Farm Update

Wellll there have been a few guardian angels of the horses that have come
forward the past week or two.
We would like to thank Tracy for her devotion to DT and Stylish Sharon and
Thunder! And for her donation of a port-a-potty to the ASAP farm!

We would also like to thank Marie for all of the loving care he gave to
Thunder for the past couple of years. He went from a horse who was almost
euthenized due to his condition to a gorgeous Saddlebred. Marie, you are
the best for what you did for him!

Thanks to Pete for stepping up and showing your commitment to Sadie and
Gym Knoll Tons! And thank you to Marge for taking such good loving care
of Sadie and the other four horses this year.

Welcome to Jen, who has decided to lease Sydney Rain for a time. She rode
him yesterday and LOVED him, and we are looking forward to her getting to
know him even better in the upcoming months.

A big "high five" goes out to Andrew B. for his revamping of one of the
stalls in our barn this weekend. I have to admit I was ready to have a
"freak-out" when I saw the stall wall down and door off.....but today when
I got home from church it was all complete and the door slides
oh-so-smoothly now! You are amazing, Andy!

The needs are many and the funds are few so far. These are our needs:

Alfalfa cubes to wet down for at least three senior horses who will be
here in sanctuary this winter

Power floats for the following horses:
Arne
Bob Cook
Cobrador Kosmos
Brandy
(This may cost at least $200 total, if not more, and this is with a
discount from our fantastic vet, Dr. Jan from Winona)

Dewormers for all of the above and then some

Of course, we need hay. Lots of hay.

It was a great weekend until today, with riding going on constantly (as
evidenced by the poop piles in my driveway). I am only sorry I didn't get
pictures to share with you all.

Stay safe tomorrow!
Sue

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Tragedy Strikes ASAP Foster Farm Family

I don't know why I didn't think to post this last week, but our great
friend and foster farm for four ASAP horses has suffered a catastrophe.

Last Friday, her barn near Blanchardville, WI burned to the ground, taking
with it the entire winter's hay supply. Luckily, 025, Comet, Thunder, Fox
Valley Terror, Sugar, and all Marie's personal horses survived.

We are asking anyone in the Madison area who has hay to consider donating
some to Marie until they have an opportunity to restore their winter
supply. I am sure that they would also appreciate any donations. ASAP
will do what we can to help, but if you would like to make a donation
directly, please email Marie at

mfkemp@wekz.net

So sorry for this loss!

Thanks

A special thanks to Kim D. of Stoddard for her generous donation of 50
bales of hay for the horses.
Every single bale counts - we would love to get 1,000 stored up for
winter, but realize this is wishful thinking.

Look for our Christmas donation drive - we hope to have a selection of
merchandise you can purchase for your friends and family for Christmas
while also helping ASAP. I have a special friend and newcomer to ASAP
that is helping with this - thanks, Jen!!!

Unfortunately, we are not gettting any donations for the sides we need for
lower shed. American Steel was waiting for our call today with deposit
but, unfortunately, this will have to wait.....

Special thanks also to the people who are stepping up to help foster
horses for the winter. Will update you next week to see if dreams came
true for some special horses.

Sides for our Shelter

One of our shelters blew down in the last ice storm we had in the spring. That has left the lower arena with only one shed that is 18' x 21' with no
sides.

I took a step of faith today and called American Steel. They are coming
out next week to put sides on the existing shelter. We will have to put
plywood on the inside once it is done.

Cost = $100 fee to come here
$320 to put two sides on

We will use existing canvas from other shelter to close the third side so
if here is a scuffle horses will not hurt themselves getting out.

We need to recruit donations of $443.10 total for this project.

Please give if you can, so the ASAP horses can be protected from the
elements his winter. Every penny counts - use Pay Pal if you can! All
donations are tax deductible.
If you like, you can make a donation directly to American Steel.....ask me
how.....?

Thank you!

Load of hay coming today - 140 bales = 350.00 .....GULP.....

Crisis Mode

Please help if you can..........four horses must come back from summer
pasture, putting ASAP at over 24 horses. We currently have no idea how
ASAP will have enough revenue to feed horses hay and grain without
donations and support. We are seeking grants and assistance, but don't
have anything in stone to make us believe there will be funds awarded.

To add to the stress, one foster farm is unable to keep the five horses
they have over the winter, and is asking for placement of Holly, Sadie,
Kung Fu Guru, Sydney and Deon by November 1.

The fall panic has begun, and this is only the beginning of what will be a
long, hard winter filled with the challenge of helping horses and
responding to crisis calls where horses in our community are being
neglected or abandoned.

Fall Frenzy

Look out ......... it's fall...........and people are trying to bring
horses to ASAP faster than we can turn them down.

If others can't afford to feed one extra horse, how does the world expect
ASAP to feed everyone's horses? Without grants, donations, fees, support,
we cannot accommodate all of the horses being referred.

If you can foster, let ASAP know now! If you can adopt, please let us know.
If you can give, or donate a load of hay, it would be appreciated more
than anything else you could do! As much as we would like to stand guard
at the end of our driveway, there will be times when horses will be
slipped in - we are at 23 horses as of today (counting our personal
horses) - we are at capacity. HELP!

Pictures of New Horses Available

Here are Smoke Arisin, STB mare, and Bucky, Appaloosa gelding, both being
donated by the same placing owner.

Currently in Illinois.

The App was an outriding horse at Balmoral and Maywood Park race tracks. Both are late teens, early 20's.

Contact Sue for more info

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Fundraiser and Many Thanks

Last Saturday was a time of first's for ASAP. A first 5K fun run, a first
ever ASAP tack sale, and a first time for entertainment to be here on
ASAP's behalf at the farm.

We want to personally thank so many of you who came for all or any of the
events here on October 8, but a special thanks goes out to:

My husband for his support.

My daughter for coordinating the 5K Fun Run / Walk
Congratulations to the Genoa WI Postmaster, Roger, for finishing first in
this race! My daughter Cherie came in second, six seconds behind him,
followed by Doug from Iowa. You all were amazing to watch! Thanks to all
of Rachel's friends for joining in the race, and to Cherie's fellow
workout partners from LaCrosse for their participation.

Thanks to Rachel for inviting Casey, Lila, and Rachel V. to help out. You
girls were so great with helping us fill goodie bags for race participants
and helping us place prices on tack items. You all stayed good-natured
even when I was manic! We could not have pulled it off without you.

Thanks to Kurtis W. the bull rider for coming over to help us for the
entire day and well into the evening.

Thanks to Robin and Jordin - you two really demonstrated what support for
ASAP is - you have done so much to help the horses. Jordin, we hope you
had a blast riding with Kurtis and Conner and Quin in the back pasture!

Thank you to Quin for spending more than 12 hours at ASAP assisting with
the race and watching young children and just helping out wherever you
could to earn community service hours. You said that you were
particularly bonded with Tilly, and so am I! She is one special donkey. Hope you had fun riding Remmie that day too! Thanks also to Caleb Frank
for volunteering his time while also earning community service hours for
De Soto High School.

Thank you to Lynette for dedicating two separate days to come and help us
get ready for the tack sale. Much of what we pulled out had been stored
but had must and dust, and Lynette was instrumental in getting everything
looking great for sale. Lynette, can't thank you enough - HUGS.....you
have no idea how greatly we appreciate you!

Thanks also to Lori H. for coming all the way from Iowa City area to be
with ASAP. Just think - driving ten hours or so to show support - there
aren't many like you and you are truly a HUGE part of the ASAP family. Give Sigi and TBone a big hug from me, and hugs to you. Hope that saddle
that you bought fits the boys perfectly!

Ray and Alice......I see you guys and just want to tear up with gratitude.
I think it shows the great love we all have in common with Standardbreds
and that is what bonds us all together. Your support goes beyond words as
well. We consider you great friends. Craig, especially, thanks you for
thinking of him with that special hunter's flashlight. He treasures it.

Diane and Duane - thanks for always coming to ASAP events! Mom and Dad
Wellman, thank you for stopping by. Neighbors Richie and Michelle, my
precious friends - we had so much fun singing karaoke til the dj closed us
down, and Chris and Krista too. I think we need to go on the road singing
"Seven Bridges Road"!!!!!

Patty and Dwight...........your presence here was especially meaningful.
Your support is priceless, and we hope you had fun. It meant so much to
have you here, you have no idea.

Diane and Shawn and Erica and Mike- again, you being here was heartwarming.

All of you who came to the sale, or the race, all of you who came to sing
karaoke, I saw you all, noted who came and wished I could have spoken to
each and every person. There were some strangers who came and left as
ASAP friends - some left donations from $30 - $100!!!! People came to see
horses and saw some who are noticeably needing special attention, and many
who greeted them with bright eyes and round bellies. We tried to explain
each horse here,and answer any questions we could about them. We think
that we may have two additional foster homes and about five new volunteers
after Saturday!!!

We also want to thank Kwik Trip for their donation of donuts after the race.

Thanks to Clements Fishing Barge of Genoa for their sponsorship dollars.

Thanks to Dr. Joseph Kotnour from LaCrosse for his sponsorship for the 5K.

Thanks to Kelly Wilde for his public service announcements to advertise
the event.

Thanks to Scott S. of Las Vegas for his AWESOME posters that also helped
us advertise.

Thanks to Grass Roots Barbecue for their lip-smackin ribs and the best
potato salad I have ever tasted. The squash was also amazing.

Thanks to Midnight Magic DJ who played well past the time they were
supposed to end.

We hope to do it all again next year, and I hope to post pictures soon!

Sue

My Cookie - In Memory

Well, everyone who has ever met Cookie admired her spirit. This little
Jack Russell terrier, born on an Amish farm, stood little chance at life. She was born with subluxed elbows, and if it were not for the mercy of the
son of an Amish man, Cookie would have died long ago.

As it was, David remembered ASAP, having admired the Standardbreds that we
try to find homes for. He remembered that the spirit of ASAP is often
compassion, and hired a driver to bring the six week old crippled puppy to
our farm.

I remember I was pregnant with Rachel then, almost 13 years ago, when
David arrived with a little brown and white bundle wrapped inside his
coat. Her head peeked out, totally helpless, with those little prick ears
and sweet brown eyes. David asked me if I would take her. I melted.

Destiny and God's mercy and unending love kept us together for 13 years. Cookie and I have been joined at the hip, to the point of frustration on
the part of my family that she always had to "come with". Cookie needed
me, and I needed her. Now, I ask myself how I will go on without her
there.

Cookie's troubles began in May 2010, when she was diagnosed with glaucoma.
Despite much effort by the veterinarians, Cookie lost that eye and then,
sadly, lost the other eye to the disease in December of 2010. For almost
one full year, Cookie has carried on, following me around the house
despite her blindness and crippled legs. She could find me when no one
else could. She was always there at night for "treat time", barking with
that throaty RUFF RUFF, as if to say, "Right Now!".

She loved car rides and up until this week was going with me everywhere. I gave her extra special steak treats and meat treats. Still, this summer
I detected something else was wrong, and the vet revealed she had
congestive heart failure. That was in February or March, but I remember
thinking I would not entertain any thoughts of losing her, and started her
on medications to make her comfortable and help the function of her heart.

This past week I have sensed she has been more distressed, and took her in
to the vet, but her lungs sounded good at the time and blood tests were
normal. I anticipated much more time with her, but fate had different
plans. Cookie became more distressed this week. Last night I prayed that
if it were time that God would take her, but she was resting comfortably
this morning and seemed bright. I fixed her steak and soft food and she
munched it up and drank water. She went potty outside. I propped her up
next to me while I worked on the computer and she seemed very content.

Then I came in after the farrier left this afternoon and noticed Cookie
had moved into the living room and was very labored in her breathing. She
scared me. I picked her up and we walked outside and she seemed to calm. She rested in my arms and I walked up and down the driveway, crunching
leaves and listening to the birds singing in the trees. I gave Cookie
permission to go, if she had to, and didn't want to see her suffer. She
nestled closer in my arms, and her breathing seemed to calm.

In my grief, I will share that I am both happy and very very sorrowful
that she decided to go. She was suffering, and her time had come. I,
being selfish, have so much trouble with the loss of my pets. She simply
stopped breathing, and her nose dropped further down into the crook of my
arm. There. We had shared her last moments together, and I hadn't missed
anything. I praise God for the 13 years, I praise God that I was not
distracted by life's circumstances, preventing me from seeing the signs,
spending every moment possible with her, and holding her when she went
from my arms up into Heaven where the Lord is now caring for her until I
get there.

I have lost two dogs that have each taken a piece of my soul with them
when they left - one was Mamie - who was 15, and now Cookie. Tina is
still with us at age 16. Looking at everything, we are truly blessed. Cookie, though, my heart is broken in two and my soul questions why living
things must suffer. Some day we will know the answer, but in the
meantime, thank you for being my best friend!!!

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Look At Some Items Offered This Saturday!!!!

Brand new, unused items - just a few of what will be available on Saturday
October 8.

Final Days Before Tack Sale / 5K!!!

This is going to be a beautiful week to get all the tack out and organized
for the sale.
PLEASE COME IF YOU CAN!!

Don't forget the 5K!

Medals are ordered........participant ribbons.......
Tshirts ordered
Goodie bags for runners in the works!

People have been asking if there will be cash prizes for karaoke contest
winners. I guess it all depends on how many people come for this event. The more people who come, the more we can plan on giving away!

Refreshments and food on grounds.......come hungry!