ANIMAL MEMORIALS 2011
Each and every animal who resides with us on the farm is an important part of the whole family. Each one of them comes and touches our hearts and leaves memories that we cherish. Death is a part of life, a natural transition and process. Being an animal sanctuary we deal primarily with elder care and hospice care and, in that process, we are with most of our animal family as they pass from this realm into the next. It is sometimes very difficult, sometimes very hard, sometimes a shock, and sometimes it is an expected passing. But it is always an honor to be with them and to share in that most sacred moment. Here at the farm, it is an event that
our whole staff shares in. Each animal who dies is given a memorial service and burial and whoever of our staff wants to participate, brings with them a parting gift to be buried with that animal. Whether it is some flowers or their favorite blanket or treat or toy, it is our way of paying them tribute. We laugh together. We cry together. But mostly we are there to share with one another the depth to which each animal has touched us. We share aloud the things they have taught us and the stories and memories we will always have. It is a chance to honor their heart and soul and a chance to thank them for sharing with us. It is an opportunity to say good-bye and to send them on their journey with our love and best wishes.
It is from this perspective that we share these memorials with all of you. These are not presented for the purpose of sharing sadness. While we do feel sad, the reason for sharing these memorials, is to impart to all of you a small piece of what we have been given as gifts from all of these animals. It is our way of thanking them for being here with us and to acknowledge them and share them with the world. It is a celebration for who they are and the mark they have left on this world.
Henry - November 8, 2011
Henry was a part of our lives on and off for the past 2 years. His story has touched our lives and today leaves us feeling a hole in our hearts. Henry's story is far too short and speaks volumes for what we see animals do and give to humans and what sometimes is the toll it takes on them. Henry was only 3 years old. He was the most loving and gentle cat you could imagine. An orange cat as only an orange cat can be (and for those of you who have orange cats in your lives, you know how special they are!) Henry came to us when he was 6 months old when the family he was with could no longer keep him. We knew we'd have no trouble finding him a home as he was such a magnificent boy. And we did find him a home, not long after he came here. He was then returned from that home when a family member got injured and they could no longer keep Henry. We all felt so bad for him as he got so depressed when he was returned. We assured Henry not to worry. We were sure there was another home just ready for him. And sure enough, another one came along shortly. And a few months later, Henry was returned yet again. This time because he was sick and the person couldn't afford to find out what was wrong. As it turned out, Henry had swallowed a string that got wrapped around in his intestine. We rushed him in for surgery and, lucky for him, he survived. He recuperated here with us and we all fell in love with this incredible cat again. We were all so over protective of finding him a home where he would finally be for the rest of his life. When we were sure he was good and healthy and recovered from surgery, we once again put Henry on the adoption list. It didn't take long for someone to fall in love with him again. And he fell in love with his new person right away. We were all so thrilled for Henry. But Henry's story didn't end there. Months later, we were devestated to learn that Henry's adopter had a personal crisis of her own and could no longer keep him. He was returned from his fourth home in 3 years.
This time when he came back, we watched this young vibrant cat completely give up. All of us saw it. All of us felt it. And we knew his heart was broken. We reassured him again that he was a GREAT cat and we would find him the right home. All of us questioned why we couldn't get this right for him and what was going on with Henry that this kept happening in his life? And secretly, several of us were thinking of ways that we would take him home ourselves. But Henry was depressed. He wouldn't eat. And he seemed to be congested. We thought he just probably had an upper respiratory virus, nothing serious. But then all of us realized it was far worse than that. He had lost his will to live. We took him to the veterinarian where they examined him and found something far more serious. His chest was filling with fluid. Henry had a severe heart ailment. We tried medications to help him but nothing that was given to him helped. A cardiac ultrasound showed advanced heart failure and clots that were forming. He was quickly dying. Clearly, he just wanted to go. It was a very sad decision but one we needed to make with him. Henry passed peacefully, embraced by people who loved him, and held in the hearts of his entire caretaking staff who miss him dreadfully today. Henry reminds us of how some animals come to give so much love and how much of their energy they give to the people who love them. You are a magnificent being Henry.
Billy Honey - October 11, 2011
From Office Manager, Karen:
We lost Billy, one of our beloved office cats last night. He was diagnosed not that long ago with liver disease, but he remained relatively healthy until just a couple of days ago. He declined quickly and died peacefully in his home. It's the end we all hope for.
Billy came to Spring Farm CARES in August 2006 when his mom went into a nursing home. Shortly after his arrival, it was decided that Billy would become my office cat. Billy was a very cool cat. He didn't really socialize with any of the other cats, but when a new cat or kittens would visit my office, we always knew that Billy would be totally OK with it. He never hissed (well maybe he would hiss a little if a kitten became too inquisitive) and I think in his cool cat way, he made them feel welcome.
Billy was very lucky because he had a lot of people who loved him. Even though she was in a nursing home, his mom, Shirley, remained his mom. She called regularly to check on him and worried that he wouldn't remember her, but I assured her that Billy would never forget the first wonderful 10 years of his life! He was still her cat, he just happened to live with us. She would tell me how she rescued Billy when he was just a kitten and how he liked to bat around balls made of foil or how he was afraid of thunder and would hide in the closet.
Billy was a wonderful office cat. He didn't necessarily like to be cuddled, but when he wanted my attention, he would sit on my desk and bat at my head with his paw. It was pretty cute. He also seemed to be paying attention to what I was doing. Very often, as soon as I go off the phone, I would hear this low, throaty sound that meant that Billy was making his way over to my desk. It's hard to describe, but Billy would know what I was talking about.
I think that Billy would agree that he had a life well lived. We will miss him very much.
Michael - July 21, 2011
Michael was born here with his twin brother Gabriel after we took in their pregnant mother, Angel. Michael and Gabriel were inseparable. Not just brothers, but best friends. Gabe passed at the end of May and much to our surprise, Michael actually liked spending time being pampered as our only sheep. He still lived with his flock of goats and made it clear to us that he was not yet ready to go, and that he had something more he wanted to experience for himself. But the heat wave that hit our area, proved more than he could bear and we could no longer make him comfortable. He left peacefully with assistance and we are sure he had many friends waiting for him, his brother Gabe first among them. Michael was the last of our sheep flock and we will miss him. But for a sheep, he lived and extraordinary life with unbelievable opportunities to fully enjoy being a sheep in a much different way than most sheep get to experience. And we know he cherished every second of that.
Scooter - June 30, 2011
We all knew that the day was coming where we’d need to say good-bye to our friend Scooter. And we also knew that it would not be easy. But Scooter gave us a parting gift to help us through our grief and, while still deeply saddened, he asked us instead to celebrate his life. Scooter was diagnosed with bone cancer June 25, 2010 and was given about 4-6 weeks. However, we were blessed with just over a year with him – and that is the story he wants us to focus on. Because Scooter had many health issues since the day he walked into our lives over 11 years ago. Thought to be 18 months to 2 yrs old at the time, that would have made him around 13 years old at his passing. “A respectable age indeed,” he told Dawn.
Scooter was the greatest Pitbull ambassador this world could know. He was born deaf and came to us when our veterinarian called to see if we could take him in. He had been found by animal control curled up in a snow bank, on one of the coldest winter days, absolutely without a stitch of hair on him. He had horrific mange and eye infections and was about as pathetic as you could get. Animal control brought him to our veterinarian to be euthanized but the veterinarian took one look in those eyes and knew he wasn’t ready for that. It must have been divine providence for we just happened to have room and took him in. Everyone fell in love with Scooter the second they met him. He had charm that could win anyone over and through the years he opened people’s eyes to the true heart of the Pitbull.
Scooter won the hearts of staff and visitors alike. So many people have sent Scooter gifts in the mail over the years. He touched a lot of hearts. His playful exuberance and zest for life always burst from every cell of his body. He was incredibly smart and very skilled at getting the attention he wanted. From stealing rolls of toilet paper from the bathrooms and hiding them under his blankets, to dropping his kong toy in the toilet to get someone to come in and fish it our for him, his antics were legendary. He was trained to hand signals and had this wonderful knack of using his deafness to his advantage. When out in the dog yard for run around time, if he didn’t want to come in, when the staff person would give him the hand signal to “come”, he’d just turn his back to the person, saying, “I can’t hear you.” His playfulness was his trademark. His temper always even, his heart always giving, he was a friend to all of us.
But, clearly, his most important person in his life was our co-founder and Executive Director, Bonnie. For the last 10 years, he lived in Bonnie’s room, sharing her home and office. He frequently could be seen sitting in her desk chair, looking at her computer screen, as if he were hard at 
work. He felt he landed the best place on the farm and that he was indeed the top Executive dog. His antics with Bonnie are too numerous to list but he had life exactly to his liking and whatever Scooter needed, he got. In the past months, as he could no longer climb onto Bonnie’s bed, she even moved her mattress to the floor so he could still sleep in his most favorite place and be the bed hog that he was. Only the best for the best guy.
Scooter lived a life far removed from the starving, mange ridden, pathetic dog dumped on a cold winter’s day out on the street. He passed into spirit while laying in front of his window where he loved to sun himself every morning. We thank Dr. Leigh Lain for making his passing peaceful and dignified for him. We knew this morning that he could no longer be comfortable and it was time to say good-bye. And then he gave us all a picture to hold onto as to where he was going. He told Dawn this morning that he had a dream the night before and was shown what his passing would be like. He told her, “You all need to picture me running in a big sunny field chasing butterflies, because that’s what I’ll be doing and where I’ll be going.” Today was a beautiful sunny day here at the farm, the kind of day that Scooter would have loved if he were here. And all day we all kept picturing him running in the sun and chasing butterflies. Yours was a life very well lived Scooter, and you will live on in those many hearts you have touched.
We would like to add very special thanks to the team of doctors who helped Scooter have such a wonderful life: Dr. Alice Marie Donnelly for help saving his life on more than one occasion over the past 11 years; Dr. Kelly Foltman for chiropractic care and for her eternal friendship as he stole her heart several years ago; Dr. Charles Loops whose homeopathic remedies we believe gave him the gift of the last year of his life and through some tough times before that; Dr. Barbara Roach who most recently helped with the last months of his life, helping him live the best quality of life right up until the end; and to Dr. Leigh Lain who helped see him off to the field of butterflies. We thank you all.
Topaz - May 26, 2011
Today we very unexpectedly lost our friend Topaz at 29 years old. Topaz was a very interesting character. At times he seemed very aloof. Not one to want much affection or cuddling, he was a horse’s horse. He loved the humans in his world, but his world was totally about being a horse. He was a no nonsense kind of guy. Kind. Gentle. Easy to be around. Yet, he could disappear in a herd and never be noticed. He liked it that way. He was simple and preferred to live his life simply. However, there also was a depth to him that was quite profound. He was a thinker but he was not a speaker. He could have cared less to share his thoughts, but once in a while would let you in to see what he was all about. He was quiet and reserved, yet he had a great presence.
As his human caretakers gathered today to grieve our loss and to remember him, we all stood silently, not sure what to say at first. Usually, someone starts by sharing a story about the animal and anyone who wants to speak can. Yet, there all of us stood silent. I realized how true to Topaz that was and it made me laugh. Nobody knew what to say yet we all felt him, missed him, and realized the loss in the barn.
Frequently, when I write these memorials, the animals themselves come through to tell me what it is they want me to say. But, today, from Topaz, there is silence. I can feel him. I know he’s here listening. So I thought it only appropriate to share one of my fondest memories of him.
Each year around Thanksgiving, we ask the animals what they are most thankful for in their lives. We often publish that list on our website. Each year, Topaz would always volunteer to speak for that project. And each year, he’d tell me the same story.
From Topaz: “Many years ago I lived with a pony named Toby who called himself the “forgotten pony.” Any human who ever had befriended him, left him, until he came here. I was Toby’s friend and I always told him that as long as my heart was alive, I would always remember him and carry him with me. Along the way, I have added other friends who are no longer here. Amber. Holly. Deelight. All of them remembered and loved by me and never, ever forgotten. That is what I’m most grateful for. To know that someone I love will never be forgotten because I love them.”
So, Topaz, you are in our hearts always and forever. And as we hold you in our hearts, you shall also never be forgotten. Your kindness and compassion and your simple “horsefullness” will be a part of this farm and our hearts forever. Be free.
Gabriel - May 26, 2011
Gabriel and his twin brother Michael were born here after their already pregnant mother, Angel, came to the farm. From birth, these two knew they were loved and cherished, not just by the human caretakers, but also by a whole flock of goats and llamas who literally helped raise them. While Angel would go off and happily graze nearby, she knew her kids were safe. Their most favorite uncle was Gulliver llama. They would spend hours playing under Gulliver’s watchful supervision. And Gulliver would keep them busy and teach them things. The boys lost their mother a few years ago and also lost most of their original flock. Still surrounded by the newer members of the family, they share their quarters with 7 goats. Time has flown and now the boys are the elders of the flock. We’ve known for some time that Gabe was failing. As he started to not be able to walk so well, his brother Michael lay down beside him and said, “ok, I will not walk either and we’ll do this together.” The dynamic duo never have been separated but Gabe’s body began to give out first. Michael is not far behind but the two tried holding on for one another. The time came when Gabe could no longer get comfortable and we knew we needed to help him on his journey. It was then that Michael let us know it was ok and that they both understood that they’d find one another in spirit. Michael was not yet quite ready to leave and he’d be ok to stay knowing that Gabriel was never far away from him. He knew that Gulliver and Simon and Angel and the whole gang that moved on before them would be there to greet Gabe and keep him safe until one day he too will join them.
Gabriel was indeed an angel in his own way. We were all blessed to be with him as he journeyed through this life. And, Gabe, we will continue to take care of Michael just as you looked out for one another, until the day you will be reunited again.
Dinah - May 1, 2011
Dinah was the grand dame of Spring Farm CARES. At 39 years old, she was the oldest of our horses. Dinah was a true lady and was the finest example of the largess of the heart of a horse. Dinah was gentle, loving, kind, soft, and quiet. Yet, she was tenacious for her zest for life and held a strong commitment to live this life every second that she possibly could and that is exactly what she did. In February, she lost her best friend Chops and we all worried that the stress of that loss would compromise Dinah. However, Dinah assured us she wasn't done yet. She had two goals toward the end of her life that drove her to keep moving on each day. One was to outlive Chops as she feared that Chops could not live without her. (An opinion we feel was probably exactly right.) And the second was to live until spring when she could eat some grass before she left this body. For the past few days before she died, our staff was able to bring her some lovely spring grass to snack on.
Today, Dinah laid down one last time to rest, only this time she realized her body was now too tired to get up again. It could no longer support her and it was time for her to move on. We helped this grand lady leave with the grace and dignity she always held, surrounded by friends who loved her dearly, both human and equine. Her wisdom, strength, compassion, and love that she shared with all of us over the past 17 years, is treasured by all of us forever. We had no doubt who was waiting for her as she left us and moved back together with her friend Chops. She left her old, worn out, creaky body and ran and ran and ran. Have fun together again girls!
Amber Donkey - March 3, 2011
Today we mark the passing of a great one. Our dear friend, magnificent teacher, ambassador of the farm, and inspiration to so many – Amber Donkey – has left this realm and moved on in her journey. Our sadness is enormous as we realize we will never look into those soft brown eyes again, watch her giant ears turn to meet us as we enter the barn, and hear that magnificent bray that has filled the air of this region for over a decade. I say “region” because it had been noted by our Conservation Director, Matt, that she could be heard at least 100 acres away. Hers was a voice of great magnitude and volume. Her bray may be silenced from her physical form, and it is the loss of that form for which we now deeply grieve. However, Amber has made very clear to all of us that her voice has not been silenced and we will be hearing more. Indeed, we already are feeling her guidance through our sadness.
Amber touched the lives of countless people. We, who she considered her family, learned to share her with the world. On the farm, she loved her role of official greeter and took that job very seriously. She loved tours of school children and adults alike. She loved being the center of attention to all who visited. And most of all, she loved sharing her wisdom and gentle guidance in our animal communication workshops.
Amber moved to the farm in the fall of 1999 when her beloved human friends, elderly themselves, could no longer care for her. She had been loved and treasured by them for over 20 years and they knew her to be in her late 30’s at that point. They just wanted a place for her to live out her days and approached us to take her in. They had warned us that many donkeys don’t take to change well and that we may never hear her bray. They said when they first got her that it took over a year before they heard her bray. The elderly gentleman who loved her so much escorted her here to the farm and, as we all walked in the barn together, Amber took one look at all the horses, stopped in her tracks, and let out the longest most beautiful bray we’d ever heard. And she never stopped braying after that. It was the greatest gift she could have given her person as he knew she was ok and that she had found her new home. None of us expected at that time that we’d have her for over 11 years ourselves. She may have been close to 50 years old at her death, although we have no proof of that. What we do know is that she was ageless in her love and wisdom. Shortly after her arrival, upon discovering Dawn’s ability with animal communication, she took up the serious task of teaching and sharing the depth of her heart.
Many of you have been touched by the grace of this soul. Through the many years of workshops she reached out to hundreds of hearts willing to hear her. Several of you got your first communications from her. Dawn shared many of Amber’s messages over the years through our website and newsletters. And then Amber decided that she needed a larger forum and we started the blog where people sent in questions and she answered them. We have received so many emails and cards over the years from people with life changing experiences from those messages. She touched so many lives.
Our tears today are for our loss, not hers. For she has had the exquisite experience of living a life well lived. A life filled with love and appreciation. A life where she got to do what she came to do – speak and teach the content of her heart. Her journey completed to the end of what her physical form could maintain. Her voice not silenced, her words living on within us all. And her blog still to be continued as she speaks from spirit and reaches back to this world she still holds so dear.
We, her family, will grieve. And then we will continue onward, our lives having been changed forever, by this amazing soul. We will continue to listen to her speak to our hearts and share her words of wisdom with all who want to hear. Her next blog entry will be about her journey into spirit. She invited Dawn along as she made her transition and shared her experience with her and then asked to have this be the start of a new conversation. We invite you to join that conversation on the blog, Hoof and Heartbeats.
Amber, your friendship will forever be a part of our lives. Your heart will always rest within ours. Your bray will echo through the hills of this farm forever. And we look forward to all that is yet to come. Your goats already miss your tender guidance and gentle nudges. Your two junior donkey students (the “wise guys” as she called them) learned from your wisdom and will carry on and carry your donkey energy with them and hold that space for the farm. Your caretakers, especially Margot, already miss your mischievous nips and playful shoves as you made sure we were all doing what we should be doing – on time. We miss your spry little trot and your playful bucks on sunny days. We miss those amazing ears. Your velvet coat. And the brays that religiously and punctually announced each feeding time. We will remember all those things and cherish each one. And we will listen for all you have yet to share. Until we meet again……
Corrie - February 19, 2011
Today we most unexpectedly lost our dear pony friend Corrie. Corrie was one of 5 ponies rescued from a bad situation in 1993 when he was just 8 weeks old. Born with severe eyesight problems that made him almost totally blind, he came here with his again pregnant mother, Dream. For those of you who have read our book, If Only They Could Talk, The Miracles of Spring Farm, you may remember Corrie as the blind pony we were trying to get out of the barn the night of our fire. We couldn't get him out until Bonnie held a flashlight in front of him and he started following the beam of light as she held it for him to follow.
Corrie was a very special guy. He was often comical with his approach to life and how he met things head on. He frequently made us laugh, and reminded us all that we all have an inner courage to tap into, even if we cannot see things around us clearly.
Corrie leaves behind 4 very special pony friends, who miss him terribly. He was stricken by a colic that took us all by surprise. Even though we rushed him to a veterinary clinic, and he was given immediate treatment, he died the next day. We all miss his bright personality that literally seemed to fill the barn.
Chops - February 9, 2011
Chops was about 33 years old and had lived with us at the farm for the past 17 yrs. She came with her best horse friend Dinah, who is now 39 years old. The two of them are inseparable, and we know, that even from spirit, Chops is keeping tabs on what Dinah is doing and where she is.
Chops was a horse of great heart and quiet wisdom. She grew enormously in her years here with us. And in her final days, she shared the enormity of her heart -the peace she had found, the wisdom she had accumulated over the years, and the beautiful energy of her soul - in a way that will live on within each of our hearts.
I could write a lot of stories about Chops and tell how she got here to SFC and a lot of her history but that is not what Chops wants us to do. She told me to keep it short, but to share what was most important to her heart, for that is what she would like to be remembered by. Her life wasn't about trials and tribulations of the horse world, although she had plenty of those stories to tell. Her life wasn't about being misunderstood, although she had plenty of experiences to substantiate that. Instead, her life was about knowing she was being heard. And she left this earth knowing that she was not only heard here, but that we would also be listening to her from spirit. She left here knowing that her heart was shared, felt, heard, and understood. She left trusting completely in that heart connection. And that, she told us, was what her life was all about.
Chops, we hear you. We will continue to feel your most precious heart and the enormity of who you are. Thanks for all you gave to us. And, yes, we'll continue to look after Dinah, just as you always have.
Sammy - January 22, 2011
Sammy, an adorable buff cocker spaniel, arrived here less than a year ago. We received a call from a very distraught lady who, due to circumstances beyond her control, needed to find a home for her older cocker spaniel. We told her we would make some inquiries. We are asked to take dogs and cats all day long and we rarely have room. We had, however, just lost our little min pin mix, Bandit, and thought maybe we could find room for another dog at the red house where we also have our offices.
This dog sounded too good to be true. He absolutely had no flaws, no snappish behavior often associated with cockers. Nothing. It seemed like he would be a good fit. We needed to make a decision quickly because Sammy was headed for the humane society. When we called Sammy's person to tell her that we could take him, she was ecstatic, as were we. It is rare we get to accept a dog into our facility.
We expected a sweet dog. Her description of him, as nice as it was, did not do him justice. Sammy, simply put, was a ray of sunshine. He was happy and he made you happy just looking at him. His little nub of a tail never stopped wagging, even when he was lying down. It didn't matter who you were, he was glad to see you.
We tossed around the idea of trying to find another family for Sammy, but it quickly became apparent that Sammy needed to stay right where he was - with us. We needed him. He brightened our days and made us smile.
Sammy's time with us was way too short. Not long ago he was diagnosed with a tumor on his liver and the prognosis wasn't good. He rallied for a few short weeks, but then died during the night, in his sleep.
We have known, loved, and lost countless animals here, and we know the ones that make it to SFC are lucky. But most often, we humans are the lucky ones for having known them. That couldn't be truer with Sammy. He emanated joy each and every minute of each and every day.
