05/27/2026
This one hit close to home ā¤ļøš“. Thank you Keystone Equine and all involved for going the extra mile for Charlie. Do you have a plan?
https://www.doyourownwill.com/blog/providing-for-your-pets-in-your-will-sample-will-provisions-and-pet-trusts/
I am going to tell you a story about grief, promises made and kept, caring horsemanship and lasting friendship. I can only speak from the very small part that I played in this story... for there were others who shouldered mighty roles in bringing this one wish, heretofore a private one only on paper, to life.
I received a phone call from an unknown number on April 30th, less than three weeks ago. It was from Washington state and I was pretty sure I didnāt know anyone from there but I picked up, anyway.
āAre you Lee McLean from Alberta, Canada?ā My heart flip-flopped, for this is seldom the start to a light-hearted phone call.
It was a good friend of Brenda, the lady who had purchased one of āmyā Keystone ponies in 2021, from a family to whom I had sold this pony, years ago, for their young child. I knew that this pony, Charlie, had done just as fine a job as a mount for his petite senior rider, as he had earlier for his now teen girl, for Brenda and I had loosely stayed in touch in the years since.
Brenda was one of us, a Keystone follower and a horse person who was determined to enjoy her time in the saddle because, well, you know, āWhat are we waiting for?ā She was proud of the five years sheād shared with her beautiful Keystone pony, always happy to ride for the brand.
I listened with a sinking heart, because over the course of our conversation, I learned that Charlieās sweet owner, Brenda, was in hospital with a very serious condition.
She had earlier made it known to her friends that 'if anything should happen' to her, that her older horse would get a loving home nearby and that Charlie would return back to me in Canada. I affirmed that Brenda had indeed had this discussion with me some years ago but it hadnāt seemed overly serious. At the time, she had assured me that she wasnāt in poor health; rather, she was just getting her ducks in a row. You know, just in case.
Brenda passed away the following day.
What happened next is the stuff of movies, really, for her distraught friends and her non-horsey daughter immediately went into action, as a team to make Brendaās last wishes come true.
First, calls were made to see what sort of paperwork would need to be done on the legal end. The local vet was called to inquire about what sort of documents were needed to export a pony internationally. Checks made to see if there were any states with infectious diseases to avoid as the pony made the long journey home.
A vet appointment was booked for the Coggins test to discount Equine Infectious Anaemia, along with the giving of essential vaccinations. An appointment was made with the port vet who would be doing the international health exam. A date was made for their projected arrival and then, it was up to Brendaās friends Niki and Shannon to hit the roadā¦ which would mean a twenty hour round trip marathon for the two women.
I was to meet them on the Canadian side of the border, so it was an early start yesterday to ensure that I wouldnāt hold up these well-laid plans. Our trucks and trailers pulled in to the agreed-upon truck stop only minutes apart and immediately, there were tears and hugs all around.
āNow, donāt get me started crying,ā said Brendaās friend Niki. āYouāll want to see Charlie again, after so many years.ā
With that, the door of their trailer swung wide and the lovely cream-coloured pony known as The Prince of Wales stepped back into my life. He was so obviously well loved and cared for! Charlie has always been a gentleman and there was no rooting, whinnying or fidgeting, as he trustingly changed hands.
We made it back home three hours later. Charlie was happy to have a long drink at his old trough. He went over to where he remembered finding salt, then he had a good roll with a hearty shake. Within minutes, he was boldly striding out through the west gate to his old stomping grounds. Everything in the hill pasture was just as he remembered.
Last night, all was calm and having this pony home again felt right but I will tell you that the whole experience has left me shaken. This is the part that I must share with all of you.
It reminded me that I donāt really have an exact plan in placeāregarding each of my animals, with what type of feed it eats and any meds needed, along with halters, other gear and clothingāshould it come to where I would like my horses and dogs to go.
I havenāt had that hard talk with close friends or family about who would absolutely be willing to give caring homes to these characters that I love. I haven't made instructions with my lawyer as to how to proceed with bills of sale and who will be my power of attorney, in the event that something like this might ever happen. Nor have I made any allowances for hauling, vetting and travel expenses to allow these wishes to come to pass, without further burdening my grieving family and friends.
What about you? Do you have all these plans in place? And just as importantly, do you and I have such dedicated, selfless friends or family to count upon, people who will, no matter what, make these last wishes come true?
Brenda did and in her memory, I would urge each one of us to do the same.
The photo is one Shannon took of beautiful Charlie, Niki and I, standing on the American-Canadian border. Being brave, being trustworthy, being good as our word. Along with all of Brendaās friends who have quietly pitched in to find this pony his soft place to land, I canāt tell you how much your close-knit friendship has touched me. You gals are the real deal.
Because of you, Charlie is safely home. I hope Brenda knows this and can now rest.
