maeve
New BB Member
SAFE Volunteer
Posts: 41
|
Post by maeve on Jul 9, 2010 11:52:50 GMT -5
I woke up at sunrise this morning to go and check on Jasmine and then I saw the messages. As tears were flowing I decided to go anyway to say my goodbyes. In the beautiful morning light I sat with her and cried, but beyond my sadness of her loss, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude to have played a part in the final chapter of her life.
The other day as the vet was administering iv fluids we were all gathered around her in the stall- Kelli, Stephanie, Jeanette, Dr. Tooman, and myself. I had just brushed her and braided her beautiful flowing mane and Jeanette put flowers in it. I was holding her and petting her face and I was saying how I wished she could find a forever home where she could look after babies and just be a pasture mate. Ironically, that was exactly what she HAD found- and though it was a foster situation- she never knew that. To her, she WAS home and that these last few months in her big paddock at KCJ looking after Lola with all of us giving her lots of attention was a way of coming full circle in her difficult life. I am so truly grateful that I was a part of that- and I really have a greater understanding and appreciation for what SAFE is all about. Thank You- to everyone who is a part of this- it DOES make a huge difference in the lives of not only the horses, but also in the lives of the people that the horses touch.
Jasmine passed peacefully and knowing love and safety and I consider that the greatest gift.
|
|
~figi~
Junior BB Member
Posts: 99
|
Post by ~figi~ on Jul 9, 2010 12:28:30 GMT -5
This poem was sent to me by one of my neighbors who last her horse last week and I thougth I would share.
"Don't Cry for the horses that life has set free, A million horses forever to be, Don't cry for the horses now in God's hands as they dance and they prance to a heavenly band, they were ours as a gift but never to keep, as they close their eyes forever to sleep. Their spirits unbound on silver wings they fly a million horses against the blue sky, look up into heaven, you'll see them above, the horses we lost, the horses we loved, manes and tails flowing they gallop through time, they never were yours, they never were mine, don't cry for the horses they will be back someday, when our time has come they will show us the way. On silver wings they will lift us to the warmth of the sun, when our life is over and eternity has begun, we will jump the sun and dance over the moon a ballet of horses and riders on the winds to a heavenly tune, do you hear that soft nicker close to your ear? Don't cry for the horses, Love the ones that are here."
|
|
|
Post by kdunham on Jul 9, 2010 12:29:59 GMT -5
Darn it. I had a bad feeling about this one with the heat and her history of neglect. It is really nice that everyone involved tried so hard for Jasmine. She got the best care possible the last few years. So many of her pasture mates died with no one there for them & I am so thankful that she didnt have to face an end like they did. So sorry you guys.
|
|
|
Post by coconut on Jul 9, 2010 14:27:28 GMT -5
I've got a lot to tell...and I'm not completely ready to do that. I'll be writing it out on my blog and will post the link, but I would like to say that I have learned so much about Jasmine & myself in the last 48 hours.
Part of this is the gifts that have been exchanged...
For Jasmine, the gift of shelter, care, love, life...and dignity
For me, the gift of her company, the inspiration & insight that she bestowed upon me here at the end.
Her life had meaning...her death was courageous and thoughtful.
While there was a bit of distress in the last few hours, she accepted help to get through it. She was very peaceful in her passing. There was no sign of struggle or terror. She had it planned out very well and, if anything, I think we actually got in her way a bit.
After she left us, Kelli & Heather came to sit with me beside her and we reflected on many of the lights her life had become over the last two & a half years. As Kathleen mentioned, she did not pass as tragically as her pasture mates had. For a horse who once felt the pains of neglect, in the end she was offered all she could ever want and she chose to not accept it because I feel that her instincts told her it was time and so the sustenance she once needed, no longer interested her because she was ready to move on.
I couldn't stop touching and stroking her beautiful face. She was so peaceful and relaxed....my turning point from distraught to thankful that she passed over with a beautiful body and while she did have a rough couple of days, I now see that she was trying to tell me on Wednesday morning that she just wanted to be left alone. She was waiting on us to give her the space she wanted to leave on her own terms. What a gift she was given...a choice.
I went back to the barn briefly today and one of the boarders, Jennifer, had left a bouquet of daisies and wild pasture hay tied up in a black ribbon next to her. We're all feeling the loss and will miss her but she has left a trail of very full hearts in the short time we had with her. I see by all the posts and messages I have received that she was loved by more than we might ever know.
All horses should be so lucky.
|
|
Buena
SAFE Volunteer
No horse will ever teach you as much as your first horse.
Posts: 1,929
|
Post by Buena on Jul 9, 2010 14:49:27 GMT -5
I was really sorry to hear of her passing. She was a gentle soul, even in the hell of the kill pen when I saw her that day. Gentle, and stoic. She runs forever free now. SAFE did well by her, the sweet bay mare.
|
|
|
Post by qhflicka on Jul 9, 2010 16:45:42 GMT -5
We are so sorry for your loss. Jasmine was surrounded by people who loved her and whom she loved.
Run free in Paradise sweet girl.
|
|
|
Post by mswan on Jul 9, 2010 20:17:23 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear that Sweet Jasmine has passed on. I am so pleased that I had the honor to foster her for a short time. I truely loved her spirit. She was a wise old mare. Thank you Jet and Maeve for all that you did for Jasmine. Holly and I were out on a trail ride this morning. My thoughts were of just how far those horses have come from their origanal condition. Good Bye Sweet Jasmine.
|
|
|
Post by fanaberia on Jul 10, 2010 1:08:09 GMT -5
Oh I am so heartbroken to hear this!
Poor Jasmine :-(
Jet, since I've met you and not anyone else who's been around Jasmine, I want you to know that I'm sure she left this world feeling loved. Her past has sucked, but hopefully all the wonderful love and care she's had since the seizure has helped heal some of the emotional wounds left by her neglect. We can't go back and change her past, but she couldn't have had a better last couple years.
Thank you to everyone that's helped this beautiful old mare. Those pictures of her that you took were just lovely. Hopefully she's running pain free in lush pastures with Ella at her side.
|
|
|
Post by monicabee on Jul 10, 2010 8:43:26 GMT -5
Poor girl. Poor Jet, Maeve and Jaime and everyone else who cared about her - and I know there are so many.
I will remember the way she used to turn her head, without moving her feet, to stare at you when you entered her paddock with the wheelbarrow. She was ready to bolt but conserving energy -- a precious resource when you are skeletal -- until she could evaluate your intentions. She was not mistrustful like a wild horse from native caution, but from long, weary years of experience with how unreliable humans can be.
Slowly, week by week, that tension she felt in my presence eased until one day she actually took a step towards me instead of away.
Consistent care and good intentions do work miracles. I also remember her galloping extravagant around the pasture, tail flagged, burning energy like there would be plenty to eat tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by coconut on Jul 12, 2010 14:18:55 GMT -5
|
|