05/22/12
It is with a very, very heavy heart that I post this update. Smarty Pants crossed Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. She had been improving, or so we thought. We knew she could take a turn for the worse at any given time. Infection and damage to internal organs had been a concern since day one. While edema in her front legs today had decreased it became significantly worse elsewhere. Dr. Ryan examined her, gave us his prognosis, and ran more blood work to confirm what he suspected and it wasn’t good. Verbatim from Dr. Ryan. “Her body was shutting down – resulting in poor tissue perfusion (blood supply to the muscles). All of this caused tissue necrosis – basically like gangrene. She may have lasted another day or two but it would have been pure hell. No doubt you made the right decision.”
While she surprised us with a short walk on her own in the sling today (with us humans by her) we didn’t know it would be her last. You can see in her eyes she wasn’t feeling well. We would not allow her to suffer – we promised her this from the start.
This little filly that captured so many hearts would have been one year old tomorrow. It just isn’t fair – I don’t know why things like this happen. I don’t understand it. I could go on and on with my thoughts about this but I won’t – at least not at this time. Today has been hell and mentally and emotionally overwhelming. And I’m not feeling the loss alone. My family, including our volunteers, feel it too – we all loved her terribly. We took turns sitting with her and caring for her – even through the nights. We love you Smarty Pants – you mattered to so many but we loved you enough to let you go. We will always love you. Now you fly with angel wings – until we meet again on the other side of The Bridge – know you are in our hearts, always.
And with tears still fresh we welcomed baby donkey. She was very hungry when she arrived and didn’t hesitate taking a bottle. Lacey has been providing some milk and we have milk replacer – the baby will isn’t picky and will drink either source.
Dr. Ryan had a very hard time getting the catheter into her vein in order to run the plasma.
She is currently sleeping – something she needed badly.
She’s had a tough start in life but like Smarty Pants she arrived with light in her eyes that we pray will shine brighter with each passing day. When Pam went to pick her up she found her standing between two pine trees, shaking – we were having a really bad storm. Her mom was off elsewhere. I wonder what this little one thought? But she is here now and she will have a full tummy all night long and she won’t be alone.
And tomorrow is another day. I don’t know what it has in store for us but there is already a void – Smarty Pants had become a part of all of us. We did everything we could to help her and she knows she was loved. She didn’t die in the sand and sun – alone or afraid. She was surrounded by love. While I will never stop believing in miracles and had prayed hard for one with Smarty – I have to think God had other plans for her and we are not to question that but rather accept it. Yes, she would have been one year old tomorrow – a day that won’t come for her on this earth. Each day we had with her was a gift – a blessing. And when I look up to the sky tonight and see a bright shining star I will think of her – I know she knows she is loved. And even though she runs with the heavenly herd she is still with us. She will always be with us. God bless all of you for caring about this little girl – our little Smarty Pants.
Run with the angels sweet girl – we are so very proud of you and how hard you fought for life. You are, and always be, an inspiration to me and your eyes are etched into my heart forever.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
New Star in the Sky Tonight and Orphan Baby Donkey – 05/22/12
05/22/12
It is with a very, very heavy heart that I post this update. Smarty Pants crossed Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. She had been improving, or so we thought. We knew she could take a turn for the worse at any given time. Infection and damage to internal organs had been a concern since day one. While edema in her front legs today had decreased it became significantly worse elsewhere. Dr. Ryan examined her, gave us his prognosis, and ran more blood work to confirm what he suspected and it wasn’t good. Verbatim from Dr. Ryan. “Her body was shutting down – resulting in poor tissue perfusion (blood supply to the muscles). All of this caused tissue necrosis – basically like gangrene. She may have lasted another day or two but it would have been pure hell. No doubt you made the right decision.”
While she surprised us with a short walk on her own in the sling today (with us humans by her) we didn’t know it would be her last. You can see in her eyes she wasn’t feeling well. We would not allow her to suffer – we promised her this from the start.
This little filly that captured so many hearts would have been one year old tomorrow. It just isn’t fair – I don’t know why things like this happen. I don’t understand it. I could go on and on with my thoughts about this but I won’t – at least not at this time. Today has been hell and mentally and emotionally overwhelming. And I’m not feeling the loss alone. My family, including our volunteers, feel it too – we all loved her terribly. We took turns sitting with her and caring for her – even through the nights. We love you Smarty Pants – you mattered to so many but we loved you enough to let you go. We will always love you. Now you fly with angel wings – until we meet again on the other side of The Bridge – know you are in our hearts, always.
And with tears still fresh we welcomed baby donkey. She was very hungry when she arrived and didn’t hesitate taking a bottle. Lacey has been providing some milk and we have milk replacer – the baby will isn’t picky and will drink either source.
Dr. Ryan had a very hard time getting the catheter into her vein in order to run the plasma.
She is currently sleeping – something she needed badly.
She’s had a tough start in life but like Smarty Pants she arrived with light in her eyes that we pray will shine brighter with each passing day. When Pam went to pick her up she found her standing between two pine trees, shaking – we were having a really bad storm. Her mom was off elsewhere. I wonder what this little one thought? But she is here now and she will have a full tummy all night long and she won’t be alone.
And tomorrow is another day. I don’t know what it has in store for us but there is already a void – Smarty Pants had become a part of all of us. We did everything we could to help her and she knows she was loved. She didn’t die in the sand and sun – alone or afraid. She was surrounded by love. While I will never stop believing in miracles and had prayed hard for one with Smarty – I have to think God had other plans for her and we are not to question that but rather accept it. Yes, she would have been one year old tomorrow – a day that won’t come for her on this earth. Each day we had with her was a gift – a blessing. And when I look up to the sky tonight and see a bright shining star I will think of her – I know she knows she is loved. And even though she runs with the heavenly herd she is still with us. She will always be with us. God bless all of you for caring about this little girl – our little Smarty Pants.
Run with the angels sweet girl – we are so very proud of you and how hard you fought for life. You are, and always be, an inspiration to me and your eyes are etched into my heart forever.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Smarty and baby donkey
Please everyone say prayers and send good thoughts for Smarty. She walked, under her own accord, several feet in the barn paddock this morning. The sling was there to support her but us humans stood back and watched her move on her own – it was a first! It did exhaust her but her attitude is positive. Dr. Ryan did come out to examine her wounds and to debride them – we have been concerned about infection from the very beginning. He is running more blood tests – the next 24 hours are critical. This is a setback but we’re not giving up yet.
We got a call not long ago about a baby donkey that has been rejected by the mom. The baby was born yesterday evening and the mom didn’t let the baby nurse nor would she let humans nurse her – she just wants to kick. I called Pam to go check out the situation and she is now on her way back here with the baby. She confirmed that mom wanted nothing to do with the baby or humans. The best thing we can do now is to get plasma into the baby and pray it’s not too late. Dr. Ryan will be back to run plasma to the baby. Please pray for this little one. I’ll update when I can. We had a horrible storm and are without power. Pam said the baby was soaking wet and shivering – standing between two pine trees when she got there. Mom was off and about and wanted nothing to do with the baby.
Again, please pray for these precious ones and us humans that are trying our best to do what is best for them. I had a little accident with the hoist on the sling today and may have fractured my little finger. Once we get the babies taken care of today I’ll try to get to the hospital for x-rays. I did get ice on the fingers almost immediately so the swelling isn’t too bad. In any event, we just simply need prayers and good thoughts and the wisdom to do the right things and make the right decisions for these babies. Thank you.
Also – if anyone would like to help with the vetting (including plasma) costs for the baby donkey please let us know. It isn’t going to be inexpensive. We’ll worry about funds later – right now we just want to get the plasma into the baby ASAP. Dr. Ryan and the baby should be here in the next 20 minutes.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Smarty Update 05/20/12
Just a quick update to let everyone know that Smarty Pants is doing ok. She does have diarrhea that is likely caused by medications but it’s being treated. It does take quite a bit of extra time to keep her backside clean but it’s worth it. J
Her attitude is bright and positive although her appetite today wasn’t as good today as it has been. She did get outside in the sling today and grazed under the shade of a tree (with help from us humans). Her open injuries are treated throughout the day/night and she is great about it. Her temperature has remained in the normal range.
It’s really nice to hear her whinny – when she does I always imagine her saying “Thank you for helping me to live – I can do it!”
Thank you all for thinking about her and please continue to keep her in your prayers. I’ll post a more detailed update tomorrow with pictures. God bless and have a great night!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Smarty Pants and Peggy Sue – 05/19/17
05/19/12
Dr. Das worked on Smarty Pants yesterday. She was amazed at how bright her eyes and attitude are despite her condition. Smarty will need additional treatments.
Yesterday we found Peggy Sue with what we thought were ant bites and she was given some Banamine. Late yesterday evening we found her down and looking like she was colicing – the lumps from the bites had multiplied and looked a lot worse. Checking her over, we found a very piece of wood lodged deep in her neck. It appears that she’d rubbed against the shelter to scratch the bites and that is where the sliver of wood came from. She was so swollen – even her face. I called Dr. Ryan and he advised me what to do. I got the wood out in a quick pull and gave her some medications. She got a good bath and spent the night in a stall keeping everyone awake with her whinnies. She doesn’t like to be stalled. She is better this am.
The piece of wood.
Have a great day everyone. Smarty’s hoist is being modified today and once done it will allow her to move about freely in her sling. We did get her out yesterday for a short walk in the grass and she enjoyed that but tired quickly.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Smarty Pants Update 05/17/12
Smarty Pants did ok today. She is eating and drinking fine. She is a trouper about getting her injuries treated – the wounds are no worse so that is a good thing. Her temperature was up a bit today but is back down in the normal range tonight. Smarty Pants went for a very short walk today – a few steps. Tomorrow she’ll be treated by Dr. Das. If Smarty is up for it – Laura will be here on Saturday for a hooficure – her toes are very long which hinders her walking. She is still weak but at least strong enough to stand on her own for period of time – but she does tire quickly. But the sling is there for her if she needs it – and she does.
She’s come a long ways in just a couple of days. She has a long way to go but each day she will get stronger. We are thinking only positive thoughts and I pray constantly. She will recover – she has a huge love for life. The first picture below was taken before we loaded her to bring her to the rescue two days ago. The next after arrival at the rescue – getting an IV by Dr. Ryan.
Yesterday – we had just rolled her over.
And today.
If you’ve emailed and I haven’t responded yet please know that your email is important to me – I’ve just had little time in the office. As usual – there are not enough hours in a day – getting this update out was even tough but I want to keep everyone updated on Smarty Pants and her progress. But going to take a hot shower and going to bed is very appealing and I’m looking forward to it! Have a good night everyone!
PS – I hope to update about others here over the weekend. I will say that MoonShadow is doing very well. I let him out around the house with Little E a couple of days ago and he totally enjoyed it! He ran all around, kicked up his heels, and had a good time. Not sure Little E appreciated it but he tolerated it. J
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Smarty Pants – Graphic at bottom of update
It was a long and tiring day but a good one. Bob had to go to Jacksonville to get the sling and hoist and once he got back he had to make a few mods to it. Smarty tried a couple of times to get up but she couldn’t and we simply could not lift her again – we knew the sling was key. She seemed more tired today but that was understandable – she went through a lot yesterday. Being put on a stretcher, loaded into a trailer (especially when her initial experience with loading into a trailer was a horror story), a road trip to the rescue, meeting new people, being examined and treated by Dr. Ryan, sleeping in a new place with new horse friends.
I have to share this picture of Lacey – this is how she watched Smarty after she arrived at the rescue – she knew the little one wasn’t in a good way. Lacey seemed very concerned.
I have to add that little Dora is doing better each day – those back hips/legs are getting stronger and stronger. She now thinks the birthing stall is the Indy 500 Speedway. I keep telling her she’s not supposed to be running around and she just looks at me and takes off again!
Smarty slept more today – she likely needed the rest. Although, she did seem to brighten up and beam after I brushed her mane. I laid the brush on a bag of shavings and she must have wanted me to keep brushing because she picked it up with her teeth and dropped at my knees. Yep, she has us trained. Graphic picture of sores is below this one.
The sores at her elbows would get worse each time we’d have to turn her over no matter how we treated them. She has a long way to go. Infection is a concern and you can see why. These sores came about from her struggling in the sand trying to get up before we got her. The left one is the worst but both are bad.
I didn’t realize how tall Smarty Pants was until she stood up in the sling this evening!
I’m calling it a day – have to get to physical therapy myself in the morning. Jenny will be spending the night with Smarty Pants and Marie and Aima will be here to relieve her in the morning along with Bob. It was a physically hard working day but with the help of others we met our goal of getting Smarty into her sling. And I want to thank everyone for all of your support – prayers, donations, emails, etc. It takes a lot of things coming together to make a goal a success sometimes. By working together we are most effective in helping horses. Please continue to pray for Smarty and that her open wounds heal without complication and that all of her injuries heal and that she can soon run and play like a yearling should. There is a lot of swelling in her legs – especially the front right. We’ll be working on that and more tomorrow.
Have a great night everyone! Look at those loving and thankful eyes that are full of life!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
SMARTY PANTS
Never give up and always believe…
I believe in miracles and nobody, ever, can take that away from me – this is what Beauty’s Haven is about. Smarty Pants clearly said she needed help and didn’t want to give up. And it’s because of faith and support from others – we are. God bless you all.
Smarty Pants has a long way to go on her road to recovery and where the path may lead we don’t know – but for now she is happy and content. And for now we let go and let God. And I give thanks…
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Filly – our little Smarty Pants!
Ok, our little filly has a name – Smarty Pants! And smart she is – she’s learned how to get us to respond to her every request! She lets us know when she wants to sit up. She uses her nose to point to the water bucket when she wants to drink. She helps us when we need to roll her over. She really wants to get up. We got her up twice through the night but the sling we have is too big for her and rubbed the open sores on her elbows. The sores are from her trying to get up before we picked her up. They are being treated often and around the clock. I’m very pleased that her temperature is normal. It was spiking at about 102 yesterday.
I called the company that made the sling that we have and they have a sling designed to better fit her and it has a hoist – we won’t have to physically pick her up and when in the sling she will be able to walk around. When she lays down we just lower it and the sling stays under her. I haven’t seen it yet but Bob is on his way to Jacksonville to pick it up. It cost a bit but we will be able to use it not only on Smarty but with Peggy Sue too – she has to be in a sling for her hooficures.
I’ll update again later – need to get changed and back to the barn. We had a really good rain which we needed. Please keep Smarty in your prayers. It’s imperative that we get her up and into the sling – I’m anxious for the sling to get here. God bless – thank you all for caring and for your support. Smarty thanks you too!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Filly Update
She’s still with us. Her temp is normal. She’s eating and drinking. Please keep her in your prayers. She still has lots of light in her eyes – there is still hope.
Filly Update with Pics
A quick update – must get back to the barn.
A little prayer upon arrival and before trying to get her on the trailer. She’d been down since Thursday. With help from humans she did get up twice but didn’t stay up long.
Getting the stretcher prepared.
Sores from trying to get up. There is also a lot of swelling – edema.
Success in getting on the trailer. Just look at those eyes – there is hope.
At the rescue and waiting on Dr. Ryan who got there within about 10 minutes. You can see spark in her eyes. She is trying, she really is.
Just before Dr. Ryan arrived.
Dr. Ryan examining her.
Dr. Ryan wasn’t so sure she’d be able to get up – she hadn’t been up in over 2 days. But here, we believe…
It took a lot of physical help and prayers but with help she did get up.
And she did walk into her stall with support under her.
While she didn’t stay up long that’s ok – she was exhausted from what she did do. Sometimes you have to resign yourself to take baby steps to get to where you need to be. Being down for all but about 4 hours of the last 6 days – I’m amazed at her will power. But I will say she is tired and frustrated. Her temperature is high. She is getting antibiotics too. She won’t be able to stay in a sling but the sling is critical to her staying up for periods of time. When down we will be turning her every few hours. She’s got a long road ahead of her but she is young and truly wants to live. All of us are amazed at her obvious desire to live. She is eating and drinking.
Dr. Ryan ran fluids. She got DMSO and other medications. I knew going into this it would be a lot of work and take a lot of time to care for her around the clock but we are her last hope. And if it isn’t meant to be at least we know we tried. We won’t allow her to suffer – but she clearly hasn’t given up yet and neither have we. She is now resting while we are getting the sling set up. She needs her strength in order to help us get her back up and into the sling.
For those that have pledged – I truly don’t have any idea how much we have in vet and related bills at this point or what is ahead of us. I won’t be able to check emails to respond to any until tomorrow – but please know that I appreciate all of your support. If anyone would like to call donations in to the vet’s office directly the number is 352-237-6151. God bless and please keep this little one in your prayers – as well as us caregivers. She just has to make it – she’ll be a year old on May 23rd.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org