Those of us who have lived with animals and made them a part of our lives and work understand that there are many ways to love an animal, one of the most powerful ways to love an animal is to let go. Josie is 16, she is a long-time and especially valued volunteer at the Blue Star Equiculture rescue farm and draft horse sanctuary in Palmer, Mass. Buford is a very old working farm horse who was found starving to death in a barn, he had survived by eating the old wood in the barn to stay alive. In so doing, he damaged his intestines and struggled to digest real food or to gain weight.

He has been lovingly cared for at Blue Star for years, Josie has grown up with him, so lovingly cared for him as she grew from a child to a young woman who wins ribbons riding on draft horses in national competitions. Josie is quiet, shy sometimes, but the horses have given her power and strength. She is very powerful working with them and riding on them.

Buford has a companion at Blue Star, she died earlier this year. The two were inseparable.

Buford is failing, his time is near and today at Blue Star, the people there were saying goodbye to him, the vets say he cannot survive another winter or even another week. Today, Josie said goodbye to him and I was fortunate to be near with my camera. The photograph speaks for itself, but it is one of those images that can break your heart. I will put up another photograph or two. You can honor Buford’s life and Josie’s work and help Blue Star here, if you wish.