Cookie got her wings late yesterday and joined the heavenly herd. Theresa will provide a detailed update as soon as she is up to it – this has been a devastating loss.
Forever in Our Hearts
Tag Archive for: crossed
May 5th, 2017
Sawyer followed me around this morning after finishing his breakfast and having some pal around time with Lucy. I was delivering hay and, by the time I got to the 3rd paddock, I knew something was wrong. He was looking at his tummy – one side and then the other. We took him and Lucy to the barn and put them in a stall so I could take Sawyer’s temperature and listen to his heart and tummy. His temperature was normal but I didn’t hear any gut sounds and could not hear his heartbeat. We had a very drastic change of weather last night and usually Little E is the one that gets a gas colic. But Little E was fine. Sawyer, however, was far from fine – this was a very painful colic. I called the vet and administered medications, as directed. Sawyer became more painful and I was concerned that he could hurt himself in the stall so we opted to take him under the shade of the tree by the barn.
We hadn’t been in the shade of the tree long before Sawyer became even more uncomfortable. I administered more medications while we waited for the vet. As the medication started to wear off the second time, he laid down to rest. His gums became very pale and a toxic line became apparent. We were likely going to lose him but I prayed for a miracle. I talked to him and told him how much he is loved by many humans. I promised him that “his” Lucy would forever be loved and cared for – my heart was very heavy. I try really hard not to cry until after they are gone – but sometimes it’s just impossible.
When the vet arrived, she could not hear a heartbeat or gut sounds either and said he was not going to make it. Sawyer had gone septic and the only thing we could do was release him from his pain.
I held Sawyer tight as he went to Rainbow Bridge. He joined Penny and the rest of our heavenly herd.
Sawyer was a very sweet, wise pony of thirty plus years, one of our “Old One’s.” Losing two precious souls, Sawyer and Penny, within two days, was devastating. There are no words to describe the pain and helplessness that was felt as they made their journey to the Bridge.
Godspeed, Sawyer. Fly high and pain free with those beautiful wings you so gallantly earned. You will forever remain in our hearts – we love you, always.
May 4th, 2017
There’s a new bright shining star in the sky tonight. Penny has joined our heavenly herd. She was blessed with so many humans who loved her. All three of her mom’s were with her when she went to Rainbow Bridge – Penelope, Theresa, and Elizabeth. And her human big sister, Bri, was there too. Penny was surrounded by love. But our hearts are broken.
I came home and looked at some old photos. So many wonderful memories. Watching her as a baby and the five short years she had with us was a true blessing. I want to share some photos of her when she was a baby with her mom, Penelope. And one taken on a recent visit I had with her. She always made me smile.
Penny wasn’t a very healthy baby when she came to us in 2012. But with TLC and proper care, she grew strong and came to be loved by so many.
Penny would imitate her mom – it was a wonderful experience watching her grow up.
Like mother, like daughter.
Penny has her wings now. I can’t help but to keep asking why did this happen? Why our little Penny? The dreaded disease she had (pemphigus foliaceus) I would never wish on any other. I’m so thankful that I got to tell her how much I loved her before she went to the Bridge tonight. I’m very thankful she’s no longer in pain. I’m very sad she’s gone – my heart is broken. I hugged on Penelope for awhile before heading back to the rescue – she was such a good mom. Whenever I see Penelope, I’ll still see our little Penny.
Fly with the angels sweet Penny – until we meet again. We love you, always.
09/19/15 Update
I received a call concerning a horse on Wednesday night – it was in a remote part of the county and too late for me to go alone. I called the County and they said they would have a Deputy check it out. I didn’t hear anything back from them. This morning I woke up thinking about the horse and felt it was likely nobody went out so off I went. I got to the address and couldn’t get in the gate which was a good distance from the house. There were dogs and no humans in sight. None of the phone numbers for that address worked. I heard a horse whinny but couldn’t see it. I won’t go into the details of how I finally got in, but I did – it was very frustrating. And I’ll tell you, that what I saw once I got on the property and behind the house was sickening. But I had to focus on the immediate needs of the horse.
The owner called the horse Scant. When I got to him, he was down eating sand – he had been down for a couple of days. He tried to go sternum (he demonstrated signs of colic) and I found three good size limbs under him – it had to have been uncomfortable. I pulled the limbs out and put hay under and around him. I rubbed him and promised him help was on the way. His water bucket was out of reach so I got another bucket and offered him water. He drank and was very thankful. It hurt my heart, very much to see him in his condition. I talked to him about life in general and how beautiful he was while waiting for the vet to arrive. As I looked around me there were scattered bones. And there were tree stumps the horse could have easily impaled himself on in his obvious struggles to get up – one very close to him. I turned a bucket over to cover it.
Dr. Ryan got there and ran fluids – he did everything possible – we tried but it just wasn’t meant to be. His back right leg would not work – there was likely a fracture and there was a good size open stifle injury from a couple of weeks ago. He was very thin (BS 1.5) and very uncomfortable. He was at least 20 years young, his heart rate was high (even after meds) and he likely had quite a bit of sand in him. It’s hard to lose any horse – he was a beautiful Arabian gelding. We all know Arabians are near and dear to my heart. He’s now running, pain free, on the other side of Rainbow Bridge. God bless him.
When he crossed, he wasn’t alone. I assured him it would be ok and that where he was going would be a beautiful place with green grass, fresh water, and there would be only good things and love. And I sat with him for several minutes after and the tears came. I just want to understand – how could humans allow this to happen?
A skull and other bones were scattered on the ground. Proof that other life has been lost. Now I ask for prayers for the other animals there.
Wednesday evening update: I did follow up with the authorities and there is an open investigation. The owner has 30 days to rehome the animals or make conditions better and demonstrate that he is providing proper care for them. There was at least one dog, a pony, several cows, pigs, ducks and other birds. Only 3 of the cows I saw were on grass and they looked fairly good. Everything else lived on sand and didn’t look very well. The owner knows he can reach out to us for help and to help rehome any of the animals.
I am calling the Arabian gelding “Eilian”. Scant was a horrible name, IMO. My heart is as heavy as it was yesterday. The only comfort I can find is knowing he is now in a better place running with the Heavenly herd.
Thank you all for caring.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Update: 12/30/12
Last week was tough and losing Alyse was heartbreaking. On Friday morning I received a call from Dr. Clark – Alyse had taken a turn for the worse. Her HR went higher – to about 120 and her WBC had gone up. The meds were not keeping her comfortable. Dr. Clark had spent days running tests and consulting with others about the ulcerations and other issues – they could not determine what was causing her to be sick but they did feel it was a combination of things. One being the blisters in her mouth, on her tongue, and in her nose. They had scoped her earlier in the week and did not see any blisters past the esophagus and believed they likely stopped there (we later learned there was a large ulcer in her colon). The second issue being an unknown factor at the time that was causing increased HR and temperature. We agreed from the beginning that should it get to the point where Alyse couldn’t be kept comfortable while trying to maintain her for the blisters to heal, and trying to identify and treat a secondary issue, we would not allow her to suffer. A necropsy was done and we found that she did have a large ulceration in her colon and her gut was about to rupture – keeping her with us any longer would have been inhumane. We gave her all the time we could and I am so thankful to the Dr. Clark and everyone at Peterson and Smith for everything they did for her.
I was with Alyse when she crossed – her head across my knees in my lap – she knows she was loved. Dr. Clark said Alyse was a strong willed mare and had given it her best. And her care givers had done their best. Alyse was a beautiful and proud Arabian mare that was loved by many but God needed her more than we did and we must accept that.
Alyce in the Hospital
Letting them go takes a lot out of me – out of all of us here that are hands on at the rescue. And I’m sure it hurts others that love and care for the horses here from a distance too – the horses are truly blessed to have so many that care for them. I am so very sorry we could not save Alyse. Alyse and I had shared many spontaneous rides together which I’ll never forget. Those rides helped me put worries aside for a few minutes – they were very refreshing for the mind and body. After I left the hospital Friday I found I needed to stop in a parking lot and let the tears flow and try to regroup. Then I went to Burger King drive through to get a drink. I had left home without breakfast or anything to drink after Dr. Clark called to tell me Alyse was worse – I wanted to get to the hospital ASAP. After getting a soda I stopped by the feed store to buy a few things. While at the feed store I decided that while on my way back to the rescue I’d go by the location where the 3 Thoroughbred horses were that we had taken hay to last Wednesday night. I tried to go there on Thursday but on my way there that evening I got a phone call that one of the horses here looked to be trying to colic so I turned around and came back. By the time I checked on the horse it was dark and I didn’t want to go the location of the 3 horses by myself. So, after leaving the feed store on Friday, I did go there and I found one bay mare down and looking at her tummy. She went sternum and stretched out – she looked very uncomfortable. I tried to get her up and she did get up with some prompting but then she went down again. I called Dr. Ryan and he suggested we get her to the rescue since he would be on his way there as soon as he could to assess the incoming Percheron mare. I called Bob and had him hook up the trailer and come meet me to load the mare and we went back to the rescue. 
The Percheron mare arrived shortly after we got the sick OTTB mare to the rescue. Dr. Ryan arrived and examined both mares. We named the OTTB mare PrimaBelle and she was treated for a gas colic. She is Momma Sue’s daughter – she was born a year before Aaleyah Belle. Prima means first and Belle means beautiful = “born first and beautiful”. PrimaBelle was born a year before Aaleyah Belle and they are full sisters. Aaleyah Belle’s name means “beautiful gift from God”. Like her momma and sister, PrimaBelle is a very nice girl with a pleasant disposition. She raced and won about $12,000. She had a very gassy tummy on Friday which made her very uncomfortable. She felt better after receiving medications and has been feeling ok since. We had a family come to meet PrimaBelle today – a family that has adopted Mia from us this past year that lives not far from the rescue. PrimaBelle still needs to get her teeth done, vaccinations need to be done, etc. She will be up to date on everything and she needs to put some weight on before leaving for a new home. There are still 2 horses where we picked her up from that we are providing hay for that need homes. 
I named the 25 year old Percheron mare “Sunset”. She arrived during a beautiful sunset and it came to mind that she is in her sunset years. She’ll be able to live them without worry and with a full tummy and much deserved TLC. She is underweight and has skin issues. She has large lumps in her left ear described by Dr. Ryan as “cauliflower ears” likely caused from trauma which causes fluid to collect and separates cartilage causing it to die which causes fibrous tissue. She has the number “33” branded on her left hip – the number of her stall from her PMU years. She is a smaller Percheron – not quite as tall as Gentleman. It will be a few weeks before she is ready to leave here but we are expecting an adoption application for her to be received by tomorrow. If approved, Sunset will have a home not far from the rescue. Before she leaves, her wounds will have healed, she will have had her dental work done, she will be up to date on vaccines, etc. It will take awhile to get to that point but her road to a happy and healthy retirement has begun. She has the sweetest face and very kind eyes. Her ears don’t stand up but that’s ok – she is still beautiful! 
Yesterday both mares had hooficures. PrimaBelle was a good girl. This was her front right before her hooficure. We had Dr. Ryan x-ray it on Friday to make sure her coffin bone wasn’t affected and it wasn’t, thankfully. Sunset was a little challenging – she didn’t want to stand still but she’s in a new place with new faces. 
It was going to go into the 20’s last night so we blanketed both mares. PrimaBelle was an angel for her blanket to be put on – she stood perfectly still and seemed to truly adore it. Sunset was a little hesitant – I don’t think she’d likely ever had one. She moved away at first but with a little time and introduction she stood still. And after it was on she still there for quite awhile – at least 30 minutes! The blanket is short on her sides and left about 6” of her butt exposed but she loves it. I am ordering one to fit her tomorrow. She will also be getting a new fly mask.
Solace is about the same – he still has congestion in his lungs and is still coughing. Dr. Ryan examined him again on Friday. He will be out again late in the week to assess him again and to see if we need to modify his treatment plan. HIs appetite remains good. Solace really is an amazing horse. Let’s continue to pray that he recovers. Believe…
Holly is doing very well – what a sweet mare she is! 
The Christmas trio are all doing well. Gentleman and some others had their teeth done last week. I’ll include those pictures in my next update – I’m really tired and have much to do. To everyone that has sent a message or email regarding the loss of Alyse – thank you. I appreciate your good thoughts and prayers. I am behind on emails and PM’s but hope to get caught up on some this coming week.
Tomorrow will be very busy – more hooficures are being done in the morning. God bless and thank you all for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
05/22/12
It is with a very, very heavy heart that I post this update. Smarty Pants crossed Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. She had been improving, or so we thought. We knew she could take a turn for the worse at any given time. Infection and damage to internal organs had been a concern since day one. While edema in her front legs today had decreased it became significantly worse elsewhere. Dr. Ryan examined her, gave us his prognosis, and ran more blood work to confirm what he suspected and it wasn’t good. Verbatim from Dr. Ryan. “Her body was shutting down – resulting in poor tissue perfusion (blood supply to the muscles). All of this caused tissue necrosis – basically like gangrene. She may have lasted another day or two but it would have been pure hell. No doubt you made the right decision.”
While she surprised us with a short walk on her own in the sling today (with us humans by her) we didn’t know it would be her last. You can see in her eyes she wasn’t feeling well. We would not allow her to suffer – we promised her this from the start.
This little filly that captured so many hearts would have been one year old tomorrow. It just isn’t fair – I don’t know why things like this happen. I don’t understand it. I could go on and on with my thoughts about this but I won’t – at least not at this time. Today has been hell and mentally and emotionally overwhelming. And I’m not feeling the loss alone. My family, including our volunteers, feel it too – we all loved her terribly. We took turns sitting with her and caring for her – even through the nights. We love you Smarty Pants – you mattered to so many but we loved you enough to let you go. We will always love you. Now you fly with angel wings – until we meet again on the other side of The Bridge – know you are in our hearts, always.
And with tears still fresh we welcomed baby donkey. She was very hungry when she arrived and didn’t hesitate taking a bottle. Lacey has been providing some milk and we have milk replacer – the baby will isn’t picky and will drink either source.
Dr. Ryan had a very hard time getting the catheter into her vein in order to run the plasma.
She is currently sleeping – something she needed badly.
She’s had a tough start in life but like Smarty Pants she arrived with light in her eyes that we pray will shine brighter with each passing day. When Pam went to pick her up she found her standing between two pine trees, shaking – we were having a really bad storm. Her mom was off elsewhere. I wonder what this little one thought? But she is here now and she will have a full tummy all night long and she won’t be alone.
And tomorrow is another day. I don’t know what it has in store for us but there is already a void – Smarty Pants had become a part of all of us. We did everything we could to help her and she knows she was loved. She didn’t die in the sand and sun – alone or afraid. She was surrounded by love. While I will never stop believing in miracles and had prayed hard for one with Smarty – I have to think God had other plans for her and we are not to question that but rather accept it. Yes, she would have been one year old tomorrow – a day that won’t come for her on this earth. Each day we had with her was a gift – a blessing. And when I look up to the sky tonight and see a bright shining star I will think of her – I know she knows she is loved. And even though she runs with the heavenly herd she is still with us. She will always be with us. God bless all of you for caring about this little girl – our little Smarty Pants.
Run with the angels sweet girl – we are so very proud of you and how hard you fought for life. You are, and always be, an inspiration to me and your eyes are etched into my heart forever.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org