The Long Road Home

 Every summer we try to take a trip to the Chesapeake Bay to visit friends who have a house there.  We made that trip this past weekend, and celebrated our wedding anniversary.

This brief trip is always the pause that refreshes... two days spent with the best of friends, boating, biking, eating, laughing, playing.  We took the dogs with us and they, naturally, had a blast.

Anna and her family took care of the farm while we were gone and kept us informed of all the happenings there....which did include one escape of the equines.  You all know, by now, that these crafty animals seize any opportunity to take advantage of a gate left unlocked... and that's just what they did.  I'm not sorry to have missed that pony round-up!  My weekend was much more relaxing than that!

Upon returning home, I headed out to check on all of the animals and to let them know that I was home.  Everyone was doing their usual... horses hanging out in the stalls beneath the fans to escape the heat and the bugs.

Chester was a little out of sorts from his weekend of travel, until he discovered that Anna had saved the cat food cans for him.

He got to work, licking them clean . He eagerly does this to help us out.  This way the cans don't make the recycling can stink!)

The sheepy girls were grazing in the shady section of the pasture.  

And the pigs.... well, Ginger was grazing (her favorite activity.) 

MaryAnn, on the other hand, was no where to be seen.  I knew, though, where I would find her.  I walked down to the lower half of the pasture to the bramble that grows around the telephone pole, and there, in the dry ground beneath, was MaryAnn... sleeping.  I called to her and she returned the greeting with a feeble grunt.  She did not, however, get up and come to see me.... her normal behavior.


You see,  MaryAnn is nearing the end of her journey.  I have been aware of some health issues that she has had over the past 6 months

 months.  We suspect that she has cancer of some sort.  Not wanting to put this sweet girl through all sorts of medical procedures (you might remember that just vaccinating the pigs is an extremely traumatic procedure.) we have opted at the present time to do no interventions.   I am a firm believer that when it comes to terminal illnesses in my beloved animals, I prefer to allow them to live out their lives naturally without a lot of intervention that can cause them distress.  I wholeheartedly believe that quality of life is more important than quantity.  To me, putting her through a lot of medical treatments would be more selfish than anything.  If, at any point, she seems to be suffering, then, we will do what is humane and necessary.

I hate the idea of losing MaryAnn, who is truly my spirit animal and closest critter friend.  But, after years of living on the farm amongst so many animals, I have come to accept the finite nature of life.  That is precisely why it is always so important to me to give my critters the very best lives that I can. 

 

So, dear friends, I am giving you a little warning about the inevitability of what lies around this last bend in the road.  I will keep you informed as the coming days progress.  And though I write this in a calm and accepting manner.... this will be a great loss for me.  There will be tears.  But, there is so much joy in the friendship that I have had with this soul over the past ten years.  I will cherish the days we have left together.

PS:   I have had some readers tell me that they are not receiving my daily emails.  If this is happening to you... please check your spam or junk mail folder on your email server.  Most likely it is going there.  All of you who have contacted me remain on the list.  I have no other ideas why this might be happening.  My apologies.

Comments

colleen said…
Sound like a great get-a-way and how lucky you are to have Anna and her family to step in and take over. I bet Chester was on cloud nine with a stash of cat food cans.
The news of MaryAnn hit me like a ton of bricks. I can't stop my eyes from leaking. MaryAnn, it is comforting to me to know that you have the best caregiver in the whole wide world. Bev, you will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days. xoxoxo
Anonymous said…
Mary Ann has the best of friends in you. Marcia
The JR said…
I'm sorry to hear that Mary Ann is in failing health. I understand. With several geriatric horses, I know it's only a matter of time before I lose one of them. She, as well as mine, have been greatly loved. We know that they have had good homes and been cared for deeply.
Karla said…
Will it be traumatic for Ginger to lose MaryAnn? God bless her, and you guys. We've had 12 cats in our 22 year marriage, and have only 1 left. Each one required assistance to pass. We learned so much about quality of life vs. quantity of life, with each one. Once they have fewer good days, then we know it's time. Hardest thing in the world to do, and yet, the kindest thing we can do for them.
daisy g said…
What a wonderful recharge you had with your friends on The Bay. I'm sure the pups enjoyed their time.

So sorry about Mary Ann. She has had a gifted life with y'all, and although the loss will be difficult, it must be of some comfort knowing that she has lived her best life with you. Bless you all. I'm sure your readers will be crying right along with you.
jaz@octoberfarm said…
oh no, i am SO sorry to hear this. i guess i thought that pigs lived longer than they do. it is just the hardest thing to lose them. hang in there bev.
Meghan Grace said…
I'm so happy to hear that you had a lovely time with friends. We will shed tears with you when it is Mary Ann's time to go. Thank goodness that we can give them that one final gift. We've known her too for a long time too. Hugs to you, my friend!
Csnook said…
You said that you were writing in a calm and accepting manner. Meanwhile, I am over here crying for you! I love all animals and anytime one passes, I shed a little tear! The children at my school know that when their pet dies, I will meet them at the door with a hug the next day.
Joyce M. Harrisburg said…
Sweet Mary Ann! I remember when you went to go get Ginger and Mary Ann, and I remember photos of Jack walking them on a leash. What year was that? It has been wonderful to witness the cycle of giving and receiving love to all of your animals!! Thank you for sharing and for being such a inspiration through the beauty and light of your posts!! I never miss one! ❤️
Good morning and Happy Anniversary!
I will admit I have tears flowing gently down my cheeks not only for you and the day that is coming, but for my own losses over the years. The zillions of joyful moments we have with our beloved animals far outweigh the sorrow, but the sorrow hits deeper at the moment. It serves to remind us that we need to cherish every moment we have with those we love no matter what body they live in.
Marcia LaRue said…
You always get a refresh when you go visit your friends there! A belated happy anniversary, too!
So sorry to get the forewarning about Mary Anne, however, it does help soften the blow when she crosses the Bridge.
littlemancat said…
A belated Happy Anniversary - mine was also an August wedding as was my parents.
I am already in tears about MaryAnn. Love is love, and as someone already said, it doesn't matter what kind of body.
Mary
THE BEARDED ONE said…
THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR THESE GREATEVENTS IN YOUR LIFE...SO HAPPY THAT YOU HAD A GREAT WEEKEND AND SAD THAT MARYANN IS GETTI8NG INTO HER TWIGHT LIGHT YEARS...THAT SURE HAPPENS TO ALL OF US..HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU AND HUBBS...A GREAT WEEKEND W/SPECIAL FRIENDS SURE MADE MADE IT EXTRA SPECIAL...HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THE POSTS EACH DAY...THO I AM STILL FINDING THE ONES I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE WHILE OUR EMAIL WAS DOWN...KEEP SMILNG !!!!!!
This N That said…
Glad that you had a good weekend..Always a fun time...SOOOO sorry that you missed the horse roundup..Which one was it?? Also sorry to hear that MaryAnn is not well..Very sad..I always shed tears right along with you..They are part of the family..
Hugs xxoo
wanda devers said…
I'm so sorry to hear that MaryAnn is not well. She is a special favorite of mine but then all your animals are special.
I'm glad that you had such a wonderful trip to Chesapeake Bay with your friends. What a great way to celebrate your anniversary. I'm so sorry to hear that your Mary Ann is probably on her way out. I love all the critters on your farm but I understand your idea of quality over quantity and agree with it. I know she is a very dear animal to you. I still get sad when I think of the loss of your last two turkeys. And of course the many other wonderful animals who have shared your farm. It is a pleasure to come here and learn about your farm and lives every day....thank you for sharing so much with us.
Lynne said…
Happy you had some get-a-way time!
Sad about MaryAnn . . .
Nestling, curling up sometimes sends the messages.
Thinking of you and caring!