Ache…
I spoke to my brother on his mobile phone late last night – to find out how our darling Admiral (his Australian Stock Horse stallion and equine member of the family) was doing. I held my breath as I called.
…
Admiral had been off his food for a few days but taken a turn for the worse yesterday. Our local vet had examined him and advised of a serious abscess near his bowel. Admiral had managed to stay on his feet the whole four-hour drive to the vet surgeon yesterday. After collapsing on arrival, they managed to stabilise him and prepare him for surgery. He made it through the surgery.
But he did not recover.
Admiral is gone.
It’s hard to put words to this kind of loss. I loved the 15-year-old chestnut and I ache, but he was part of my brother’s family. He was born at Granite Glen and was my brother’s main steed, he worked with him, he campdrafted with him, and the stallion lived in the paddock beside my brother’s house – always has. Dash’s cousins have grown up with him – gentle, gleaming, gorgeous. I can only imagine the hole in their hearts resembles the gaping Cosmo-shaped one in mine. And I ache for them.
…
Rest in peace, big boy.
You will be sorely missed by us all.
11 Comments
Kate
Oh BB I am so sorry. What a beautiful horse. I was too late for your prayer request below but you and your family are in my prayers now. I hope that you can find comfort. I know that God loves animals, they are His glorious creations and i believe that we will see our beloved pets/family members again. Love is being sent your way.
Muddy Boot Dreams
I am so very sorry, what terrible news for you. Animals are so inbedded in our lives, and so important to us, that when we lose them, it is just like losing a best friend or family member. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jen
Debby
Oh, I am sorry for your family. When an animal is part of your family for 15 years, he does leave a gaping empty place. I’m sorry for everyone who mourns him.
Pencil Writer
My tears and aches for you echo those we here feel for the loss of Sarah’s two little kittens. 15 years of loving a gorgeous memorable stallion, I can only imagine…must be so much more difficult. Hugs.
Pony Girl
Oh that is so sad. I have never lost a horse but I can imagine how painful it must be. Your family is grieving something terrible right now.
As Admiral was a stallion, does the family have any of his offspring? A living legacy, perhaps?
Hang in there and send your family my condolences!
Portia
What a beautiful tribute you wrote about Admiral. To have that kind of bond with him tells all of us how wonderful a horse he was. Being that sick and standing through a 4 hour drive says how strong and brave he was.
Sorry for your loss.
Andrea
I am so sorry for the loss. It must be so hard to loose a wonderful horse like him. To have raised him. You did a wonderful tribute and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your borther’s family.
Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)
Thanks so much for your lovely words – I have passed them on to my brother and his family. I do realise that life goes on, but there are some animals we share our lives with out here that kinda touch you deeply. Admiral was one of those animals.
🙂
BB
Teresa/ride4fun
My condolences on the loss of Admiral. Its hard to say goodbye to those special ones regardless; but your family must be in shock too; losing him so suddenly when he was still in the prime of life. (((HUGS)))
Mikey
SO sorry to hear he didn’t make it. So very sad to lose a fine animal, friend and member of the family. Thoughts and prayers to you and yours..
A Novel Woman
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
— Edna St. Vincent Millay
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Pam