愛馬とのお別れの記事を読み、シャル君と自分を重ねました。
来年２０才になるシャル君、そして私は７４才になりますが、人と馬の平均寿命を考えるとだいたい同じくらいになります。なんとしても長生きしてシャル君をみとってからでないと死ねないなと思っています。
今年は新年喪中欠礼の葉書が何枚も頂きましたが、亡くなられた方の年齢はとても高齢なのです。
いただいたはがきを見て、自分もこのくらいは生きられるかもとちょっと安心しています。
This is a letter to the editor from one of a Asahi newspaper reader.
My beloved horse died at the age of 29.
He had been with me for 24years at the club where I used to visit three times a week.
He was still well even when he got old. But 3 years ago he could not stand up after laying down.
In the beginning of this year he could not walk properly.
I languished over seeing him walk unsteadily.
I tried to take him for a walk everyday for rehabilitation. After 6months he could walk well.
At the end of June he gave me a chance of riding him again. He could walk cheerfully and a week later he could even canter.
The staff watching this scene said this horse looked happier with someone on his back.
After a month he went to heaven.
He promised me that he would try to give me the last chance to ride him.
So he accomplished his promise and I am contented with this.