Blue, Australian Kelpie, Age 19. Photo: Isa Leshko
Posted on 11/07/2013 4:31:29 PM PST by Dysart
While caring for both of her aging parents, Philadelphia-based photographer Isa Leshko made a conscious decision not to photograph her family. But about a year later, while visiting a friend’s farm, she found herself drawn to an elderly horse. Since then, she has captured dozens of animals in their winter years, including farm animals, horses and dogs. Some of them are factory farm rescues; others beloved pets. Many of the animals passed away shortly after Leshko photographed them. She writes:
I am creating these photographs in order to take an unflinching look at aging and mortality. My maternal grandmother had dementia during her later years, and now my mom has it. I am scared of developing Alzheimer’s disease and I get nervous whenever I lose my keys or forget a person’s name. Photographing geriatric animals enables me to immerse myself in my fear of growing old. I have come to realize that these images are self-portraits. Or at the very least, they are manifestations of my fears and hopes about what I will be like when I am old.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.smithsonianmag.com ...
Blue, Australian Kelpie, Age 19. Photo: Isa Leshko
Handsome One, Thoroughbred Horse, Age 33. Photo: Isa Leshko
I miss my old water mop!
We lost our old pony last year.Just like the horse in the picture,she had that spark in her eyes right up until the end.
This is so sweet.
Nothing is more noble than an old dog.
I agree. Everybody, including yours truly, loves puppies, but old dogs are indeed noble. That’s definitely the word. I’ve especially admired their stoicism in their old age as they transcend their infirmities. We can all learn form it.
I agree. Everybody, including yours truly, loves puppies, but old dogs are indeed noble. That’s definitely the word. I’ve especially admired their stoicism in their old age as they transcend their infirmities. We can all learn form it.
Our cattle dog is over 100. He has such spirit still but occasionally needs a baby aspirin. He wants to always be with Mr. Mercat. Such a beautiful bond. When he passes he’ll have a special place on our farm next to Boris and Kaylee.
Or better company.
Our old boy Buddy is 17.5 and still enjoying life. He gets his thyroid pills and a couple of doggy aspirins everyday along with a bunch of supplements from the drugstore. He can still shag a cat out of the yard. :-)
What kind of dog do you have?
my gus will be 13 in under two weeks. he still has some spunk, we take good care of him. hopefully a few more good years.
Wink, Greyhound (retired racer), Age 13.
My cat is 15—the equivalent of about 70 in human years—and she still likes to play, batting around catnip mice and plastic strips.
We lost a beautiful 37-year-old horse a few months ago. He was lively and energetic to his last day. He was so intelligent and wise he was allowed to wander around the farm by himself. I never used a halter or leadrope, but just told him verbally where to go. He loved to go on trail rides and canter around with a young girl riding him.
He was usually in a paddock with a quiet gelding friend, but on his last night he plainly asked his human friend if he could go out into his favorite large field with the younger tougher boys. His human let him go out with them. In the morning she saw that he had died peacefully. He is much missed. I wish I knew why animals can’t live as long as we do.
Old dog ping.
We have a beautiful 13 year old Siberian Husky (old for a Husky). She is truly noble, even with her infirmaties....hip dysplasia, arthritis and cataracts. We manage her pain with prescribed medications. Every morning, we take Alyeska Blue on a quarter mile walk (we live in the country) to pick up our newspaper. She is always anxious, nose and tail held high, to go. If we happen to sleep a bit late, she nudges us to wake up to go for that daily walk. It’s the highlight of her day. Mostly she sleeps in her orthopedic bed, or in the front yard on a pile of snow. The deer are so accustomed to her, they just walk around her. On rare ocassions she might chase a wild turky (for about six yards) that invades her territory.
We love her and will keep her as long as she is willing to live.
I also care for my 96 year old father. Except for sleeping in a snow pile and chasing turkeys, he is in the same condition. A very noble WWII veteran and I will keep him as long as he is willing to live. He and Alyeska are the best of friends.
Buddy the Beagle. Currently snoring like a lumberjack in front of the fireplace. :-)
Tabitha, my oldest, turned 17 last month. She’s the oldest kitty I’ve ever owned. I could never repay her the love she’s shown me, a love I can’t say I’ve always deserved.
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