Guess what? I’m back from the hospital!
I only have two toes left, and half of my paw is gone, but I still have my leg! My paw looks different but Mommy Theresa says it makes me special and that I’m still cute!
It’s been a long day for us so we’re going to be tucking in soon. We have a very busy day planned for tomorrow but I’ll check in when I can! Have a good night everyone!
Love,
Kiah
Kiah is still at the hospital and today, if she is up for it, she will be microchipped, some blood tests will be performed and she may receive her vaccinations. She won’t be spayed, however, until she has fully recovered from her surgery. Dr. Schirmer advised us that getting healthy granulation tissue to grow over the exposed bone is the next step and if this is not possible, Kiah may have to have another surgery.
Keeping Kiah’s foot clean and bandaged and monitoring the healing over the next few weeks is going to be very important. She’s not 100% out of the woods yet from losing her leg, but if it comes to that we will know we did all we could, and she’s one that would keep going and never give up. she would adapt, I’m sure. We don’t know when we will be able to bring her home, but it is very possible it may be today.
We are very thankful for everyone’s support and I know Kiah would thank you, too, if she could.
She’s precious and is like a little kid experiencing new things. The expressions on her face are priceless. She’s the most photogenic dog I’ve ever known! When I talk to her, she looks at me like she truly understands what I’m saying. While it may be a long healing process (due to the bone healing issue), we believe Kiah will recover and be a happy girl. You all made this possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Remi has reached yet another milestone! She’s finally decided that she likes her milk pellets. Soon it will be bye-bye bottle! Remi is a quick learner. She’s very curious and likes to learn and experience new things and she simply, loves to please. She loves to snuggle too! Remi is growing like a weed and it is quite amusing to see her run like the wind when she gets her “zoomies.”
If you click on the image above you will see, firsthand, what a good little girl she is!
When Dr. Julia came out yesterday to examine Jo, Remi got lots of hugs and kisses. The child just plants herself in front of you and gives you that “gotta love me’ look and it’s automatic – you just want to hug her! She wraps everyone around her little hoof.
Remi was a “dummy foal” and didn’t receive colostrum from her mom – she couldn’t nurse. She was in a very bad way when she came to us 24+ hours after birth. Her white blood cell count was only 1 and her blood glucose level was only 2! The odds were stacked against her. She received plasma, around the clock care, and many prayers were said for her.
Remi is our little long-ear miracle girl who didn’t give up and a perfect reminder of why we do what we do.
This is made possible by your kind and most generous support. You all make an incredible difference.
We brought Jo to the rescue in October, 2019. She was fighting infection – her kidneys and liver were stressed. She had blotches of skin without hair, no fat, and severe muscle atrophy. Jo was at least 300 pounds underweight – her immune system was weakened due to malnutrition and starvation. Her feet needed attention and her teeth were in such poor condition, it wasn’t possible for her to chew. And when she did try to chew, it was very painful for her.
Dr. Bess Darrow, our equine dentist, discovered ulcerations in Jo’s cheeks, gums, tongue, and soft palate, due to sharp points. One sharp point put the palatine artery at significant risk of being cut which could have caused Jo to bleed out. Jo’s front teeth were on a slant due to misalignment. This caused limited mobility of her jaw and physically obstructed the right/left and forward/back motion which a horse needs to properly chew. Jo was starving to death.
About two weeks after Jo arrived, we were able to bring her best friend, Dancer, to Beauty’s Haven. Dancer was also in poor condition but, together, they grew strong and healthy and have been doing well. Both are in their 30s. Jo does require multiple smaller meals a day due to her teeth.
A few days ago, Jo seemed a little off, but she was eating and didn’t have a temperature. It was a day after a pretty bad thunderstorm. Jo got back to normal over the next couple of days and was doing okay. We had another thunderstorm in the wee hours of the morning and a couple of hours later, we found Jo off again.
She reminded me somewhat of what Frodo and Victoria were like after they took indirect lightning strikes several years ago.
Dr. Julia came out to examine Jo on Friday morning although Jo did seem to be her old self at the time. We should have bloodwork results back today and I’ll update again once they are reviewed. Jo does need to have her teeth re-checked which will get taken care of next week.
Jo could use some good thoughts and prayers. Thank you.
Hope wanted to be the first to let everyone know that she’s back at the rescue! I’ll provide an update about her progress in the forthcoming days. We are praying for continued healing and no more bumps along the way. Thank you all!
Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Theresa
This is Sisco grazing around the house with his old friends, Chloe and Aaleyah Belle, just over the fence. They chatted for a bit and then Sisco went off to graze.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a good update. Sisco’s cancer has spread and he also has navicular syndrome. He’s lived 30+ years and, at his age, we just can’t ask him to go through multiple treatments, in multiple places, over an unknown amount of time. The most humane thing we can do for Sisco is to let him join others from our herd that have gone to Rainbow Bridge before him.
Every horse owner has a responsibility to always provide the best for those in their care, to include letting them go in order to prevent unnecessary suffering. Making the decision is never easy – we love our animals so much we want to hold on to them forever. But it’s not about us – it’s about the animals that depend on us.
Loving Sisco enough to let him go to Rainbow Bridge is the most unselfish act of love that we can offer. The vet will be out later this week but, until then, Sisco will continue to get medication to help him be comfortable, lots of TLC, and lots of soaked orchard hay (which he loves).
We’ve had way too many losses this year and we hope and pray this is the last for a long time. Although, I’m sad to share that Kitty Cat has more tumors and Max’s hips are failing him. Thankfully, it’s not their time yet but we are taking it day to day and each day we are given is a blessing. And as for us humans here, our hearts break more with each loss. Prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Theresa
This little kitten became an orphan at just two weeks old when her mom was hit by a car while carrying her sister across the road during a thunderstorm. A caring human found this very frightened, hungry and flea infested baby huddled nearby and brought her to Beauty’s Haven where she was lovingly cared for. We named her Zoie.
The next day, we took Zoie to the vet for an exam and bloodwork and thankfully, she was just fine. Only a few days later, we received a call from a long time friend and supporter who was looking for a kitten to adopt! It was a match made in Heaven!
I’m happy to report that Zoie is now all settled in her new home and is doing great! She has a big sister (cat) and a human who loves her to pieces.
Zoie’s vetting is all taken care of (vaccines, microchip, spaying, etc.) thanks to our wonderful village of supporters who have helped us help this precious baby girl. Thank you all! And thank you, Lynda, for opening your heart and home to Zoie.
Please enjoy this heartwarming video featuring our precious kitten, Zoie, who never gave up!
Niña is looking much better. When she lays down now, she’s strong enough to get up on her own. Niña recently, managed to injure her lip, but she was such a good girl and great patient when getting her wound cleaned and treated.
Dr. Bess Darrow (Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry and Services) worked on Penny’s teeth last week. Penny had recently started to quid. Penny is a blind 30+ year old Belgian. Elyza Rose is her seeing eye pony and BFF.
“Got treats?”
Bria is holding her own and is most comfortable in her SoftRides boots. Take them off and it’s a different story – she has thin soles and some rotation in both front feet. But you can sometimes see her sprinting around looking for Little E or Cricket.
Hello Everyone,
The new arrivals are doing well. The oldest mare, Bria, was born in 1990, the dark bay mare, Rascal, was born in 1994 and Zoomer, the chestnut, was born in 2000.
When they arrived on Tuesday, they were curious, but cautious. What seemed most intriguing to Zoomer were the minis – it was like he just couldn’t figure out what they were up to and why they’re so small!
On Wednesday past, Dr. Julia came to do exams (including blood tests) on the new arrivals. Andrew came to do hooficures and Dr. Bess came to do much needed dental work on both Dancer and Bria. We truly have a great care team!
I do have some very good news to share, however! Zoomer and Rascal left for their new home yesterday! They are so very blessed to have a loving home just in time for the holidays! We’re very excited for them!
Bria, the senior mare, will likely, live out her life here at the rescue as a special needs sanctuary horse. I know she would be very appreciative to have sponsors to assist with her care, so if anyone would like to make a one time donation or sign up to become a monthly sponsor for this sweet girl, we and she 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. Please note that your donation is for “Bria.” If you donate via PayPal, please select the tab “Send Money to Friends or Family,” and no fees will be deducted from your contribution.
Thank you, all, so very much, for your love and support.
It was a beautiful day at the rescue last Sunday – the weather was nice and there were no “surprises.” Jo greeted us in the morning with bright eyes and a whinny to start the day. Jenny arrived and gave her a much-needed bath and spa treatment. Jo seemed to hold her head a little higher after her bath so I’m thinking she really enjoyed it. Her sores were treated and her mane and tail were brushed out. She’s very beautiful.
Jo had a happy hooficure day on Monday – she truly needed it and I am sure she felt much better afterwards!
The vet also came on Monday to do an exam on Jo, including blood tests. We were told that she is 35 years old but I’m not sure if that is correct. There’s probably a combination of things contributing to her being so thin, but I do believe that with proper care, she has the desire, and ability, to overcome. Jo is very vocal, alert, and interested in everything that goes on around her. She’s a very kind soul.
After examining Jo, Dr. Julia visited with Hope.
Dr. Bess came on Wednesday to do Jo’s teeth. She aged Jo to be 28 years young. I will be sharing a comprehensive update with some pretty incredible photos as to the vet and equine dentist’s findings, within the next few days.
We truly appreciate everyone’s support for sweet Jo.
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.
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.
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.
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!