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Update on Venus

Venus is a champ! After a very long day on Wednesday, I am happy to report that her colon is back where it belongs! She is bright eyed and talkative but she needs to have a normal poop. We are so very thankful that Nadia, Venus’s best friend, is right across the aisle there to provide love and support.

They will likely be there until at least Monday. I know if Venus needs anything, she’s in great hands at EMCO (Equine Medical Center of Orlando). They’ve been very good to the girls.

In the meantime, a dear friend and supporter has offered to match all donations up to $1000 for our brave and beautiful girl.

You can contribute toward Venus’s care on our Facebook fundraiser, or here on our website, just click the appropriate button below. If donating on our website, please make sure to note it’s for Venus.

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Please continue to pray for Venus. Nadia would be lost without her, as we all would be.

Gratefully,
Theresa

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Prayers Needed for Venus

Sadly, we discovered Venus colicing yesterday morning. When the vet arrived, fluids were run as Venus tried to work through her colic the remainder of the day.

Venus is 37 years young and her best friend, Nadia, has been outside of her stall from the beginning. They are very bonded. Very early this morning, Venus did have a bowel movement, and although it was quite dry, we were ecstatic nonetheless!

We made the decision, however, that it would be in Venus’s best interest to send both girls to the hospital to ensure that Venus receives the very best of what she needs, including having her BFF there.

We estimate that Venus’s hospital stay and treatment will cost a minimum of $2,000, so if anyone would like to assist with this most necessary need, it would be so very much appreciated.

Just click on the DONATE button below, and be sure to note that your contribution is for Venus.

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Please keep Venus in your prayers. Nadia would be truly lost without her, as would we all be.

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

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Our Beloved Teddy Bear, Mishka

Mishka is a 20 year-old Percheron gelding that was headed to slaughter when we intercepted him a few years ago. He was very thin with a condition called Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM) which causes severe muscle wasting and weakness. Recently, Mishka has been having issues in his front left foot which was thought to be an abscess. After days of poulticing, the abscess thankfully worked its way out of the coronet band which was a mighty mess, one which flies truly love to feast upon.

It would have benefitted all of us if we could have placed a Silver Whinnys sock on Mishka as it would have covered the coronet band in order to promote healing as well as serve as a barrier for bacteria and flies. However, we couldn’t keep his foot up long enough to put on a sock. We contacted the lovely folks at Sox for Horses who gave us some great advice – to sacrifice a pair of socks we had on hand and wrap/tape it over the wound. Within two days, the wound significantly improved and Mishka is now a much happier and mobile boy.

Unfortunately, the necessary care we provided to Mishka is quite costly. He also has arthritis and skin allergies and he must be sedated once he is placed in the stocks for each farrier trim.

Farrier care, prescription medication and supplements are $750 thus far for the month of October, so we are reaching out to see if anyone would like to help Mishka with his current expenses.

CUDDLY, a wonderful advocate for animals, is assisting us with a fundraiser for Mishka which you can view as well as donate by clicking on the image above. Contributions may also be made here on our website by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below (please be sure to note it’s for Mishka).

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Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.
Theresa

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Benjamin Back to the Vet, Open House a Success

I decided to take Benjamin to Dr. Schirmer yesterday morning as something just wasn’t right. After we picked him up from his initial vet visit (a different vet) where he had an exam, ear cleaning, nail cutting, was neutered and had some tests performed, we were told he did well and there was nothing to report except that he needed to return in two weeks to have his stitches removed.

As the days progressed, however – and hoping that it was just my imagination running wild – it appeared that Benjamin simply wasn’t feeling well much of the time.

His left ear bothered him and he oftentimes shook his head. His skin is not healthy and he has hotspots that greatly irritate him. His sores, from his head to his tail where he had been bitten many times, together with other sores, were not healing properly. He’s had some blood in his stool a number of times and he tires very easily.

With the good nutrition he’s been getting, he should be improving, but he’s not. I had the feeling that something was not addressed at his initial vetting.

Thankfully Benjamin was so much better about going to the vet yesterday. He is learning how to walk nicely on a leash and he greeted Dr. Schirmer with a smile and a wagging tail. Benjamin was great for his examination and tests. He is being treated for tapeworms as well as skin and ear infections. His stitches from his neutering were also removed. He has a 2/6 heart murmur in addition to being anemic, and he needs to be tested for heart worms once again in a few months. We are not certain as to his breed – his DNA test will be mailed out today. He is approximately a year old.

Benjamin was such a good boy and I was so very proud of him! When we arrived back at the rescue, he had a much-needed bath and then he took a long nap.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Celebration Success!

Thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers, attendees and a magnificent performance by Ivory Pal & Rafael Valle, our Annual Celebration of the Horse was a complete success! Many people came from in and around the area and from other parts of Florida and even from out of state – many I didn’t see and was unaware they were here until I went through photos and the sign-in sheet. I would have loved to have seen and spoken with everyone – I hope they all know how much we appreciate their support.

We also appreciate those who donated lovely fundraising items and/or their time.

*Please click on the image to view the lovely performance by Ivory Pal and Rafael.

Annual Trail Ride for the Horses

Saddle up to support our rescued horses and animals!

DATE: Saturday, October 1, 2002

TIME:  9am Registration, 10am Ride

LOCATION: Goethe State Forest, Dunnellon, FL

REGISTRATION FEE: $20

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

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Benjamin, An Overcomer

It was a very good day for Benjamin on Wednesday! He woke up with clean ears, he wasn’t starving, the fleas had died off, his breakfast was awaiting and he received his very first toy which he absolutely loves! The vet said he’s between one and two years old. His bloodwork results weren’t really bad, as the good nutrition he’s been getting for the last week has really helped. The many bite/puncture marks on him are healing – he may have been a bait dog. He has decided he really likes human attention now, and follows me everywhere. He is also warming up to others as well, since he has learned that the humans here at the rescue are very kind and caring.

Benjamin has truly morphed into a very sweet and inquisitive boy who wants to go everywhere and be a part of everything.

After working hard these past few days, in preparation for the open house tomorrow, we were all so totally exhausted last night. As we were completing last minute tasks in the barn, I looked down and there was Benjamin, fast asleep! He looked so peaceful and I just wanted to curl up next to him. What a difference there has been in just one week! It’s so good to see him play and not run away from everyone or be frightened of new things. As you can see in the video by clicking on the image above, Benjamin is truly an overcomer!

Thank you, all, for helping us to make all of his tomorrows everything his past should have been…

Sincerely,
Theresa

Open House Tomorrow!

We are looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow at our Annual Open House in ‘Celebration of the Horse,’ from 11am – 3pm. Ivory Pal will be performing between the hours of 12:00 – 1:00 pm. For event details, click here.

You Did It!

Thank you to everyone who contributed a story to GreatNonprofits! We are honored to be included, once again, on their Top-Rated List for 2022.

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Benjamin Part II


I think Benjamin has lived a very tough life, but now all he really wants is to trust and be loved. Since the first time I saw him, he would do this odd thing with his back legs. Oftentimes, he would turn and look at them for no obvious reason and then kick out like a horse as though a ghost was attacking him and he was trying to get away. And he would mumble. He has never chased a horse here nor has he been aggressive. He would run away when he heard a sudden noise and he always seemed to be on the alert, but this appears to be improving by the day.

A few days ago, Benjamin started following me to the north end of the property where the barn is located and I had to take him back down to the paddock and leave him with a couple of treats. On Monday, however, he decided that he preferred the north end and decided to stay. Shadow, our GSD, is usually at the barn and he had not as yet met Benjamin nor had our two little dogs that usually remain in the house.

We were concerned about Benjamin meeting our dogs, so Bob suggested that I try to get a collar on him and take him to the vet for a full examination, bloodwork and other tests, as well as to be neutered.

It wasn’t hard getting a collar on Benjamin. I don’t think he knew what it was but he accepted it like a very good boy. The only trouble I had was getting him into the car – he wanted no part of it. If Bob tried to help, Benjamin would just back away or freeze himself to the ground. I ended up picking him up and putting him in the car – it wasn’t easy as he has gained a few pounds since he has been here! Once at the vet’s office, I had to pick up Benjamin yet again to get him out of the car and then practically carry him inside.

I don’t think he’d ever been inside a building before. He had no clue what was happening and it was very difficult to leave him but it needed to be done.

I gave him a hug and promised him that I’d be back – that we were only trying to make his life better by making all of his tomorrows everything his yesterdays should have been. I do believe he knows his name now!

After a long night worrying about Benjamin, I picked him up from the vet yesterday afternoon. What a very brave boy he is! He did okay at the vet’s and came back up to date with vaccinations, a microchip, trimmed nails, and even clean ears, in addition to being neutered.

As the evening went on, Benjamin really started coming out of his shell. He stood by the barn and looked out over the farm like he was so very proud of himself and was truly glad to be back home.

If anyone would like to contribute to Benjamin’s veterinary care, it would be so very greatly appreciated. Just click on the ‘DONATE’ button below.

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Sincerely,
Theresa

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Mindi Update, Presley’s Passing and Oreo’s Surgery

Mindi on the Mend

Mindi is becoming a bit more animated each day. Mentally, she’s still processing and adjusting. It may take her days, weeks, or even longer to come around. But she will. She’s approaching me now instead of walking off when I go into her paddock. That’s a very positive step in healing, in my opinion. Her coat is looking much better and her eyes are brighter. She needs to gain quite a bit of weight and muscle.

Regarding Mindi’s physical health, her blood test results were what we typically find in malnourished horses. She needs a few supplements; Liver Kleen, Ferrofood from Standard Process, Transfer Factor Stress Pak, a Panacur Powerpac, and Succeed. If anyone would like to gift her any of these supplements it would be greatly appreciated. I’ll try to post links to them tomorrow. Dr. Julia will be back tomorrow to do an Infratonic treatment on Mindi. Hopefully we will be able to get on the dentist’s schedule soon. The farrier comes on Sunday.

If anyone would like to gift any of those products to Mindi, please contact us. Thank you.

Presley

Our beloved Presley transitioned to Rainbow Bridge yesterday afternoon. Presley was truly precious and we will miss him so very much. Grief is truly the price we pay for love.

Oreo

Oreo’s ear canal ablation surgery has been scheduled for July 7th! Thank you to our wonderful little village of supporters who have made this possible.

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‘Til We Meet Again

It is with a heavy heart to inform you, that Mila, the blind cat that Shadow found in one of our paddocks just a few weeks ago, went to Rainbow Bridge on May 27th. At first we believed Mila to be one of the two feral cats that live under the storage building who we feed nightly, but she was not. We have no idea where she came from or how she found her way to one of our paddocks which is farthest from the road. We do know that she was very lucky to have survived. I can’t imagine being a blind little cat, all alone, not knowing where her next meal would come from, where to find water, or if her next few steps would put her in danger of becoming a predator’s meal.

She was such a brave little girl and it is truly remarkable that she survived on her own despite her condition when we found her.

Mila’s initial visit to the vet revealed that she was approximately five years old and weighed just five pounds. She was visually impaired (only able to see shadows) likely due to some sort of trauma. Mila’s fecal and blood tests for other potential issues were done, her little ears were cleaned and she was treated for fleas and other parasites. She had a good size hernia, but, thankfully, it was not painful. As per our vet’s recommendation, she was not microchipped at this time, as he wanted to wait until she was a bit stronger. She did, however, get her vaccinations.

Mila’s blood test results came back the following day with elevated numbers. Since her kidneys and liver were of concern, additional tests were performed. After Mila was started on an antibiotic, she became a bit more active, she ate and drank well, and she became quite talkative. She would follow me wherever I went, but I had to be careful not to stop abruptly as she would run into me. She was a real trooper though – she’d run into walls many times but she soon learned to navigate her way around.

She was such a sweet little girl who loved curling up next to me whenever I sat with her which truly melted my heart.

When we took Mila back to the vet for additional tests, we learned that her kidney and liver values had remained elevated and her cognitive impairment was getting worse. In her final days, when she tried to navigate her room she would walk into a wall and stop and drop and that’s where she’d stay for quite a while. During her first few days with us, she’d respond to our voices or a noise, but in her last days, she would not. Her quality of life was not getting better – it was getting worse.

I’m very sorry for whatever happened to Mila before we found her, but at least, she went to Rainbow Bridge, knowing she was so very loved.

Until we meet again, Mila. You will forever remain in our hearts.

Theresa

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Traumatized and Lost


Shadow discovered a lost cat in the paddock this morning. He was such a very good boy – he alerted us to her and then just stood watching over her until we arrived. The poor cat appeared to be blind and/or in shock. Since she looks like a little girl, we are referring to her as a “she.”

A few months ago, when she was an older kitten, approximately three months of age, we saw her go under one of the storage buildings, and, being unable to trap her, we have been leaving out food nightly. And then today, not being familiar with her surroundings, she ran into a corner.

Thanks to Shadow, we were able to catch her and bring her inside, free from the danger of being injured by another animal or being hit by speeding cars and trucks.

One of her ears seems to have been tipped ever so slightly, so she may have very well been a TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) cat at one time. She is very thin, but thankfully she did eat some wet food. Her ears are full of mites and she has fleas. She’s not comfortable being handled, so we are going to let her rest for now.

We need to take this sweet kitty to the vet in the morning, but need financial help in order to do so. Of course the initial vetting will be quite costly, so any donation, regardless of the amount, would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to donate please mark your donation “for the kitten.”

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As always, thank you for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Oreo is Featured on CUDDLY

If you wish to assist with our sweet boy’s Ear Canal Ablation surgery or send him a gift from his Wish List, you may do so by clicking on Oreo’s image to the left.

Counting Down

We are more than halfway there in our $5000 Match Game! There are only ten days remaining to reach our goal. If you would like to help our beloved herd while doubling your donation at the same time, you may donate here on our website or via our Facebook fundraiser. Please note that it is for the Match Game. Thank you!

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Such a very good girl!

Peggy Sue has a back leg that she is unable to bend (the humans in her previous home had tried to ‘help’ her deliver her baby years ago and her pelvis fractured in several places), so we have to place her in a sling for her hooficures. As you can see in the above image, she is such a very good girl for the farrier. Peggy Sue is just one member of our little herd who is on the farrier list this week. Others scheduled to receive a hooficure within the next few days, include Bouie, Frodo, Ebony, Lily, CaryLou, Lucy, Luigi, Warrior, Misti, Sassy, Simba, JoJo and Jazzy.

The average cost of a farrier visit per horse/ donkey is $33.

If you wish to contribute to this most important and necessary need, you may do so by clicking on the DONATE button below. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. Thank you!

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Oreo Needs You

We still have quite a ways to go to achieve our goal for Oreo’s ear canal ablation surgery. If you wish to assist with our sweet boy’s surgery, you may do so via GivingGrid by clicking here or on the photo of Oreo.

Thank you!
Theresa

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