Did you know I’m a baby Tortie kitten that lives at the rescue now?

Yesterday there was lots of rain and thunder and lightning. Me, my sister, and my mommy were soaking wet and us kittens were cold. Mommy told us she had found a safe, dry place for us to go to but that she needed to carry us, one by one, across a road to get there. She nuzzled me and told me to stay put while she carried my sister across first and then she would be back to get me. It was raining sooooo hard.

I was a good girl and I waited and waited. I heard something – I thought it was mommy coming back but it was a human! He was holding my mommy – she looked like she was sleeping. He put her under a tree near me and he walked away.

I called for her but she didn’t answer so I crawled over and snuggled against her but she didn’t snuggle back. I didn’t hear a beating noise like I hear when we snuggle and that worried me. The man came back with my sister and did you know she looked like she was sleeping too? He laid her by my mommy and went away again. I cried for them but they didn’t answer and they looked different, something was wrong. The man came back, put something over them, and then picked me up and took me away and I just didn’t understand what was happening.

The next thing I knew, after a short time, the man gave me to a lady. He told her that my mommy and sister had been hit by a car and that I needed help.

I’m not sure what that meant but I didn’t think it was a good thing. The lady held me close and I heard a beating noise like I would hear when I snuggled with my mommy! The lady kissed me on my nose and told me I’d be ok and took me in a house and put me in a nice dry bed. She gave me milk – it wasn’t as good as my mommy’s but I was hungry. She also gave me a new friend named Snuggles – I like that name – it makes me think of my mommy and sister.

I heard someone say, “Uh oh, Mommy Theresa has a new baby!”

Did you know that for the first time in my life I went to bed without my mommy and sister last night? I thought about them a lot but I slept almost all night long. I did have my new friend, Snuggles, and I like her. She’s soft and cuddly and, sometimes when she’s near, I hear a beating noise like I heard when I’d snuggle with my mommy. I woke up this morning hungry and drank more milk. I think we are going on what mommy Theresa called an “adventure” to a vet’s office. I don’t know what that is but I’ll report back!

Oh, did you know that I have a name now? It’s Zoie!

I have some very sad news to share. I was alerted by a neighbor earlier this evening, that a feral Mama cat, together with one of her babies, was tragically hit by a car and sadly, both did not survive. The neighbor informed me that another kitten was found near her deceased Mama and sibling and asked if I could please come and get the baby. Once the baby was settled in, Bob and I returned to the place where she was found to make certain that no other kittens were left behind. After searching for nearly an hour, no additional kittens were found.

Baby appears to be a Tortie, and if so, she most undoubtedly is a female. She is snuggling in her cozy new blankets as we speak, and thanks to Bob who made a quick run to the store, she is all set with her milk replacer. I will be taking her to the vet in the morning for a complete examination and tests, so if anyone would like to make a pledge to assist with the baby’s forthcoming veterinary fees, we would be forever grateful. If you would prefer to make a donation at this time, you may do so by clicking on the ‘Donate’ button below.

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Thank you so very much for your love and support and please keep this precious little orphan kitten in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Miracles do happen at Beauty’s Haven!

Remember Spring, the mare who was brought to the rescue a few weeks ago? Watch the wonderful video above that was recorded just two weeks following Spring’s arrival at Beauty’s Haven. Since Spring’s quarantine period has ended, she was able to go out and make new friends. She has gained weight and is feeling good!!

Many thanks to our friends & supporters who have helped us, help Spring!

Wishing everyone a safe & happy Independence Day!

Sincerely,
Theresa

Last week Ruby, Frodo, Peaches and Beauty all got an acupuncture treatment. It was a special day – it was the first time I’d seen Elisabeth D’Agosto in a few years. She was a volunteer when she was a student at UF but now she’s Dr. Elisabeth D’Agosto! We’re very proud of her and her accomplishments. And we’re very blessed that she took precious time to come share her expertise with the horses. She will be here tomorrow too!

Sincerely,
Theresa & the ‘Velvet Nosers’

Prayers do get answered! We had several gallons of fly spray delivered on Thursday!
We truly needed this item so very badly.

Many, many, many, thanks to the awesome donor!

Warmly,
Theresa & the “Velvet Nosers”

Our raffle will be ending this evening at 6:00pm so this is your final opportunity to participate in this very special fundraiser where you could become the winner of a Deluxe Cotton Tote Bag, filled to the brim with Betsy Rose themed items which will most assuredly, make your heart sing!

For each suggested donation of $5 that is designated for ‘Betsy’s Raffle,’ you will receive one chance to become the lucky recipient of this wonderful collection. Donations may be forwarded via the ‘Donate’ button below.

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The following names have been entered thus far. Please advise via Email if you have purchased a ticket(s) and your name does not appear on the list below.

Polly W., Marilyn C., Cindy R., Kathy E., Leslie H., D Joann M., Cynthia B., CeCe L., Judy H., Patricia F., Katherine W., Pamela H., Sabra O.

Thank you!

This sweet mare arrived safely on Tuesday evening. Her name is Spring. Spring settled in quite nicely and was comfortable throughout her first night at the rescue. The vet did discover sand in her BM the day prior, so she was oiled. She has a good appetite, appears to be quite content, and her welts have thankfully, disappeared. I do wish she would drink more, but she is getting water in her soupy Fibre-Beet meals. The vet returned yesterday to do a complete physical examination (including blood tests) and I will keep everyone apprised as soon as we receive the results.

Many thanks to those who have helped with Spring’s expenses.

*Just a reminder for everyone to check your paddocks for creeping indigo. The vet walked Spring’s paddock yesterday and found some. Creeping indigo is toxic to horses – it can kill.

We have an emergency and we need to ask for assistance once again. We have been feeding three horses for about a week now – it is a very sad situation. We were hoping to find a good place for them to go versus coming here as we have no extra paddocks at this time.

But one of the horses, a mare, went down today. She is colicky with welts all over her body.

We had the vet out to treat her, but the vet stated that it would be in the mare’s best interest to bring her to Beauty’s Haven today – she needs to be monitored/treated 24/7.

We need assistance with today’s vet bill for this mare (and she needs sponsors for dental, farrier, etc.). She will also need a follow-up vet appointment (including bloodwork) within the next few days provided she doesn’t require a vet sooner. We also need immediate assistance to provide several days worth of hay for the other two horses as well as for future vetting needs, etc. At this moment, however, our focus is upon helping this precious mare.

If you would like to help, please click the donate button below, and you’ll have the option of making a one time contribution or signing up to become a recurring monthly donor. Please note that you can cancel a recurring donation at any time. Please indicate that your donation is for the ‘Chestnut Mare.’ If you’re not in a position to donate at this time, we completely understand but you can still help by sharing this need amongst family and friends!

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“Don’t give up just because of the obstacles. Regardless of what obstacles face you, just keep going! Go through, go around, or go over or under – but never give up!”

On June 14, 2013, a special little mare found her way to Beauty’s Haven and planted herself deep inside our heart and soul. She was literally at death’s door, but it wasn’t her time – God knew she had work to do on this earth and entrusted us with her care. She guided us on an incredible journey which led us to the realization that love truly is the most powerful spiritual force that exists. And that kind of love can lead to miracles. We accomplished what should have been impossible and ventured into a realm of supernatural wonder with Betsy Rose. She taught us perseverance, courage, compassion, patience, wisdom, to never give up, and to believe. You can learn more about Betsy Rose, including the day that she arrived, by viewing her story on our Blog.

In Celebration of Betsy Rose’s birthday this year, and to help support the horses in our care, we are offering a Deluxe Cotton Tote Bag, filled to the brim with Betsy Rose themed items which will most assuredly make your heart sing!

Included in the Tote Bag are the following items:

  • Magnetic Note Pad – 8 ½ x 3 ½, 50 sheets
  • Two Note Cards – 5 ½ x 4 ¼, vertical fold, blank inside
  • Christmas Gift Tags – 2 packs of 25/each
  • Mug – 11 oz
  • Key Ring

Starting immediately, for each suggested donation of $5 that is designated for “Betsy’s Raffle,” you will receive one chance to become the lucky recipient of this wonderful Tote Bag. Just click the button below!

A name will be selected at Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc., located in Morriston, FL, on 21 June 2020, at 6:00pm local time.

Thank you for your love and support!

The form is not published.

 

In mid-November we received a call about three horses that had been abandoned on foreclosed property. We had just taken in Dancer and Jo and had no plans to bring in more horses for the cold season – resources were very tight. But we had to do something so we went to work reaching out to others to see if we could find help for them. We were very blessed to find a great home for two of the horses.

The third horse, a mare named Bria who was almost 30 years old, would need special care so we decided she would live out her sunset years here at the rescue.

We promised Bria that we would do everything we could to make her comfortable for as long as possible. We also promised her that when she got to a point where her quality of life was not good, and there was nothing more we could do to help her, we would love her enough to let her go. She was quite thin and she had Cushing’s Disease along with degenerative suspensory ligament disease (DSLD). Unfortunately, there is no cure for DSLD – it progressively gets worse and, at some point, the horse’s quality of life declines to a point where the most humane thing to do is euthanasia. Bria’s coat was terribly unhealthy and her mane and tail hadn’t been brushed in years. Her teeth needed attention as well, as she had sharp points and waves. Her front feet were a mess – she had thin soles and coffin bone rotation (with bone loss) in both.

Fortunately, Bria was comfortable in Soft Ride boots. She wore them 24/7 and, at times, she could even be seen trotting around. She was a beautiful mare and had a way of communicating very well – I’m sure in her younger days she could be very opinionated, sassy, and a fireball of energy. Little E became Bria’s best friend and they could usually be found hanging out together under the Friendship Tree by our house or wandering about, grazing. Bria made other friends, too – Peggy Sue, Cricket, Tilly, Lucy, and even Nina would hang out with her. She also made friends with many humans – all of the volunteers truly loved her.

Over the last couple of weeks, Bria had been less active as were some of the other horses – we’d had some pretty high temps and humidity. But this past Friday morning, Bria didn’t want to move when I took breakfast to her.

She gave me a look that clearly said she needed help and she was resting her back left leg in an odd way. I can’t feel anything with my hands (due to my spinal cord injury) so I couldn’t tell if there was heat in her back foot and/or leg. I gave Bria pain meds and waited to see how she would respond. When she tried to walk, it was obvious that her back leg/foot had issues so we called the vet to come out to the farm.

Dr. Rigby found heat (increased pulses) not only in Bria’s back foot but also in both front feet. Bria was a horse trying to walk on one good foot and that is just not possible. Dr. Rigby advised the most humane thing to do would be to help Bria go to Rainbow Bridge.

Little E had stayed close to Bria all morning – I’m sure he knew what was happening. We let them have time together as Dr. Rigby got meds ready that would release Bria from her pain.

As much as it broke our hearts, we kept our promise to Bria to let her go when the time came. I prayed for a smooth transition and she did go peacefully – I stayed with her the entire time.

After awhile, I left Little E alone with Bria so he could have time to process what had happened. He’s up there in years (37) and sadly, he has had to say good-bye to many of his friends – I do worry about him.

I’m sure Cricket, Nina, and Bria met up at Rainbow Bridge where they now frolic in green grass free of pain. They will always be in my heart and I know we’ll meet them again someday. They were all loved and we were blessed to have them with us for as long as we did.

Thank you all for caring.

Sincerely,
Theresa