Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org


Share

Smartie-Martie Simply Drifted Off

From Hugletts Wood Farm Animal Sanctuary
October 2022

He left us some time during the next couple of hours; laying still, in the same place, having long stopped breathing. I guess in true Smartie-Martie style he simply drifted off, without drawing attention to himself, as he had always lived. He wasn't ill. It was just his time.

Cow Smartie-Martie-

"Sometimes I feel like there's a hole inside of me, an emptiness that at times seems to burn. I think if you lifted my heart to your ear, you could probably hear the ocean."

Last Saturday turned into a sad day.

At lunchtime as I did my rounds; more than a head count, which Matthew does in between my walks. Martie was asleep under the trees; curled up in his favourite place; head bent round with his muzzle almost resting on his back hooves.

He left us some time during the next couple of hours; laying still, in the same place, having long stopped breathing. I guess in true Smartie-Martie style he simply drifted off, without drawing attention to himself. He wasn't ill. It was just his time.

That was just how he lived his fifteen+ years, almost nine of which he spent with us, along with his Mother, Maggie, (who left 3 years ago, to the day) and his Uncle Morris, whom we call Smogris.
Martie was an individual who never craved human company. Nor was he enamoured by any attempt to brush him, much less to give him a hug. You ever felt a bullock shudder in horror??

He did accept our company, albeit at a comfortable distance from him, whilst he lay cudding or stood watching the goings-on around the place. I spent the years he was with us, fighting the urge to wrap my arms around him, full knowing that only I would get pleasure from it.

While we are grateful for his transitioning like this, we grieve, as always, for those who pass on, not forgetting just how blessed we are to have served him, the way he wished.

So, Smartie Martie, you wonderful boy. That's a job well done, eh? A life completed, so gently and at the right time.

Just can't help but wish that time had been a bit longer.......

Taking the dust from your feet on my head!

Smartie Martie ki Jai!!!

Return to: Animal Stories