Fond farewells

First, farewell Two Punch. This lovely gray sire of thoroughbred racehorses was a character of charm and dignity, and he'll surely be missed. Farewell Weltmeyer—you were, and shall remain, a legend among Hanoverians. It's hard to imagine the breed without you.

On the subject of Two Punch, click here (but not until you're done reading Brays Of Our Lives!). Scroll down to the photo of his damsire, Grey Dawn II. HOLY GUACAMOLE THOSE ARE SOME UGLY HIND LEGS! Wow. I don't usually resort to shouting, but sometimes a mule needs to express himself strongly. Tell me, folks—is he run down from age and hard use or is he just straight up defective? I am having a really hard time even looking at those limbs. I hope he was comfortable standing on them.

On a lighter note, we've said farewell, or better yet bon voyage, to one of our own. He's safe and well (and not one bit dead) at his new home in Blaine, Washington. Let's all hope for the very best for Jasper Jules, who is going to share, with another goat, a barn and 14 acres of beautifully fenced brush and grass. They will be the proud pets of a family of seven, and will enjoy the daily affection of five animal-loving pre-teen and teenaged children. We have a heck of a contract written up and we hope it will ensure that we get him back should they ever want to part with him. FarmWife reports that his new home is lovely and that he shall, by all appearances, be very happy there.

On the subject of parting with an animal, FarmWife feels torn. There's something to be said for making a lifetime commitment to a pet, and there are certainly animals here (ME!) who have that 100%, forever promise. For those critters who don't quite fit in, though—what about them? A responsible owner wants to ensure their happiness, and it's easier to be certain of that when they're in one's own custody. One can't, however, spread oneself thin. We're all happier when we're not crowded.

When it comes down to it, there's this for you humans to contemplate: maybe you can't BE the best home for every animal that comes into your life, but maybe you can FIND the best home for every animal that comes into your life. From the horses she's sold to the goats she's bred to the dogs she's fostered (or adopted and failed with), FarmWife can say this: they've all ended up in the right place. She has never placed an animal in a home where it wasn't likely to be as happy as or happier than it was at Bent Barrow Farm.

Good luck, Jasper. Write home often.

FB