The arrival of Mouse, the piebald mare.
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Newsletter No. 8 - Autumn/Winter 1996 As a lovely warm, dry September gives way to our more usual wet and windy autumn weather it is time to report on the events of a busy summer before knuckling down once again to the winter routine. Our summer started on a very sad note when Tomas, our much loved dark brown gelding, had to be put to sleep. He had not been himself for some months with increasing 'off days' and slow weight loss, despite extra rations and special care. His passing is perhaps best described in the words of Lylie Young, who was staying here with my mother on holiday at the time. A Privilege 'Such a beautiful dawn, balmy and gentle. We are at peace and blessed. Suddenly the barking of a canine friend, anxious and calling. Tomas, the brown donkey, not having been well for several days, was starting his journey homeward this peaceful morn. Slowly he moved from the lower pastures, making a painful way to the the place where some of his friends awaited him in the sleeping place of their spirits, to which he was now being drawn. Human carer and two elderly friends hurrying to give him love and comfort and help, on which we intuitively knew was his last journey. The dogs Spuddy and Pagan, plus the little black cat leaning against the dead whitethorn. One could feel the presence of all unseen friends from all the Kingdoms, willing him to seek the pathway home. Then came a little bird, orange of breast and plumage of blue, singing his heart out -"love is here, be not afraid". Then came a car and one with help, knowing the means to end the suffering and with kindness and compassion put an end to his life. For all the years of suffering and neglect the last five years were full of a great love given from humans and animals and in this he has been cushioned. I feel very privileged to have walked this joumey with him and at the end to have met three lovely young men who asked permission to lay him in his last resting place. God be with them all.' Thank you to everyone who supported Tomas and helped to make his last years comfortable and happy. He was over 30 years when he died. Around the same time our good friend and neighbour Mick Healy, without whose help in the early days the Sanctuary may never have flourished, was transferred to the long-term wards of St. John's Hospital, Sligo, following a stroke and subsequent fall which broke his hip. At Mick's request his two ponies, Charlie and Sammy, joined the Sanctuary permanently. Mick wanted the assurance that they would not be sold on or separated and that they would always be looked after. This arrangement not only pleases us and the ponies but a delighted Jeremiah, our mouse coloured donkey who has spent the last two years mooning over the fence talking to the ponies. He is now totally devoted to them. Then in July my father, Geoff, another ardent Sanctuary supporter, also went on his last journey after a long and terrible illness which he bore with great courage. Those of you who met Geoff will remember him as a fountain of knowledge on a huge variety of subjects and a great lover of Nature. His bi-annual holidays at the Sanctuary were always spent cleaning and sharpening tools, painting, putting up everons, mending fences, inventing gate closures and generally making improvements to benefit donkeys and carers alike. There is no doubt he will be greatly missed. |
Enquiries to: Sue Paling, Sathya Sai Sanctuary Trust for Nature, Cloghogue Lower, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo, Ireland. Frontpage | All the donkeys | Spring 1994 | Autumn 1994 | Spring 1995 | Autumn 1995 | Autumn 1996 | Spring 1997 | Autumn 1997 | Spring 1998 | Autumn 1998 | Spring 1999 | Autumn 1999 | Spring 2000 | Autumn 2000 | Spring 2001 | Autumn 2001 | Spring 2002 | Autumn 2002 | Adopt a Donkey | Donkey Links | E mail
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