Aug. 07, 2000
Stormy Greeted By Neighborhood Friend...
In dealing with animals and farm life, in particular, the hard elements
of life and death must be faced up to all too frequently.
The little burro, Stormy, is one more example of the difficulties and perils all creatures must go through to sustain the precious gift of life.
It was dark and stormy the day that this little female burro was born. The late May thunder storm was blowing full-force just shortly thereafter.
The birth was a difficult one for her mother, Babe, who had given birth before. But this time she became ruptured and suffered serious hemorrhaging.
The veterinarian was called to assist, and after the birth, he sewed her up, and things seemed to be going OK. But after several hours, the old burro ruptured and hemorrhaged once more, and it was apparent the vet had to be called again.
Old Babe was still on her feet, and wanted to be comforted, so I stayed with her and petted her and talked to her-- all the while, trying to console little Stormy while Buck, the farm manager, went to call the vet.
By now Babe could no longer stand, and her breathing was very short and labored.
Although we had hopes of saving her, I knew the situation was grievous when I felt Babe's body temperature suddenly fall. When the veterinarian arrived, he administered an IV in an attempt to bring her out of shock, but it was too late.
Having such a soft spot in my heart for all animals, it was a very difficult time for me, as you may have guessed. But one event in particular that touched me deeply was at the moment of death. That very alert and frisky baby suddenly stood still and laid down her ears as her mother drew her last breath.
An apparently strong bond between mother and baby had developed in only a few hours time, and little Stormy knew when the very spirit of life had vanished from her mother.
Stormy is now growing stronger every day. As a bottle baby, she wants a lot of human attention, but has also bonded with two young lambs. But I still wonder... how much she must still miss her mom.
Although the God-given spirit of life is so very
evident in our every day activities, how often do we take the time to fully
recognize and appreciate this marvelous gift? I, for one, have grown to
treasure it more and more in each passing day.
Gary Miller
