March 31st
We never know when we respond to a call what may be in store for us. On the way to a doctor appointment this morning, I listened to a voice mail from an elderly woman that was crying and in obvious distress. Her message was that her mare’s companion goat had passed and she was afraid the mare would colic. The mare, Nellie, is a 14 year young pretty little TB. She and her goat friend had been companions for 12 years. Through the woman’s tears, she was able to communicate how strongly Nellie had reacted to losing her goat friend and how she couldn’t remove the goat from the paddock.
A little out of the way, and a change of plans for me, but I went there after my appointment to see if there was anything we could do to help. I arrived and Nellie met me at the gate. I went in and talked with her, rubbed on her a bit, and invited her to walk with me to where her goat friend was still lying under a tree. The owner came out and stood at the gate and watched (and cried) as I knelt down to say a little prayer for the goat with Nellie standing over me – I do think it’s important that animals have time to grieve and say their goodbyes and I do think Nellie understood that her friend was no longer with us.
I got up and rubbed on Nellie again and walked over to the gate and introduced myself to the owner – Nellie followed close behind. The owner and I talked a bit and she explained how Nellie had been pacing and sweating and calling out to her goat friend. She said that any attempt to remove the goat from the paddock would upset Nellie and that’s what led her to calling us for help – she was so afraid Nellie would colic or do something that would cause herself injury. I rubbed on Nellie again and asked her to show me around her paddock. As we walked, I explained to Nellie that we needed to move her goat friend to a safe burial spot. As I walked, I asked the owner to tell me the story of how Nellie and her goat friend had come to be part of her family. I kept walking until I ended back up at the tree. As the owner was still telling me their history, I gently pulled on the bedding that the goat was wrapped in and managed to pull her to the gate where the owner was standing – she opened the gate for me as Nellie just stood and watched.
After the goat was gently placed where she would be buried, I removed one of the cloths that had been placed directly on her body and took it to Nellie and hung it by her feed dish on the fence – a comfort blanket of sorts. The owner and I kept talking about all sorts of things – she cried, she laughed, and I could tell that by talking, the owner was coming to the sad realization that, with her age and physical limitations, she may soon need to find her beloved Nellie a new home. I saw relief come over the owner’s face when I assured her we would try help to make that happen when she is ready. I walked over and rubbed on Nellie again and as I drove away, both Nellie, and her owner, seemed at peace.
The day in the life of a rescuer – we do what we can for horses within our reach, and, by doing so, we help humans. While the owner had reached out to us this morning to help her horse, I think she may have been reaching out for herself as well. I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that Nellie is ok, her human is ok and now knows she has other humans she can call upon for help, if needed. And we know that with help from others, when the time is right, we will find Nellie a good forever home – hopefully, a home where the current owner can visit with Nellie for the rest of her days.
Have a good night everyone. Here’s Nellie and her comfort blanket.
Edit to add: The owner and I did, in fact, talk about options in regards to getting Nellie another goat, donkey, etc. but today was not the day to make decisions – it was a day for acceptance. Tonight is the first night in 12 years that the owner and Nellie are without their goat friend – I’m keeping them in my prayers.
April 1st
I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about Nellie and her owner and the loss of their goat. We had talked about options yesterday, but decided it wasn’t a good time to make any decisions. Late in the morning, a call to check on everyone and the mention of a new goat friend sparked interest. Late this afternoon, with the help of others, we raised $90 and a cute little goat (named Cutie Pie by her new owner) is now Nellie’s newest friend! Nellie and her human mom gave Cutie Pie time to wander around and get used to being in a new place. Nellie is very happy, Nellie’s human mom is very happy, and even Cutie Pie is very happy! When I left, Nellie and Cutie Pie were happily walking and grazing together. Nellie’s human mom and I hugged, she thanked me with happy tears in her eyes. I told her the gift of Cutie Pie was from a Village of people that care. God bless you all! It may seem like a little thing to some, but to me, seeing Nellie and her human mom happy with a new goat friend made me feel so very proud of Beauty’s Haven and what we do!!!
“Hello there!”
I’m sure Nellie will always remember her goat friend she lost yesterday. But today, we took her a new friend. Here’s Nellie and Cutie Pie.
They were so cute – once we let them go, Cutie Pie ran over to the other side of the tree. Nellie never took her eyes off of Cutie Pie. Then Nellie walked over to Cutie Pie and they looked at each other like, "Ok, this is good! This will work!"
Big day tomorrow – Oscar is being gelded! He’s had a big growth spurt!
April 2nd
Betsy Rose asked Freckles to keep Oscar company. Oscar is no longer intact.
Such a handsome horse. Working Magics mane and tail this morning. The Mane-ly products work so great!
Look who is "Miss April!" Cookie is the pinup girl for April in the Equine Cancer Society’s calendar! Prayers for Cookie to beat her cancer.
Remember Rayo? His first show today – he got a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!!
Betsy Rose – ‘Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry’
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.
