Tag Archive for: Ruby

Grief is the price we pay for love

Early last evening our beloved Ruby went down, and sadly did not attempt to get up. She was very peaceful and did not appear to be in pain. As we were awaiting the arrival of the veterinarian, we placed a pillow beneath her head and took the canopy out of the storage shed to shield her from the falling rain. I sat and softly talked with her about many things. Even though she appeared to be fine all day, I feared that this could be her time to leave us.

Then at 8:33 pm, while cradled in my arms, our beloved Ruby peacefully transitioned to Rainbow Bridge.

What a joyous reunion it must have been as Cookie and all of her other old friends greeted Ruby at Rainbow Bridge, but it sure leaves a big hole in the hearts of everyone in our Beauty’s Haven family. Ruby was such a very special mare, at approximately 30 years of age she was a very wise old soul. She had been with us for many years, and knew that we all loved her beyond measure.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers during this most devastating time.

Grief is truly the price we pay for love.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Dr. Elisabeth D’Agosto Sticks with our Rescues

Last week Ruby, Frodo, Peaches and Beauty all got an acupuncture treatment. It was a special day – it was the first time I’d seen Elisabeth D’Agosto in a few years. She was a volunteer when she was a student at UF but now she’s Dr. Elisabeth D’Agosto! We’re very proud of her and her accomplishments. And we’re very blessed that she took precious time to come share her expertise with the horses. She will be here tomorrow too!

Sincerely,
Theresa & the ‘Velvet Nosers’

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A Magic Milestone!

MAGICS MILESTONE

January 24th, 2018

For those who know Magic’s story, you’ll understand how big an accomplishment this is, and for those who are unaware of his history, I hope that you will gain a better understanding of his very sad past.

Magic is an Arabian stallion that was used as a tripping horse. Most horses don’t survive this horrific abuse and if they do, they are so mentally messed up, that they are most often, deemed crazy and sent to slaughter.

After surviving his “charro” life, Magic ended up with someone who beat him with a 2 x 4 because he would not take a saddle. I received a call from a young lady who had witnessed this repeated abuse and asked if we could help. From the moment I saw Magic, I knew he’d be coming home with us. He was very untrusting and petrified of people, ropes, boards, etc., and understandably so.

I was very blessed that he accepted me from the very beginning and we have a relationship built on trust. It took a few years, but now he will approach other humans for scratches. I do tell everyone who goes into his paddock, however, that Magic lives life on his terms. Nobody is allowed to try to “catch” or halter him – he feels threatened if they do, and runs away.

Magic accepts me haltering him, treating injuries, putting a flymask on him, and more. If he needs a vet, I sedate him and put a soft towel over his eyes and once the vet arrives and does what he needs to do, and then leaves, I remove the towel.  It’s worked great.

Magic has had melanomas for years which had not caused an issue. However, one recently got very angry after he rubbed it raw against a board. I cleaned and treated it daily. There really wasn’t a way to keep the flies from the sore so I considered putting a sleazy on him to protect the area. Well, I tried and was pleasantly surprised when he stood perfectly still and let me do so!  I was so proud of him! I opted to leave the sore open and continued to keep it clean and treated and thankfully, it’s so much better now. But the sleazy was a major milestone for him!

To learn more about the horrendous practice of horse tripping, please click here but please be aware that the images may prove to be quite disturbing.

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The barn just isn’t the same without Cookie and Betsy Rose. Ruby gets more attention now but I’ll bet she, too, wishes her four legged friends were still with us.

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SeAnna has found her loving, forever home!  She is a pasture pal to a blind gelding.  The first time they met they clicked!  Both appear to be very happy!

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Kiana is another beautiful girl that is looking for a forever home as a trail horse. She’s getting some training sessions in with Dan Rexroad!

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Penny, a 30+ year old blind Belgian, looks gorgeous in her cold weather blanket. And believe me, it’s been really cold!

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I miss her so much.

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We always look forward to when Carien Schippers, the talented artist who has photographed many members of our beloved herd, visits the rescue. She has photographed many of our horses over the years. Carien is currently offering a discount on her art to benefit Beauty’s Haven. Please click here to view Carien’s lovely images. If you wish to purchase a piece, please use code EGPSNY for a 15% discount which is applicable through February 1, 2018.

Thank you, Carien, for your love and support.

Photo by Carien Schippers.

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Thank You_
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[button type=”churchope_button” url=”https://bhfer.org/donate/” target=”” button_color=”#002c8b” ]DONATE NOW[/button]

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue Inc. is a 501(c)(3) grassroots Non-Profit Organization registered in the state of Florida (EIN: 20-4783950). We are not funded by Local, State, or Federal funds. We operate totally from donations from the public. Please consider making a one time or recurring donation to help the horses. No amount is too small and all donations are very much appreciated. Donations are tax deductible.

Beauty’s Haven was awarded Verified status by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) in 2012. GFAS is the only globally recognized organization that provides standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries. Awarded November 2014 Equine Hero and 2017 Eagle Rare Life Award for Heroism. A Guidestar Exchange Silver Participant and a GreatNonprofits Top Rated Non-Profit in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

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COOKIE – LETTING GO

I apologize for not sending out an update during the past few days, but it’s been tough. Letting Cookie go was more than difficult and accepting that she is gone is just as hard.

Some history – Cookie returned to us from an adoption a few years ago with a sore on her left ear that wouldn’t heal. We feared it was cancer but a biopsy identified it as Leishmania (there are only three documented equine cases in the US – Cookie is #3). There were also sores on her face that were cancerous which were treated but, over time, a few more sores popped up. About four years ago, Dr. Porter referred Cookie to UF where she underwent surgery by Dr. Mangan and his team to remove/treat the cancer. Both third eyelids and her lower left eyelid were removed. Reconstructive surgery enabled Cookie to keep her left eye – Dr. Mangan did a great job!

Cookie UF

Cookie was doing great, but early this year, her immune system took a hit for no obvious reason – the first thing that popped into my mind was cancer. Then, her left eye had an issue. Over the course of several weeks of treatments, biopsies were done by different vets that were sent to different labs, and they all came back negative for cancer. But the eye refused to heal so we opted to have Dr. Mangan remove it. Cookie would do just fine with one eye. We opted to send the eye for biopsy and I truly wasn’t shocked when the results came back positive for cancer. It had likely been there all along.

Cookie Mangan 1

Cookie after her left eye was removed – you could often find her and Ruby sticking their heads out of their stall windows.

Cookie Ruby Window

Several days after her eye was removed, Cookie went out to the front of the barn to lay down and scratch her tummy and take a much needed nap (she would never lay down in her stall). When she woke up, she was out of sorts and hopped up quickly – her back right leg locked up under her. She panicked and ran up the hill on three legs to where I was standing. I massaged it and she calmed down but I was very concerned about the trauma it may have caused. Running uphill on two front legs and one back leg couldn’t have been easy. The next day, Cookie was lame and body sore. I prayed it was something that would quickly heal vs trauma that could cause her to founder. We started icing her feet just in case.

Cookie Roll

Dr. Julia Simonson (holistic vet) treated Cookie with massage and acupuncture. We continued to use red light therapy on her and I called Dr. Specht out to do x-rays which indicated that her front feet were ok. However, we continued to treat her as though she were a founder case anyway – sometimes the breakdown isn’t seen for days.

Cookie Julia

There was no improvement a few days later, so Dr. Porter repeated the x-rays and found rotation (about 4 degrees) in both front feet. Then came the abscesses. We regrouped and opted for Dr. Porter to return with Adam Whitehead (farrier) to do maggot debridement therapy which would help the healing process. We would also continue holistic treatments and red light therapy.   This is Ruby and Cookie enjoying some time together – they had been best friends for years.

Ruby and Cookie

Cookie then lost vision in her right eye for no apparent reason. She handled that well. But when Dr. Porter and Adam came back, there had been changes – Cookie was a sinker. We went over her history, options, and prognosis (which was grim). We just could not ask anymore of Cookie. Despite everything we were doing for her, her quality of life was deteriorating and we saw no end in sight. Letting Cookie go was the most humane and loving thing we could do – we loved her that much. That final walk and those last few moments are always so difficult.

The Last Walk

I never say goodbye when they go to the Bridge but I do remind them how very much they are loved by many. And I stay with them, always, until long after they are gone.

Cookie Theresa

So many go without ever knowing proper care and love and that is so sad. Cookie was blessed – she was loved and she knew it.  Dr. Porter reassured us that we had made the best decision for Cookie and that there should be no second guessing. He knows how much these horses mean to me, to us, and he knows that we try to do everything we can to make up for wrongs that humans have done to them before their arrival at Beauty’s Haven.

Rainbow Bridge Cookie

We were concerned about how Ruby would react to losing her best friend of many years. We gave her time with Cookie to help her understand what was happening. Nobody can convince me that horses don’t grieve and feel a sense of loss for loved ones – they do – and they cry.

Ruby Cookie Final

Cookie may be gone but she isn’t – her presence is still here. It always will be. Where we are – she will be, as are all of those that have gone to the Bridge over the years – Gentleman, Solace, Ambrosia, Casper, Captain, Jake, Layla, Tonka, Mary, Sawyer, Wally, Princess, Faith, Savannah, Tiny Tim, Momma Sue, Genesis, Doc, Admiral, Charlotte, Frosty, Handsome, Grandma Bones, Valentine, Matilda, Victoria, Zaynah, and many more that were loved beyond measure.  They are a part of us, always.

Cookie Forever in Our Hearts

Thank you all for your prayers, words of comfort, and encouragement. We appreciate all of you – volunteers near and far, supporters, care team members – we are very blessed to have the best of the best.  God bless you all.

~Theresa

#rainbowbridge #lettinggo #leishmania #horserescue #bhfer #founder #sinker #alwaysinmyheart #cookie #ruby

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AROUND THE FARM – MAKE A SPLASH

06/02/17, Friday

Around the Farm.jpgI needed a “pick me up” this morning so I watched a video  of Betsy Rose that I took yesterday when we were having storms.

Betsy Rose Video1

Betsy Rose can make my heart smile just by being in her presence. She reminds me, often, that we can overcome. She’s a true blessing.  Believe..

Sisco is doing well. He’d love to have his own home and human family for his sunset years. He makes a great pasture pal.

Bath Time for Sisco

“Kitty Cat, have you seen Jazzy since he got a haircut? He looks like he’s lost a bazillion pounds! He even looks CLEAN!”  Kitty Cat loves to talk to anyone – he’s the most social cat I’ve ever met. He likes to give high five’s too!

Ruby and Kitty Cat

Many of you have asked about the little lamb, Noah.  Thankfully, his leg continues to improve and he’s made new friends that simply adore him!

Noah and Friend

Pease vote for Beauty’s Haven in the ‘Pet Paradise Life is Short, Make a Splash’ contest which began on June 1st. You may vote once daily through June 30th.  Please share amongst family and friends and ask them to also share and vote every day as well. Just click here to cast your vote!

Make A Splash 2017

We won 2nd place last year and $3K for the horses! We can do this!  BELIEVE! Thank you!

 

 

#makeasplash #bhfer #vote #forthehorses #wecandothis #equinerescue #nonprofit #charity

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THERE’S STILL TIME!

Beautiful Christmas cards that can help you spread holiday cheer and help the horses at the same time!  But order soon because Christmas is almost here!

Ruby has always loved to be photographed and we think she’s quite beautiful! These 5″ x 5″ cards with envelopes come 20 in a pack. Orders may be placed by clicking here.

RubyCard

The Christmas gift tags are absolutely beautiful. This tag features our sweet Betsy Rose. Please place your order by clicking here.

BetsyRoseTag

Bouie Gift Tag. Please click here to place your order.

BouieTag

Our Gift Tag featuring sweet Ruby is a perfect complement to our Christmas card. Please click here to place your order.

RubyTag

Loretta Tourville Armstrong honored Gentleman with her beautiful artwork! These gorgeous folded matte finish notecards feature “Gentleman” and precious orphan baby donkey, “JoJo,” having a discussion in the barn. Get a set of 10 now (with envelopes) by clicking here.

Note Cards

There are only a few of our 2017 Beauty’s Haven calendar still available. Each month contains beautiful photos of our beloved horses and donkeys! Just click here to order your calendar today!

2017-calendar

Our magnetic note/list pads make great stocking stuffers or gifts for many occasions. Just click here to place your order.

ListNotes

Donations from all of these items will go 100% to the horses!

Happy Holidays and thank you all for your continued love and support!

Please remember to cast your daily vote today in the Eagle Rare Life contest. It could help to win $5K to $50K for the horses! Just click on this link and cast your vote!

#eaglerare #votedaily #horsesareheros #bhfer

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

#eaglerarelife #bhfer #betsyrose #horsesareheros #nonprofit #horserescue #vote #contest #merrychristmas #holiday #ruby #bouie #ordertoday #helpthehorses

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Good Thoughts for Ruby Please

12/07/16  Wednesday

Ruby could use some good thoughts and prayers – she’s not feeling well.  Dr. Julia examined her and her blood work results should be back tomorrow.

rubysick

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8TH…

Dr. Specht was out this evening to follow up on Ruby for Dr. Julia. We’re so blessed to have such a wonderful support team! Ruby’s initial blood work came back and the results were not good so additional lab tests were done this afternoon. We received the lab report this evening and the results are quite worrisome. Please continue to keep sweet Ruby in your thoughts and prayers.

specht-ruby

Please remember to cast your daily vote in the Eagle Rare Life contest. It could help to win $5K to $50K for the horses! Just click on this link and cast your vote!

#eaglerare #votedaily #horsesareheros #bhfer

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

#eaglerarelife #horsesareheros #bhfer #betsyrose #vote #helphorses #charity #nonprofit #ittakesavillage #equinerescue

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A Draft on the Porch?

September 20th – 26th, 2015

September 20th

Zahara’s X-rays were done yesterday. She’s doing well.

Artwork by Greg Ambrose.

Birds everywhere!

Really blessed to have both of our human “kids” home today for awhile!

September 22nd

That famous tongue! Aaleyah Belle loves to slime anyone and everyone.

September 23rd

The Breakfast Club.

Donovan got a “get out of your paddock and roam free” pass today around the house. I think JoJo must have told him there’s something good in the office. I could just picture him making his way up the stairs in one giant step. OMG!

Donovan is one of many horses looking for a forever home. He’s so sweet – I hate to think of him not being here but he deserves his own home.

Lucy getting her morning makeover from Marilyn Doren. Lucy has a trach that gets cleaned each day. Everyone loves Lucy!

Well, I guess it’s official. Fall is here. There are leaves on the ground already. I just hope and pray the green grass sticks around for quite a bit longer.

September 24th

JoJo helping Chris collect feed tubs. He’s a riot!

Betsy Rose and Penny

It’s been a busy week, but we’ve been able to get a couple of needed baths in.  On Monday, I opted to give Waylon a bath, clean his sheath, and check him for a bean. I got three quarters of the way done, but was summoned to do something else. Sue rinsed him off for me – thanks Sue!

We use a great product for sheath cleaning called Healing Tree Sheath Cleaner. It soothes, cleans, and dissolves dirt, grime, etc. and it smells good too! It’s veterinary formulated and the geldings seem to think it’s ok. It comes in a spray bottle which I really like. If you would like to donate this product, it’s available at this link: http://www.besthorseproductsavailable.com/products/go-way-all-natural-repellent-16oz.

Waylon was a pony horse at Calder Race Track but wasn’t wanted anymore. He ended up in a bad situation and was attacked by a stallion that took a chunk out of his backside which has healed nicely. He’s about 19 years young and is one of the sweetest horses you could ever meet! He’s been having a tough time breathing, but with the cooler weather coming, his condition will hopefully, improve.

Ruby, Cookie, and Zahara.

September 25th

Foxy and Zahara love to run along the fence line and play.

September 26th

Paul and Roxy did a great job and had a great deal of fun at the Tack Shack yard sale in Ocala today!

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So Much to Update You About! Jan 18th – 21st 2015

February 18 – 21, 2015

Betsy Rose got her acupuncture/TENS treatment last Saturday. Some of her lab work came back, but not all, and Dr. Julia pulled another test (thyroid) this past Monday but we likely won’t have those results back until next week. From what we do know, Betsy’s glucose is high and her kidneys are a little stressed. But her CBC results were good. Once we get additional test results back, we will know more. She wouldn’t lay down in her stall so we stripped it and switched the shavings to pelleted bedding but she still won’t lay down in there. But in the mornings, she goes right out after breakfast and naps in the sun. She gets a hooficure tomorrow. Please keep her in your prayers.

Athena got an acupuncture treatment last Saturday too.

Athena is so pretty. We’re not sure what breed she is but there’s some draft in there. Her hock boots should be here tomorrow, I hope.

Two beautiful mares – Athena and Serenity.

Athena getting some extra attention on Monday. Wanda brought her 4H Saddlebusters Club to help out and almost all of the horses got a good and much needed grooming.

Ruby getting some extra attention on Monday. I thought she was going to fall asleep and fall over she enjoyed it so much!

Amber and Baby Ray impatiently waiting on their hay to be unloaded from the trailer a few days ago. We have to make another hay run, hopefully, tomorrow. With the cold temps, we are going through a bit more. It’s already below freezing here tonight.

Amber is such a sweet little mare – she really would make someone a very nice horse. She’s a TWH looking for a forever home.

Donovan and Bryce playing gelding games.

Baby Ray being, well, Baby Ray. I wasn’t sure how many blankets I’d find torn to shreds this morning. But I guess everyone realized how much they need them and all were intact.

Matilda proudly wears Gentleman’s blanket. I know he wouldn’t mind. I’ll never stop missing him. Dr. Mangan will be here tomorrow to check out Matilda’s eyes.

Tomorrow is a big day – Dr’s. Mangan and Simonson will be here and two farriers will be coming too. Everyone here is bundled up. We’re so blessed that the the horses all have a blanket. This is Sisco.

Guess who got their tail braided on Monday?

We are so blessed to have a dependable truck. The tractor is in the shop and we sure do miss it. It makes for more work when we don’t have it. But at least we found a local place to repair it. The picked it up last Friday and we are waiting on a cost estimate.

A beautiful sunny, but cold day!

The mare that started it all – my heart horse. Beauty.

February 20th

Aalayeh Belle – when I look at her I see Momma Sue through and through. She came up to have a knee injury checked while Dr. Julia was here.

Matilda seemed so proud of herself today when Dr. Mangan examined both of her eyes and she even allowed him to flush her tear duct without any sedation! The good news is that the issue in her right eye is believed to be Immune-Mediated Keratitis. It is being treated with medication and the cloudiness should improve over the next couple of weeks. The other good news is that her left eye which had tears a lot is fine – it was as suspected – a clogged tear duct. This is something that gets overlooked a lot in horses. When Donovan got here, he had discharge running down both of his eyes that went untreated – there were open sores that flies loved. He has some permanent scars from this. His tear ducts were flushed during his initial exam upon intake and both were clogged. Anyway, Matilda should be fine. Dr. Mangan wants to look at her eyes again in a couple of weeks. The bad news for Matilda, well, there isn’t any!

We are so excited about Daisy’s progress! She’s had two BCG injections now over the past few weeks and we are seeing positive changes around both of her eyes. The tumors have shrunk! She gets oral supplements and a topical applied daily. We are staying positive about her recovery. BELIEVE!

Dr. Mangan also did an examination on Betsy Rose. She’s been blind in her right eye since the day she arrived – it’s totally clouded over. But she’s been startling a bit more lately and we thought having her eyes examined would be a good thing to do. Well, sadly, she is losing vision in her left eye too.

Betsy Rose has polycoria – you can see in the photo it looks like she has two pupils. It’s a very good thing that she’s had time here to get to know her way around. She knows she’s safe here, and loved very much. We’ll put bubble wrap on her if we have to!

“It was a really busy day today – As you know, Dr.’s Mangan and Simonson were here and Laura and Stephanie were here too! They do our hooficures. I’m feeling better but Mommy Theresa’s arm isn’t doing very well. Well, have a good night everyone. Freckles is getting ready to tell Lucy a bedtime story about one of her travel adventures – they do this almost every night. Sweet dreams everyone!” says Betsy Rose.

February 21st

The Bridle Brigade of Levy County came out today – I’m so glad that the weather was better! Lots of horses got some extra attention and some of the chores got done pretty quickly!

The mini “Welcome Committee!”

We really appreciate Misti and her group taking the time to come and we always enjoy sharing the horses.

Doesn’t Matilda look like she is smiling? In my opinion, we should always take every opportunity we can to help educate the horse owners of tomorrow.

The entire Beauty Haven’s herd thanks you all for your continued love and support.

#bhfer #betsyrose #believe

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Donks At The Stairs and More!

July 14th – 15th, 2013

Sunday: Betsy Rose has been with us 4 weeks today (she arrived June 14th). She was too weak to stand the day she arrived and for a few days after. The sling has been her life line. It’s taken a lot of time and effort but she is now able to take short walks out of the sling. She needs to build muscle and stamina. She has a long rehab ahead of her but that’s ok – we believe in her! Her positive “can-do!” attitude is helping her every step of the way – we’re very proud of her baby steps!

This photo was taken a couple of days after her arrival. She was too weak to stand or to hold her head up.

Betsy Rose still stays in the sling but we take her out for a few minutes multiple times each day (weather permitting) for some physical therapy.

Betsy Rose has a full cataract in her right eye and sees shadows. She has a small cataract in her left eye. She has great hearing – the door to the feed room squeaks just a tad and when she hears that she perks up and asks for room service!

With all of the real grass around the house to eat why does Penny still insist on trying to eat the fake grass door mat?

After tossing the mat she decided we don’t need a boot cleaner at the bottom of the stairs either. So she picked it up and carried it away!

Our daughter, Katie, with CaryLou – everyone loves this little guy! We are naughty here – we teach the horses to give kisses!

Ariel and Celesta will be going to their new home on Monday. It’s always bittersweet when horses go to their new homes – but this is what we do. I’m very glad they will be staying together. I call Celesta my “little reindeer” because she loves to try to take off like she’s about to fly a sleigh! She is a lap baby but she’s getting too big for that!

It was pouring rain in this picture with the sun shining down on our boys!

Cookie and Ruby on Sunday.

New hats and t-shirts are available to help BHFER! The hats are military style and adjustable – they are adorned with genuine Swarovski crystals. The t-shirts are printed with glitter vinyl and have genuine Swarovski crystals sprinkled thru out. We have limited sizes available right now but will have more available soon. For those of you that have questions, please feel free to contact Valerie at markettest@bhfer.org and for those of you that don’t – place your orders thru the BHFER store! We are confident that you will love these new items and appreciate your support in helping BHFER, continue to help animals in need – 100% of the proceeds go to helping the horses! To order visit our online store at http://bhfer.bigcartel.com/ This initial production is a “test” run so to speak and we will have more available soon.

Have a great day, Everyone!

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

 

 

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Tag Archive for: Ruby