Remembering Our Sweet Dakota

The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:

DAKOTA

2023-2026

It is with a broken heart that I share that we lost our sweet boy, Dakota, this past Friday.

Many of you knew and loved Dakota through the photos and stories we’ve shared; others through your time volunteering with the horses at AAE. He had such a special presence, the happiest, most goofy, and incredibly sweet little guy who loved people, greeted you in the barn, followed you everywhere, waited at the gate, tagged along to the barn, and was almost always alongside or standing over his best pal, Louise. You never had to look far, and there he was.

Dakota got very sick this last month, but he was responding really well to treatment. He was improving every day, and for his last few days, he was truly himself again, happy, goofy, loving and enjoying life. There was every reason to be hopeful.

Suddenly, Friday morning, something had changed. He was extremely painful and uncomfortable, and the heartbreaking decision was made to let him go as peacefully as possible.

This special guy wasn’t even 3 years old. He had already overcome so much in his short life, from abandonment on the streets, getting hit by a car, and having a major hip surgery. He took it all in stride, recovered well, and became such a bright light at the rescue. You couldn’t help but smile and feel his love when he leaned into say hello. We thought we had so many years ahead of us.

Needless to say, he weaseled his way deep into my heart, and I am absolutely crushed. If you see Lou and I at the barn, I can’t talk yet about losing him. I know any questions come from love and concern, and I hope everyone will understand.

I’m grateful beyond words for the little time we had and that his last days were incredibly good days. He was home, he was happy as could be, he was his ol’ self, and he knew how very much he was loved.

Rest easy, sweetest boy. I know you’ll be watching over us all. We should have had so much more time.