ANIMAL MEMORIALS 2010
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.
Onyx - July 5, 2010
Onyx came to SFC when she and many of her goat friends were part of a "liquidation sale" from a petting zoo. As happens to many animals in petting zoos across the country, at season's end, many of them are sent to auction, most going for slaughter. But Onyx had a different destiny. Originally meant to stay with us temporarily until a home could be found for her, Onyx captured our hearts with how incredibly shy she was. She wanted a quiet life and we knew we could give her that here at the farm, so she stayed. Shortly after her arrival, we discovered that she was actually suffering from a disease that would progressively get worse and was fatal. So we settled Onyx into our smaller barn where for the past year, she became the best friend of Amber Donkey. Onyx and Amber were quite the pair. They often ate together from the same hay pile or feed bowl and they shared a paddock together where they could enjoy the warmth of the sun and the green grass. Amber loved her goat, as did all of us. Onyx gradually became less shy and more affectionate while she was here. Onyx suffered from a condition that affected her lungs. She enjoyed every second of her time with us, right up to her last day, when we had to help her on her way. She leaves behind her most special friend of all time, Amber Donkey, who will hold her in her heart forever, just like we all will. She also is most especially grateful to her human friend Margot who tended to her every need and made her days with us most comfortable and happy.
Curtis - May 19, 2010
Curtis was the most amazing cat's cat. He had the biggest tom cat head, wore several battle scars from his tomming days, and had a huge heart. Curtis was probably about 18 years old and lived at the farm for the past 9 years. He was totally feral when he first came here. He had been hit by a car outside the farm and suffered a head injury. But much to all of our surprise, he survived with only a few scars to show for it. For his recuperation, he was taken to a large "foster" room in Dawn and Margot's house. He decided he loved being inside and opted to stay in, which was fine with us. Over the years, Curtis became more and more friendly and let us pet him, even sitting in our laps in later years. But the best part of Curtis' life with us was his relationship with his girls. Two semi-feral girls, Daphne and Libby, absolutely fell in love with Curtis. He could frequently be seen grooming them attentively and then stopping as they would then groom him. They loved to all lounge in the sun together. 
We snapped a photo just days before Curtis passed that really said it all. He was getting weak and had trouble sitting upright without falling to his side. When the girls saw what was happening, Daphne quickly got up next to him on his right side and sat close to him to prop him up. Libby then got on his left. The three of them sat there for hours soaking in the sun and watching the sun set together. And then the girls groomed him all up. We will never forget this gentle giant of a cat. Libby and Daphne miss him greatly, as do we all.
Bobby - May 15, 2010
Spring Farm CARES has lost an icon. Bobby was one of the most unique, and hard to describe animals in residence. His death today took us all by surprise and left us spinning to make sense of it. Bobby came to us from a most difficult life. Found by a hunter deep in the woods, shot in a front leg, not letting anyone near him, he was finally caught by an animal control officer who called us to help. We had Bobby taken directly to our veterinarian where it was determined that he had to have the leg amputated. We later found his person who had lost him but they were unable to take Bobby back. Once recuperated, we actually adopted him out twice, but both times he was returned for biting someone. Sure enough, we found out that Bobby's only hope for a future was to stay here with us. Although he was a predictable biter, it didn't hurt any the less if he got you. But we were able to give Bobby a life that made him very happy. He lived in various places on the farm over the past 11 years, but the last several years of his life were spent in the old farm house, housing the offices, 4 other dogs, and 15 cats. Bobby was the protector of the farm. And he let everyone know that every chance he got. He was cantankerous but we all absolutely loved him. We had his memorial and 20 people showed up to say good-bye. Staff, volunteers, former employees, all came to pay their respects. Many more would have attended if they could have. That spoke volumes to us of the impact he had on so many people.
The following is a memorial to Bobby from Karen, our Office Manager, on behalf of the office staff who were with Bobby everyday.
Bobby was an absolutely adorable little beagle mix with an angelic face (he would probably object to the words adorable and angelic). Bobby lived at Spring Farm CARES for 11 years and he was known to everyone. He was friendly and aloof; lovable and irascible; happy and cantankerous; laid back and bossy. He was a contradiction in terms, but definitely the leader of the pack. He was very much in charge and we would be deluding ourselves to think otherwise.
Like most dogs, Bobby was very focused on food. He would actually climb to the third level of a 6 foot cat tree to snoop around hoping that the cats had left a morsel for him. He didn't respond to "no" or "get down" or any other command for that matter.
Bobby was also an incredible sentry. No one would ever sneak up on us. Whenever anyone unknown (and sometimes known) to him visited, he would bark non-stop until the intruder was long gone.
Bobby left an indelible mark on our lives and one on my hand where he bit me. It was quite nasty, but I didn't hold it against him, at least not for long.
His home for the last several years was the red farm house with the office staff and a slew of other animals. Bobby had some very good friends among the residents of the red house. It was a great home and Bobby appeared to love his life. It was a good life.
This little narrative does not really capture Bobby. He was a bit of an enigma. Losing Bobby was shocking, unexpected, and devastating. His absence is pervasive. The energy of the house has changed dramatically.
Was Bobby always a sweet little gentleman? No. Did we love him? Absolutely. Do we miss him? You bet. Will we ever forget him? Never.
Bobby leaves behind many dog and cat friends. His most special beagle friend Shilo is lost without him. We also know that he was greeted by a whole lot of animal friends who were waiting for him in spirit. Especially one very vocal beagle named Snuffy who we are sure had quite a loud greeting for her friend when he arrived.
Oreo Cookie - April 16, 2010
Oreo Cookie didn't live for long, but he touched a lot of hearts in the 10 months of his life. Unable to overcome a fatal illness, he quietly passed away with all of his beloved cat friends at his side. Oreo was rescued as a stray at about 10 weeks of age. He was fostered by one of our animal care staff, Andrea, who always had a very special place in her heart for him, and he for her. Oreo was a love and also a very active, joyful, playful kitten, and it is for that he wants to be remembered. But we also remember his loving devotion to his friend Campbell (see below) who passed away just 2 weeks before him. Oreo stayed by her side, always offering his comfort to her as she declined. He was a compassionate caretaker of both human and feline friends. In his final days, the very thing he offered to Campbell was returned fully to him by his other feline friends, and of course the humans who loved him deeply. Oreo's message to those he leaves grieving for him is: "Remember me joyfully, for that is who I am, and who I remain though you can't see me. Trust that you can feel me and I feel you."
Serene - April 14, 2010
Serene had been dumped outside our farm about 8 weeks ago. We tried valiantly to catch her but she was just too scared and would not go in the humane traps. Last week, we heard her cries for help in our hay barn and found her, after she dragged herself a great distance, evidently having been hit by a car. We rushed her to the veterinarian where her injuries were found to be severe but possibly survivable. But during surgery it was discovered to be worse than anticipated. We lost her 5 days post-op, after an incredible effort on everyone’s part, including hers.
Serene, you were never ours to hold, never ours to know the joy of your play or the prance of your footsteps. You were never ours to really get to know. But you are ours to grieve. We tried so hard to help you. We tried to help you know the love of a home, the safety of arms holding you. We tried but you were just too scared to help yourself find that again. You were a part of our daily lives for 8 weeks as we tried to bring you in and tried to help you out of the darkness you found yourself in. We sat with you, looked for you, tried to coax you into coming to us for safety. One of us even broke an ankle trying to get to you. You tried and we watched you try. That is what makes this all the more difficult. We knew how badly you wanted help but you just couldn’t find a way to get it.
When we found you so badly injured, crying out for us to find you, you trusted our hands as we lifted you out of the hole you crawled into for safety. You pulled yourself such a distance to get there. You purred to let us know how happy you were we found you. You rubbed up against us and you fought so hard to survive. You trusted us to help you and we all tried so hard. From the surgeon and his staff who took you into their hearts and gave you the best of care. You offered nothing but kindness and appreciation to them for their efforts. We saw you fight. We saw how hard you tried. But in the end, we could not help you more than we did.
You will forever be in our hearts. You may not have been ours to hold, but we will forever hold you in our hearts. We may not have known much about you, yet you touched us with your soul.
We know you have now found peace, that you are not alone and scared. With you we have more questions than answers. More sadness than joy. We wish we could have done more, yet we know we did all we could. Your journey and your life did not go by unnoticed. We will carry you forward with us always. You are an everlasting part of Spring Farm. Rest easy now. Your fight is over.
We would like to thank the staff of Upstate Veterinary Surgical Center for their extraordinary care in the effort to help Serene. Though the outcome is not the greatest any of us would like to have seen, the help she received gave her the only chance she had. And the knowledge that she died loved, warm, and cared for is most meaningful. A heartfelt thank you for the talent, love, and compassion of Dr. Paul Bookbinder and the nursing care received from Diane, Julie, Terri, Dawn, Sudi, and Tammy. You guys are the best! You made her final days easier. Her purrs were her way of saying that to you herself.
Simba - April 2, 2010
Simba was a gorgeous girl, probably about 16 yrs old. She came to us in 2002, already an older adult cat. She had been found with severe chemical burns on both front feet. No one knows what happened to her or where she came from but she ended up with us to see if we could treat her burns. Simba let us handle her and treat her and she completely healed. We adopted her out, twice actually, but both times she was returned because she would not adapt to the new household and just hid all the time. She made it clear that she wanted to stay with us at the farm, so after the second time, we took her off the adoption list. Simba loved attention. She was a cuddler and snuggler and her trademark was this profuse drooling that she would do once she settled in on a good lap. The purr would start, the kneeding would start, and you could count on the drooling to follow. Because of this, especially in her last months, not many people would necesarily want to sit with Simba, as she had developed a tumor in her mouth that made that discharge often pretty nasty. Yet, Simba, was clear with us that she was calling the shots on this one and she would let us know when she was ready to go. She still could eat. She still could snuggle. And life to her was still worth living. We would like to thank our staff and volunteers who donned a smock or blanket or sometimes just went in with nothing extra, knowing they'd get drooled on. Because they didn't stop snuggling with her, she was able to love her special way, right up until the end. We especially want to thank our dedicated volunteer Harold for all the love and care he gave to Simba. Harold sat with her for long periods and just snuggled and talked with her. She adored that and held a very special spot in her heart for him. Simba said it best, just two days before she passed, Dawn asked her what else we could do for her and how she was doing. Simba replied: "Its all about love. That is my life. It is what nourishes me. It is what I have to give, what I love to receive, and it will be with me when I go. I just want to enjoy every second of it that I can. Its that simple." And that is just how Simba went - surrounded by the love of her cat friends, and held in the hearts of all the humans who cared for her, and for whom she shared so much of her heart.
Campbell - April 1, 2010
Campbell's life is best summed up in her own words: "I am a beam of love and joy who has come to give my gift, feel loved, and leave. It doesn't matter how long I live but I just love coming and giving joy and love." And so, our little beam of love and joy, who touched so many hearts so profoundly, quietly passed away during the night. She has left behind many tears of sadness for how much we'll all miss her brilliant eyes, extra loud purr, and her heart that was so much bigger than the tiny form she came in. But she has also left us all so much richer for knowing her. Out of the many hundreds of cats who have come through this farm, Campbell was one of the most memorable and unique. Anyone, from staff to volunteer, to veterinarians and their staff, just instantly fell in love with her. From the moment you looked into her eyes, you knew you were seeing clear through to her heart and she into yours. And joy radiated from every cell of her body. A year old, but stunted in growth, Campbell remained this tiny bundle of life. She was taken very ill several weeks ago with something which affected her brain. We will never know exactly what it was but we knew the prognosis was not good. We knew we would not have her with us for very long, and we treasured every day she blessed us with. When we tucked her in for the night last night, we had no clue that she was preparing to move on. Her passing was remarkably peaceful and although we all knew this day was coming, we didn't expect it when it got here. Her body is no longer available for us to hold. Her purr cannot be heard. But there is not one of us who cannot still feel her magic, feel her joy, and feel touched by her love. That magical purr lives on in all of us. That was her gift that she left within each heart she touched. To list the people who are grieving for her today would take too long to write. Her caretakers would spend hours taking turns sitting and holding her throughout the day. It is what she loved the most and the greatest gift they all gave to her. As Campbell told Dawn today: "I left something unique for each person I loved and who loved me. Each of them received a gift from me. I love each one of them. That is what I came to give and I leave complete and whole and cherishing every second of this experience. I will be back to do it again!"
Oliver - April 1, 2010
Oliver's life was not long, yet he made a major impact. In the short time he was here, he knew incredible love, kindness, and care. A Pitbull/Rottweiller mix, rejected at birth by his mother and arriving at the farm just 3 hours old, he became our youngest dog ever to come to us for care. Immediately, he grabbed the heart of one of our animal care staff, David, who volunteered to foster him and tend to his needs every 2-4 hours throughout the night and day. We had just witnessed David raise his own puppy, and new Oliver would be in great hands. With David, he knew the love of a person to share his heart with. David nurtured him physically and emotionally and the puppy began to thrive. Just yesterday, we all celebrated with David as Oliver's eyes opened. We watched him grow, gaining an ounce a day, and we were all excited to see the momentous occasion of his eyes opening. Oliver 
may not have gotten to see much of the world around him, but his heart knew love, safety, and trust. Souls come to experience various things in physical form. Oliver came to know love and trust with a human. He found that. Although so incredibly short, his life was filled with exactly what he came here to experience. We thank David for giving him that incredible gift and for opening his heart and home (as well as Dave's mom too!) even when the end of the story came all too soon. Oliver's passing was totally unexpected. He suddenly became lethargic and unresponsive. Even though we rushed him to the vet hospital, they tried valiantly but could not pull him through. They explained that the lack of immune system and poor start to life was most likely the cause. Whatever the cause, it left us all reeling this morning. Oliver wasn't here long, but his mark on our hearts is deep. We are grateful for every moment he shared with us.
Bandit - January 9, 2010
Bandit came to us from another rescue about 2 years ago. It was thought that we could find her the perfect home. And we did - here. Bandit made it known that staying here at the red farm house, that contains 3 offices and several other dogs and cats, was just what she ordered. In short order, she attached herself to Claire, who runs our Happy Hearth Spay Neuter Office. She followed Claire everywhere. And when Claire was off on weekends and days off, Bandit pouted. The rest of the staff were ok, but Claire was her chosen person. Bandit was a character. She kept people running to please her and make sure she was pampered and comfortable. And she made it very clear when she didn't want something as well.
Bandit unfortunately had several health issues that gradually caused her health to decline. Bandit leaves behind her beagle friends, Shiloh, Bobby, and Ginger, many cats, and the entire staff of the "red house" who just adored her - Claire, Karen, Star, Andrea, and Julieanne. We miss you little Bandito.
