The happy ending was short lived for Lily after the elderly white mare had to be euthanized on Sunday following a fall that resulted in a broken neck bone, according to The Associated Press report published by Philly.com.  

The gentle horse, found abandoned at an auction stable in New Holland, had been adopted by former talk show host Jon Stewart and his wife Tracy, died at the Stewarts’ New Jersey farm.

“When we knew there was nothing more we could do for her we covered her in kisses and kind words and said our goodbyes,” said Tracy Stewart. “Our hearts are aching we had so many more fun plans for her. She was beyond special and beyond loved.”

The Stewarts adopted Lily last month after she was found in March covered in paint. The Lancaster SPCA reported that the horse had been shot with a paint gun, but further investigation into Lily’s past instead revealed she had actually been used as a canvas at children’s finger painting parties. 

Either way, it’s clear her past owners, whoever they are, did not value her life.

Tracey Stewart said that Lily spent her last days enjoying her time at the farm while munching on grass and delighting in “massages, baths and lots and lots of hugs.”

Read more about the sad event at Philly.com here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of Lily here.