SILVER BELLS
Welcomed to the Sanctuary — December 2015
Across the Rainbow Bridge — July 2023
Donations may be made in Sylvie’s name to Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, to help the next equine in need.
“Sylvie”
We had an unexpected goodbye to an old friend.
The day was hot, horses inside were turning out a bit later, closer to 7:30 pm. For the special needs seniors there is a second grain meal, but out in the Medical Wing, a horse was “missing”, her head not over the half stall, waiting in anticipation, with her whinny and big eyes. It was Sylvie, our very saucy, senior Arabian mare. Our “Silver Bells”, so named because she was one of our Holiday miracle horses. Last night, Sylvie was down in her stall and in a bad way. The details demean her, but it was a rough night, and fortunately our vet was able to be at our side as we said goodbye. Surgery was not an option, nor honestly, would it have been a kindness. The mare was difficult for doctors on good days, and as she was around 30 years old, it was time to let her go. This is never easy but we are comforted knowing how much our entire team has done on her behalf, especially this year, giving her quality care and love until her end.
Just a few days before, she got a mane and tail trim, rocking out to some George Michael. She loved attention from those she trusted, and loved her life.
Sylvie’s early years and provenance are a mystery, but 14 years ago she belonged to a kind woman who was collecting strays. Sylvie was not young then, and would have remained there for life, had the woman not passed away, and nearly all of the 20 horses were rehomed (many later found their way here). Sylvie and another horse remained, until it was just her, running loose, alone. Our dear friend Missy Runyan, a famed wildlife rehabilitator, intervened. We drove our rig to the address, where Sylvie stood alone on a lawn, and loaded her up, and brought her home.
The adjustment was not easy for her, she was suspicious of strangers of all species. Finally she latched onto Annie, our senior grey Percheron mare, who was not very pleased by this. We called Sylvie the “barnacle” in a post and it hilariously stuck. As did Silver Bells, and she and Annie enjoyed many seasons and meals together. Slowly she expanded her social network to include the blind boys, and when Annie passed, they became her new friends.
As she aged and needed more medical care, she started spending time in the new Medical Wing, where she met Lizette. These two became very close, it was a real loss for her when Lizette passed, 18 months prior. She understood, but it hurt. To age means to face loss of many kinds, a reality we all must come to peace with if we are to continue loving.
So this summer, we asked Sylvie to open her heart again, to Bailey. A very compromised senior himself, we were a bit worried that we were setting her up for another loss, but we can’t predict what will happen, and it was a good mutual match. Sylvie was Cushings positive, would not eat meds, would not tolerate needles, and was falling more often. She was looking good because of multiple special meals, crafted for her finicky palate. Most recently, she had a minor procedure to lance and drain an infection, following a bruise, following a fall. She also had a tooth removed, and updated vaccines. None of this care was wasted on our dear, sometimes challenging, friend. She was also loving, funny, deeply emotional, and a longtime fixture in our barn and hearts, and will be missed.
We are grateful to our vet team and the Rosemary Farm crew for the love in action provided to this special girl.