May 4th, 2017

There’s a new bright shining star in the sky tonight. Penny has joined our heavenly herd. She was blessed with so many humans who loved her. All three of her mom’s were with her when she went to Rainbow Bridge – Penelope, Theresa, and Elizabeth. And her human big sister, Bri, was there too. Penny was surrounded by love. But our hearts are broken.

I came home and looked at some old photos. So many wonderful memories. Watching her as a baby and the five short years she had with us was a true blessing. I want to share some photos of her when she was a baby with her mom, Penelope. And one taken on a recent visit I had with her. She always made me smile.

Penny and Penelope

Penny wasn’t a very healthy baby when she came to us in 2012. But with TLC and proper care, she grew strong and came to be loved by so many.

Penny and Penelope II

Penny would imitate her mom – it was a wonderful experience watching her grow up.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Like mother, like daughter.

Penny has her wings now. I can’t help but to keep asking why did this happen? Why our little Penny? The dreaded disease she had (pemphigus foliaceus) I would never wish on any other. I’m so thankful that I got to tell her how much I loved her before she went to the Bridge tonight. I’m very thankful she’s no longer in pain. I’m very sad she’s gone – my heart is broken. I hugged on Penelope for awhile before heading back to the rescue – she was such a good mom. Whenever I see Penelope, I’ll still see our little Penny.

Penny Collage

Fly with the angels sweet Penny – until we meet again. We love you, always.

04/18/17

Our 8th Annual Celebration of Life/ASPCA Help a Horse Day is on Saturday, April 22nd, and almost every year, a horse in need finds its way to Beauty’s Haven just before the event. Well, this year, it’s not a horse, but a baby lamb with an injured leg!

The baby will be arriving this evening and will be going to the vet tomorrow. We are praying that his leg can be fixed. If not, we will address our options then, based on information learned from the vet.

At this point in time, we are only asking for pledges to help this sweet baby boy.

Cookie Collage aspca

Later Monday Evening ~

Meet Noah – a month old lamb with a fractured leg. He’s a happy little one. We are praying that the vet can set and cast his leg and that Noah will have many years ahead of him.

Noah Lamb

04/19/17

Baby Noah has the cutest “baaaa!”  Anyone with his milk bottle is “mom.”  He’s off to the vet’s office and we’re getting ready for Cookie’s surgery this morning. It is going to be a very busy day!

Noah Lamb 2

Please keep Noah and Cookie in your prayers.

I’ll update on both as I soon as I can.

#helpahorse#helpalamb#aspca#bhfer#believe#wecandothisforthisbaby#pledgesneeded

JoJo Easter

Earlier this year, Cookie appeared to be depressed – she just wasn’t herself. With her history of cancer, well, I was just concerned. Dr. Specht ran some blood work and some values were all over the place. Then Cookie developed chronic imflammation in her left eye and was put on eye medications which didn’t seem to help. Dr. Specht did a biopsy which came back negative (for cancer). We continued treatments but still didn’t see any improvement over the next couple of weeks. In fact, the eye worsened with the development of an an ulcer.

Cookie Specht 1

Dr. Mangan repeated the biopsy and it also came back negative for SCC – whew! A lavage was placed, which helped to enable us to continue treatment of the eye around the clock with various medications. Still, the eye didn’t respond. Dr. Mangan examined her a few more times, medications were adjusted, and Dr. Specht did another blood test to see how she was doing overall. Her blood test values are thankfully, much better. Dr. Mangan was out again this past weekend and Cookie’s eye has worsened. Her diagnosis – immune mediated marginal ulcerative keratitis. We regrouped and discussed options.

We truly, want what is best for Cookie. Over the course of the past several weeks she’s been adjusting to losing sight in that eye – and she is still adjusting. Since this issue started, we’ve prayed a lot while doing all we can to help the eye heal, but it’s time – we’ve made the decision to have the eye removed. We want Cookie to be comfortable and there are much worse things than losing an eye. Horses adapt and most do just fine. Dr. Mangan will be removing Cookie’s eye next week.

Cookie Mangan 1

Please keep Cookie in your prayers – good thoughts would also be greatly appreciated.

IMG_9434

With just one week remaining until our 8th Annual Celebration of Life/ASPCA Help A Horse Day event on April 22nd, we are hoping that our Village will come forth once again to help us meet our goal of raising $8000. These funds will be used to help pay for Cookie’s surgical/vet fees, spring vaccinations and other needs of our rescue herd, while competing for a chance to win up to $10,000 in grant prizes.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made via our website.  Our PayPal address: bhfer@earthlink.net. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation for ‘Help A Horse Day.’ If you select the tab for ‘Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution.

We currently have a $2000 MATCH GAME in progress with $875 still available in matching funds. Once we raise $875, our $2000 Match Game will be complete and will instantly morph into $4000 which is halfway to our targeted goal of $8000! Can we do it? We BELIEVE we can!

As always, thank you all so very much for your love and support.

#helpahorse #bhfer #cookie #donate #matchgame #aspca #believe #ittakesavillage #wecandothis

03/16/17

Little E has been quite the gentleman – he’s been letting Emma borrow his blanket for this cold spell. She’s still having issues in her neck but she is a happy little girl.
Emma Blanket

Magic absolutely loves his blue flymasks!
Magic Blue Mask

Senior citizen Sawyer and little Lucy. The odd couple.

Odd Couple

03/17/17

JoJo and Jazzy patiently waiting at the bottom of the stairs on this cold morning, to wish everyone a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”

Donks St Patricks Day

#jojo #jazzy #minidonks #bhfer #magic #emma #sawyer #lucy #donate #charity

February 12th, 2017
Cookie’s eye is worse. Dr. Mangan will be checking it tomorrow when he comes to hopefully, remove the lavage from Magic’s eye.
Cookie Aisle
Almost three years ago, Dr. Mangan performed surgery on Cookie at UF when she had cancer.  He did a great job.  He had to remove much of her lower left lid in order to save the eye and did some pretty amazing reconstructive surgery.
February 16th
Dr. Mangan examined Cookie’s eye over the weekend.  She has an ulcer but she’s really good about having it treated – no lavage needed.  She’s always been a very good girl.  We were concerned that the cancer had returned, but it appears that is not the issue – thankfully.
Cookie Mangan biopsy
February 21st
Dr. Specht was back out yesterday to do a biopsy on Cookie’s eye.  There is an ulcer but it appears that something else is going on.  Please keep Cookie in your prayers.
Cookie Specht 3
February 27th
It’s been overwhelmingly busy here but we want to share the good news – Cookie’s biopsy results came back – it’s not cancer!
Cookie Stall
Cookie needs help with her vet bills. Her eye is still being treated. The healing is slow but at least her eye is no worse and we are very relieved that it’s not SCC!
Donations can be made via PayPal to bhfer@earthlink.net or via various ways on our website at www.bhfer.org.  No amount is too small and all donations are tax deductible and much appreciated. If you’d like to help Cookie, when making a donation, please note that it’s for her. Thank you!
March 7th
Please continue to keep Cookie in your prayers.  I’m sad to report that her eye appears worse.  Dr. Mangan came out and did another biopsy that is going to be sent to a different lab. We’re still concerned that the cancer has returned.

Ride for the Horses 1

Come join us for some fun and meet some of our adoptable horses!  Sign up by clicking here.

March 6th, 2017

I was really disappointed that I was unable to attend the AMVETS Post 444 Poker Run fundraiser for Beauty’s Haven.  Our family had already planned a get-away for the same weekend.  But we hear that it went very well and we truly appreciate their support – they do awesome things for the community!

AMVETS Poker Run

March 9th

A very special five minutes today – Emma was able to go out and graze! She was so happy.  Emma has been getting hand walked throughout the days, but today, she was on her own!

Emma Out

 

02/23/17
Emma’s bandages are off, staples and stitches are out, and she’s sporting her new socks from Sox For Horses! These socks are a great alternative to bandaging and they’re easy to use and maintain!

I have no feeling or sensation in my hands so leg wraps/bandages are difficult for me to put on the horses. I don’t have to stress anymore! Silver Whinny’s are easy to put on and take off! They are a breathing antimicrobial knit that allow airs in, permits free motion of the joint, and inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold – they create a great environment for wounds to heal! They protect the legs from flies and you can even bathe your horse while they’re wearing these incredible socks.

Many thanks to Sox for Horses for helping Emma! This isn’t the first time we’ve used this amazing product (Silver Whinny’s) and it won’t be the last! Learn more about them at this link – your horse will thank you! http://www.soxforhorses.com/faq_summerwhinnys.html

Emma's Silver Whinny's

02/25/17
Emma totally enjoyed a brief walk outside today. It helped her mental state of mind, I’m sure.

We had to call Dr. Lugo today as Emma experienced a choke. Thankfully, it was cleared. Dr. Porter will be out on Tuesday to examine and likely scope her. The issue could be due to facial nerve paralysis as per the following quote from Dr. Lugo: “The facial nerve might get better with time but it is unknown. I removed a bullet fragment close to the nerve in the hope that it will help. The nerve paralysis is secondary to damage done to the nerve by the bullet.”

Emma Grazing

02/27/17
We are very appreciative of Deputy Wells’ (Levy County Sheriff’s Office) support in Emma’s case. He checked on her again today. It’s encouraging to have someone at LCSO assigned to AG cases who cares about the animals and is committed to doing a good job. We want to raise awareness in the community – if you see or experience an animal in distress, call on Deputy Wells and he will respond! If anyone has a minute – please visit the LCSO’s page, look for Emma’s picture, and leave a “Thank you” comment regarding Emma.
https://www.facebook.com/Levy-County-Sheriffs-Office-107651212629/ 

Emma Deputy Wells LCSO

02/28/17
Emma was really good for Dr. Porter (PHD Veterinary Services) today. He came out to determine why she was coughing. She’d been treated for a mild choke a few days before.  Learn more about Dr. Porter and his services at his website.

Emma Dr Porter 1

Dr. Porter ultra-sounded Emma’s lungs – she has pneumonia. She also has facial nerve paralysis (caused by the bullet) causing upward displacement of the soft palate. He said the paralysis may resolve – to give it six months.

Emma Dr Porter 2

Emma still has moments when she’s reactive when someone approaches her or she hears a loud sound – almost in a panic. But once she has a moment or two to process what is going on, she calms. However, I ask humans that go into her stall to visit with her to go slow and, if Emma retreats or turns her head away, to stop and let Emma give thought to the moment – she will come around in a minute or so. It saddens me to think about what happened to her and how she must have felt – it had to have been terrifying. It’s very sad that any human would hurt any animal.

Hopefully, Emma will overcome her reservations and her unpleasant memories will fade. She is certainly loved, very much. It’s easy for this little filly to grow on you. She makes me laugh when she nuzzles up to my cheek or wraps her neck around me as if to give a hug. We are holding our annual Celebration of Life in April in conjunction with the ASPCA Help a Horse Day – we invite you to come meet Emma and the other members of our beautiful herd!

Emma Cobwebs

#justiceforfillyemma #nevergiveup #believe #rewardoffered #lcso #hsus #bhfer #share #emma #helpahorse #openhouse #celebrationoflife #share

02/24/17

Bolero Horse Adoption Network, sponsored by SpanishHorseTack.com, is composed of Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network and Bolero Appaloosa and Spotted Horse Adoption Network. Their members network gaited and spotted horses that are in kill pens destined for slaughter, as well as those that are currently, in horse rescues. The groups were named for Summer’s Bolero, a registered Paso Fino, who ended up in a kill lot in Pennsylvania where he would soon depart for Canada to be slaughtered for human consumption. Because of the efforts of Omega Horse Rescue and over 200 Paso Fino lovers, Bolero was saved from a horrifying death and Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network was born.

Emma SpanishHorseTack

We are so very grateful to Tracy Stevens, the owner of SpanishHorseTack.com, for bringing Emma’s story to the attention of Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network and Bolero Appaloosa and Spotted Horse Adoption Network, whereupon the members, subsequently, voted to select Emma as one of their monthly donation recipients. Beauty’s Haven is so very honored and blessed by Bolero Horse Adoption Network’s most thoughtful and extremely generous support of Emma, our precious little filly who was so cruelly shot, multiple times, while grazing.

To learn more about this amazing network, please click on the following links:

Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bolerogaitedhorseadoptionnetwork/

Bolero Appaloosa and Spotted Horse Adoption Network:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoleroAppaloosaHorseAdoptionNetwork

Sponsored by: www.SpanishHorseTack.com