The old stallion...

[Broil]

Oh, that was a beautiful eulogy for your old friend.  I don't know a thing about horses, but you still made me feel your loss ..... thanks for telling it.

[Chesyre]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pmo46n6LN0 (External Embedding Disabled)

[houseoftang]

OH,

I'd pull some Rainbow Bridge stuff on you or some such sentimentality, but I know that's not your brand.  Good on you for burying him yourself--it's a far cry from putting a cat in the ground behind the shed.

Remember him, and all our animal friends who've gone on beyond us, because that's much of what it means to be human.

[9anda1f]

OH,

Your stallion was lucky to have you.  You fostered a true partnership with him.

Thanks for sharing.

[Six Gun Jim]

It is hard to lose a friend that has been there for so long and is true beyond any human measure of friendship. I'm glad that he went and you didn't have to send him on and that you got to do the honor of burial. It's always nice to be able to see our friends on as best we can, to lay down tribute. What a good set of memories you have, I'd be damn proud myself to have had the company of such an animal. I'm sure his time was better for ending up with you than it otherwise might have been in this age of the uncaring and irresponsible. Best to you horseman, you told his story very well. -James

[Madnsassy]

Thank you, Horseman, for sharing your story.  I feel your loss.  I don't have but one old mare anymore, and I adopted her 10 years ago from being disposed.  She's 32 now, always was around other alpha mares, and always has been stand-offish.  I've chosen to let her live her life out on my place, but you have reminded me of her soul.  The ole girl still looks great (registered Morgan), but every day when I go out to feed her, she looks like she's never seen me before.  Then I touch her, and she warms up.  Poor creature was always second best I guess.  Our animals are reflections of our own humanity.

My own saddest story was over a year ago when I learned that my young stud that I had raised and sold  when he was 2 yrs old (along with his Mama) had jumped a fence into a field that he shouldn't have been in, and fell into an old 30 ft. dry well.  He was five when that happened.  It still hurts so much when I think about it.  He was my baby.

Anyway, again, thanks for sharing.  I think I know how you feel.

[Michelle]

My warmest regards for the loss of your old friend. I'm glad I had
a chance to meet him.

He galloped like a youngster when he saw you.

M

[QuinteYankanucks]

A wonderful and touching tribute, Horseman.

Thank you for sharing.

[madison]

That was beautiful.

How fortunate you are to have had a creature like that in your life.

How lucky he was to have had you.

Blessed be.

[Tinfoilhatmann]

I am so sorry to hear that OldHorseMan. You had a loyal and trusted friend for a long time and now he is gone. People who aren't animal people just don't understand the impact that the creatures around us have on our lives and hearts. If they are treated well, and given love and respect they will always repay that twofold in return. When they die is its devastating.

My folks always swear whenever an animal family member dies that they will never get another one because the heartbreak is too much to bear. Their lives are so much shorter than ours and we have to relive again and again the anguish of losing them. The truth is that our lives are so enriched by their presence, however short it may be, that the pain of their loss is far less than the emptiness of never having them in our lives in the first place.

[Tropicalgirl]

What a loving sendoff to your good friend and companion.  He drifted away peacefully for your benefit, too, I believe. 

It was beautiful, that you laid him to rest yourself.... what a lovely tribute to your bond and affection for each other.  Sorry for your loss, friend.

[OldHorseman]

[speaksoftly]

He was beautiful!

[akaskip]

  OldHorseman,

  I am very sorry and sad for your loss, but also happy for you and the great memories
  you and your friend have made with each other over the many years together, thanks for sharing some of those memories with us.