BHFER Celebration of Life

I know I’m days late getting this update out and I apologize – I have had personal things come up that required attention and the number of requests for help for others horses has been great and has taken much time. I do need to share info about these other horses in need but will do so in a separate email tomorrow. Katie’s surgery took up much of the day today. She did well but she will have to get used to being right handed for several weeks (she’s left handed and it’s her left shoulder that was operated on). I am pecking at the keyboard without the use of two right hand fingers. I’m a bit slow at it but at least I’m pecking so no complaints! My trip to the do the doctor’s office today after Katie went into surgery, along with additional x-rays, brought good news – only one fracture vs. two.

We had a great time at the Celebration of Life – it’s wonderful to see familiar faces and to meet new people!

Gary brought HighTower with him for a training demo. It was so good to see HighTower – he is beautiful and seems to love what he’s doing! Gary trains some of our horses and does a great job – visit his Facebook page at Quest Horsemanship!

The amount of time and work that Jenny put into putting the Celebration together, with help from others, was enormous and we can’t thank everyone enough. And many people took time out of their busy life schedules to attend – some from 1000+ miles away! We are very blessed in many ways. To all that donated time, funds, raffle items, etc. – thank you! Our sincerest gratitude goes out to everyone.

Domino got lots of attention – she’s doing well.

A year in review – a tribute to those that have crossed Rainbow Bridge and talk of dreams and hope for the future – there is no way I could say what I wanted to in a short period of time. Nor can I say how deeply we appreciate everyone and their support.

I don’t want to end this update without a thank you to those that have given their lives so that we may be free – the meaning of Memorial Day. May we all always honor and recognize the sacrifice they made as well as the sacrifices of their families. And throughout history our precious equine have been there to help mankind – be it on the battlefield or in rehabilitation programs for those injured while serving their country.

God bless and again – thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

Smarty Pants – We love you, always!

/by

BHFER Update 05/25/12

So tomorrow we start the weekend in preparation for our Celebration of Life Day on Sunday. We look forward to seeing old friends and to making new ones. And I think I’ll start right now – introducing one of our most recent babies to those that haven’t met her yet. This is 3 week old Dora – her mom Lacey was a rescue that came to us pregnant with Dora and a 3 month old baby (Lexie) on her side. Dora is now enjoying time outside and the exercise is helping her windswept legs. She is a stunning baby ad very curious. She is a true blessing and loves attention.

And our latest arrival is baby donkey Domino. Born on the evening of May 22nd – her mother rejected her and she couldn’t nurse. We had Dr. Ryan run her plasma and she is doing ok. She’s black with a white tummy – thus the name Domino! Here she is trying to figure out who Trixie is while Lady Jane and Alyse look on in the background.

And here she is challenging a garden hose – it was hilarious! Look at those long legs! Caring for an orphan takes a lot of time and money but it’s worth it! She gets feedings around the clock and the cost of milk replacer is outrageous! She is also on camera for us to see from our home.

Also this weekend at the Celebration we will be having cake in honor of our daughter’s graduation from high school – she’ll be a Gator next year! We are very proud of Katie and her accomplishments. We couldn’t have a party for her but we thought this would be a great way and opportunity to let her know how proud we are of her. This is Katie playing with Domino.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

Our Smarty Pants – always loved…

/by

Smarty’s Birthday

Smarty would have been one year old today. She is greatly missed but I know she is still close by. Greg sent me this picture this morning and my heart skipped a beat or two. I truly do believe Smarty Pants is keeping watchful eye over us. Her eyes are beautiful and spoke volumes with no words needed.

Happy birthday and God bless you – our little Smarty Pants! We love you!

And thank you Greg, very much.

PS – little Domino is doing well. Dr. Ryan just pulled blood and we’ll have the results in a couple of hours.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

__,_._,___

/by

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

/by

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

/by

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

/by

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

/by

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

/by

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

/by

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.

/by