The Long Shot2004

Colleen O'Brian:
Annie, Annie!

Annie Garrett:
You're late. Where's Taylor?

Colleen O'Brian:
She can't get Tolo to come out of his stall.

Taylor Garrett:
Come on Tolo!

Annie Garrett:
Taylor?

Taylor Garrett:
Huh?

Annie Garrett:
You alright?

Taylor Garrett:
Yeah, it, it's just that he's not moving.

Annie Garrett:
Okay. [turns and strokes Tolo] Hey buddy. Hey there, yeah. It's okay. It's okay buddy.

Annie Garrett:
[inspects all of Tolo's body] That's a good boy. You're a good boy. Good boy. You're okay. Woah. Woah.

Annie Garrett:
Hey. [Stares worriedly into Tolo's eyes] Oh. Oh. Oh no.

Annie Garrett:
[Sniffles] Hey, it's okay.

John Oaks:
[waves opthomaloscope in front of Tolo's eyes and sighs] He's blind, Annie.

Annie Garrett:
Why?

John Oaks:
Well he's got hemoraging in both eyes, which is really rare.

Mary Lou O'Brian:
What caused it?

John Oaks:
Could be the slow deterioration of the vessels in the back of the eyes but I can't be sure.

Annie Garrett:
Is there anything you can do for him?

John Oaks:
The hemorraging attacks the retinas of both the eyes. I'm afraid it's permanent.

John Oaks:
I'm not gonna sugar-coat this, Annie. Situation like this, we usually put the horse down.

Annie Garrett:
[starts crying] But I love him so much, I... what if I don't put him down?

John Oaks:
Well I'm... I'm not saying you should. But... Well the reality is: he's not gonna be able to find his water, his food, anything. He bumps into something it's gonna terrify him. When a person goes blind you can talk to them, explain what's happening, ease their fear. A horse just doesn't understand.

Annie Garrett:
This is so hard. I need some time.

John Oaks:
Take it. You know, just see how he does, alright? [Annie replies: "yeah"] If anybody can help him, you can.

John Oaks:
I'm sorry.