It is with a heavy heart to inform you that our precious Little E has transitioned to Rainbow Bridge. Please keep our little man and all who loved him in your prayers.
Thank you, all, so very much.
Sincerely,
Theresa
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
It’s been a tough few days here, losing Niña and then Bria the day after. I want to share what happened with each special mare but will first start with Niña. I’ll share about Bria tomorrow.
When Niña came to us in late February, she was shy, underweight and a bit frail. She hadn’t lived with another horse for years. She was vetted the day after her arrival and on the following day, we found her down and unable to get up. After running fluids and giving her time to rest, she did get up, with assistance. After Niña’s blood tests came back and speaking with the vet, we adjusted her feed and added Succeed to the supplements she received and she started to improve and gain weight.
Niña was in our quarantine (QT) paddock for the first two weeks where she would stand by the fence and watch the other horses. She received lots of attention and warmed up to humans.
After two weeks in QT, we opened the gate to her paddock so she could wander about on the two acres surrounding our house, get good exercise, and make friends – but she did not do so. Niña would simply, walk to the gate and stand for a bit but she wouldn’t leave the paddock. We haltered her and hand walked her around the property a few times, and tried to encourage her to go out, but we weren’t going to force her. But then one morning, I went by her paddock, opened the gate, and continued up to Frosty’s Knoll to start soaking hay. I thought I heard something behind me and smiled when I realized she was there. We went up the Knoll and she stood and looked out over the farm (it’s the highest part of the property) for a couple of minutes.
I gave her some scratches and then she trotted down to the fence line at the main paddock and followed it to the far side of the house where I couldn’t see her. I later found her under the “Friendship Tree” with Peggy Sue and Cricket – it really did my heart good!
Niña continued to put on much needed weight and muscle – her transformation in such a short period of time was truly amazing. She was beautiful inside and out. She would go out and graze with her new friends and could sometimes be found just hanging out under the “Friendship Tree” with them. Unfortunately, we found her down again in early March, but after getting some fluids and rest, Niña was able to get up (with assistance). Niña had her 30th birthday in March.
Niña did well throughout April. It was a pleasure to see her trot around here and there. Sometimes, she’d take off and run like she was going to be late for something and she looked so happy. Cricket adored her and they could often be found together.
In early May, Niña was exploring a paddock she hadn’t been in before when she took off, slipped and fell on wet grass, and couldn’t get up. We let her rest for a bit and tried to help her up but we weren’t successful. I called the vet and gave her some fluids and her meds. When he arrived, Niña received additional fluids/meds, and DMSO. Thankfully, after the meds/DMSO took effect, we were finally able to help Niña stand after several attempts to do so.
This past Thursday, Niña went down for no apparent reason while she was up on Frosty’s Knoll. It was like a rerun of the previous falls but sadly, this time, even with help from the vet, we couldn’t get Niña up.
The look in her eyes reinforced what we knew – it was time. The decision to let any of them go to Rainbow Bridge is never easy.
But if there is nothing more our care team can do to help them, and it’s in their best interest, we love them enough to let them go knowing we will see them again someday – and I do believe this.
Many thanks to everyone who helped Niña and cared about her. And even though we wish she were still here, we feel blessed to have had her with us, where she was surrounded by love, if only for a few months.
Sincerely,
Theresa
It is with a heavy heart to inform you that our beloved Niña & Bria peacefully went to Rainbow Bridge within a mere twenty-four hours of one another. Although we are deeply saddened, we find great comfort with the knowledge that Bria & Niña, together with sweet Cricket & all the other precious souls who have gone before them, are now running freely with the Heavenly Herd.
Please keep Bria, Niña, Theresa and Bob in your prayers.
Warmly,
Jeanne
In Loving Memory
On Monday afternoon, the vet was called out to the farm to treat our precious Cricket for colic. After doing all that could be done and being unsuccessful with clearing her impaction, and surgery not an option, it was decided that we could no longer let her suffer. She was simply in too much pain. Cricket was such a wise and brave little mare to the very end and she even enjoyed some time with her dear friend, Tilly. The vet returned last evening and Cricket was peacefully transitioned to Rainbow Bridge at 9:00pm, surrounded by all who loved her so dearly.
We know in our hearts that her beloved Jiminy was awaiting her arrival, and both, with youth restored and free of pain, crossed the Rainbow Bridge together.
We love you, sweet Cricket, forever & always.
Hi Everyone,
Thank you, all, for your messages of condolence during this most difficult time. Cricket was so very blessed to have experienced such an inordinate amount of love and joy in recent years. She was truly, a very wise old soul and I am certain that she had many stories to tell during the course of her thirty-five years here on earth. We do find comfort with the knowledge that Cricket has been reunited with her beloved companion, Jiminy, who went to Rainbow Bridge just a few months ago.
While the vet was here to care for Cricket, bloodwork was also done on Bria, and we are currently, awaiting the results.
While we never like to ask for funds, especially during this time of heartbreak and sorrow, we do need assistance for Bria’s testing as well as for both visits from the vet yesterday.
The first to help resolve Crickets’s colic, and the second, an evening emergency visit, to assist with her peaceful transition to Rainbow Bridge. We also are asking for assistance to cover Cricket’s burial fees.
If you would like to assist with these fees, which we estimate to be in the range of $600, you may forward your donation via various means here on our secure website or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Bria’ and/or ‘Cricket.’ 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 amount is ever too small.
Lastly, please keep Beauty in your prayers.
Thank you all, so very much, for your love and support.
Some of you may remember Jiminy and Cricket, 2 mini’s that came to us in October, 2017. Both were underweight and needed rehab. Jiminy was 28 years young and Cricket was 32. Once they were of good health, they were adopted into a wonderful home.
Sadly, Jiminy went to Rainbow Bridge a couple of weeks ago. We tried to find a suitable companion for Cricket but didn’t have any luck. Even though her humans showered her with love, and attention, she was lonely. The adopters wanted what was in Cricket’s best interest and felt it was best for her to return to the rescue where she would have companionship. We picked her up today. The adopters will most assuredly come to visit with Cricket, I’m sure of it.
Once off the trailer, Cricket went straight to the area where she and Jiminy lived for the first 2 weeks after they arrived here in 2017, during their quarantine period. Then she walked around to say hello to some old friends. She eventually made her way to the “friendship tree” and introduced herself to Bria, and in no time at all, they were pals. Then, Little E joined them. It was precious to see them all walk away with Cricket leading the way. This is where they will all live out their sunset years. They are all loved, so very much.
It is with a heavy heart to inform you that my beloved companion and protector, a beautiful German Shepherd named Duke, has gone to Rainbow Bridge.
Duke suddenly collapsed on Monday (Dec 18th) morning for no apparent reason. I rushed him to Dr. Kristi Fox (Blue Run Veterinary Practice). She had just been at the farm this past Friday for a routine exam and vaccinations – she’s the only vet that Duke trusted.
Duke had a very aggressive, high-grade soft tissue sarcoma that most commonly affects the spleen and heart. It’s a highly malignant cancer that preys on blood vessels that can spread rapidly, causing tumors almost anywhere in the body. It’s commonly in the advanced stage before detection, making it virtually a silent killer. I learned that German Shepherds are at high risk for developing this type of cancer which sadly, took my Duke on Monday morning.
I was very blessed when Duke came into my life in 2012 and that he chose me to be his human. Wherever I was, he always wanted to be right there with me – always. He never wanted me out of his sight and he would protect me to no end. I know, without a doubt, that he will forever be watching over me.
I love you, Duke, always.
We knew from the beginning in our journey with Hope, that, being a dwarf, she had quite a few obstacles to overcome. And Hope was, without a doubt, an overcomer.
We watched Hope grow and learn to find ways to work around her challenges. Caring for her took a good amount of time, work, and patience, but there is no price we can put on the rewards, which were great. She appreciated everything done for her. She loved to cuddle, really cuddle. She loved Kitty Cat, her Portacooler, and music. She loved to meet people and other animals. And she truly loved her big blue bed and her stuffed toy and BFF, Jerry.
Hope was a happy little calf that smiled a lot – her smiles were contagious. Everyone who met her simply adored her. Bob and I loved sitting with her, talking with her, and watching her in awe. During those times, at least for me, I could sit and just breathe – not stress about what still needed to be done that day, not look at the phone or the clock, not worry – just relax and breathe.
The last two days that Hope was with us were horribly hot and humid. She seemed off, just not herself. She didn’t have a temperature and her vitals were normal. Her appetite wasn’t what it normally would be, but that happened at times when the heat and humidity were especially bad. The second day, she wasn’t interested in food or water. Her temp, HR, and RR were all still normal. Concerned about dehydration, we did get water and electrolytes in her. I stayed with Hope, all day, observing her and following Dr. Sonday’s instructions in giving meds, etc. If Hope got worse, or was no better by the next morning, Dr. Sonday would be out.
By evening, I became very concerned that I hadn’t seen Hope chew her cud. I rubbed her belly and used Essential Oils on her. After awhile, she did start burping and then chewed her cud some. She started drinking water which was a huge relief. Hope walked around a little, picked at a little grass, and I was delighted when she took a cookie from me which she had refused all day. We tried taking selfies again, but, as usual, I didn’t do very well. As the night came, she rested and we watched. At 12:03 am, she very peacefully slipped away from us.
We all knew that someday, that day would come, but we had hoped for much more time with Hope.
Dr. Sonday said that Hope’s organs were as her body, not correct in form and function to sustain life into adulthood. She assured me that all that was done, was the best that could be done, and that Hope just wasn’t built to live in our world for long.
Hope gave many people joy and a sense of purpose. She was, and always will be, a very special girl that touched our hearts deeply. We were more than blessed to have had her entrusted to our care for as long as we did. I know I’ll see her again someday, with a perfect body and perfect legs that enable her to run all over the place!
I haven’t brought myself to read your posts yet, but I will. Jeanne has warned me to grab tissues before I do. We loved this little miracle calf that shouldn’t have survived birth much less survived living on the ground for the first several weeks of her life with the hot sun and torrential rains beating down upon her. It says a lot about her determination and love for life. We’re slowly adjusting, accepting, and moving forward. God bless all of you for caring.
When the world says, “Give Up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
It is with a heavy heart and deepest sorrow that we must inform you that our beloved Baby Hope has gone to Rainbow Bridge. Our precious little calf died peacefully in her sleep at 12:03am surrounded by Theresa and Bob. Theresa will provide a complete explanation in a few days, but at this time, she, understandably, needs time to grieve.
Please keep Theresa, Bob, Baby Hope & the Beauty’s Haven family in your prayers.
Warmly,
Jeanne