last horse not standing

 

The beautiful Trude has died. She made it to 24 yrs which is not that old in horse years but Friesians of which she is one tend to live a shorter life. She died because of a spinal cord compression which meant she lost control of her legs and her balance and finally could not stand.

What a wonderful life we had with her. What a horse! She could have gone into the funeral business with a plume on her head pulling a coffin chariot with three others but instead she came to us.

She came from the Netherlands where most Friesians are bred and always greeted us with a whinny and a trot towards us if she was the other side of the field.

Here she is with her friend Harry who also died at the beginning of the year.

In many ways it's the end of an era. I spent a great deal of my childhood as a horse, trotting, cantering and jumping in the garden. My mother was very obliging and used to knock two coconut shells together to simulate the sound of hooves as I pranced around the sitting room. Later I had ponies of my own, rode the horses in Hyde Park for the army and took people trekking in the West Indies.  Harry and Trude came into our family life and stayed with us for many wonderful years.

Rocket used to like chasing them in the field so he says now he has to just busy himself rounding up the cushions.

 

   

Here's a lovely visitor we had at the wildlife hospital. What gorgeous creatures badgers are. One used to come up to my friend's back door every evening for snacks. She loved this badger so much her partner asked her if he wore black and white striped pyjamas would she take more notice of him?

Pocket is exhausted from writing all his novels, screen plays and film scripts.

When told of Trude's death he half opened one eye.

"Happiness is beneficial but it is grief that develops the power of the mind."

I stare at him, wondering about the power of his mind as being a cat he doesn't really suffer grief. Oh so sorry mouse for killing you - I am disconsolate ....

You've been googling grief sayings on the internet I tell him. He shuts the one eye and I can just hear him saying The pain passes but the beauty remains.

Renoir said that I said but he was already dreaming of catching another mouse.

The parrots are blooming

 

                                             RIP TRUDE 1998 - 2022

I know Great Horses Live again

Somewhere in time's own space

There must be some sweet pastured place

Where creeks sing and tall trees grow

Some paradise where horses go.

For by the love that guides my pen

I know great horses live again

Stanley Harrison