Saying Goodbye to the Old, and Hello to the Newborn

       Growing up on a dairy farm, I learned at a young age that farm animals do not live forever. I am passionate about farming, and the good definitely outweighs the bad, but there is still the bad. It is the most difficult part of farming. You nurture, and grow a farm animal with an investment of time, money, and love. Parting is inevitable, and you know that this relationship will not last forever. The animals that we grow for food have a good life free-ranging on the farm, and we know what their fate is. It is still unpleasant, but that is what farming is about. The more difficult, is the animal that is a friend. That for us is our Belgian work horses. Yes, they serve a purpose on this working farm, but we can't help but become attached to these gentle giants that work the soil, rake the hay, and yard logs from our woods. We work our horses until we feel that their age warrants retirement. We then turn them loose to a leisurely life in the back field. Days of nothing to do and no where to go, freely roaming the pasture as they live out their last days. They are in our lives for many years which forms a bond that only strengthens year after year.
        We purchased Kate when I was a child. I vividly remember going with my Dad to northern Maine to pick her up. She had a reddish hue to her, and was not as blonde as her teammate. She was a beauty. She was probably a year or two old when we brought her home. She would have been twenty-six this spring, but we recently had to say our goodbyes. She was always a hard worker. She could out work many horses, and was always willing. She also had an attitude, and would pull your hat off, and give it a throw every chance she got. When Kate put her ears back she meant business, but what a worker! Many people could learn a lesson or two from Kate for she was not lazy.

Kate is pictured on the gee side (to my Dad's right side).

           Over a month ago, we were blessed with a new life on the farm. Long clumsy legs, and a big nose used to nuzzle under your arm for affection. A mane of fuzzy hair, and a sweet little tail. A newborn Belgian was added to our family right before Thanksgiving. Certainly something to be thankful for! 

Chief was welcomed just before Thanksgiving.

              The end of 2014 brings mixed emotions for us. We have lost a friend. Farewell to a girl that gave us so much. We loved her in return, and our hearts ache at the loss, however, new life kicks up his heels on our farm bringing a flood of happiness to close out our year. So, we say, "goodbye" to the old, and "hello" to the newborn.