times.  But like family, others should not make the mistake of thinking that we won't unite if we're attacked.

Our enemies, since our conception, have constantly made the mistake of assuming that since we argue that we must be so deeply divided as a nation that we would not come together during times of disaster, need, or attack.

Many out there don't understand the common thread that weaves its way through our society. It is our unity during times of need, whether it be disaster or war or some other calamity, that brings us together.

And yes, we have a genuine desire to defend America when we are attacked.  Our sense of unity is what the Muslim terrorists awoke on 9/11.

So what happened on 9/11?  Well, our federal and state governments worked by jumping into action.  And for me, I believe providence had George W. Bush as our President at the time.  He was absolutely the right man at the right moment in history. 

And what did I personally learn since 9/11? 

Well, I've learned that Saudi Arabia financed the hijackers.  So to me, they are no different than the the Palestinians who danced in the streets when they saw Americans die on 9/11.  Yes, I see that the Saudis who are financing the Muslim extremists as just more of our enemies. 

I've learned that Muslims love bloodshed.  And if not all, then I'm thinking it's probably most.   

And if maybe there are those who do not subscribe to all of the Quran, then I have to ask why?  Why are they a part of such a murderous group? 

Why subscribe to the Quran when it calls repeatedly for blood and murder?

Calls like in the Quran (8:39), where it says, "So fight them until there is no more non-Muslims and all submit to the religion of Allah alone" 

Why be in such a religion that calls for murder and blood? 

I seems to me that those who follow that religion simply want violence.  The followers of Islam choose to follow a religion of hate and murder, of blood and violence.  It seems they want to destroy.  Since 9/11, I have learned that most, if not all, Muslims are crazed with a sick sort of blood lust.

Friends, I believe that President George W. Bush was right when he said,

"Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes visible on TV and covert operations secret even in success.

We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place until there is no refuge or no rest.

And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists." 

So what should be America's response to the evil called Islam? 

We must fight it everywhere we can, in every way we can.  We must stop the spread of their religion of hate in America.  We must constantly keep in mind that Islam is Anti-Democracy.

We must publicize their barbaric behavior, their hatred of women, their planned out slaughter of anyone who is not Muslim, their attacks on Christians and Churches, their wanton violence, their desire to enslave.

We must stop Muslims from bringing Sharia Law here.  We must stop Sharia Law from being used in any town or cities in America  - no matter what their liberal allies like the ACLU or the Democratic Party says. 

We must stop Sharia Law from being used in any nation that does not observe Religious Laws, like say Christian Cannon Laws, and only abides by Civil and Common Laws. 

America's response to the evil called Islam should also be for us to get into the fight.  We must vote for strong knowledgeable leaders who understand the threats to America. 

We must be willing to use force against the Muslim threat - simply because force is the only thing they respect and understand.  

And yes, I will never forget!

Story by Tom Correa

Horses - May God Bless Murphy My Son!

I think it's great that animals can mean so much to us.  A friend recently wrote me about how she lost her dog, and yes I really understood how a dog can become so much a part of your family. 

For me, my family here in Glencoe is my wife, and all of our critters.  The sign coming into Glencoe says it has a population of 189.  I've often wondered if they counted the horses, the dogs, the cats, and of course the cows and the sheep, when they took that count. 

When I first came here, I remember how busy I was putting together a round pen and a shelter for my horse Murphy.  I remember pushing the clock and working like the devil to get everything set up right for Murphy. 

Sure I set up a round pen, but I also hot wired a half an acre just for him to stretch his legs.  It is a great pen and it had good grass in it at first, but he ate that down as sure at the sun comes up in the morning.  It is cool in the spring and shady in the summer, and yes he was one happy horse.

I remember the day that I brought him here to his new home.  He trailered great all the way from the stable where he was being boarded in Livermore, California.  Once here, he took to his new found freedom without losing a second.

Turning him loose in that pen, he immediately ran the length of it.  When he got to the end of the pen, he jumped up with all four hoofs in the air, then he stopped and looked back at me.  I yelled out his name, "Murphy, my son!"  And he ran back to me at a dead run, just like always.

It was all about a game that we played.  I started it with him back when I first bought him years before moving up here.  At that place where I was boarding him, I used to walk him over to the roping arena then I'd take off his halter and wave him off with my hat.  He'd run full out for the other end of that area, and once there he'd rear up and jump with all four hoofs in the air.  Then he'd stop and look back at me.  

I'd yell, "Come here, Son!"  And yes, he'd charge back at me full throttle wide open.  He always began to stop about 20 or so feet away from me, and he always would slowly come up to me and rest his head against my chest or in my arms.  Then after a few rubs and me straightening his forelock, he'd start sniffing out my pockets.  

He'd always find the pocket where I was hiding carrots or apple treats.  I would fish out an apple and take a bite, then give it to him to take a bite. Before long, he chomped up two apples as easy as can be.  He'd follow me just about everywhere. 

In fact, Murphy and I were known to dance a little once upon a time.  It was usually his love of apple treats that would make him cut me off from walking away.  Then if I'd turn away to start in another direction, he'd cut me off again.  He'd follow me at every turn, and I'd reward him with apple treats.  Yes, he used to be quite the clown. 

Actually, he did that for quite a while until I found him some horse companionship.  That was when my shoer told me about some people who were giving away a horse because he was navicular. 

That was how I got Mac, and Mac made a great companion for Murphy.  They got along real well.  So well, in fact, that when I would move one - the other would call out and throw a fit. 

I rode a lot when we first moved up here.  It was before my health went sour and I started putting on all sorts of weight. It was a great time actually.

Almost every morning, I'd go down to the pen and lead Murphy up to my new hitching post.  I'd slowly saddle him up, then I'd go inside and bring out a cup of coffee and side in a chair near him.  I'd take in the morning while he slowly let out the air that he had a habit of taking in when he was cinched up.  He always took in air when he was cinched.

When my coffee was done, I'd take in his cinch and we'd start out. We were eager and ready to go.  It was new country for us.  It was thousands of acres of BLM land.  We were explorers. 

At first it was the easy fire trails that the CDF, California Department of Forestry, maintains.  Then after a while, I'd throw on my chaps and six gun and off we would go into the bush.  The back country wilderness was thick with manzanita, and every once in a while we'd bump into a critter or two that we didn't want any part of.

Big cats, mountain lions, roam this area freely, bears too.  I went armed for them and others.  And Murphy's nose would tell me if anything unfriendly was in the wind around us.  He was really one to smell 'em out and not get too excited in the meanwhile. 

In fact, very little actually scared Murphy when we used to ride.  But it doesn't matter if something did, Murphy did one thing that most owners would wish for.  He'd stay put!  We worked long and hard to make sure that if it were a rattler, or simply something else, he wouldn't leave.  He'd stay put!  

We charted out this area real well, and it was only later that I really found out how far we went. 

There was that one time when we were up a miles into the back country.  Murphy started getting a little blowy, and held his head high.  Just then two men stepped out of the brush of the forest, both with M-16 rifles.

Murphy started backing up without me telling him to.  I nodded at the two men and they nodded back.  And when we were out of sight, Murphy and I found another direction.  

A long time ago I learned that some roads not taken are healthier not taken, even for this old former Marine.  Besides, my .45 single action pistol was no match for a couple of pot growers with M-16 rifles.  I was definitely out gunned.

A few weeks later, I found out that there was a pot farm there.  It was a day or two after we were there that the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department raided their farm.  I remember saying that I didn't tell anyone about the place, and I knew for fact that Murphy didn't say a word about it. 

Murphy and I did a lot of riding in those days.  He was the only horse that I've riden for 16 years.  He knew my actions and what I needed him to do.  It comes from riding a lot of hours, of a whole lot of wet blankets, of trusting each other.  He hauled me everywhere, and I can honestly say that he never said no.  All I had to do was point him in the right direction.  Whether it was moving cows or trailing the back country, he was always the best.  

As I said earlier, we really only slowed down after I started having more and more health problems.  But yes, there is one consolation that I have which gives me comfort about my not being able to ride as much - I know that Murphy didn't mind.  He really hasn't had it bad. 

I saddled him up a few weeks ago, and we went for a ride on a Wednesday when my wife Deanna has Line Dancing all day.  It was great to be back in the saddle after only riding sporadically at best.

Of course, Murphy has picked up more companionship over the years.  Yes, my wife and I have taken in a few more unwanted horses like Mac who've needed a place to live out their years. 

The barn that my dad, and I, and my brothers helped build, was built with Murphy and Mac in mind.  It was not built for all of the horses that I have now.  But that's OK, because I figure that once I find the money then I'll expand it.   

Of course, money is always an issue for horse owners.  And yes, that's the reason people are getting rid of horses these days.  The expense can be too much in a bad economy.

In fact, in the last week or so, my wife and I have spent a lot of money on Murphy.  A great deal of money actually.  But honestly, if I had more I would have spent that on him as well. 

You see, on the 7th of August, this month, I saw Murphy lying down all alone at one end of the big pen.  Now there isn't anything out of the ordinary about a horse lying down, but for him to stay down so long bothered me.  I went into the pen to check on him. 

Colic!  That was my first thought.  He had all of the signs.  Walking in small circles, wanting to lie down instead of being on his feet, yup, it was all there.  Maybe it was sand colic, maybe it was a sudden change in his feed, or maybe something else?  

Whatever it was, I immediately started him up and walking.  I tried to give him water, but he wouldn't take it.  He groaned and walked unsteady and in pain.  For the next two days, I tried everything that I knew.  But on the 10th, we called the Vet. 

The Vet came out and looked him over and said that if he is colicing - but it's secondary to a fever.  His temperature was 102, and he was still acting real sore.  The Vet gave him antibiotics, pain killers, and something for acid reflux.  Yes, acid reflux believe it or not.  And yes, that was a first, I had never heard of such a thing for horses.

After running a tube into his stomach, the Vet filled Murphy with mineral oil and water.  The pain killer seemed to be doing its job, because Murphy started drinking and eating.  According to my wife, it was the first time that I smiled in days.  The next day, he honestly didn't look too bad.  But on Friday, he refused to eat or drink water, and he went down hill again.

On Saturday, we called the Vet back to ask her to come on out to the ranch.  This time a different Vet from the same Vet Clinic came out to look at Murphy.  He did the same as the other Vet.  The thinking was that it was a good course of treatment.  The result again was that Murphy was looking a little better.

Yesterday, Sunday, he went down hill again. I was up with him until 4 o'clock this morning.  I was tired and sore from him knocking me around while I tried giving him his medicine.  I slept until 9:30 this morning, and I woke up exhausted.  Then before washing my face or having coffee, I rushed out to see him. 

He stood in the barn and was moaning heavily.  I gave him the last of the pain medicine and waited.

I called the Vet at about 3 o'clock this afternoon.  This time another Vet out of the same Vet Clinic came out, but unlike the others she had floated his teeth before and knew Murphy.  She got here at around 4:30, and immediately looked him over.  She reached for her glove like the others had, and again reached in to try to dislodge any impaction that was causing his discomfort. 

But it was no good, there was a blockage and she said she couldn't go in any farther.  She put her ultrasound to use to check him out, and again it didn't look good.  She said that his colon had been extended and that he had an organ blocking him from getting rid of the impaction.  And to complicate matters even worse, she said the Murphy was badly dehydrated. 

We all stood there watching him sniff the ground and try to eat dandelions.  And yes, we talked about my options. 

Many years ago, I found a horse that was neglected and needed care.  He was wormy and was being starved by an owner who couldn't pay for his feed and board.  He was gaunt, boney, skin hung on him like a rag.  His hoofs were cracked and badly split.  His eyes were lifeless and dull.  He looked 20 years older than he was, and yet he had just turned seven.  He needed care from someone who cared. 

To make a long story short for right now, I bought him and cared for him.  He became my life. 

It's funny about a horse.  In his case, if I were leading him and hesitated before going in a certain direction, he would give me a nudge with his forehead to push me along.  And I know that horses don't talk a whole lot, but in many ways he spoke to me all the time. 

Murphy my son was there through good times and bad.  He was there when I went through a divorce, and the death of my Dad.  He helped me keep it together when I questioned if I could make it through illness and loneliness. 

Some say that I saved his life years ago.  Some say that he was headed for the killers and slaughter.  But the fact is that Murphy saved my life in so many ways, and I guess it was his way of just returning the favor.

I guess all in all, I bought a recue horse those years ago. I recued him, and he rescued me.

This is one of those things that I've never looked forward to writing.  I thought I'd have him around for at least 10 or 12 or 15 more years. But that's not the case now.  

We walked to the front gate to say our goodbyes.  I looked into his eyes on the way back, I broke down in tears and couldn't go any farther.  Murphy put his head into my chest and arms, then after I turned to start - he nudged me up the hill for the last time.

A few hours ago, my son Murphy had to be put down. 

I can't believe it.  



Our Last Few Moments Together, August 15th, 2011

May God Bless Murphy My Son!

Story by Tom Correa