Harley (I will miss you my friend)

 Without knowing it this was my last image and time spent with  Harley my special friend and therapist.    In 2019 I was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis which is a virus that causes inflammation of the brain.  The summer of 2021 was an incredibly tough year living with all the post encephalitis craziness.   Then at the end of that summer I was given the gift of being able to photograph and hang out with the Sandy Ridge Herd by the owners  The herd grew on me fast, especially Harley.  I would be dealing with all these different symptoms one of them being anxiety and I would grab my camera and head out to the horses.  They were so wonderful to be with at these times and I would totally forget about the symptoms.  Photographing the herd was such a special treat and it alloyed me to be creative which I think is so important for anyone dealing with brain trauma of any kind.  

I would show up under any weather condition, whether it was -30C or 30C, raining or snowing it made no difference as I wanted to get those special moments. If they were outside I had no excuse but to be out there with them.  Sometimes I would bring them treats of baby carrots which they absolutely loved.  When I did step out into the pasture I would whistle or call them, Harley was usually the first one who would take notice and would walk over to me.  If I didn't have carrots he would still stick around with me.  Harley was a bit of a outcast of the herd and would often have to fight some of the other horses too get a position in the herd.  He was often by himself when I got there and I was often feeling alone in my journey and so we gelled.  

Harley was slowly becoming a pasture horse though, as two bouts of lime disease and an old injury were taking their toll.  I knew this days was coming I just didn't know when.  I remember going out to visit the herd and not seeing Harley out there.  I just had that bad feeling that something had happened but I wasn't sure what.  I text the owner of the stable and inquired about Harley.  She informed me that he had been gifted to a lady in another community.  He would be allowed to just be a pasture horse, that he was in a good home.  I was happy to hear this but I will miss him a lot!  Lord please allow me to ride Harley one day in Heaven.