On Oct. 23, Keat was wheeled out to the patio of the hospital, where a surprise was waiting. On his death bed, the 80-year-old had cancer, had regaled nurses at Bodmin Hospital in Cornwall with stories about his equine career.
Touching last moments between owner and horse
Since Mr. Keat couldnât visit his horse himself, they would bring his horse to him. So it was - the horse was brought to the hospital for a few last moments with the dying man.
As his last days approached, Keat had told hospital staff that he had just one final wish: He wanted to see his favorite horse, a handsome 5-year-old named Early Morn, one more time. Sadly he was not well enough to visit the stable.
Now the staff at Bodmin Hospital had a plan up their sleeves. Since Mr. Keat couldnât visit his horse himself, they would bring his horse to him. So it was - the horse was brought to the hospital for a few last moments with the dying man.
"I can honestly say that this is the most memorable day of my career," a nurse said. âThe emotion was overwhelming and there wasn't a dry eye in the ward.â
Keatâs son said he was extremely grateful to hospital staff for organizing such a "wonderful" surprise.
The octogenarian died peacefully three days later.
Frank Keat had dedicated 65 years of his life to horses. He started working in stables as a teenager, and he later bred the animals and served as a judge at equestrian competitions across England.
Keat was well-known in the equine community in the U.K. Just last year, he served as president of the Lanivet Horse and Dog Show in Cornwall.
In 2010, Keat won the overall hunter championship at the annual show with his horse Brandy Snap the Third, according to local newspaper West Briton.