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Wyllow
Platinum Member
 United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 2:39:23 PM
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For the last year or so, my horses have grazed over the fence from a dear old pair of cobs.
One has lately had a mystery bout of illness from which she seemed to have recovered and her companion, although with a history of lameness, has been sound all summer.
Both have had a great few months in the sweet grass of the meadows next to ours, under the shade of the trees.
This morning, however, "before the winter came and anything happened to them" ~ as their owner put it ~ they left this world.
I have very mixed feelings, but it won't help to think too much on "ifs" and "whys".....
If there is any good to be found, they WON'T have to endure a winter and they went as they lived ~ together.
I am very upset but a great comfort really is that my horses , who I'd fenced well away, went to have a brief look when I moved the fencing back again some hours after , looked about for a couple of minutes, then dropped their heads and grazed as if nothing had happened.
That's animals for you, very stoical. Mine nuzzled me a few times as if to say "it's ok, we're alright." And when I packed the extra fencing away, I left.
So I'm back home now and feeling very low as it is the end of probably forty years of horses being owned constantly there and grazed in those fields. I have known most of them since childhood and it is ironic that they only ones there now are mine.....but I wonder for how long?
Spare a few thoughts and prayers for Cloud and Grafton, now in a sweeter pasture with Magpie and all the others who went before them.
Run free dear friends.
This is for you both:~
The Farewell
Farewell my friend, it痴 time to part and I must walk ahead
We shared our lives and deepest trust unspoken and unsaid.
Shed tears for just a little while but when you think of me,
Remember all the many hours we spent so happily.
You loved me well throughout our time, our friendship fast and true
Was tested and unbreakable through all the trials we knew.
Our downfalls and our triumphs and the dreams we lived and shared
Forged bonds known only by those ones who have so deeply cared.
Grieve for just the briefest time for memory is kind
And bright thoughts of the fun we had will always come to mind.
So spend some time upon the place where I am laid to sleep
But when you come here smile for me and do not stop and weep.
You値l hear my call in every breath the wind breathes through the trees,
I値l dance in shadows cast by branches moving in the breeze.
My breath will warm you in the golden light shed by the sun
And you値l feel me all around you in the dusk when day is done.
I致e walked a little way ahead and here I値l wait for you,
In a kinder place where I have started life anew.
Not wearied by the pains of all who tread upon this Earth,
I spring again in strength and health afresh from my rebirth
Eventually, you値l walk the Sunset Path I do today
And knowing that I wait for you might help you on your way.
We値l be as we have always been and I will know your face,
Sadness will be forgotten in a joyful warm embrace.
So now farewell my dearest friend, I must go on alone,
Carrying your love that I have been blessed to have known.
A new day calls, I leave you now, but only for a while
So weep but just a little time, then think of me and smile.
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Fine Art & Photography
www.catehamilton.com
 
Cate Hamilton
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Edited by - Wyllow on 04 Sep 2008 11:42:08 PM
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tut 99
Silver Member
401 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 3:27:06 PM
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It is sad, but I my self have had to put some of my old horses down just before winter......but at least they had a good life .
RIP OUR TRUSTED FRIENDS |
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Adara_Arabians
Gold Member
England
736 Posts |
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precious
Platinum Member
England
2253 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 3:40:03 PM
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RIP Cloud and Grafton!!
Like you said at least they left happy and together.
If i had horses i knew would really struggle through the winter and thats even if they make it through the winter i would have made the same decision before the pain came.
Sending hugs. x |
     
Gemma Thompson
Birmingham West Midlands
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alison
Platinum Member
Wales
1810 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 3:48:33 PM
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Agree with precious here - I think a caring owner knows when it is time to let go - even though it is so sad. Hopefully they are now grazing together in their new life and suffered no pain or distress at the end.
Be Free and happy |
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 3:56:33 PM
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Thank you for your kindness, it IS always a help when friends here spare a thought at times of sadness.
I am sure their owner must be greiving for not just this loss but the passing of an era and I'm sure positive thoughts do help us all.
Very grateful. |
Fine Art & Photography
www.catehamilton.com
Cate Hamilton
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 4:01:11 PM
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How sad. Better a day too early than a day too late. |
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Edited by - Goldenmane on 04 Sep 2008 4:01:59 PM |
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Merlot
Platinum Member
England
3260 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 4:02:53 PM
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| A very tough decision to make but done for the right reasons. RIP you two oldies. |
 photo by Eric G Jones |
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angelarab
Platinum Member
Wales
2876 Posts |
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DenmoorStud
Gold Member
739 Posts |
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leezee26
Gold Member
England
1123 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 5:17:21 PM
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| Poor fellows but at least they went together and not after long drawn out misery and illness. RIP boys.Leighxx |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
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trisha
Gold Member
United Kingdom
914 Posts |
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 11:40:36 PM
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Again, many grateful thanks for your kind thoughts.
They will be missed so much and remembered so dearly. |
Fine Art & Photography
www.catehamilton.com
Cate Hamilton
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skinny sue
Bronze Member
England
219 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 12:28:42 AM
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| Oh my Wyllow, the tear's are streaming down my face (and i'm at work ) I had to do the same for my darling Shaima a few years ago now. It's so sad but it is our duty to not let our babies suffer. I miss her constantly but know she is now happy and not suffering. It's the one's left behind who suffer. Take note of what your own horses have said to you, it's ok we are ok, they know and understand more than we do. Take care. Night God bless, Cloud and Grafton. |
sue p |
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Totalrookie
Gold Member
N. Ireland
613 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 3:24:24 PM
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| RIP Cloud and Grafton, run free. Cate how very sad - I am upset about this and I didn't know them so I can only imagine how you're feeling. The poem is a lovely tribute to them both. Bless you. |
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arabic
Platinum Member
England
4562 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 4:13:36 PM
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| So sorry Cate - still crying at those lovely words. Very fitting tribute to Cloud and Grafton - RIP x |
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nikki
Platinum Member
Wales
4384 Posts |
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 5:07:01 PM
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Thank you so much ~ the field next to my two is SO empty....but when the rains fell today I thought of Grafton and Cloud and was happy they didn't have to be bothered with the coming autumn and all the cold and wet and mud.
I'm sure a brighter sun shines on them upon a sweet field somewhere not so far down the Sunset Path.
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Fine Art & Photography
www.catehamilton.com
Cate Hamilton
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NUTTER
Platinum Member
England
2452 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 6:50:34 PM
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RIP Grafton and Cloud..
I think it was good they both went together
I made the decision just before christmas for my old boy to be put to sleep it was one of the hardest decisions i have ever had to make.
I still miss him like mad and still cant look at photos |
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"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."
