Eric and I have become accustomed to the cycle of life and death on the farm. The huge loss of an animal friend became slightly easier for me when I began to replace some of the sadness with acceptance and deep love for our time together. I think what I have learned the most is to never take one day for granted with the fluffy inhabitants of Short Leg Farm. Goats being notoriously curious and destructive little beasts make for a never ending “fix it” list of repairs to barns and fencing. The never ending farm to do list used to fill me with anxiety and a feeling of overwhelm. Most days I am now able to look the trouble making goat culprit in the face and just be happy for the short time I have with them. The farm really is a wise teacher. A pause and a gigantic exhale usually helps to put most things in perspective.
We lost the sunshine of Short Leg Farm last week, Aubrey. For those of you who have met Aubs on one of your visits to the farm know exactly what I mean when I call her the sunshine of the farm. She was an extremely patient and joyful friend to all. Kids would pet this fluffy dog for hours. She never once growled or showed any aggression to any other creature on this farm. Even when faced with Hobo, the barn cat, mischievously sinking her claws into Aubrey’s very distinct fluffy Corgi butt. This happened like clockwork on our daily walks to the mulberry tree. Aubs would respond by simply shooting me a look as if to say “huh, what’s wrong with this cat.”
When Aubs came to live at the farm she was quite over weight and her body was covered with a yeast infection. We never thought she would be able to go for walks or much less zip around the farm. Slowly, over time “farm fitness”, brought her back to life. She eventually lost the weight and her yeast infection cleared up. She came to love little walks and her herding instincts came roaring back. She playfully zipped from room to room trying to get everyone in one central spot. In her younger years she would get her speed up to launch her short little legs up the wooden farmhouse stairs to go to bed at night. Over 9 years of doing this she left behind sweet little worn spots on the wood. Aubrey’s Path, as I like to call it. I am grateful for the worn little path that is etched there forever. As I am grateful for our paths being parallel for all of those years. The worn wooden farmhouse stairs seem to reflect the worn spots on our hearts for each sweet animal we have lost over the years. None sweeter than little Aubrey.
Stop by the farm this Saturday, November 30th from 10AM – 1PM for holiday shopping hours. We will be stocked with chocolate and salted goat milk caramels, goat milk soap, raw honey, reclaimed cedar soap dishes, beeswax products and more. The sweet goats will be decked out with their jingle collars. Come enjoy a brisk and festive holiday goat hike. Tickets for the goat hike are here.
If you just want to stop by and share a memory of Aubrey we would love to see you.
