In memory of Shetland pony, “Hovis” 1960’s to 2002, and Fjord pony, “Oslo” 1980 to 2002 Dinty’s greatest gift to us was a beautiful Norwegian Fjord pony named “Oslo” who sauntered into our lives in the summer of ’96 at about 16 years of age. Anyone lucky enough to have to have met him was drawn to his gentle, easy-going nature. Sadly this last summer his back legs started to fail him and it was becoming more difficult for him to get up, especially in the wet weather.

In the last few weeks it sometimes took him a few hours to get himself on his feet even after his daily dose of bute and a lot of coaxing. It was so sad to see his legs failing him as he was so healthy in every other way. It became obvious that we couldn’t put him through a cold, wet winter.

One Saturday in September we had to have Oslo’s friend, Hovis, put to sleep due to ill health. Hovis was a gentle, old Shetland and as much a part of our family. The loss of Oslo’s closest friend thrust us into an immediate and very difficult decision to have Oslo put to sleep on the following Sunday morning. Hovis and Oslo had been inseparable and so now they could remained together as they were in life.

Our wonderful vet, Peter Allen of St. Anne’s, organised everything for us and even organised a friend of his, Chris, to dig the grave.

We awoke on that glorious Sunday morning dreading what we had ahead of us. We had decided to have them buried together in the field adjacent to the house. We fussed and fed Oslo his favourite nibbles kissing him and saying our goodbyes. My 8year old grandson, Jack, had grown up with the horses on the farm and had made the brave decision to be with Oslo until the end. We brushed Oslo’s hair and told him that he was getting ready to meet Hovis in heaven. He looked so beautiful as we led him out to the field. Mr Allen turned up with his friend, gently injected Oslo and he softly passed away. He didn’t drop with a thud but slowly folded, as if in sleep, onto the grass. His passing was as if part of our own hearts were going with him. Mr Allen gave us time to compose ourselves and was especially sweet and patient with young Jack. We waited in the house while Chris, drove the JCB for the burial placing Oslo beautifully next to Hovis; he even placed the daisy chain that we had made around their necks. We went out and said our last goodbyes and all of us here at Dittons Farm cannot thank Mr Allen and Chris enough at making a heartbreaking situation “beautiful”. A special thank you also goes to Dinty for allowing us the great honour and privilege of knowing such wonderful ponies that are now much missed and thought about everyday. They will never be forgotten in our hearts. Oslo’s favourite song was “Fields of Gold” by Eva Cassidy and one of the verses reminds us so much of him:- “You’ll remember me when the west wind moves among the fields of barley.