It's August 2, and I am still waiting for summer to arrive. I spent February agonizing over winter and actively considering moving away for good to warmer country with the family, then forgot a little about that once spring got here. Spring got me looking forward to summer, which still has not shown its face. Combine that with lack of time to do things, and I am feeling that all-too-familiar anxiety beginning to creep up as I note some of the leaves changing on the trees.
I have been at the emergency ward at our local hospital two times in the past 24 hours with my mother. She has not done well this past week, and continued a downhill trend over the weekend. She stayed at her condo with my oldest daughter, Cherie, on Friday, and by Saturday she just wanted to be in bed at my house. Back she came, and by afternoon we realized this was bigger than we could deal with at home, so up to the clinic we went. Good thing! Her blood pressure was 70/40 which brought immediate alarm to the doctors and nurses. One bag of fluids later and bloodwork galore, and she was sent home. By this morning, it was clear she was not responding to the antibiotic they prescribed as quickly as we wished. She had a temperature of 101.7 by the time we got to ER, so back on IV fluids and more blood work. A chest xray done yesterday revealed fluid on the lungs. Today it was confirmed that she has pneumonia. Well, I am no dummy and do realize that my father died three days after being admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. It is serious busines with elderly persons. Still, they didn't want to keep her overnight. She is here now, resting peacefully, but I am scared. Please say a prayer.
The board meeting went well Friday night. Some hard decisions had to be made regarding intakes on horses. It was decided at that meeting that we are going to freeze intakes until funding sources can be located. If we can do direct placements of horses from placing owner to adoptive home, we will be posting them on the internet. Don't assume if you see a new horse on the site that they are at the ASAP farm........
When we do receive horses into the program they have to meet criteria. Since we are primarily an adoption program vs. a rescue, horses accepted will have to be at least 2 years of age. There will be a cutoff of age as well (no more 25 year olds) until things are flowing positively and we are able to provide for them. As it is, we have six horses coming back from summer pasture this fall, and nowhere to house them without placing horses that are here.
ASAP is forming a strategic planning committee to include interested persons who are able to assist in public relations, marketing, and fund raising. This committee will meet in August.
Emphasis for the next several months will be for ASAP to seek finances, and/ or to obtain donations of hay and feed. What would we do without our foster families? They are many in number - we are so grateful to them for helping horses out.
A fundraiser will occur in either September or October at Yellow River State Forest. ACTHA has offered to assist us in putting this together. If you would like to join us for prizes and money, let me know. We need at least 25 riders to make this work. Also include a weekend you are available to do a ride. We will plan to have music and food if possible. ACTHA believes that with enough riders we may raise $3,000-$4,000. Wouldn't that be WONDERFUL???? But we need YOU to make it possible.
Whenever possible, try to use goodsearch as your search engine. It benefits ASAP. Also Country Supply for your horse needs, as they donate a portion of the proceeds to ASAP. Thanks so much for your continued support!
Chevie Silverado's wound is finally mending. He should be ready for turnout this week. He is anxious and feeling his "oats" - wants to run! He has been one patient boy since 4th of July. Thanks to Bryan and Kim for coming out to spend time with Chevie and the other horses at ASAP and volunteering their time.
We were able to place two horses this weekend - Irresistable Lou and Lyric went to an adoptive family! I am anxious to hear how they are settling in. The farrier was here yesterday so everyone looks pretty sharp right about now.
We are anticipating a long-awaited visit from IHHA board member this week to tour our farm and meet the horses who live here.
I'll share more when this occurs!
Susan
