I could write about the tiny Arabian horse,
her pale matted coat grown to maximum
for the winter, nature knowing what her children
need toward the end of life, once luster
and beauty as only youth can confer; later,
stripped back to essentials, hip bones protruding
over swayed back, the preciousness
of her fragile locomotion, the gentle spirit;
Then there's the big white Lab, black eyes
full of fathomless joy at our arrival,
departure, the smallest things as perhaps
only dogs appreciate in that canine way,
his considerable bulk leaned against my body
as I come closer, claiming me before his jouncy
friend and companion has the chance;
The world lost both within two days of late,
and I am left to ponder the transience of life
on this planet, how what seems unfair is simply
what is, the twisted gnarly trunk of the cedar,
twinned to the pine in youth, never able
to break free and take a form more pleasing,
the coupling of two cutting life short for both,
neither able to fully flourish;
And how are we so different? Where we choose
to invest our energy, how we support others with
or without their appreciation, leaning
into the wind or onto one another for support,
gazing at the landscape around us with wondering
eyes, taking for granted our singular human capacity
to notice and imprint, categorizing each encounter
with emotional hues, pleasing or not, while these
unconditionally loving four leggeds greet us
afresh and anew, as if we have not cast
a single black mark on this wide, wide world.
I should add that the horse and the dog spoken of 'belong' to neighbors and friends who are near to to us. We watch one neighbor's horses frolicking daily in the pasture directly downhill from our house, I just happened to see the white horse down one recent afternoon, and by evening, she was no longer in this world. The big white Lab 'belongs' to a friend in the community, and he met his end on the highway a day later. Our world seems less colorful without them.
True love indeed. Beautiful words Bela. Sending a gentle hug and healing light your way. May they live on in your heart. ✨🕊🤍
As they do. Thanks, Val. Hope you are enjoying your ‘home’ time! 💓🙏
Tears prick my eyes as I read your words dear Bela… to lose such lovely friends in a short space of time, Sending healing love dear friend, as they are welcomed home, where unconditional love I know abounds…
Holding you in my heart.. <3 as you hold them in yours <3
Thanks so much, dear one. I always feel so deeply for animals, as they often have no way of telling us that they are not feeling well. And honestly, I think if they could, they may not. I once took my dogs to an older vet, who retired in the time that we lived in Hawaii, and he looked at a hound dog we had, who was a rescue and had developed bone cancer in her jaw. He said, you know, I don’t recommend drugs, as they will just take her liver down. But I will give you some pain medication, and if she really needs it, you can give it to her at those times. And he said you know, this is a stoic dog. And she might not let you know she’s in pain.
I never forgot it honestly, because I think this may be true of more animals than we realize. Many think that animals don’t experience pain like we do. And that is not for me to say, only I would say to those people, be careful of supposing something when we really cannot know. I often watch one or both of our dogs tuning into us when we are feeling sad or pain. With our last horse, it was the same kind of tuning in. I swear, they know more than we ever give them credit for.
Anyhow, sorry to go on, my friend, I appreciate you. Have a blessed weekend! 🙏💓💕
No need to apologise Bela… I agree with you in that we do not know when our animals are in pain or suffering but yes they feel pain..
Our cat last year, injured his leg, he either twisted it as he jumped or fell or came into contact with something which bruised his muscle… He limped and meowed, he hardly ever speaks lol…. except purrrs so when I picked him up i knew he hurt… Nothing was broken, just bruised… But he still jumped on my knee giving me healing with his deep purrs and I hope I was able to help heal his discomfort too with hands on healing back…
I know what you mean by tuning in… My hubby and this cat are firm friends, and he follows him to the allotments as you know..
But Hubby is more IN TUNE even than I with our Cat… for he knows instinctively what he wants… A joy to witness..
Our animal Kingdom hold wonderful frequencies of unconditional love..
We can all learn so much from them. if we took the time to observe and love unconditionally as they do
Much love back my friend <3
Sweet story, Sue! And agreed! So much to learn … ☺️💕
💖💕💖💕
Sorry for your loss, Bela.
I try to remember in these times that the beauty of life lies in its transience. Cold comfort, I suppose and lately I feel burdened with all the death around me, the death of a robin on my porch leaving me sobbing. Sending <3
Absolutely agree. I was kissing the horse’s cheek as she drew her last breath. I was blue, but mostly cold from standing guard for coyotes for hours til her mom came home. But the next morning when a friend called to say the Lab had been hit on the road and they found him there, the dam broke. I suppose we all carry grief around, tucked inside so we are not perpetually bleeding it out. And it takes what it takes to rupture that façade. But oh! How I wish life was different sometimes. Sending love back to you, VL. I hope your sorrows diminish, as they are bound to, over time. Yet and still, I wish they were not there at all! 🌹🙏💕
Sorry to read of the loss of your four-footed friends, Bela. The are our earth angels and their lives are far too short. 🙁 💔
Agreed! Seriously. 🙏🌹💕
We can learn a lot from animals. These two clearly made the world a better place. (K)
They did. I cannot imagine life without animal friends and companions. Even though I knew both these creatures under 3 years, they were dear friends to me. <3
It’s very easy to become attached.
What a beautiful post Bela. At once heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Indeed as we choose to become mindful of the evolution around us, we need to relook at our own beliefs, biases, prejudices and taken-for-granted assumptions.
Shakti
Thanks so much, my friend. As for me, looking at the ‘beliefs, biases, prejudices, and taken for granted assumptions’ is a daily practice. What else am I here to do at this time? I would further say, the more clarity we gain in this regard, the easier it is for those who come after us. At least that is my inner knowing. 🙏❤️
I was talking today with friends about how quickly time passes. Twenty-five years can go by in not much more than a blink of an eye. In the midst of all this mystery, love and caring are where it’s at.
Absolutely agree. Thanks for the affirmation! 🙏❤️
Sending thoughts Bela for a peaceful and beautiful Christmas Holiday .
Much love your way ❤️💕❤️
And love to you, Sue. Many blessings in the new year.! 🥳🙏💓