jon katz

Simon the Donkey is Getting a Second Chance on Bedlam Farm

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was brought to tears reading about Simon, a donkey who was made to live in a makeshift hut made of rotting wooden pallets.  He ws not able to stand for a long time.

He was rescued just in time, as he was close to death.  He now lives on best selling author Jon Katz' Bedlam Farm.  Jon is helping him to learn to stand and walk again.  A job that requires much patience on Jon's part, and which he is learning many beautiful lessons.  Oh, how I could so relate!

Watch the video of Simon and how he is learning to walk again, and the lessons this is teaching Jon, which can teach us all.

 

When Izzy Dies. Grieving for animals « Bedlam Farm Journal

Posted by Barbara Techel

Is it morbid to think about the time when Izzy dies? I’ve been writing all week about grieving for the animals we love, and I though it might be helpful – and honest – to share how I think about it. Once in awhile, I make sure to think about when Izzy dies. How he was abandoned on a farm and lived mostly outside for years and on his own, this intensely social and attached creature. How he drove me crazy when he first came to the farm, jumping fences, tearing the house apart. How he has seen so much life and death in his hospice work, see so many people he loved fade and die. Been so gentle and faithful to the people in his care, gone to their funerals, sat by their caskets.

via www.bedlamfarm.com

I love following Jon Katz and his thoughts on animals.
To answer his question, "Is it morbid to think about the time when Izzy dies?" No, I don't at all think it is morbid. Death is part of life. We all have to face that. Maybe if we could all realize the beauty of death, we would never use the word morbid.
Thinking of the eventual loss of our pets, I think, is healthy. I want to live in all the glorious moments I have with Frankie, but at the same time, I want to give thought to her not being here someday. I don't dwell on it, but rather think about what will my life look like without her?
We spend so much time together and because of her I have found my purpose. What will my purpose look like when she is gone? I found a bit more peace with that lately and believe I will always do something around dogs… sharing their stories… being with them… and bringing another one into my life to care and love.