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It is with an extremely heavy heart that I report the passing of Paladin, my war-horse and best friend for 23 years.
I knew the end of the trail was near, and yesterday he told me he was ready to go. He wanted to spare me that most difficult of all decisions; it was just like him to give me such a generous gift. He may have been ready, but I was not. There is now a rather large hole in my heart. I laid him to rest in the embrace of a wise old oak.
I was glad to have been able to be with him and comfort him as he made his gentle passage across the Rainbow Bridge to Tír na n’Óg—the Land of Eternal Youth. He always believed he was still an exuberant 6-year-old, and perhaps there’s a lesson in there for all of us.
He was honest, and he kept me honest, too. He was smart as a whip, loyal, and proud. He was a bold boy—a buachaill dána. He was a handsome devil too, and didn’t he know it! It was an honor and a privilege to be his anam chara—his “soul friend”— and walk the Path with him for so very long; to share so many adventures, as well as so many tranquil moments. We understood each other.
I’m going to miss the boyo more than words can say, but I am not sad—I prefer to reflect on the many years of unwavering friendship and fun he shared with me.
He was a great horse, none better. There will simply never be another like him.
Now I console myself with the knowledge that he (and my dogs) will be waiting for me. He would want me—and you, my brothers-at-arms—to celebrate his memorable life and peaceful passing. So join me in lifting a glass to as fine a charger as ever wore a horse’s hide: Paladin!
“When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk. He trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it.”
“He is pure air and fire, and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him. He is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts.”
both from Henry V by Wm. Shakespeare
Make Every Day Count!
(we won’t get any of ’em back)
Aden~
I knew the end of the trail was near, and yesterday he told me he was ready to go. He wanted to spare me that most difficult of all decisions; it was just like him to give me such a generous gift. He may have been ready, but I was not. There is now a rather large hole in my heart. I laid him to rest in the embrace of a wise old oak.
I was glad to have been able to be with him and comfort him as he made his gentle passage across the Rainbow Bridge to Tír na n’Óg—the Land of Eternal Youth. He always believed he was still an exuberant 6-year-old, and perhaps there’s a lesson in there for all of us.
He was honest, and he kept me honest, too. He was smart as a whip, loyal, and proud. He was a bold boy—a buachaill dána. He was a handsome devil too, and didn’t he know it! It was an honor and a privilege to be his anam chara—his “soul friend”— and walk the Path with him for so very long; to share so many adventures, as well as so many tranquil moments. We understood each other.
I’m going to miss the boyo more than words can say, but I am not sad—I prefer to reflect on the many years of unwavering friendship and fun he shared with me.
He was a great horse, none better. There will simply never be another like him.
Now I console myself with the knowledge that he (and my dogs) will be waiting for me. He would want me—and you, my brothers-at-arms—to celebrate his memorable life and peaceful passing. So join me in lifting a glass to as fine a charger as ever wore a horse’s hide: Paladin!
“When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk. He trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it.”
“He is pure air and fire, and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him. He is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts.”
both from Henry V by Wm. Shakespeare
Make Every Day Count!
(we won’t get any of ’em back)
Aden~
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