Tag Archive for: Aaleyah Belle

,

Benjamin’s Big Adventure

Yesterday was bittersweet as we saw Benjamin off to school. We’ve been fortunate to welcome several new volunteers recently, and with much happening here, it can be overwhelming for Benjamin. We don’t know anything about his past but we suspect it may not have been positive. One morning, in late 2022, we found Benjamin in one of our south paddocks. Someone must have dropped him over our fence during the night. He was afraid and malnourished. He’s physically very healthy now but has some issues that need to be addressed. Although Benjamin selected me to be his human, he has what I call mental cobwebs that need to be cleared away, and I’m not a dog trainer. It’s essential for him to understand the importance of respecting both people and other animals, while also keeping disruptions to the horses at a minimum.

We wanted to enroll Benjamin in training months ago but did not have the resources. I truly believe that some individuals come into our lives precisely when we need them.

Recently, during a tour with visitors, one of them recognized the difficulties we face with Benjamin and generously offered to fund his training! So, Benjamin is attending Canine Extreme, located here in Morriston. We were quite impressed with the instructor, Raul, who had worked with Shadow a few years back. They are only about ten minutes away! We are so truly blessed!

Sincerely,
Theresa

Aaleyah’s Big Announcement

Hey Everyone,

It’s me Aaleyah Belle, here to announce a new Match Game! Since the hay trailer is now completely empty, this Match Game could not have come at a more perfect time!

Please know that my friends and I would be forever grateful to anyone who wishes to help our little herd here at Beauty’s Haven. All donations up to $1000 will automatically be doubled ~ $1 becomes $2, $5 becomes $10 and so on, and no amount is ever too small. So please help if you can by clicking on the ‘Donate’ button below. We currently have $625 in matching funds still available!

Thank you and Happy Weekend!

Love,
Aaleyah Belle

/by
, ,

A Very Busy Week & Match Game Update!

Another busy week and it’s already Thursday! The heat has been absolutely horrible! The sprinklers, misters and fans are constantly running. Warrior has allergies and does not sweat, so he is much more comfortable in the feed room with the AC. He oftentimes ‘asks’ us to join him and appears to be ever so grateful when we do so. Frodo, who also doesn’t sweat, prefers to remain in a stall with a swamp cooler during the day. Aaleyah Belle, Mo, and Walker can oftentimes, be found cooling down in the shade while Shadow and Benjamin come to life a bit more once the evening starts to cool down.

We have had some wonderful help during the week. Vickie spent the day washing thirty plus feed tubs with a great deal of help from Danni, who somehow, managed to get a nasty wound on the heel of his front foot, but thankfully, it is healing.

We did take time to celebrate the birthday of Kathy, a dear friend and supporter, as well as enjoy a visit by Abigail, who so enjoyed her time pampering Magic, who has truly come so far. We are so very proud of him.

Lastly, and thankfully, our two precious kittens have found a wonderful, loving home!

Sincerely,
Theresa

Match Game Update

We only have a couple of weeks remaining to meet the deadline for our Match Game! Once we receive $6K in donations, the funds will be matched and morph into $12K. We still have $3513 to go. Please share this out – we can do this, but only with your help. You can contribute via the ‘DONATE’ button or via our Facebook fundraiser by clicking on the thermometer image. Thank you, all, for your love and support.




/by

Happy Birthday Aaleyah!

Aaleyah Belle was very excited on Friday morning for today was her birthday! She came running along with her friends, Mo and Walker, as she knew I had birthday carrots awaiting. *Please click on the image above to view a video of Aaleyah’s sheer joy and exuberance on her very special day!

Aaleyah Belle was born in 2008 with a wry nose and was scheduled to die only hours later together with her dam, Momma Sue. As this was the very same day that Eight Belles was euthanized after breaking down while crossing the finish line in 2nd place at the Kentucky Derby, Aaleyah Belle was named in memory of this remarkable race horse. Both fillies were full of heart and very, very brave.

Please join us in wishing Aaleyah Belle a very happy 16th birthday!

And if you would like to make a tax deductible contribution in her honor, I know that she, as well as all of us here at Beauty’s Haven, would be forever grateful. Just click on the donation button below.

Thank you in advance for your love and support!

Sincerely,
Theresa

/by
, ,

Gabe, Willow & Aaleyah Updates

After finally winning the war on Gabe‘s abscessed and ulcerated eye, which we have been treating since the end of August, our poor boy was sadly stricken with a bout of colic on Friday. Thankfully, we managed to get him through this episode; within a few hours he passed gas, had a bowel movement and was, once again, drinking. And then a few days ago, Willow, an eighteen year-old Thoroughbred mare we adopted out in 2016, came back to Beauty’s Haven through no fault of her own.

Willow and Gabe are both in need of sponsors to help with their daily ongoing care, so if anyone would like to sponsor either of these precious horses, just click on the ‘DONATE’ button below. Gabe and Willow, who have now become the very best of friends, would most assuredly, be eternally grateful.

We also have a substantial balance remaining on Aaleyah’s veterinary bill following her surgery and subsequent hospitalization a few months ago, so if anyone would like to assist us with this need, it would be truly appreciated. If you would like to help Aaleyah, you may do so, by once again, clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below. Donations may also be called directly into PetersonSmith Equine Hospital at 352-861-1251 or 352-237-6151, account #95501.

Thank you for your love and support. We most certainly could not do what we do without our amazing village of supporters .

Sincerely,
Theresa

DONATE
/by
,

Another Match Game!

Aaleyah Belle continues to recover nicely albeit a bit too much at times, as she frequently tries to do her ‘Cricket Dance!’ She was one happy girl on Saturday when she was turned out in a small paddock next to her best friend, Chloe.

Aaleyah is as determined as ever to overcome any obstacle that she encounters. She’s been a strong girl since the day she was born. Against all odds, Aaleyah Belle never gave up!

Aaleyah’s hospital bill was a bit more costly than we had originally anticipated but with the help of our wonderful little village, I am confident that we can get this done.

If you are in a position to help Aaleyah, donations may be called in directly to PetersonSmith Equine Hospital at 352-861-1251 or 352-237-6151, account #95501, or you can simply click on the ‘DONATE’ button below where you can contribute in a variety of ways. We also have yet another Match Game on the table and once again, all donations up to $1000 will be matched dollar for dollar! This is a wonderful opportunity for those of you who missed our last Match Game! Please note that your contribution is for ‘Aaleyah’s Match Game.’

DONATE

Thank you, all, for your continued love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

/by
, ,

A Match Game for Aaleyah

Aaleyah Belle is clearly demonstrating that she is tired of stall rest. Just another week to go. Oh joy! She will then spend two weeks in a small turn out area which I am sure, she will like much better! If you click on the image of Aaleyah, above, you can see our ‘wild child’ in action!

We are truly excited to announce that a dear friend and supporter has most generously offered a Match Game to assist with Aaleyah’s surgery, hospitalization and veterianary fees, whereby, all donations up to $1000 will be matched dollar for dollar!

This could not have come at a better time as we still have a very long way to go. If you wish to participate in the Match Game, you can do so by visiting our Facebook Business Page (CLICK HERE) or you could simply contribute directly to Beauty’s Haven by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below. Please note that your contribution is for ‘Aaleyah’s Match Game.’

DONATE

Thank you, all, for your continued love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

/by
,

Aaleyah Needs You Now

Aaleyah Belle thankfully continues to do well since her return to the rescue following her surgery at PetersonSmith Equine Hospital. Although she would prefer not being in a stall, she can, at least, still gaze out over the farm from her window. Aaleyah can also see her best friend, Chloe, from afar and needless to say, she was completely over the moon when Chloe got to visit with her from the paddock outside the barn area over night. I know that both girls will be happiest when they are together once again.

We currently have a Facebook Fundraiser underway to help cover the cost of Aaleyah’s surgery, hospital stay and veterinary care. We are forever grateful to each and every one of you who has contributed thus far, but we still have a very long way to go.

Sadly, in the world of animal rescue, especially with equines, who, despite their size and grandeur, are really quite delicate beings, unexpected medical emergencies can arise in the blink of an eye, emergencies which must be acted upon quickly in order to save a precious life. And since we depend solely upon contributions and grants to ensure the safety and well-being of each and every member of our beloved little herd, we are now, desperately seeking your help. Aaleyah will be so very appreciative of any contribution designated to her surgery/hospitalization. Just click on the ‘DONATE’ button below to make a contribution directly to her Facebook Fundraiser.

DONATE

Thank you, all, for your continued generosity, love and support. *Please click on the image above to view a video of Aaleyah, our beautiful girl who ‘never gives up.’

Sincerely,
Theresa

/by
,

She Never Gave Up!

Aaleyah Belle is back at the rescue! Colic can happen at any time and I still cannot believe that we lost Oasis a couple of weeks ago to this insidious condition. And then it hit Aaleyah Belle out of the blue! Aaleyah so loves life and I am so very grateful that she got through this. She never gave up! Life can truly change in a blink of an eye. Thank you, all, so very much, for your good thoughts and prayers. We have been blessed many times with answered prayers. This is yet another blessing.

We have currently posted a fundraiser on Facebook to help cover the cost of Aaleyah’s surgery, hospital stay and veterinary care. If anyone would like to help with this need, you can visit our Facebook page (CLICK HERE), or if you prefer, you may contribute directly to Beauty’s Haven by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below. Please note that your contribution is for ‘Aaleyah Belle.’

DONATE

Thank you, all, for your continued generosity, love and support. If you would like to see our girl up close and personal, just click on the image above.

Sincerely,
Theresa

/by

Life is About Determination

“Life is about determination! Don’t give up just because of the obstacles. Regardless of what obstacles face you, just keep going! Go through, go around, go over or under – but never give up!”

Aaleyah Belle, thankfully, continues to improve daily. On Tuesday, Dr. Hughes reported that Aaleyah’s heart rate was still elevated, albeit it had come down a bit. She is eating hay and passing poop. She was so happy to see Jenny and Jen walk through the door when they visited with her on Tuesday!

On Wednesday, Aaleyah was beyond thrilled to no longer be muzzled and she happily, munched on her hay. She is still not out of the woods as yet, but we are cautiously optimistic. This mare never gives up!

And, poor Gabe! He is just so anxious for his corneal ulcer and abscess to heal. We are administering quite a bit of eye medications and thankfully, the lavage has truly made a world of difference.

Please continue to keep both Aaleyah and Gabe in your prayers and if anyone wishes to contribute to their medical fees, it would be so greatly appreciated. Once again, donations for Aaleyah may be called in directly to PetersonSmith Equine Hospital at 352-861-1251 or 352-237-6151 (account #95501). Our website also offers a variety of options in which to contribute. Just click on the ‘DONATE’ button below.

DONATE

Thank you, all, for your continued generosity, love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

/by

Aaleyah Belle Needs Prayers

On Saturday morning, we were faced with yet another medical crisis. Aaleyah went down with colic.

I immediately called the vet and then administered medications. After the vet arrived and passed a tube, she determined that Aaleyah required hospitalization. As we were loading Aaleyah, Chloe become very stressed. Aaleyah and Chloe have been best friends for many years and I was so worried that Chloe, too, might colic. I made the decision, despite a terrible migraine, to remain at the farm while Jenny followed Bob and Aaleyah to the hospital. I gave Chloe a little sedative to calm her down and approximately forty-five minutes later, she felt better and went off with Peaches who is, once again, on ‘friendship’ duty. I’m sure Peaches knows that Chloe needs a new friend while Aaleyah is away.

Once Aaleyah arrived at the hospital, Dr. Hughes called and stated that she felt Aaleyah’s Issue could be managed medically vs surgically – they would treat her and give her some time. As we waited, Jenny stayed in touch and after a bit, she called to say that it would be best if I got to the hospital as soon as possible. My migraine had subsided, Chloe had settled down, and I was very concerned about Aaleyah, so off to the hospital I went. Upon seeing Aaleyah, my little voice told me she needed surgery sooner than later. Jenny then tracked down Dr. Hughes to let her know that I had arrived.

After discussing the issues with Dr. Hughes, I asked that she set the process in motion so Aaleyah could go into surgery immediately – a decision which literally, saved Aaleyah’s life.

During surgery, Dr. Hughes discovered that Aaleyah’s colon had been displaced. However, the blood supply to it was good. The bigger issue was an epiploic foramen entrapment. There is a small slit next to the liver and stomach (which is normal) but somehow, about six feet of Aaleyah’s small intestine had become entrapped in that slit. The blood supply had been cut off but the intestine was not dead so Dr. Hughes opted to put back the section of small intestine where it belonged versus resecting it. Afterwards, she observed the intestine moving and ‘coming back to life.’. She stated that part of the intestine was ‘sick’ but it was not ‘dead,’ and thought it best to let it be. She also said that Aaleyah needs to go on a serious diet! I don’t want to be the one to tell Aaleyah that – she only gets a little Safe Starch Forage with a ration balancer as it is.

When Dr. Hughes called this morning, she stated that Aaleyah had had a bumpy night which was to be expected following major surgery. She promised to call me if there was any change for the worse. Sadly, since I could not be in two places at once and with Jo and Gabe having issues, I opted to remain at the farm today while Jenny went to check in with Aaleyah at the hospital. I was happy to learn Aaleyah had passed a small amount of poop! She is also talking to a cute gelding across from her and her eyes are a bit brighter.

She is not out of the woods yet and will remain at the hospital for at least five to seven days.

How to Help

If anyone would like to help with Aaleyah’s medical/surgical fees, donations may be called directly into Peterson Smith Equine Hospital: 352-861-1251 or 352-237-6151. Account #95501. Donations for her may also be made in a variety of ways by clicking on the button below.

DONATE

Thank you, all, for your love and support and please continue to keep Aaleyah in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

/by