Jo loaded like a champion and unloaded just fine too. She’s a 35 years young QH mare that’s likely, a “been there, done that,” type of horse. I don’t know how much longer she would have lasted and yes, reaching out for help should have come sooner, but she’s here now and she has a chance. Please keep Jo in your prayers. She’s truly a very sweet and kind old soul.


Jo’s First Meal

It’s always very gratifying to watch a horse enjoy their first meal here. The look on their face is priceless and it reassures us that we are making a difference. And we are only able to do what we do because of help from others – we operate totally from donations. So, know that all of you are making an incredible difference in Jo’s life. We don’t know if Jo has days, weeks, months, or hopefully, many years left on this earth, but we do know that she will get the best of care in her sunset years.

We have had many calls about horses that need help lately and the cold season isn’t even upon us yet. Hay is expensive here and the calls for help always increase when the grass goes dormant – many people just can’t afford needed hay and the horses suffer. Sadly, we expect the number of calls will only increase over the next couple of months.


Skin on Bones

Jo’s vetting will soon be done (including bloodwork), to identify issues, including if there is damage to her organs. Weight loss can be due to dental issues, chronic infection, parasites, cancer, or other issues or a combination of issues. When a body starves, it feeds off its own fat, then muscle, then organs and once a horse reaches a body condition score (BCS) of 1, its prognosis for recovery is very poor – Jo’s BCS is 1. Other than being skin on bones, her skin is unhealthy with open sores, and she needs to see the dentist and the farrier.


The “Other Two” Horses

We weren’t planning on taking in any horses for awhile, our paddocks are full and resources are very tight, but this mare needed help and it was obvious that time was of the essence. There are two other horses where Jo came from – a mare that is somewhat underweight and a gelding that is slightly underweight. We need to find a good home for the other mare – we’ll be working on that. We’re not 100% sure if this will change, but the gelding isn’t looking for a home at this time. However, in the meantime, we want to take 2 salt blocks and 2 large compressed bales (est. 800 lbs each) of hay to the 2 horses on Monday. They live in separate paddocks and can’t share a bale. This will cost at least $210 but the hay should last at least 2 to 3 weeks. If anyone can help with hay for the other 2 horses, please designate your donation for “The Other 2.”

Also, the farrier is coming on Monday to do several horses and we need help with that as well. If you would like to help any of the horses with their hooficures, please note that your donation is for “hooficures.”

Jo is also in need of sponsors so it you would like to help Jo, please note “Jo” on your donation. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. Donations are tax-deductible and no amount is ever too small.

Many thanks to everyone – you are all amazing and we truly appreciate you!

We posted on Facebook earlier this afternoon that we were seeking sponsors to help us help a sweet Quarter Horse mare. Although we did not garner a sufficient number of sponsors, time was of the essence and she was transported to Beauty’s Haven earlier this evening. Her name is Jo and she is still in need of sponsors. Jo will need a complete exam including bloodwork, as well as have her teeth and feet done. When she is strong enough, she will then need vaccinations etc. Jo’s initial expenses will be great, and we will need assistance with her ongoing and long term care expenses as well, however long that may be. Ideally, we would like to receive enough commitments from our supporters to sponsor her care for several months. Lots of little bits add up!

Would anyone like to make a one time donation or sign up to be a monthly sponsor for Jo’s care? Donations are tax-deductible and no amount is ever too small. There are many ways in which to donate. You may donate via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. Please note that your donation is for “Jo.”

Thank you, all, for your love & support. Please keep sweet Jo in your prayers.

Donate Now


Hi Everyone!

The look on Domino’s face last evening when she learned the hay trailer was empty and there was only enough remaining to fill the hay bags for today, was priceless!

But do not despair, Domino, two wonderful ‘Aunties’ have joined forces and are offering a Match Game, whereby, all donations up to $500 will be matched dollar for dollar!

We hope to raise $710 for one large compressed bale of orchard/alfalfa mix plus one ton of orchard hay. Daddy Bob hopes to get to the hay store by early afternoon, so if anyone would like to help with this need, we would be forever grateful!

There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website, or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no donation is ever too small.

Thank you!

Hi Everybody!

“When I first came to the rescue, it was very hard for me, most of the time, when I tried to lay down or walk. If you click on the image of me above, you will see a video of my first days at the rescue. But at least I had been able to get to the milk bar after I was born with a little help from my mommy. Dr. Sonday said, most babies born with issues like mine don’t live. But, well, don’t you know? I never give up! We got a wheelchair to help me get around better and to get stronger and more coordinated. I’ll share a video of that as well.”

Hope’s Sling

“I also had a sling that I could stand up in without worrying about my balance and falling over. I was supposed to use it to help me get stronger. But there was a little problem – all I wanted to do in it was rest and relax! But it was ok, the humans would stretch my legs out and massage them, and my shoulders and hips too, and it felt pretty good.”

Hope’s Walkin’ Wheels

“How do you like my pink wheelchair? It helped me to go places all by myself without falling down! Like all by myself – just watch me move about by clicking on the above image! My wheelchair was supposed to help me get stronger, and help my balance and coordination, but there was a little problem. One day, I fell asleep in it and the back straps popped off. All of a sudden, I was up sitting on the ground with my front legs pointed up in the air. Jerry said I looked like a cow getting ready to jump over the moon! After that, mommy Theresa kept all of the straps off because she was afraid I’d get hurt in it if I fell asleep again and nobody was right there with me to help me. Then the humans started using my wheelchair to nudge me along from behind to walk and that works pretty good except I can’t lounge in it anymore.”

When the world whispers, “Give up,”
Hope whispers, “Let’s try it one more time.”

Hi Everybody!

“It’s true that I’m a little slower at many things than most calves my age, but I finally have Chapter 3 of my life story ready to share! In Chapter 2, I told you about my Dynasplints and Silver Whinnys’ Sox. The splints helped my legs to not criss-cross so much and I can walk better. We’ve been doing a lot of PT which helps me learn better balance and coordination.

After my splints came, we did PT everyday but even after a short walk, I’d get tired and want to rest on my knees or lay on my bed. Did I tell you about my bed? I think I did. Well, I still love my bed but it’s getting a bit worn out. It’s comfy and it’s my home base. When we do PT and I walk, someone puts my bed on the ground where I’m supposed to walk to and that’s where I try to go. But at first, on most days, it was so hot – all I really wanted to do was lay on my bed in the grass on the little hill by the barn. But in the evenings, when it was cooler, we did a bit more PT and it wasn’t as bad, but I’d still get tired.

Hope Learns About Betsy Rose

Volunteers and visitors came to visit with me each day and Kitty Cat still hung out with me. Freckles and Jerry told me stories about Betsy Rose almost nightly. Did you know that we have a lot in common? Like the sling – let me tell you about the sling! Freckles said Betsy liked her sling and did you know she lived in it, around the clock, for two months before she was strong enough to walk on her own? Freckles said, sometimes, after Betsy was strong enough to walk on her own, she would walk to her sling and look at mommy Theresa and, somehow, mommy Theresa knew Betsy wanted to get in it. Betsy Rose liked it because she could get good REM sleep, whatever that is, without worrying about falling down. It helped mommy Theresa to worry less – she didn’t want to take any risks with Betsy Rose – she loved her to the moon and back! Sometimes, when Betsy would nap in her sling, she’d go into REM sleep, and her little legs would run like she was running a race and she’d make cute little noises like she was having a blast. I’ll ask mommy Theresa to share a video of it – she tried to show it to me one day when it was raining and we were bored in my suite but I couldn’t see it very well. Anyway, Betsy’s sling was a bit big for me, even though she was a little pony, so I got my own smaller sling, but I still didn’t care for it – it just didn’t fit my body right – I’m shaped a little different than most baby cows. Whenever I was in the sling, my front legs wanted to go straight out in front of me and Jerry said I looked like a cow getting ready to jump over the moon!

Hope’s Walkin’ Wheels

Dr. Julia kept doing acupuncture and Raindrop Therapy on me and sometimes, mommy Theresa used a red light thing on my knees. Humans still helped me up much of the time, and I tried to walk, but I still wasn’t very good at it and I got tired easily. Every now and then, mostly at night, I’d get up on my own and go walking. It would freak mommy Theresa out on mornings when she’d go to the barn and I wasn’t where I was supposed to be!

To help me stay up longer and walk further, and to help my coordination, I got my very own wheelchair! The humans wouldn’t leave me in it very long – when I got tired we’d head towards my bed and I’d get to rest but we tried to increase the amount of time I was in it by a little each day. One day, when I was in my wheelchair, I dozed off and can you guess what happened? The back straps popped off and I ended up sitting on my butt and my front legs were pointing up in the air – they were still kind of strapped in! Jerry said I looked like a cow getting ready to jump over the moon again and that the look on mommy Theresa’s face was priceless! After that, I didn’t get strapped in anymore. Instead, humans put the wheelchair around me, like I was in it but without the support straps, and they nudged me from behind to get me to move forward. It worked ok, but I still didn’t have much energy. We tried to do a little more walking at night and I got a little bit stronger.

And then one day, guess who I met? Uncle Andrew! He’s pretty cool and he gives me hooficures! He says if he took me home, the Mrs. would take me in the house because I’m way too cute! He trimmed all four of my feet a little bit and it didn’t hurt at all. He says its important that my feet stay balanced to help me walk better.

Another Visit with Dr. Sonday

Mommy Theresa was worried about me being tired so much and called Dr. Sonday to come out to see me. I was happy to see Dr. Sonday again – we’re good friends! She listened to my heart and lungs and my tummy and said they were normal and that I was bright and alert. She was glad to see that my legs were a little better. I was laying down when she got here, but then I stood up for her, all on my own, so she could see that I can do it. But I only walked a few feet and got on my knees – it was very hot that day and I was really tired. Dr. Sonday went to her truck to get something, so I laid down. When she got back, she did that “poke me in the neck thing” that Dr. Bullock did to me to do blood tests. She said she’d find out if I needed more vitamins and minerals or if there was something else going on. Just before Dr. Sonday left, she gave me a shot of something which didn’t feel good, but it was something she said I needed, so it was ok. A few days later, Dr. Sonday called mommy Theresa and gave her some instructions which included giving me B12 injections.

Pretty in Pink

Over the next few days, I started to feel better. I felt so much better that mommy Theresa added a challenge to my PT routine. She started putting my meals in a dish that was a little bit high off the ground so that I had to stand up to be able to eat! A couple of weeks later, did you know that I got a pretty pink halter? I didn’t really like to wear it at first, but I got used to it. And then I learned a game called “follow the feed tub” and it seems like the walk to the tub gets longer and longer!

By then it was almost June and one day aunt Becky brought me the coolest gift but I’m going to save that story for the next chapter – I’ve got to get back to PT! I’ll ask mommy Theresa to post some photos and video, ok?

Everyone take care and stay tuned for Chapter 4!”

Love,

Hope

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers “Try it one more time.”

 

Hey Everyone!

All the humans here at the farm are busy taking care of my horse and donkey friends, Hope the baby cow, and the cats and dogs, so I thought I would try to help raise funds for this week’s Hay and Forage Run. We only have enough hay to last the day, so we hope to raise $610 for a ton of 3 string orchard hay and $154 for 7 bags of Triple Crown Forage. We also need to order vaccines to help keep all of equines here at the rescue healthy and happy. We need two ten-dose vials of 5-way vaccines at a cost of $240 per vial. If anyone would like to help with these needs ($1224), we would be forever grateful!

A wonderful friend and supporter has also come forth to offer a Match Game whereby all donations up to $250 will be matched dollar for dollar so this is a great opportunity to double your donation!

There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay/Vaccines Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no donation is ever too small.

Thank you!

Love,
Mishka

Hi Everybody!

I’ve been working on Chapter Two of my story a little bit here and there. I tried to keep it shorter than Chapter One, but there is so much to tell!

I settled in here at the rescue and met so many great people. Freckles told me that some of the people are volunteers and they come to help because they have good hearts and want to make a difference. They make sure I have hay and fresh water all day long. I also had my very own little salt block – I’d never had one of those before. I was offered milk, too, but I didn’t like it – it didn’t taste like my mommy’s.

The humans became worried about me getting dehydrated, and not getting enough nutrition, so Mommy Theresa took me back to Dr. Bullock’s so he could give me electrolytes and other stuff through a tube. Oh, he gave me a shot of something too, but thankfully, it didn’t hurt much. I was so happy when I heard Dr. Bullock say to Mommy Theresa, “This calf should make it. I think she’ll be just fine, but I think it’s just going to take some time.” Mommy Theresa then got me a different kind of milk which tasted much better and when I drank it all up, that made me and my humans very happy!

I stayed out in the grass under a big shady tree by the barn except for when it rained and then I’d go to my suite in the barn. Kitty Cat came to visit me a lot and at night Max (he’s a big dog) was always close by to make sure we were all safe and that everything was okay.


Hope’s Care Team

Did you know that I have my very own care team? Well, I do! I met more vets that are on on my team – Dr. Sonday, Dr. Simonson, and Dr. Mangan. They’re all super! Dr. Sonday is awesome and she listens to my heart and lungs and makes sure that I’m happy and healthy – she loves me to pieces! Dr. Simonson (we call her Dr. Julia) treats me often with acupuncture and Raindrop Therapy which I really like. Dr. Mangan is really cool and when he checked out my eyes we found out why I couldn’t see – I have cataracts and something called iris hypoplasia. But did you know that as I grow, my eyes will get a little bigger than the cataracts, and I might be able to see better?

When my care team met to come up with a plan for me, I learned about some of the things that make me special. A couple of the words I heard were “Dwarfism” and “neurological.” I’ll try to explain some of the things as best as I can without the big words, okay?


Perfectly Imperfect

I’ve always had a hard time getting up from laying down and, once up, when I’d try to walk, my legs would get tangled up and I’d fall down. I had contracted tendons but there was more to it that I couldn’t explain to my humans because they don’t speak baby cow language – I wanted to tell them that I didn’t really know where my legs were or what they were doing. But now we know that my movements are a bit challenging, not just because of contracted tendons, but also because there’s something wrong with my sense of movement and effort – it’s called proprioception. It’s supposed to tell me where my body is in space but it doesn’t work right for me. Sometimes, when I’d fall down, I’d be so disoriented that I didn’t know what was up or what was down and I’d have trouble righting myself. But it never scared me – I knew I had to be somewhere. My eyes also sometimes roll downward and sometimes I’d look up like I was star gazing but I wasn’t because I couldn’t see anything but darkness. Sometimes, I’d suddenly jump without thinking about it or my muscles would twitch. My short legs aren’t exactly straight and my bones and muscles don’t look like those on most cows. I’m small and weigh much less than other calves my age. I’ve only grown three inches longer, and taller, since I’ve been here at the rescue.

But you know what’s kinda cool? Mommy Theresa told me that she had a spinal cord injury years ago and that she has no proprioception below her neck. She doesn’t know where her legs are either so she knows kind of what it’s like for me! She said doctors told her she’d never walk again but she believed she could, and she did! It took her time to learn how to walk, and do normal things again, but she did it! She also said that she believes in me and for me to never give up. That’s what my mommy used to say! I miss my mommy a lot. But, I now know if I had of stayed where me and my mommy lived, I would have been sent to Rainbow Bridge or been sold to a neighbor who wanted my hide. How could humans do that? My humans did check in on my mommy and said she’s okay. I’ll bet that she misses me, too.

I’m not made perfectly, but I’m perfectly loved and have been very blessed. Did you know most baby calves born with issues like mine are born dead, or don’t live long after they are born, or they are sent to Rainbow Bridge? There must be a reason that I lived, and for everything that’s happened to me. I really am special and I’m going to work hard to be the best that I can can be – I’m not going to give up! My care team is thankful that I’m not in pain, and that I have a positive attitude, which they said helps a lot. They believe I have a good chance of being able to live a good life!


Cuddle Buddies

Each day, humans helped me get up to do short walks but I wouldn’t stay up long. I’d get tired and lay down – it was just so hot that all I wanted to do was lay down and feel a breeze (I had my own fan). And when I laid down, humans would straighten my legs out and give me hay and water. Boo boos on my knees and chest, from before I came to the rescue, got treated and I’d get brushed which would put me to sleep! Jerry the Giraffe always kept me company and we even got a radio so we could listen to music! When it rained, I’d stay in my suite on a big, soft bed that I still really love.


Dynasplints & Silver Whinnys

One day, Mommy Theresa took me to meet another vet named Dr. Lugo. He was at a hospital where x-rays were done of my legs to see if something called Dynasplints would help me. After looking at my x-rays, Dr. Lugo said they might help! I also heard him say that if my knee needed help, sometime in the future, he could likely fix it!

A few days later, my Dynasplints arrived! Each day, boo boos on my knees got treated, my legs got wrapped with gauze and vet wrap, and then my splints were put on. It was strange at first – I had to learn how to walk in them. Mommy Theresa would pick up my front foot and put it out in front of me and say “walk”, and then she’d pick up the other front foot and put it out in front of me and say “walk”, and this made me want to move my back legs forward, too, and it worked! I was taking baby steps but I was walking and not falling down! It took me a bit to figure out how to lay down with the splints on, but I did it! I practiced walking each day but it was just so hot – I didn’t want to stay up long and I tired easily. But the days are getting cooler and that will help. I’ve got a lot of what my care team calls “physical therapy” to do but I believe I can do it! If you click on the picture above, you can see a video of me walking in my new Dynasplints!

One day, another package came with my name on it, from, “Sox for Horses.” I didn’t know why anyone would send me something for horses but I was excited! The package contained special socks from Uncle Raymond that I would wear under my braces. They kept my legs protected from the splints, helped the sores on my knees heal, and kept flies off my legs. It takes a lot less time for them to be put on than the wraps. They’re called “Silver Whinnys” and they’re awesome!


Selfie Time

Did you know mommy Theresa likes to take selfies with me? She says she’s not very good at it though. Whatever selfies are, they must be funny because she always laughs and says that someday, she’ll get the hang of it.

I’m going to end this chapter now. I’ll be working on Chapter Three over the next few days and you’ll learn all about my wheels and how they helped me to get MOOOVING!

Love,
Hope

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to provide an update on Frodo but he’s doing much better after having taken an indirect lightning strike just over a year ago.

Unfortunately, the same thing happened to a very special Arabian mare named Victoria, a few years ago, so we had better knowledge and experience of what to expect with Frodo.  Sadly, we did lose Victoria to founder (due to the strike) after many months of her giving it all she had to overcome.  But in the end, she foundered and was a sinker – we loved her enough to let her go.

The two biggest concerns with Frodo were neurological damage and founder.  After the strike, Frodo was in a fog for the first few days and he didn’t want to move about much.  We observed him constantly and took precautionary measures to help prevent founder, but the damage had already been done – both front feet rotated about 4 degrees.  We continued to ice his feet and he received acupuncture.  He had many abscesses in his front feet for quite a while.  The farrier made a special pair of shoes (clogs) for him that helped Frodo quite a bit.

After a few months, the abscessing cleared up and Frodo finally became more mobile.  However, his backend still doesn’t know where it is (a proprioception issue due to neurological damage) and he walks somewhat robotically.  Mentally, he’s doing fine.  He lives around the barn, has his own stall, and loves to help clean the feed tubs each day. We don’t have a paddock in which to put him where he wouldn’t be chased by others, but he has access to a small paddock behind the barn. He seems to be quite content being the ‘King of the Barn’ and all of the humans simply adore him.

It’s been a bit stressful these last few days preparing for Hurricane Dorian. Jazzy made sure everyone had their ID collars and halters on and our phone number written on one of their hooves.

Fortunately, with its change of direction, Dorian didn’t have a direct impact on us. We did experience heavy rains, but that’s much better than being directly in Dorian’s path.

It was a huge relief, and blessing, to have been able to procure much needed propane, hay, grain, and medical and other supplies. We were running low on everything – especially propane and medical supplies. We lose power often due to the many storms that pass through – and there’s still a couple months left of the hurricane season. Any funds that were donated to help with hurricane needs, that have not been spent, will be put into an emergency account for the next time we need propane for the generators.

While we are very happy that the hurricane changed its course, we are very sad for those that have been impacted by Dorian. Our prayers go out to them.

We truly appreciate everyone’s support, very much. Our village is amazing – Thank you all!

Hey Everyone!

It’s me, Hope! Mommy Theresa is very busy taking care of me and all my horsey and donkey friends so I thought it would be nice to help her raise funds for our weekly Hay Run. Since we have just enough hay to last the night, Daddy Bob needs to go to the store tomorrow to purchase a ton of three string orchard hay which costs $610.  If anyone would like to help with this need, we would be forever grateful!

Contributions can be made via various secure means on our website, CLICK HERE. Please note in the ‘Comments’ section that your donation is for ‘Hay.’  All contributions are so greatly appreciated, and please be assured, that no amount is ever too small.

Thank you!

Love and kisses,
Baby Hope

When the world says, “Give up.”, Hope whispers “Try it one more time.”

#NeverGiveUp #believe #bhfer #follow #share #WhereThereIsLoveThereIsHope #CalfNamedHope