05/26/2026
"Love is like standing in wet cement, the longer you stay the harder to leave and you can never leave without leaving your marks behind."
~ Author unknown
We met Oates along with his brother Hall in the beginning of January, 2025. The kindest boys, they'd suffered a lifetime of hoof neglect and we knew we were on borrowed time, and 3 months later we said goodbye to Hall.
After nearly a year and a half with us in hospice care, the time to say goodbye to Oates has come. We never expected him to do so well for so long, and at some point - I'd started to hope he'd have years left. But yesterday, he just wasn't himself, and I knew he was ready. As badly as I wanted to hold on, it was time to let him rest.
Thank you to each and every volunteer that loved him with me. Thank you to everyone who loved him with us from afar, and got to feel his joy and kindness in person when he'd tag along to events as a GRG ambassador. Thank you to Dr Selvig and everyone at Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital Equine for helping us to give him - and so many - his dignity back, for giving him so many more good days than we'd have ever dared hope.
Thank you, Oates, for loving so unconditionally. You were a gentleman, and the kindest soul, and I miss you so very much little man. I love you, little dude. Be nice to Hall, and let everyone know up there that Auntie Nay never stops thinking about any of you. 💙
