Our darling Monte Cristo has passed away  The oldest horse at Skydog and best friend and companion to our boy Sarge, decided to go join him in heaven so they can gallop the skies together with the rest of the heavenly Skydog herd. At 34 years old it’s hardly a surprise to lose him but it’s still heartbreaking  although I’m glad he went on his terms and he lay down and went to sleep. Peacefully and without pain. Monte was rescued from a kill pen in Kansas emaciated and sick, but he took to rescue with huge enthusiasm and put weight back on in a flash. He looked as though he wore a giant black velvet smoking jacket and he was the most distinguished gentleman in every way but wanted nothing to do with people and never came close. I am so glad he had several good years with us before gaining his wings – the pen he and Sarge shared above the barn will be empty for a while in their honor. It will have to be two special horses to fill those shoes. We miss you Sarge and Monte, always together and now never apart  photo credit @photoadvocacy

Our Darling Monte Cristo

Our darling Monte Cristo has passed away. 🖤 The oldest horse at Skydog, our noble and cherished friend, has left this earth to join his lifelong companion Sarge in heaven. It feels almost poetic, as though his heart simply could not remain here once Sarge had gone, and he chose to gallop after him into the skies. Now they run together again, reunited with the rest of the heavenly Skydog herd, wild and free.

Monte Cristo’s passing marks the end of an era at Skydog. He was not just a horse in our care—he was history, memory, wisdom, and heart all wrapped into one magnificent being. For so many years, he stood as a symbol of resilience and companionship, carrying himself with the quiet dignity that only comes with age and experience. His presence filled our ranch with calm strength, and his absence will be felt in every pasture, every breeze, every quiet corner where his shadow once stood.

A Noble Life

Monte Cristo lived a long and full life. We do not measure a horse’s years simply in time, but in the love they give, the bonds they form, and the lessons they leave behind. By that measure, Monte’s life was abundant beyond words. His years gave him a wisdom that radiated through his eyes—deep pools of knowing that seemed to carry the weight of centuries of wild horses before him.

In his prime, Monte Cristo was strong and commanding. He was not just a horse of physical beauty but of inner nobility. His coat carried the marks of time, his back a little sway with age, but nothing ever diminished his elegance. Every movement he made was deliberate, as though he understood that grace is not about speed but presence.

And yet, for all his quiet majesty, Monte Cristo’s defining feature was his heart. Gentle with those around him, patient with those who cared for him, he was a soul that radiated kindness.

The Bond with Sarge

Among all the relationships in Monte Cristo’s life, none was as profound as his bond with Sarge. Horses, like humans, choose their companions, and Monte and Sarge chose each other. They were inseparable—two spirits who seemed to understand one another without words.

It was always moving to watch them together. They grazed side by side, drank from the same trough, and stood shoulder to shoulder during quiet afternoons when the sun dipped low. Their companionship was a reminder that love and friendship transcend species; they are written into the very fabric of life itself.

When Sarge passed away, something shifted in Monte Cristo. Though he carried on with the dignity he always had, there was a heaviness to his steps. It was as though part of him had left too, and he was simply waiting for the right time to follow. We knew his heart was tethered to Sarge’s, and perhaps it was only a matter of time before that invisible string pulled him upward, into the skies where Sarge waited.

And so, Monte Cristo made his choice. He let go gently, with grace and peace, as though he knew his work here was done. Now, we like to imagine the two of them running together once again—manes flying, hooves pounding soft clouds, free from pain, free from the weight of age.

A Teacher and a Friend

To us at Skydog, Monte Cristo was more than a horse we cared for—he was a teacher. He taught us patience, reminding us that not everything must be hurried. He taught us respect, showing that true leadership comes not from dominance but from calm steadiness. And he taught us about love—how to give it, how to accept it, and how it lingers long after the body has gone.

Every volunteer, caretaker, and visitor who met Monte left with a sense of awe. People would stop and watch him, as though sensing there was something special about this horse. He was a living reminder of endurance, of survival, and of the beauty of growing old with grace.

His best lessons were silent. He showed us how to live fully and how to let go when it was time. He showed us that grief is the price of love, but love is always worth it.

The Skydog Herd in Heaven

It comforts us to believe that there is a great herd in the sky, a place where all the horses we have loved and lost now run wild and free. Monte Cristo has joined them, his spirit young once more, his body strong, his hooves striking the ground like thunder. He is not gone; he has only changed pastures, trading this earth for fields without fences, without pain.

And there, waiting for him, was Sarge. We imagine their reunion—the way Sarge must have perked his ears and galloped forward when he saw his old friend approaching. The two of them, pressed nose to nose in greeting, before taking off across endless meadows where the sun never sets.

The heavenly Skydog herd is growing, and though we mourn each loss here on earth, we find joy in the thought that our beloved horses are together again, never truly gone, just waiting for us in a place beyond.

A Legacy of Love

Monte Cristo leaves behind more than memories—he leaves behind a legacy. Every life he touched is part of that legacy. He showed us that old age is not something to be feared but honored. He showed us that friendship is sacred. And he showed us that every horse, no matter how many years they carry, deserves to be cherished.

For those who loved him, the grief is sharp. But grief is love with no place to go, and so we channel it into remembrance. We will tell his story. We will speak his name. We will remember the feel of his coat under our hands, the steady look in his eyes, the quiet strength of his presence.

Skydog will not be the same without him, but Skydog is better because of him. He shaped our hearts, and he shaped the lives of those who cared for him. His spirit runs through this place like wind through the grass.

Saying Goodbye

Goodbye, darling Monte Cristo. Thank you for every lesson, every moment, every ounce of love you gave. Thank you for standing by Sarge, for being his companion and friend, and for showing us all what loyalty means. Thank you for gracing Skydog with your presence, for giving us the honor of walking beside you in your final years.

We will miss you more than words can say. Our pastures feel emptier, our hearts heavier. But we take comfort in knowing that you are not alone—that you are galloping through heaven with Sarge, your best friend, your brother in spirit, your eternal companion.

Rest well, Monte Cristo. You have earned it. Run free, beautiful boy. We will love you always. 🖤