We are pleased to officially notify everyone that we will be demonstrating at the Illinois Horse Fair March 5-6. Michelle and Christian Daniels will join us, and maybe one more adopter from Indiana. We have graciously been gifted four stalls to use. We currently need one more stall space for tack, at the rate of $90.
We had the vet out last week to draw coggins for Interstate Health Certificates. I am not sure what the bill will be but I am sure it is $100.
In addition, we have two night's motel to pay for at the Pear Tree Inn. We got this motel because it is one of the most inexpensive motels in the area at a rate of $55 a night plus tax. So we are looking at another $110 or more there.
Diesel and transportation for horses is another thing we are hoping for assistance with. We are a good 350 miles or more from Springfield. Our truck gets about 20 mpg highway pulling our trailer........at $2.79 a gallon - x both ways = expensive if we do the math....
We will ask the industry for support - let's keep our fingers crossed as we know how badly the harness racing industry needs positive exposure to keep harness racing alive!
Susan
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Humbled
I have not had the heart to write since February 9. I am only human, but should be a bigger person than I really am. When life happens and it doesn't seem fair, I seem to fade away into a place where ignorance is bliss. It is not justifiable. It is not professional, and it is not godly. But, it is Sue's way of avoiding things.
Flaunting It went to her new home two Sunday's ago. I was ecstatic about her new placement with a tried and true adopter. I emailed her to ask how Flaunting It was doing but did not hear from her until Monday. Apparently Flaunting It was eating her feed upon arrival and experienced "choke". The adopter immediately employed the help of a vet.........long story short the choke produced aspiration which resulted in pneumonia. My initial reaction was to get her to UW or a similar vet hospital. That was an option and a hauler was on stand by. I received two emotional phone calls from the adopter about Flaunting It. I have been unable to open emails or follow how this story ended. It is as if I know it ended badly I would go insane.
I know this sounds crazy but I am unable to separate my emotions from the horses. I want to lay blame and guilt upon myself for decisions that seem perfect at the time.
I know the home she went to was the perfect place, but at 20 years of age is it fair to assume that all horses will adjust to a new place as a five year old would? NO!
Was I wrong for sending her to yet another placement after being so emaciated, separated from Spect's Solution, and at her mature age? I will never know!! I can only hope that this has a happy ending and that Flaunting It has survived her pneumonia and is doing well. Until I can be mature enough to open the emails, we won't know. I guess this is called self-preservation....
I think I am finally realizing that working 30-40 hours a week, taking care of 25 horses, and trying to provide experiences for students from Globe University and surrounding places is taking a toll on myself and my family. I find that by Friday I am so exhausted that all I want to do is sleep, but the reality is that there are tanks to be filled and animals to be fed. My children must not suffer, and my house should be clean. I yearn for a way to make it all doable. Not only doable, but EXCELLENT in every way. As of right now I am just struggling to take care of it all but never feel at peace. I do sincerely believe that good change is coming.
Good news:
Fund raiser in the works for ASAP with American Legion in Stoddard WI
Look for more details soon
Illinois Horse Fair - March 5-6. Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association is paying for four stalls!!! We still are hoping for sponsorship to fund cost of gas for trucking the six hours to get there, and two nights motel (at $60 night)
Bad news:
No sponsorship dollars from IHHA to date.......hoping it will come soon
Adoptions are still down - returns are still up due to peoples' loss of income, jobs
Winter seems to be really dragging on
Please pray for strength to continue, not only in mediocracy, but in excellence, for the sake of the horses.
Thanks to Lori W. and Andrea T. for their continued financial support.
What would we be without you?
Hugs,
Sue
Flaunting It went to her new home two Sunday's ago. I was ecstatic about her new placement with a tried and true adopter. I emailed her to ask how Flaunting It was doing but did not hear from her until Monday. Apparently Flaunting It was eating her feed upon arrival and experienced "choke". The adopter immediately employed the help of a vet.........long story short the choke produced aspiration which resulted in pneumonia. My initial reaction was to get her to UW or a similar vet hospital. That was an option and a hauler was on stand by. I received two emotional phone calls from the adopter about Flaunting It. I have been unable to open emails or follow how this story ended. It is as if I know it ended badly I would go insane.
I know this sounds crazy but I am unable to separate my emotions from the horses. I want to lay blame and guilt upon myself for decisions that seem perfect at the time.
I know the home she went to was the perfect place, but at 20 years of age is it fair to assume that all horses will adjust to a new place as a five year old would? NO!
Was I wrong for sending her to yet another placement after being so emaciated, separated from Spect's Solution, and at her mature age? I will never know!! I can only hope that this has a happy ending and that Flaunting It has survived her pneumonia and is doing well. Until I can be mature enough to open the emails, we won't know. I guess this is called self-preservation....
I think I am finally realizing that working 30-40 hours a week, taking care of 25 horses, and trying to provide experiences for students from Globe University and surrounding places is taking a toll on myself and my family. I find that by Friday I am so exhausted that all I want to do is sleep, but the reality is that there are tanks to be filled and animals to be fed. My children must not suffer, and my house should be clean. I yearn for a way to make it all doable. Not only doable, but EXCELLENT in every way. As of right now I am just struggling to take care of it all but never feel at peace. I do sincerely believe that good change is coming.
Good news:
Fund raiser in the works for ASAP with American Legion in Stoddard WI
Look for more details soon
Illinois Horse Fair - March 5-6. Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association is paying for four stalls!!! We still are hoping for sponsorship to fund cost of gas for trucking the six hours to get there, and two nights motel (at $60 night)
Bad news:
No sponsorship dollars from IHHA to date.......hoping it will come soon
Adoptions are still down - returns are still up due to peoples' loss of income, jobs
Winter seems to be really dragging on
Please pray for strength to continue, not only in mediocracy, but in excellence, for the sake of the horses.
Thanks to Lori W. and Andrea T. for their continued financial support.
What would we be without you?
Hugs,
Sue
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
So Much To Share
Merry Christmas! We are in the middle of another storm system dumping snow on us. Yay - already talking to the kids about home schooling for one quarter of their school year next year so we can blow out of here to warmer pastures! (Of course it's a dream)........
Many many thanks to Judy and Jessica King for coming last weekend to help feed horses and enjoy some riding. Strawberry, Chief, and Steelin Apples got some well-deserved attention by Jessica, Judy, and Jordyn Edge. Judy and Jordyn's aunt Robin put their heads together and thought up a great fundraising idea for ASAP. We are meeting on it this week and hope to have a shindig put together at the Stoddard American Legion for either late March or late April! It will include kid's activities on a Saturday afternoon, leading into food, a live band (Joe, we're hoping you'll say "yes"!), and beverages and dancing for the adults at night. We'll have a silent auction, so I am already putting out some feelers to see if any of you may have items for this that you would consider gifting to ASAP?
Many many thousands of thanks to Andrea and Comfortex for their large donation to ASAP. With this, we were able to completely pay up our hay bill and feed bill, vet bill and wow!!! First time ever. We are meeting with Andrea and her business partner very shortly to discuss consistent, solid fund raising ideas that they have. Ultimately, I am seeking a way to run ASAP full time and continue our mission of 17 years.
Thank you to Lori for your recent donation! You are such a gift to the horses! Lori is a consistent donor and with this gift we will be able to get a head start on Illinois Horse Fair which is in a few short weeks.
We were able to pay our stall fees for Midwest Horse Fair and now are working towards the motel rooms fees which will run $70 a night plus sales tax for three nights.
Flaunting It went to her new adoptive home to join Morena Hanover and Dueling Fox on Sunday. Sadly, and no one's fault at all, Flaunting It suffered CHOKE after arrival. The vet had to be called and they did attempt to tube her, but it was not effective. Flaunting It SHOULD be okay as long as everyone believes good thoughts and says a prayer. She is 20 this year and was looking forward to ten or more years of just being a well-loved pleasure horse when this happened.
Spect's Solution is still on the mend and his bandage is only being changed once a day, which is encouraging - vets are hoping for a full recovery. Thanks to Andrea for making this possible, Shannon for boarding Spect, and Jan for doing the surgery.
It's official - Girlie is going to have pups. Well the bright side is that they may be worth something if they are TT Brindles! Never had pups on the farm before, so any hints would be helpful. Vet says it may happen within a week - geeezzzzzzz......
Four bunnies found homes Sunday! Thanks to Don Martinson for coming and helping us sex the rabbits and taking, hopefully, all of the males!
Well, that's about it for right this minute. They just canceled school so I am off to work. Have a great rest of the week!
Hugs,
Susan
Many many thanks to Judy and Jessica King for coming last weekend to help feed horses and enjoy some riding. Strawberry, Chief, and Steelin Apples got some well-deserved attention by Jessica, Judy, and Jordyn Edge. Judy and Jordyn's aunt Robin put their heads together and thought up a great fundraising idea for ASAP. We are meeting on it this week and hope to have a shindig put together at the Stoddard American Legion for either late March or late April! It will include kid's activities on a Saturday afternoon, leading into food, a live band (Joe, we're hoping you'll say "yes"!), and beverages and dancing for the adults at night. We'll have a silent auction, so I am already putting out some feelers to see if any of you may have items for this that you would consider gifting to ASAP?
Many many thousands of thanks to Andrea and Comfortex for their large donation to ASAP. With this, we were able to completely pay up our hay bill and feed bill, vet bill and wow!!! First time ever. We are meeting with Andrea and her business partner very shortly to discuss consistent, solid fund raising ideas that they have. Ultimately, I am seeking a way to run ASAP full time and continue our mission of 17 years.
Thank you to Lori for your recent donation! You are such a gift to the horses! Lori is a consistent donor and with this gift we will be able to get a head start on Illinois Horse Fair which is in a few short weeks.
We were able to pay our stall fees for Midwest Horse Fair and now are working towards the motel rooms fees which will run $70 a night plus sales tax for three nights.
Flaunting It went to her new adoptive home to join Morena Hanover and Dueling Fox on Sunday. Sadly, and no one's fault at all, Flaunting It suffered CHOKE after arrival. The vet had to be called and they did attempt to tube her, but it was not effective. Flaunting It SHOULD be okay as long as everyone believes good thoughts and says a prayer. She is 20 this year and was looking forward to ten or more years of just being a well-loved pleasure horse when this happened.
Spect's Solution is still on the mend and his bandage is only being changed once a day, which is encouraging - vets are hoping for a full recovery. Thanks to Andrea for making this possible, Shannon for boarding Spect, and Jan for doing the surgery.
It's official - Girlie is going to have pups. Well the bright side is that they may be worth something if they are TT Brindles! Never had pups on the farm before, so any hints would be helpful. Vet says it may happen within a week - geeezzzzzzz......
Four bunnies found homes Sunday! Thanks to Don Martinson for coming and helping us sex the rabbits and taking, hopefully, all of the males!
Well, that's about it for right this minute. They just canceled school so I am off to work. Have a great rest of the week!
Hugs,
Susan
Monday, February 1, 2010
February News
SOOO glad to be out of January - feel like we are rounding the corner - 27 more days until March 1!!!
The cats and dogs all fight to be inside and we find ourselves guarding doorways when company comes to keep animals from invading our home. I feel badly for my sister tonite as her dog of many years is facing her final days - it is like losing a child when a dog passes - so whisper a prayer for their family and for the dog that it will be peaceful and that the Lord will comfort them.
As for our Tennessee visitor, Girlie...........ahem................I am HOPING she is gaining weight cuz she is eating well................if not, my friend Andrea who may decide to bring Girlie home with her may be in for more than she bargained for!
I will take Girlie to the vet for a distemper booster and find out for sure at that time.
Mom left today for her month with my sister. It is so empty when she leaves - so hard to have her go, but this past month I believe I made it a point to spend all possible free moments with her, to treasure her, listen to her stories, and just "be still" and let thoughts of all I should be doing be put on hold. I don't want any regrets. Still, some of the stories were hard to listen to - stories of her family during WW II in Norway when she was growing up - stories of losing her mother to tuberculosis when my mom was only 11, having to be raised by step mothers and grandmothers and grandfathers and being so very poor. Stories of later years after marrying my dad, and summers in Wisconsin. The worse part was hearing of her anguish, knowing that when we left Wisconsin to go back to California my dad kept our family dog chained to a doghouse for literally 4-5 months, alone. The neighbor came down to feed and water, but he was no animal lover. I can't imagine what that dog must have gone through - the feelings of abandonment and loss of his family's love. When I was 15 my father went back to California to sell our house in order to move everyone permanently to Wisconsin. Over the years my mother had built a family of many cats - all were outdoor cats - but she had a name for all of the 15-20 that were ours. She just told me this past month that when the house in California sold my mother wanted to bring the cats, or at least a couple of her favorites. My dad forbid her to take them, and promised to "take good care of them". She never knew what he had done until later, when he shared that he had put them all in a cage and taken them to Svedal, a public park outside of San Jose near Morgan Hill, and let them all go there. My mother has kept this hurt inside for many years, and I am sure she was relieved to finally be able to talk about it. It shocked me, but then again, why should it? Maybe this is why I ended up in animal rescue............or maybe it was in my DNA before I was born. Here is a poem I'd like to share:
I Am An Animal Rescuer
My job is to assist God's creatures
I was born with the desire to fulfill their needs
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures without planning or selection
I have bought dog food with my last dime
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have fallen in love a thousand times
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count
I have animal friends and friends who have animal friends
I don't often use the word "pet"
I notice those lost at the road side
And my heart aches
I will hand raise a field mouse (I have a great story about this when I was 12!)
And make friends with a vulture
I know of no creature unworthy of my time
I want to live forever if there arent' any animals in Heaven
But I believe there are
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind?
Some may think we are master of the animals
But the animals have mastered themselves
Something people still haven't learned
War and abuse make me hurt for the world
But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind
We are a quite but determined army
And we are making a difference every day
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan
Nothing more rewarding than saving a life
No higher recognition than watching them thrive
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
Who only days ago, was too weak to eat
By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue
I have been rescued
I know what true unconditional love really is
For I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many
Grateful for so little
I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done
My home is never quiet
My wallet is often empty
But my heart is always full
-Author unknown
As we think about the poem, I want to reach out to those of you who may have a place at your home for the following in need this week:
Flaunting It - was going to be adopted once and fostered once, but the connection
has not yet happened
A Team Hall
Honey Fitz
King's Royal Fella - if not placed by Thursday this week, they will be brought to our farm against our better judgment. We do not currently have room for three horses and need to emphasize these three horses are trained to ride and trail safe and please help ASAP if you can! The horses are near La Crosse. We are currently carrying buckets to two horses where there are no heated tanks - three more would take us way over budget and we do not have adequate water supply for this many horses so please help us!
We had one new tank heater go bad last Friday (good thing there was a 3 year warranty on it!) and another one is not working at 100%. Our electric bills are skyrocketing, and we are headed into horse fairs where we will need money to travel, for motels, and for food and stall space. Sponsorships are badly needed!
Our board meeting was held last Friday night because we had at least 50% of our board present - notes to follow.
Have a GREAT WEEK!
Susan
The cats and dogs all fight to be inside and we find ourselves guarding doorways when company comes to keep animals from invading our home. I feel badly for my sister tonite as her dog of many years is facing her final days - it is like losing a child when a dog passes - so whisper a prayer for their family and for the dog that it will be peaceful and that the Lord will comfort them.
As for our Tennessee visitor, Girlie...........ahem................I am HOPING she is gaining weight cuz she is eating well................if not, my friend Andrea who may decide to bring Girlie home with her may be in for more than she bargained for!
I will take Girlie to the vet for a distemper booster and find out for sure at that time.
Mom left today for her month with my sister. It is so empty when she leaves - so hard to have her go, but this past month I believe I made it a point to spend all possible free moments with her, to treasure her, listen to her stories, and just "be still" and let thoughts of all I should be doing be put on hold. I don't want any regrets. Still, some of the stories were hard to listen to - stories of her family during WW II in Norway when she was growing up - stories of losing her mother to tuberculosis when my mom was only 11, having to be raised by step mothers and grandmothers and grandfathers and being so very poor. Stories of later years after marrying my dad, and summers in Wisconsin. The worse part was hearing of her anguish, knowing that when we left Wisconsin to go back to California my dad kept our family dog chained to a doghouse for literally 4-5 months, alone. The neighbor came down to feed and water, but he was no animal lover. I can't imagine what that dog must have gone through - the feelings of abandonment and loss of his family's love. When I was 15 my father went back to California to sell our house in order to move everyone permanently to Wisconsin. Over the years my mother had built a family of many cats - all were outdoor cats - but she had a name for all of the 15-20 that were ours. She just told me this past month that when the house in California sold my mother wanted to bring the cats, or at least a couple of her favorites. My dad forbid her to take them, and promised to "take good care of them". She never knew what he had done until later, when he shared that he had put them all in a cage and taken them to Svedal, a public park outside of San Jose near Morgan Hill, and let them all go there. My mother has kept this hurt inside for many years, and I am sure she was relieved to finally be able to talk about it. It shocked me, but then again, why should it? Maybe this is why I ended up in animal rescue............or maybe it was in my DNA before I was born. Here is a poem I'd like to share:
I Am An Animal Rescuer
My job is to assist God's creatures
I was born with the desire to fulfill their needs
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures without planning or selection
I have bought dog food with my last dime
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have fallen in love a thousand times
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count
I have animal friends and friends who have animal friends
I don't often use the word "pet"
I notice those lost at the road side
And my heart aches
I will hand raise a field mouse (I have a great story about this when I was 12!)
And make friends with a vulture
I know of no creature unworthy of my time
I want to live forever if there arent' any animals in Heaven
But I believe there are
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind?
Some may think we are master of the animals
But the animals have mastered themselves
Something people still haven't learned
War and abuse make me hurt for the world
But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind
We are a quite but determined army
And we are making a difference every day
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan
Nothing more rewarding than saving a life
No higher recognition than watching them thrive
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
Who only days ago, was too weak to eat
By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue
I have been rescued
I know what true unconditional love really is
For I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many
Grateful for so little
I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done
My home is never quiet
My wallet is often empty
But my heart is always full
-Author unknown
As we think about the poem, I want to reach out to those of you who may have a place at your home for the following in need this week:
Flaunting It - was going to be adopted once and fostered once, but the connection
has not yet happened
A Team Hall
Honey Fitz
King's Royal Fella - if not placed by Thursday this week, they will be brought to our farm against our better judgment. We do not currently have room for three horses and need to emphasize these three horses are trained to ride and trail safe and please help ASAP if you can! The horses are near La Crosse. We are currently carrying buckets to two horses where there are no heated tanks - three more would take us way over budget and we do not have adequate water supply for this many horses so please help us!
We had one new tank heater go bad last Friday (good thing there was a 3 year warranty on it!) and another one is not working at 100%. Our electric bills are skyrocketing, and we are headed into horse fairs where we will need money to travel, for motels, and for food and stall space. Sponsorships are badly needed!
Our board meeting was held last Friday night because we had at least 50% of our board present - notes to follow.
Have a GREAT WEEK!
Susan
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