Adjusting to unexpected change takes many forms and comes with many challenges. Yesterday, we struggled with the difficult balance respecting the peace of a recently passed loved one, with the necessity of performing a necropsy to learn all we can, so that we can help all captive elephants live longer, healthier lives.
Lottie’s necropsy left us with a few answers and more questions; some that won’t be answered for a few more months while samples are tested and analyzed. We can’t say with any level of certainty what caused Lottie’s sudden passing, so we wait with the peace of knowing that at least she passed quickly.
Late yesterday afternoon, Lottie was buried about 50 feet from the base of the giant cedar where she passed. Today was a day of passive resolve; our world has shifted and we begin to awaken to this new reality. For the most part, we are all doing well…then you see the food bins with Lottie’s name lying empty on the shelf; it is the little reminders that come up when you least expect it.
Minnie appears to be doing well. She is quiet but remains grounded. This afternoon, she wandered out to the back of the property, grazing and dusting along the way. She entered field 7 (Lottie’s Field), passively grazing before making her way to the edge of the forest, fiddling with branches and scratching on massive oaks. Occasionally Minnie would pause to raise her trunk toward the back of the pasture and Lottie’s grave, stopping for a few minutes before returning to grazing and scratching. About an hour after entering “Lottie’s Field,” Minnie circled to return home without visiting Lottie’s grave. It may be too hard right now—or more likely, that the strength of connection to Lottie’s spirit will carry her forward.
The walk back to the front of the Quarantine facility began with a few pauses looking back, then it turned into a stroll at “Minnie speed” ...a triple time walk, on a mission past prime grazing, to rejoin Debbie and Ronnie for social time, reassurance, and a few extra treats from Angela.
The rest of us humans are still stuck in the physical realm. It is still hard to accept that our stoic, strong and stable Lottie has passed. She was always one that you could count on being ready for every meal—being a pillar of support for Minnie, helping her to emotionally grow into her physical confidence, and overall, being a presence of strength for all of us. As one caregiver mentioned, “Lottie is…Lottie. It just felt like she would always be here.” Somewhere we know that she still is. In time, we will make the shift like Minnie has, connecting with Lottie’s spirit overlooking the Sanctuary—our pillar of strength is now larger than life.
2010-10-13
