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RIP Autumn {Maine Lifestyle Photographer}
Posted on March 11, 2010
Life is a circle, a continuous cycle of seasons. When I rescued Autumn, she was in the “Autumn” cycle of her life. Her lack of care was evident in her emaciated body, her dull coat, her vacant eyes. She was riddled with rain rot from head to hoof and her tail and mane was covered in burs. But there was something about her that said “she’s the one for me.”
With love and proper care she rebounded beautifully and thrived on my little farm for nearly five years. However, in these past couple of months she took a turn for the worst. More and more I noticed that she was spitting partially chewed hay. After the equine dentist came he confirmed she could no longer chew hay well enough to swallow. Her teeth were worn down too far. I began to feed her softened mash, which she ate contentedly, but she still wanted her hay. It was frustrating for her to be hungry, to have the food in her mouth, but in the end to have to spit it out for fear of choking.
In my heart I knew the right thing to do was help her gracefully move on from this life on earth. Her work was over and her body was tired. She became beautiful over the years. Her coat shone and you could see her spirit in her loving, kind eyes. Her final years were good and it gladdens my heart to know that I was able to give them to her. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Autumn, so I’ll let the following pictures do the talking. Oh, one more thing. All this time I thought Autumn was 20-something. Turns out she was between 30-35. Wow! That made yesterday a whole lot easier for me. In fact, it made me smile.
Winter of 2008. She loved closing her eyes towards the sun during the winter.
This was her 2nd winter with us.
The dogs loved to come out when she was fed so they could eat the scraps. This is Sonny waiting patiently.
Spring of 2008. I love to photograph horses eyes. They are so soulful, and as you can see, her spirit is fully back.
Every day I walked her up the road to a friends house so she could graze on the grass. It was her favorite thing to do.
What a happy girl.
Dandelions were her most favorite thing to eat. She couldn’t get enough!
May 2008 in our pasture.
This is a rare moment. She hardly ever laid down to nap.
Autumn always insisted that the grass was always greener on the other side of the fence!
June 2008. Now tell me, does this look like a 30-something year old horse!?
To keep her within the boundaries of my front yard, I just put rope up between trees and fence lines. Such a good horse!
And then along came Muffin in October of 2008. This was his 2nd day and she was still unsure of him, but much more accepting than day one. By day 3 she was his “mommy.”
Once she realized the goats were no longer afraid of him she calmed down.
After the initiation, they became inseparable.
She was never alone and seemed to enjoy her status as Queen.
She grew a thick, beautiful coat and even the frigid cold of January didn’t bother her.
This is one of my favorites of her. I love the colors and frozen lashes.
Basking in the January sun.
Of course there were times when Autumn had to scold Muffin, but she did so with her gentle authority.
And he would reply with “I’m a baby, don’t hurt me.” And Autumn never, ever did him any harm.
After a good roll in the snow before breakfast, Autumn would occasionally become frisky. I love their expressions!
Priceless!!
With Muffin around, you could say she was always entertained!
Feel the love
Another frisky moment in the freshly fallen snow.
And there always seemed to be a conversation afterward, in which Muffin realized she was bigger than him!
Heavily snow-laden maple branches = winter treats!
You can’t beat that late day February sunlight.
She even had to tolerate her little stallion, but as you can see, she wasn’t worried!
Summer 2009
Autumn’s last snow storm.
She loved to stand in her stall and look out.
Her final days of eating her mash. The chickens picked at the bits she dropped.
Her closed stall door signifies where Muffin had to wait while she ate her portions of food.
This was the last picture I took of her, standing in the morning light, eating her breakfast, the beautiful glow of life in her eyes, where once she held a vacant stare, one I thought could never be penetrated. But her brief time with me showed me that love is all you need. I will always cherish my time with her and I will miss her sweet nicker whenever I came into her space. She had a kind, big heart and I will be continually blessed because of her. Her spirit runs free now, no longer chained to the failings of her earthly body.
I will always love you, Autumn.
Related posts:
- My Muffin Man – {Maine Lifestyle Photographer}
- My Morning Stars – {Maine Lifestyle Photographer}
- End of 2009 {Maine Lifestyle Photographer}
- In Memory of Summer – {Maine Lifestyle Photographer}
- Winter Light {Maine Lifestyle Photographer}
Darlene
I am so sorry to hear of your sad news. I sure will miss the Autumn and Muffin pictures. Bless you for making her last years so wonderful, I am sure she will have understood all the love you gave her.
My thoughts are with you.
Love Sally
xx
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together…
“Author Unknown”
Beautiful photograghs and words and thoughts to go with- You should consider a book, even children’s book. Sorry about Autumn’s loss, but she looked amazing because of you- Meg
oh Darlene…i am so very sorry to hear about Autumn, and i know the sadness that is surrounding you now. But i am so glad to see you reveling in the happy times, and the memories. Autumn was blessed to have you in her life, and you were blessed to have her in your life…two lucky ladies. The photographic journey through her life with you was priceless, and there is no way i could choose a favorite. I hope you and Muffin find solace in the memories….hugs to both of you. Laurie
So sorry to hear about Autumn. She was a sweetie. She will be missed.
Love ans warm fuzzies! Molly and Penny
*sniff*
how lucky this mare was to have been so loved.
Oh, Darlene…Mark and I are so sorry to hear about Autumn. I’m so glad we got to meet her, and all of you, last fall when we came up to Maine. She really was a beautiful horse with a wonderful spirit and your photos are amazing.
So very sad..but such a wonderful tribute – both in words and in images to the sweet horse you rescued and loved!!! Beautiful photos!!!
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that it is difficult to lose someone you care for so much, even if it is the right thing and the right time. She was beautiful and your beauty shows through your images of her.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your pictures are a beautiful tribute to Autumn. It looks like she had a good life on your little farm and thrived on the love and attention you gave her.