There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part.
So just give me a happy middle and a very happy start.
So wrote the poet Shel Silverstein.
If we wanted to name a friend who gave the pet world a "happy middle" for more years than one could count, her name would be Marg.
Let us begin with the happy start, in upstate New York, where she grew up, the love of animals embedded in her spirit and leading her to earn a degree in animal husbandry. Then, as a young woman, she worked her way down the East Coast ~ largely on farms, and in stables ~ training and working with horses. Teaching riding to the young and ultimately settling in Charleston, SC. Some years later, Marg reached the dream of purchasing her own small farm to the west, in rural Anderson, SC.
And now comes the "happy middle" when we in the pet community began to get to know and love our Marg through her blog, MARG'S ANIMALS. For it was on this farm, in this life, that she shared with us those animals she so loved. Two mini-donkeys, Smoke and Joe. Her beloved Ande, always running at her side, the dog who got on so well with every critter on the farm! And the kitties! Her inside kitties, outside kitties, porch kitties, barn kitties.
She wrote of each with love in every word, with humor, with whimsy, she never forgot a name. Any who fell ill made the long trip to town for vet care no matter the cost. She photographed each with an artist's eye. She cried at each loss, we cried with her. We shared her joy at each new arrival ~ for no stray, no feral, no litter of newborns brought by a neighbor ~ was ever turned away from her door. There was always room for more. All lived in harmony.
Time passes for all, and the time came when Smoke and Joe moved to the farm next door, but Marg could walk to the fence line to rub their noses and bid a 'hee-haw morning' to each. Sweet Ande crossed her bridge. As did many beloved kitties and neighbors knew not to bring new kitties now. The long drive to town was getting more difficult. Older hands found feeding so many harder, old bones ached walking out to the barn kitties ~ yes, much was changing now.
We believe that as her "happy middle" was coming to a close,
and Marg moved on from her earthly life,
she simply began another "happy start".
For on that day, there just had to be hundreds and hundreds of her animals,
who probably brought a lot of their friends, waiting to welcome her.
To hee-haw. To bark. To meow.
In one voice, together ... all were saying, welcome home, Marg.
Marg Elmendorf, April 9, 1939 to December 22, 2024
~ ~ ~
Scroll down for a collection of photos of Marg.
If you would like to make a contribution in her memory,
information is at the close of this post for donations to the
PAWS Shelter of Anderson County, SC
Above, Marg and kitties.
Below, Marg's own photographs of a few of her sweet kitties, and the donks.Above, a montage of her kitties, a caricature by Barb Kowalik, with Smoke and Joe.
Below, a few of Marg's Animals blog headers.
Below, with long time and dear friend Dee.
With Ann and Terry.
Both photos, 2018, Anderson, SC
PAWS Shelter of Anderson County, SC1320 Highway 29 South
Anderson, SC 29626
You may donate by PayPal, or by mailing a check to the address above.
Please note that your donation is in memory of Marg
and be sure to provide your own information so the shelter may
acknowledge and thank you for your gift.
For additional information, visit the link below, thank you.
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