We said goodbye to our dear old friend Bud today. Bud was in his mid-30s and his health was starting to decline, so we made the difficult decision to let him go before his condition started getting worse. He passed away quietly and peacefully, surrounded by people who loved him.

Bud and his girlfriend Brandy came to SAFE badly neglected, with protruding hips and ribs, overgrown hooves, and untreated injuries. With good care, these senior citizens regained their weight and enjoyed many happy days together.  We lost Brandy in December to a sudden onset colic caused by a lipoma, and because these two seemed so inseparable, we were very worried about how Bud would manage without her. But he handled her passing with great dignity and acceptance, and found a new friend, his neighbor, young Basil Jordan.

Bud received amazing care from Ken and Kelli at KCJ Stables, and we are so grateful to them for always treating our old man so kindly. We’d also like to thank his former foster mom, Susan R, who shared her beautiful farm and lush pastures with Bud and Brandy, and to NWESC for nursing them through their first few months of rehab after they were seized.

We are also incredibly grateful to photographer Cheri Wicklund whose lovely pictures of Bud, taken at the beginning of this month, give us a beautiful reminder of this handsome old man on a very good day.

Godspeed, dear Bud!