We Lost Jake...

We lost Jake (17 years old) yesterday. I found him yesterday after work. Up until that point he had been eating, drinking, acting, etc. normally up to this point. It looked as if he had just fallen over, no signs of attempts to stand up, no... marks/injury to his legs, nothing. Jake came here with his mini mule buddy (JJ). Jake was living in a muddy pen (mud up to his knees) with 2 other horses who bossed him around, not willing to share the hay that was put out to them. Jake was extremely skinny which is the main reason I took him in. I did not want to leave him there. I noticed a mule tied to a post in one of the barns and asked about him. The guy said he stays tied because he is hard to catch. I asked if I could take him too. So the package deal came to live at the sanctuary. I trained Jake (he was about 4 years old) and worked with the mule (still don't know to this day if he was wild caught, severely abused, or both). Jake went to some horse shows and won championships in his divisions, but most importantly he made a wonderful companion for Sophie, especially when Sophie's best friend, Shelby (another thoroughbred) passed away at an old age. Both JJ and Sophie miss their friend, but are finding comfort in each other. Sophie was never a fan of JJ, but she seems to understand that Jake is gone and JJ is now her only room mate. Rest in Peace Jake - I know you're running with Shelby right now in greener pastures.