Death
John Henry was euthanized at 7:05 pm EDT (2305 UTC) on October 8, 2007, at the age of 32. He had developed serious kidney problems in August 2007, while Central Kentucky was experiencing a heat wave. On October 6, he stopped responding to veterinary treatment, and the decision was made to put him down. Many who worked with him had the chance to say their goodbyes, including McCarron, who was notified of the decision to euthanize at 4:30 pm, arrived at the park at 5:30, and stayed with him until shortly before the veterinarian arrived.
John Henry was buried on the night of his death in front of the Hall of Champions at a spot in front of his paddock. A memorial service was held at the park on October 19.
Above the grave is a stone inscribed with the poem of "If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven, and bring you home again." There is also a statue of him standing. Engraved under it are the words "John Henry, A Lasting Legend."
Read more about this topic: John Henry (horse)
Famous quotes containing the word death:
“If thou art rich, thourt poor,
For like an ass, whose back with ingots bows,
Thou bearst thy heavy riches but a journey,
And death unloads thee.”
—William Shakespeare (15641616)
“...here he is, fully alive, and it is hard to picture him fully dead. Death is thirty-three hours away and here we are talking about the brain size of birds and bloodhounds and hunting in the woods. You can only attend to death for so long before the life force sucks you right in again.”
—Helen Prejean (b. 1940)
“Now they heap the funeral pyre,
And the torch of death they light;
Ah! tis hard to die by fire!”
—William Makepeace Thackeray (18111863)