Missy is in urgent need of a home. She is a Percheron mare approximately 18 years old, very beautiful and gentle in temperment. She was trained as a working draft horse. She survived a barn fire weeks ago and her current owner is no longer able to feed her hay. Her hooves need attention but she seems to be otherwise in good condition. Please spread the word to help find this sweet girl a new home! See pictures of her at http://horsesavailable.posterous.com/missy
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
New Urgent Needs
Just in our county alone, these calls have come in to our office: Urgently needed - home for 18 year old Percheron mare near Coon Valley, WI
This mare is a victim of a barn fire that happened two weeks ago - many
animals perished but she survived. She will go to kill sale if no one
helps her get a home, as there is no hay at the farm to feed her. Urgent need - older Quarter horse gelding - trained - no hay to feed -
needs to be moved immediately or may starve. Help if you can!!!
Sue
This mare is a victim of a barn fire that happened two weeks ago - many
animals perished but she survived. She will go to kill sale if no one
helps her get a home, as there is no hay at the farm to feed her. Urgent need - older Quarter horse gelding - trained - no hay to feed -
needs to be moved immediately or may starve. Help if you can!!!
Sue
Thanks
We are pleading with the former owners and fans of race horses this
holiday season to make their end of year, tax deductible contributions. We want to thank Craig and Jennie D. of Chicago for their donation on
behalf of Bad Boy Adam and all horses at the ASAP farm - received today! We need about $5,000 to get paid up on hay right now and purchase more. Every penny helps!
Also, don't forget Izabeau, pictured here, needing a home ASAP - located
in Iowa near Cedar Rapids. Sue
holiday season to make their end of year, tax deductible contributions. We want to thank Craig and Jennie D. of Chicago for their donation on
behalf of Bad Boy Adam and all horses at the ASAP farm - received today! We need about $5,000 to get paid up on hay right now and purchase more. Every penny helps!
Also, don't forget Izabeau, pictured here, needing a home ASAP - located
in Iowa near Cedar Rapids. Sue
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Arne
We got a call last night that Arne has been "down" much of the day in the
lower pasture that was donated for us to use this past summer. Due to space constraints at our farm (too many horses dropped off that we
did not plan on), we have been unable to bring back the six sanctuary
horses that need to be here so urgently. Arne suffered a severe race injury approximately seven years ago to his
rear hock. His hock, swollen with scar tissue the size of a small
football, seems to particularly ache with arthritis throughout the winter.
The owner of the farm where Arne is located is worried about him being
unable to get to food and water. We will go to his aid at noon today, and
bring blankets and administer some bute. We implore anyone who can foster or adopt to come forward to the farm to
help us ease our population so that we can get Arne and the other horses
home to more closely monitor them throughout the winter! Sue
lower pasture that was donated for us to use this past summer. Due to space constraints at our farm (too many horses dropped off that we
did not plan on), we have been unable to bring back the six sanctuary
horses that need to be here so urgently. Arne suffered a severe race injury approximately seven years ago to his
rear hock. His hock, swollen with scar tissue the size of a small
football, seems to particularly ache with arthritis throughout the winter.
The owner of the farm where Arne is located is worried about him being
unable to get to food and water. We will go to his aid at noon today, and
bring blankets and administer some bute. We implore anyone who can foster or adopt to come forward to the farm to
help us ease our population so that we can get Arne and the other horses
home to more closely monitor them throughout the winter! Sue
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tigger........
I just wanted to share one of the hardest days of my life. I could post
pictures, but since this only happened 1 1/2 hours ago I am not yet ready
to see my cat's beautiful face as only a memory. Today was a busy day, with people here at the farm and precious time spent
with old friends, talking horses, being with the horses, and working on a
troublesome lap top. I did chores late, and realized I had not yet grained the horses in the
valley (Bob Cook, Arne, Stylish Sharon, Strawberry, Little John and
Steelin Apples). I loaded the bucket with grain and did my first trek
down there, only to discover, at dark, they had no hay left. I drove the
few miles back and loaded my truck up with hay as high as I possibly
could. Usually the cats and dogs gather round, but I do not recall seeing
Tigger. Tigger came to us as a kitten, afraid of being touched. She was
abandoned and we kept her inside, and with time she became our closest
companion cat. Before I could get her spayed she blessed us with four
kittens. I will never forget her depending on us to help her with the
delivery. She was the kind of cat that would sit at the window until we
let her in, would cuddle by my head at night and give me kisses. In the
early morning she would wake me up for breakfast. She always had a kind
of little "leap" that was a happy leap that she did when we were outside
doing things together. I went to the valley to feed horses hay, and when I got back the dogs and
cats were all in the driveway, as if to block my way. I stopped the truck
and waited for the sea of dogs and cats to part so I could get through. I
saw Tigger to my right and Winnie to my left. I stopped. I waited. I
saw both cats, so moved forward, ever so slowly. I heard a thump under my
wheel and could not even think of what had just happened. I shut the truck off and in the dark I groped my way down the driveway. I
thought I saw Tigger lying in a heap in the driveway but could not believe
what I might have just done. I went screaming into the house, and Rachel
and Craig went outside to check, and found her, no longer breathing. I have come to question why a cat who was abandoned and came to trust
people so much and be so loving and kind would be taken so soon. Worse
yet, I am the person that took her life. I have a lot of questions right
now that make me question God's goodness and mercy, but I just don't
understand why she went back underneath that truck. I have wailed, cried, sobbed, screamed, and my kids have cried. Nothing
will bring her back. Life is so hard. I am heartbroken. She was only
three years old.
pictures, but since this only happened 1 1/2 hours ago I am not yet ready
to see my cat's beautiful face as only a memory. Today was a busy day, with people here at the farm and precious time spent
with old friends, talking horses, being with the horses, and working on a
troublesome lap top. I did chores late, and realized I had not yet grained the horses in the
valley (Bob Cook, Arne, Stylish Sharon, Strawberry, Little John and
Steelin Apples). I loaded the bucket with grain and did my first trek
down there, only to discover, at dark, they had no hay left. I drove the
few miles back and loaded my truck up with hay as high as I possibly
could. Usually the cats and dogs gather round, but I do not recall seeing
Tigger. Tigger came to us as a kitten, afraid of being touched. She was
abandoned and we kept her inside, and with time she became our closest
companion cat. Before I could get her spayed she blessed us with four
kittens. I will never forget her depending on us to help her with the
delivery. She was the kind of cat that would sit at the window until we
let her in, would cuddle by my head at night and give me kisses. In the
early morning she would wake me up for breakfast. She always had a kind
of little "leap" that was a happy leap that she did when we were outside
doing things together. I went to the valley to feed horses hay, and when I got back the dogs and
cats were all in the driveway, as if to block my way. I stopped the truck
and waited for the sea of dogs and cats to part so I could get through. I
saw Tigger to my right and Winnie to my left. I stopped. I waited. I
saw both cats, so moved forward, ever so slowly. I heard a thump under my
wheel and could not even think of what had just happened. I shut the truck off and in the dark I groped my way down the driveway. I
thought I saw Tigger lying in a heap in the driveway but could not believe
what I might have just done. I went screaming into the house, and Rachel
and Craig went outside to check, and found her, no longer breathing. I have come to question why a cat who was abandoned and came to trust
people so much and be so loving and kind would be taken so soon. Worse
yet, I am the person that took her life. I have a lot of questions right
now that make me question God's goodness and mercy, but I just don't
understand why she went back underneath that truck. I have wailed, cried, sobbed, screamed, and my kids have cried. Nothing
will bring her back. Life is so hard. I am heartbroken. She was only
three years old.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Country Today
Press releases were sent out to 25 newspapers this past week.
Look for a feature article coming in this week's Country Today newspaper!!!
Sue
Look for a feature article coming in this week's Country Today newspaper!!!
Sue
Sunday, November 14, 2010
My Precious Cookie
Twelve short years ago, a dear Amish friend of mine that I affectionately
call "my little brother" showed up at my door. I had been to his farm in
December of 1998 to discuss teaching special needs children with his
sister, who is also a special educator. She invited me to come to her
schoolhouse some time, and while we were there we went to the barn where
the boys were milking and I saw beautiful little puppies in a crate on the
ground. They were Jack Russell Terrier pups, and I was instantly in love.
The family was selling puppies, but we already had a few dogs, so I knew
Craig would not want another one. Yet, here suddenly in my kitchen was my Amish friend with a tiny puppy
cradled in his arms. He explained that he had hired a driver to bring him
on the one hour trek to our farm because his dad was going to shoot this
puppy. The puppy had been born with a congenital defect in both front
legs. She could only crawl, could not sit, and could not stand upright on
her front legs. Her little tail just wagged and wagged when I picked her
up, as my friend begged me to take her so that she would have a chance at
life. I can't say that Craig was very happy, but it was hard to resist this tiny
little life. A few days after she came to us, I took her up to Viroqua to
be examined by a veterinarian. He looked at her only briefly before
stating, "You need to put her down - she will scrape her legs open
scooting across the ground and will not learn to stand upright to walk. Surgery is out of the question. A pup like this will, most likely, have
multiple anomalies". I thanked him kindly and told him I would seek a second opinion. I drove
down the street to another veterinarian in town. She did a thorough exam
and told me that my little Cookie would be normal in every other way
except for her legs. Surgery would be an option - to go in and break the
legs and then pin them, but it would cost about $3,500 and there was no
guarantee that the pins would hold. Everyone there at the vet clinic fell
in love with Cookie, and one receptionist even told me that if I did not
decide to keep her that she would love to have her. That was 12 years ago. Since that time, Cookie and I have been
inseparable. She has gone with our family on trips to California, South
Dakota countless times, Florida, and has been on a million car rides with
me to run errands. Her favorite thing to do in the summer is go out in
the boat to sand bars, where she runs up and down the beach and bites at
incoming waves. She can walk, she can run, she can swim. Most of all,
she loves to be in my arms, and I feel quite empty when she is not there. I had one of the biggest scares of my life in 2005, when Cookie decided
she was invincible and began chasing a horse that was running along the
fence line. I shouted at her but she would not retreat, and before I
could get to her she got kicked in the head and lay, lifeless, on the
ground. I picked her up out of the dirt and she was not breathing. I
began shrieking and groaning and sobbing beyond control. I remember that
there was someone at the house that day to look at horses available for
adoption, and they stood, watching helplessly as I carried Cookie to the
house. At one point, before I got to the steps, I slumped down on my
knees and cried out to God, "Oh please, don't take my Cookie - please dear
God, help us" over and over again. Still, no life. I went into the house screaming and my foster children came upstairs from
the basement to see what had happened. I screamed at them, "Cookie is
dead, ohmy God, Cookie is dead". The sobbing and wailing continued and my
family did not know what to do or say. I stumbled back outside with her
in my arms, dialing the cordless phone. Craig was on the other end, en
route to Washington state with two horses that had recently been adopted. I sobbed into the phone, and Craig just had no words - what could he do or
say from 2,000 miles away? The tears continued to roll, and I thought I felt Cookie begin to breathe
again. I saw a fly buzzing around, and suddenly Cookie's eyes flew open
and she snapped at the fly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How could this be????? She was
back! I was overjoyed, and amazed at the goodness and mercy of my Father
God in heaven. Cookie was my little miracle pup. You would think that living with a disability would have been hard enough,
but Cookie had more challenges ahead. In May of this year I noticed one
of her eyes swelling up, then tearing. On Mother's Day of this year our
entire family went camping at The Natural Gait. Of course, Cookie, Tina
and Peanut all came along. I noticed Cookie becoming increasingly
detached and not wanting to move much. I looked at her eye in horror,
realizing it had swelled even more in a short time. She must have been in
tremendous pain, so on Monday we went immediately in to see Dr. Knight. He
diagnosed glaucoma, and we began aggressive treatment to save the eye. Unfortunately, it was too late, and Cookie's eye is no longer. Dr. Knight
also explained that when glaucoma strikes one eye, the other eye will
often become inflicted. I have been very proactive in continuing to treat
the good eye with drops. Again, it didn't matter. Last week, we traveled
to the vet again and he gave me the worst news I had had since May - she
had glaucoma in that eye and it could not be saved. I have been helping Cookie and pampering her. I have gone to bed crying,
holding her in my arms and telling her I will continue to be there for
her, and that she will not lose her love for life. I have put her on
pillows in the kitchen and fed her her sandwich treat every night. I have
made sure she can find the water dish, and have carried her outside to go
to the bathroom. She has been so brave, and such a sport about her loss
of vision. She still wags her little stubby tail every time she hears my
voice, and I am keeping an upbeat attitude when I am around her. Last
night we went out to eat, and I asked Cookie if she wanted to ride along. I swear she looked right at me and her ears perked right up, tail in the
air. I carried her to the truck, and she sat in the back seat to the
familiar rumble of the truck's diesel engine. I really can't see life without Cookie, nor can she see it without me. Call me selfish, but I can't give up. The vet told me she is healthy in
every other way, however cruel life has been to her. So we will continue
to be there for each other until the end. I have cried a thousand tears
for her, but realize that life is what it is, and we will make the most of
it. The most awesome, inspiring thing is..........she is still happy. And.....I promised her that next year she will "see" the sand bar again,
and we will feel the sun together and dip our feet in the water and she
will lie in my arms as the fishing boat chugs along the back sloughs of
the Mississippi, and we will be grateful that God put us together! Sue
call "my little brother" showed up at my door. I had been to his farm in
December of 1998 to discuss teaching special needs children with his
sister, who is also a special educator. She invited me to come to her
schoolhouse some time, and while we were there we went to the barn where
the boys were milking and I saw beautiful little puppies in a crate on the
ground. They were Jack Russell Terrier pups, and I was instantly in love.
The family was selling puppies, but we already had a few dogs, so I knew
Craig would not want another one. Yet, here suddenly in my kitchen was my Amish friend with a tiny puppy
cradled in his arms. He explained that he had hired a driver to bring him
on the one hour trek to our farm because his dad was going to shoot this
puppy. The puppy had been born with a congenital defect in both front
legs. She could only crawl, could not sit, and could not stand upright on
her front legs. Her little tail just wagged and wagged when I picked her
up, as my friend begged me to take her so that she would have a chance at
life. I can't say that Craig was very happy, but it was hard to resist this tiny
little life. A few days after she came to us, I took her up to Viroqua to
be examined by a veterinarian. He looked at her only briefly before
stating, "You need to put her down - she will scrape her legs open
scooting across the ground and will not learn to stand upright to walk. Surgery is out of the question. A pup like this will, most likely, have
multiple anomalies". I thanked him kindly and told him I would seek a second opinion. I drove
down the street to another veterinarian in town. She did a thorough exam
and told me that my little Cookie would be normal in every other way
except for her legs. Surgery would be an option - to go in and break the
legs and then pin them, but it would cost about $3,500 and there was no
guarantee that the pins would hold. Everyone there at the vet clinic fell
in love with Cookie, and one receptionist even told me that if I did not
decide to keep her that she would love to have her. That was 12 years ago. Since that time, Cookie and I have been
inseparable. She has gone with our family on trips to California, South
Dakota countless times, Florida, and has been on a million car rides with
me to run errands. Her favorite thing to do in the summer is go out in
the boat to sand bars, where she runs up and down the beach and bites at
incoming waves. She can walk, she can run, she can swim. Most of all,
she loves to be in my arms, and I feel quite empty when she is not there. I had one of the biggest scares of my life in 2005, when Cookie decided
she was invincible and began chasing a horse that was running along the
fence line. I shouted at her but she would not retreat, and before I
could get to her she got kicked in the head and lay, lifeless, on the
ground. I picked her up out of the dirt and she was not breathing. I
began shrieking and groaning and sobbing beyond control. I remember that
there was someone at the house that day to look at horses available for
adoption, and they stood, watching helplessly as I carried Cookie to the
house. At one point, before I got to the steps, I slumped down on my
knees and cried out to God, "Oh please, don't take my Cookie - please dear
God, help us" over and over again. Still, no life. I went into the house screaming and my foster children came upstairs from
the basement to see what had happened. I screamed at them, "Cookie is
dead, ohmy God, Cookie is dead". The sobbing and wailing continued and my
family did not know what to do or say. I stumbled back outside with her
in my arms, dialing the cordless phone. Craig was on the other end, en
route to Washington state with two horses that had recently been adopted. I sobbed into the phone, and Craig just had no words - what could he do or
say from 2,000 miles away? The tears continued to roll, and I thought I felt Cookie begin to breathe
again. I saw a fly buzzing around, and suddenly Cookie's eyes flew open
and she snapped at the fly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How could this be????? She was
back! I was overjoyed, and amazed at the goodness and mercy of my Father
God in heaven. Cookie was my little miracle pup. You would think that living with a disability would have been hard enough,
but Cookie had more challenges ahead. In May of this year I noticed one
of her eyes swelling up, then tearing. On Mother's Day of this year our
entire family went camping at The Natural Gait. Of course, Cookie, Tina
and Peanut all came along. I noticed Cookie becoming increasingly
detached and not wanting to move much. I looked at her eye in horror,
realizing it had swelled even more in a short time. She must have been in
tremendous pain, so on Monday we went immediately in to see Dr. Knight. He
diagnosed glaucoma, and we began aggressive treatment to save the eye. Unfortunately, it was too late, and Cookie's eye is no longer. Dr. Knight
also explained that when glaucoma strikes one eye, the other eye will
often become inflicted. I have been very proactive in continuing to treat
the good eye with drops. Again, it didn't matter. Last week, we traveled
to the vet again and he gave me the worst news I had had since May - she
had glaucoma in that eye and it could not be saved. I have been helping Cookie and pampering her. I have gone to bed crying,
holding her in my arms and telling her I will continue to be there for
her, and that she will not lose her love for life. I have put her on
pillows in the kitchen and fed her her sandwich treat every night. I have
made sure she can find the water dish, and have carried her outside to go
to the bathroom. She has been so brave, and such a sport about her loss
of vision. She still wags her little stubby tail every time she hears my
voice, and I am keeping an upbeat attitude when I am around her. Last
night we went out to eat, and I asked Cookie if she wanted to ride along. I swear she looked right at me and her ears perked right up, tail in the
air. I carried her to the truck, and she sat in the back seat to the
familiar rumble of the truck's diesel engine. I really can't see life without Cookie, nor can she see it without me. Call me selfish, but I can't give up. The vet told me she is healthy in
every other way, however cruel life has been to her. So we will continue
to be there for each other until the end. I have cried a thousand tears
for her, but realize that life is what it is, and we will make the most of
it. The most awesome, inspiring thing is..........she is still happy. And.....I promised her that next year she will "see" the sand bar again,
and we will feel the sun together and dip our feet in the water and she
will lie in my arms as the fishing boat chugs along the back sloughs of
the Mississippi, and we will be grateful that God put us together! Sue
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Just To Give You An Idea Of Expenses
Currently, the ASAP farm is feeding 32 horses.
We pay $2.50 per small square bale.
Each horse averages one bale a day per horse for hay. OUR HAY EXPENSE ALONE IS $80 PER DAY CURRENTLY X 7 = $560 PER WEEK. We always supplement with feed, and we feed between 3-6# per day per horse.
Add more to the $560 per week. We received a donation from Pat M. of Holmen of $25 today - thank you so
much and every little bit helps. We received a donation from Lori of Iowa today - thanks so much for all
you do. Adoptions this week = 0
Adoption fees this week = 0 Farrier bill Thursday = $80 - farrier returning to trim an additional 5
which equals $100. We are applying for grants at the rate of one per day for emergency
funding for housing the overflow of horses. Please please spread the word
about our circumstances. Sue
We pay $2.50 per small square bale.
Each horse averages one bale a day per horse for hay. OUR HAY EXPENSE ALONE IS $80 PER DAY CURRENTLY X 7 = $560 PER WEEK. We always supplement with feed, and we feed between 3-6# per day per horse.
Add more to the $560 per week. We received a donation from Pat M. of Holmen of $25 today - thank you so
much and every little bit helps. We received a donation from Lori of Iowa today - thanks so much for all
you do. Adoptions this week = 0
Adoption fees this week = 0 Farrier bill Thursday = $80 - farrier returning to trim an additional 5
which equals $100. We are applying for grants at the rate of one per day for emergency
funding for housing the overflow of horses. Please please spread the word
about our circumstances. Sue
Monday, November 8, 2010
Poor Shed
Here's pictures of the shelter that blew down in the wind storm less than
two weeks ago- our goal is to put up a sturdy lean-to with help from
supporters.
Also, the round bale feeder that urgently needs replacing.
two weeks ago- our goal is to put up a sturdy lean-to with help from
supporters.
Also, the round bale feeder that urgently needs replacing.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Another Saturday
I have been devoting my week to trying to post horses for adoption. If
any of you have any ideas besides dreamhorse.com or illinoisequine.com or
the mwt bulletin board, please let me know. I did post horses on
craigslist and the posting was removed but I am not sure why yet? I did
get a handful of responses before it was removed, so will follow up on
those and hope for the best. An older couple pulled up today and looked around and commented, "You have
horses absolutely everywhere!". Yes we do, and it makes me panic, not
knowing how we will provide for these numbers without support. I had to
drive hay and feed for miles down the valley to Steelin Apples, Stylish
Sharon, Strawberry, Little John, Bob Cook and Arne because there is no
vacant space for them at home. Their pasture is getting very low now, and
they were all waiting eagerly in the paddock. I have spent the afternoon wanting to cry, then realize that the anxiety
we feel is terrifying. I want to cry because the horses deserve my
attention, but we are so busy caring for every one of them that the
quality time for handling and riding doesn't happen like it should. I
want to cry because each one of our horses is so wonderful, kind, gentle,
and has so much to offer, but there are not enough people to go around. I
cry because I didn't get those bot fly eggs off Brandy again today, like I
promised myself I would. I cry because Cricket and Taser Gun have been
waiting for me to work them and something always gets in the way. I cry
because I realize the deworming didn't get done - again - today. I am
just plain down, hoping for a better day tomorrow. If you can spare a donation, now would be the time. We don't know how we
are going to meet bills for hay and feed this winter, but we have to have
faith!
any of you have any ideas besides dreamhorse.com or illinoisequine.com or
the mwt bulletin board, please let me know. I did post horses on
craigslist and the posting was removed but I am not sure why yet? I did
get a handful of responses before it was removed, so will follow up on
those and hope for the best. An older couple pulled up today and looked around and commented, "You have
horses absolutely everywhere!". Yes we do, and it makes me panic, not
knowing how we will provide for these numbers without support. I had to
drive hay and feed for miles down the valley to Steelin Apples, Stylish
Sharon, Strawberry, Little John, Bob Cook and Arne because there is no
vacant space for them at home. Their pasture is getting very low now, and
they were all waiting eagerly in the paddock. I have spent the afternoon wanting to cry, then realize that the anxiety
we feel is terrifying. I want to cry because the horses deserve my
attention, but we are so busy caring for every one of them that the
quality time for handling and riding doesn't happen like it should. I
want to cry because each one of our horses is so wonderful, kind, gentle,
and has so much to offer, but there are not enough people to go around. I
cry because I didn't get those bot fly eggs off Brandy again today, like I
promised myself I would. I cry because Cricket and Taser Gun have been
waiting for me to work them and something always gets in the way. I cry
because I realize the deworming didn't get done - again - today. I am
just plain down, hoping for a better day tomorrow. If you can spare a donation, now would be the time. We don't know how we
are going to meet bills for hay and feed this winter, but we have to have
faith!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Weekend News
There are times in life when a person or an organization can feel
especially blessed, lucky, or just darn good inside all over! This past weekend brought at least four of the very nicest people that
ever happened to ASAP to the farm. Ray, Alice, Lori, and Mike pulled in
the driveway on our warm, sunny Saturday. It is always great to see them,
and I consider them really great friends. They are friends not only
because they support ASAP's mission both financially and morally, but
because they truly care about animals, and especially horses. They have
watched ASAP over the years, and know, firsthand, the struggles ASAP has
faced and continues to face, as more horses flood into the farm and more
adopters are forced with the difficult decision to give up a pet they may
have had for more than ten years due to health issues or economic
challenges. Ray, Alice, Lori and Mike have done their part in providing excellent
homes for horses. With amazement I remember back to a day when Ray and
Alice asked me, "Which horse do you think needs a home the most?". At the
time, we had just taken in an aged Standardbred mare who had raced in
Michigan, then had been a brood mare until coming to ASAP. With limited
training under saddle, the likelihood of a mare such as this finding a
permanent home was slim. Still, Ray and Alice shared that they would like
to take Sunny home. They not only took her home, but they continued
training under saddle, and also made Sunny into a pleasure driving horse! They have done so much for Pistol Pete N and Mini Happy Times,
participating in competitive driving events in Wisconsin this year, and
placing! In addition, they have made Penguin Beware into a competitive
driving horse now, too, and he placed first last week up north!!!! They
gave Cam's Matte Finish a great home and much happiness until his passing
in September, and we have many pictures of Cam to remember him by. So on Saturday it was another day to say "so long" to a horse that,
presently, may not be the MOST adoptable horse we have on the farm. Goodnight Starship, 15, was adopted as a two year old by a loving couple
who provided the best of everything until last year when their health
forced them to return Goodie to the ASAP farm. Goodnight had not been
ridden regularly, and had a bit of a reputation as an "overreactive"
horse. Goodie can be spooky at times, which makes some people believe he
is unpredictable - definitely not your laid back, nothing-bothers-me kind
of horse. Ray and Alice offered to take a horse in for the winter, and to
prepare him or her for the Midwest Horse Fair where he or she could be
showcased as a horse available for adoption. They looked at Kung Fu Guru,
Goodnight Starship, and Comet as possibilities. After some deliberation,
they decided to take Goodnight home on Saturday. The way that they
handled Goodnight and talked to him with such loving care made me feel
100% right about the match between them. Goodie went home to meet the
other four Standardbreds he will be with until next April (and can I tell
you I secretly hope they fall in love with him so much they will decide to
keep him!!!?), and everything has gone smoothly. Ray and Alice also took
home the harness that Remmie did some damage to almost two years ago now. To have Ray and Alice in our lives makes us feel very privileged, and
every horse that finds its way to their farm is a very very very fortunate
horse! Lori and Mike pulled in the driveway just about the time that Goodnight
and Ray and Alice were leaving. They drove over three hours to get to
ASAP from Iowa. They have adopted a few horses over the years, including
Family Counselor (Sigi), Taken By Surprise (TBone), and Wawatassi. I can
still remember Lori driving all the way from Iowa to go with me yet
another hour or more to rescue an emaciated horse from an Amish farm over
near Wilton/Kendall. Lori and I were both sick to our stomachs after
seeing Wawatassi in the condition he was in, and needed to raise money to
purchase him. Lori paid his ransom and brought him home - spent months
rehabilitating him - and when he came to ASAP he did not look at all like
the same horse! Lori also helped with JD (bless his memory), and is
always quick to volunteer anything she can do in times of crisis. She has
donated faithfully to ASAP's mission of helping horses, and hopes to some
day provide a permanent home for Arne, who she has loved since the first
time she laid eyes on him. Lori and Mike were very busy on Saturday, and
drove down specifically to help us repair round bale feeders, and raise
the shed in the lower arena that blew down in last week's wind storm. They spent the entire afternoon with us, and thanks to them we were able
to get the shed back up for now! Thank you so much, Lori and Mike and
Dennis and Jamie and Jamie's sister and Lexi! Without each of you we
would not have shelter up for the horses! Lori and her husband also blessed ASAP with a big surprise - a brand new
Rubbermaid 100 gallon water tank! I can't forget to also mention another
gift she brought that touched my heart so very much - a framed picture of
Taken By Surprise, a Standardbred gelding who made over $260,000 before
retiring due to injury wayyyyyy back in the 90's. In fact, T Bone was one
of the first horses to come into the ASAP program, so I believe he may
have been placed in 1994 or close to it! He has had a wonderful life and,
like Ray and Alice, any horse that finds its way to Lori and Mike's arms
will always receive the best of love and care imaginable. Knowing these
four people has made such a difference in my life - the true meaning of
friendship, loyalty, compassion, and empathy can be seen in each of them. I have appealed to the Illinois Racing Board for advice on sources of
funding for our program, but the condition of harness racing in Illinois
is bleak, as was reported to me again today. We have had no financial
support in any way from Balmoral Park or Maywood Park this year, and next
to nothing from Illinois Harness Horseman's Association. We appealed to
Hawthorne, Maywood, and Balmoral Park for donations for our fund raiser,
but received nothing. Thankfully, the United States Trotting Association
sent a wonderful big box full of donations. The USTA is very attentive to
ASAP and we appreciate their support. So who cares for the horses who
graced the tracks in Chicago and beyond when the tracks, IHHA, and/or
former owners do not? ASAP Inc. continues its mission, with support from
individuals and small corporations who firmly believe that the horses who
gave everything they had to the racing industry deserve to be taken care
of AFTER their racing days are accomplished. Up until this past year, I
really believed in my heart that the tracks and racing associations and
owners and trainers really did care about its horses, but now I have
serious doubts, as evidenced by the lack of support received. We will continue to work tirelessly to provide for what has been entrusted
to us! Upcoming events:
Nothing on the calendar - hallelujah, we go into a season of rest! Hugs,
Susan
especially blessed, lucky, or just darn good inside all over! This past weekend brought at least four of the very nicest people that
ever happened to ASAP to the farm. Ray, Alice, Lori, and Mike pulled in
the driveway on our warm, sunny Saturday. It is always great to see them,
and I consider them really great friends. They are friends not only
because they support ASAP's mission both financially and morally, but
because they truly care about animals, and especially horses. They have
watched ASAP over the years, and know, firsthand, the struggles ASAP has
faced and continues to face, as more horses flood into the farm and more
adopters are forced with the difficult decision to give up a pet they may
have had for more than ten years due to health issues or economic
challenges. Ray, Alice, Lori and Mike have done their part in providing excellent
homes for horses. With amazement I remember back to a day when Ray and
Alice asked me, "Which horse do you think needs a home the most?". At the
time, we had just taken in an aged Standardbred mare who had raced in
Michigan, then had been a brood mare until coming to ASAP. With limited
training under saddle, the likelihood of a mare such as this finding a
permanent home was slim. Still, Ray and Alice shared that they would like
to take Sunny home. They not only took her home, but they continued
training under saddle, and also made Sunny into a pleasure driving horse! They have done so much for Pistol Pete N and Mini Happy Times,
participating in competitive driving events in Wisconsin this year, and
placing! In addition, they have made Penguin Beware into a competitive
driving horse now, too, and he placed first last week up north!!!! They
gave Cam's Matte Finish a great home and much happiness until his passing
in September, and we have many pictures of Cam to remember him by. So on Saturday it was another day to say "so long" to a horse that,
presently, may not be the MOST adoptable horse we have on the farm. Goodnight Starship, 15, was adopted as a two year old by a loving couple
who provided the best of everything until last year when their health
forced them to return Goodie to the ASAP farm. Goodnight had not been
ridden regularly, and had a bit of a reputation as an "overreactive"
horse. Goodie can be spooky at times, which makes some people believe he
is unpredictable - definitely not your laid back, nothing-bothers-me kind
of horse. Ray and Alice offered to take a horse in for the winter, and to
prepare him or her for the Midwest Horse Fair where he or she could be
showcased as a horse available for adoption. They looked at Kung Fu Guru,
Goodnight Starship, and Comet as possibilities. After some deliberation,
they decided to take Goodnight home on Saturday. The way that they
handled Goodnight and talked to him with such loving care made me feel
100% right about the match between them. Goodie went home to meet the
other four Standardbreds he will be with until next April (and can I tell
you I secretly hope they fall in love with him so much they will decide to
keep him!!!?), and everything has gone smoothly. Ray and Alice also took
home the harness that Remmie did some damage to almost two years ago now. To have Ray and Alice in our lives makes us feel very privileged, and
every horse that finds its way to their farm is a very very very fortunate
horse! Lori and Mike pulled in the driveway just about the time that Goodnight
and Ray and Alice were leaving. They drove over three hours to get to
ASAP from Iowa. They have adopted a few horses over the years, including
Family Counselor (Sigi), Taken By Surprise (TBone), and Wawatassi. I can
still remember Lori driving all the way from Iowa to go with me yet
another hour or more to rescue an emaciated horse from an Amish farm over
near Wilton/Kendall. Lori and I were both sick to our stomachs after
seeing Wawatassi in the condition he was in, and needed to raise money to
purchase him. Lori paid his ransom and brought him home - spent months
rehabilitating him - and when he came to ASAP he did not look at all like
the same horse! Lori also helped with JD (bless his memory), and is
always quick to volunteer anything she can do in times of crisis. She has
donated faithfully to ASAP's mission of helping horses, and hopes to some
day provide a permanent home for Arne, who she has loved since the first
time she laid eyes on him. Lori and Mike were very busy on Saturday, and
drove down specifically to help us repair round bale feeders, and raise
the shed in the lower arena that blew down in last week's wind storm. They spent the entire afternoon with us, and thanks to them we were able
to get the shed back up for now! Thank you so much, Lori and Mike and
Dennis and Jamie and Jamie's sister and Lexi! Without each of you we
would not have shelter up for the horses! Lori and her husband also blessed ASAP with a big surprise - a brand new
Rubbermaid 100 gallon water tank! I can't forget to also mention another
gift she brought that touched my heart so very much - a framed picture of
Taken By Surprise, a Standardbred gelding who made over $260,000 before
retiring due to injury wayyyyyy back in the 90's. In fact, T Bone was one
of the first horses to come into the ASAP program, so I believe he may
have been placed in 1994 or close to it! He has had a wonderful life and,
like Ray and Alice, any horse that finds its way to Lori and Mike's arms
will always receive the best of love and care imaginable. Knowing these
four people has made such a difference in my life - the true meaning of
friendship, loyalty, compassion, and empathy can be seen in each of them. I have appealed to the Illinois Racing Board for advice on sources of
funding for our program, but the condition of harness racing in Illinois
is bleak, as was reported to me again today. We have had no financial
support in any way from Balmoral Park or Maywood Park this year, and next
to nothing from Illinois Harness Horseman's Association. We appealed to
Hawthorne, Maywood, and Balmoral Park for donations for our fund raiser,
but received nothing. Thankfully, the United States Trotting Association
sent a wonderful big box full of donations. The USTA is very attentive to
ASAP and we appreciate their support. So who cares for the horses who
graced the tracks in Chicago and beyond when the tracks, IHHA, and/or
former owners do not? ASAP Inc. continues its mission, with support from
individuals and small corporations who firmly believe that the horses who
gave everything they had to the racing industry deserve to be taken care
of AFTER their racing days are accomplished. Up until this past year, I
really believed in my heart that the tracks and racing associations and
owners and trainers really did care about its horses, but now I have
serious doubts, as evidenced by the lack of support received. We will continue to work tirelessly to provide for what has been entrusted
to us! Upcoming events:
Nothing on the calendar - hallelujah, we go into a season of rest! Hugs,
Susan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)