After spending 65 years working with horses, Frank Keat’s only wish in the final days of his battle with cancer was to see his favorite horse one more time to say goodbye.
Keat’s failing health prevented him from being transported to the stable, but the staff at Bodmin Hospital in Cornwall, England, ensured he would get a visit from his old friend before it was too late.
SWNS.com
Caring nurses at Bodmin Hospital in Cornwall, England, granted Frank Keat his dying wish when they arranged for his favorite horse to visit him days before he passed away.
On Oct. 23, Keat was wheeled out to the hospital patio, where his prized 5-year-old horse, Early Morn, was waiting there, a surprise visit set up by his nurses.
Keat died three days later, at 80.
“It was a really nice last gift and I was so delighted it happened,” his son, Tim, told wire service SWNS.
“It was a wonderful gesture by the nurses to arrange for his horse to visit him like that. I want to thank all the staff on the ward for what they did, because I know my dad couldn’t have wished for anything better.”
Frank Keat with jockey Trevor Coles and the horse Frankies Flutter in 2000 (via SWNS.com)
As Keat savored his time with Early Morn, the staff couldn’t help but get emotional. He’d often told stories from his equine career during his time at Bodmin.
“I can honestly say that this is the most memorable day of my career,” nurse Samantha Russell said. “The emotion was overwhelming and there wasn’t a dry eye on the ward.”
Frank Keat (out in front) had been around horses since he was 15 years old. Here he is riding a horse named Supreme Court to victory in 1955. (via SWNS.com)
Keat started working in stables at 15 and later bred horses and served as a judge in equestrian competitions across England.
Early Morn is a thoroughbred hunter that Keat named himself.
“Frank was just overwhelmed and speechless,” Russell said.
via Today