Last week, something unexpected happened. It was a regular evening when I got home from school. I settled into my chair and turned on the TV, ready to relax. Then, the door suddenly opened, and my mom rushed in.

“The horse is down,” she said. “He can’t get back up. We need to help him.”

We quickly headed out to the pasture, and there he was, lying on the ground with a tired look in his eyes. We tried for hours to help him stand, adjusting his position, encouraging him, but nothing worked. Eventually, we realized he wasn’t going to recover.

Making the hard decision to end his suffering wasn’t easy. It’s one of the most difficult parts of being self-sufficient, but it’s also a responsibility we can’t ignore. Caring for animals means ensuring their well-being, even when it means making painful choices.

Animals play a huge role in our self-sufficient lifestyle. They provide companionship, help with work, and are an important part of daily life. Losing one is never easy, but it’s something we have to face from time to time.

That night, after everything was said and done, the house felt a little quieter. It was a reminder that self-sufficiency isn’t just about the work—it’s also about the deep connections we form with the animals that share this life with us.

We will always carry the memory of Tank with us—he touched our lives in a personal and profound way.

Rest easy, Tank. I’ll see you in another life.