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Sunday Smile: Memory of Lady Going Swimming

May 19, 2024

We wanted to round out our tributes to Lady this week by celebrating her love of the wild parts of sanctuary. This video was taken in some of her earliest days at sanctuary. We knew she loved water; she was constantly splashing in mud wallows and the water trough. But we hadn’t actually seen her fully enter the pond, although we knew she was going in. 

While the other elephants were in Yard 5, we opened up Yard 4 for Lady and she took off at a Lady-paced run, headed directly toward the pond. Kat was nearby and saw Lady out of the corner of her eye, fully submerged. Lady was sitting up, butt on the floor of the pond, rubbing back and forth, in total squishy play mode. We included the clip of Lady climbing out of the pond to showcase the strength that Lady had developed at the sanctuary. In typical Lady fashion, she took a somewhat difficult way out of the water.

Lady seemed to let go fully when she was in the water. This was one of those moments where your heart feels full over what sanctuary can truly provide the elephants, and how much the little things really mean to them.

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Comments(25)

  1. REPLY
    Eileen says
    May 19, 2024 at 2:15 pm

    This makes my heart so happy for her!

  2. REPLY
    Suzanne Eaton says
    May 19, 2024 at 2:16 pm

    It makes my heart sing to see how joyful and playful our Lady was in the pond. Thank you for sharing.

  3. REPLY
    Wim says
    May 19, 2024 at 2:17 pm

    She really looks happy bathing in freedom.
    How wonderful that life has turned for several years.

  4. REPLY
    Suzanne Eaton says
    May 19, 2024 at 2:18 pm

    It is wonderful to see Miss Lady Bug at peace and joyful in the pond. Thank you for sharing.

  5. REPLY
    Jillyp says
    May 19, 2024 at 2:27 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this of dear Lady. I adore it. She’s so free and uninhibited here, just in a dream and her own world enjoying the moment, with all the sounds and smells of freedom. Dearest Lady ❤️ Thank goodness she had this time at the Sanctuary 🌳🌳💦🐘☀️🌳🌳

  6. REPLY
    Gillian Gandy says
    May 19, 2024 at 2:31 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this video. She was a lovely Lady. I will never forget her soulful eyes her cheeky smile and her parties for one and her love of the grasses. I will love her forever. No more pain in her ele heaven. ❤

  7. REPLY
    Benita Auge says
    May 19, 2024 at 2:42 pm

    It was probable that allowing her weight to not place so much stress on the feet made her feel wonderful.

  8. REPLY
    Sue says
    May 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm

    What a wonderful video of Lady, thank you so much for sharing. Seeing her fully let go in the water made me smile. How beautiful to see her so joyous. Thank you. The way you shared so much with us this week has been a huge comfort. Seeing your respect and treatment of Lady from the moment you met her is truly humbling to witness. Extra love and hugs Kat, I can’t imagine how hard this is for you. ❤️🐘❤️

  9. REPLY
    Irene says
    May 19, 2024 at 3:15 pm

    She loved the water. Thank God You have all these wonderful memories of cute Lady xxxxx
    It’s because of you caring people that she was able to have a beautiful life 🙂

    xxx

  10. REPLY
    Elizabeth says
    May 19, 2024 at 3:26 pm

    Lady seemed calm and enjoying a dip in the pond.

  11. REPLY
    Patricia Mitchell says
    May 19, 2024 at 3:33 pm

    So glad she was finally able to do what she chose to do. Not what horrible humans forced upon her.!
    Thank you for giving her freedom!!

  12. REPLY
    Gretchen says
    May 19, 2024 at 3:51 pm

    My heart is full, thank you for sharing this. Her feet must have loved being in the squishy mud as well as her butt. I will love this hat wearing beauty forever.

  13. REPLY
    Beth says
    May 19, 2024 at 4:14 pm

    Her pure child-like joy just made me keep smiling. I lub her❤️abd feel blessed to have known her. I miss her so much but am sure she is splish-splashing her way in Heaven. Btw, I asked my beautiful white Percheron, Bonnie, to greet Lady when she crossed over.💖🪷🦢

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      May 19, 2024 at 4:18 pm

      💜

  14. REPLY
    Rand says
    May 19, 2024 at 4:18 pm

    Scot and Kat should be very proud and happy about what they gave Lady. She had 4 wonderful years and you can see that Lady is ecstatic in the water. This is why I support GSE Brazil

  15. REPLY
    Jran says
    May 19, 2024 at 4:48 pm

    Healing waters❤️

  16. REPLY
    Audrey says
    May 19, 2024 at 4:53 pm

    Thanks to you all, for giving Lady the best years of her life. With friends & freedom she was already enjoying best life had to offer. 🩷

  17. REPLY
    Sara says
    May 19, 2024 at 6:12 pm

    That was completely delightful.

  18. REPLY
    Terry says
    May 19, 2024 at 8:19 pm

    Pure bliss!! I could feel her joy, her sense of freedom and connectedness to all things as she splashed and swired like a little girl who is able to get in the water for the very first time.
    With every step she took, Lady was grace in motion. She was finally given an abundant and free life when she arrived at sanctuary.
    It has been an honor and a privilege to watch your light shine sweet, sweet Lady.

  19. REPLY
    Bonnie says
    May 19, 2024 at 8:37 pm

    Boy she was having a good old time Thank you all for giving her Freedom as well as the other girls

  20. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says
    May 19, 2024 at 11:18 pm

    Thank you for this last spectacular glimpse of Lady’s sanctuary life.

  21. REPLY
    Shelley Russell says
    May 20, 2024 at 3:42 am

    Thank you for sharing this video of dear sweet Lady, it must have felt heavenly for her being weightless in water, the soothing feeling of deep mud…..the pain relief must have felt so good. 💔

  22. REPLY
    Johnny says
    May 20, 2024 at 7:58 am

    The loud birds seemed to enjoy Lady’s swim also. Or perhaps she was upsetting their tranquilit? Who knows. Animals are wonderful, amazing, fascinating and more. Thanks for posting lovely Lady taking a bath/swim.

  23. REPLY
    Rocío says
    May 20, 2024 at 9:10 am

    Que lindo ver este video, Lady siendo feliz… Y siendo feliz con tan poco; tanto que aprender de ella.
    Descansa en paz querida Lady,

  24. REPLY
    Beji says
    May 20, 2024 at 11:47 am

    Always loved, never forgotten

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