Happenings

I want to send out my condolences also to the family of Mike Hoch of Minnesota. Mike came into my life in 2004 when he was searching for good, solid family horses. He had been battling cancer at that time, but he rebounded and was doing well. He adopted several horses from us over the years, his last being Never Smoother. In January he felt the urgency to find Never Smoother a new home. A home was found with a 17 year old young lady who could not be happier! Meanwhile, Mike was not feeling the best and, in January, mentioned to me that his cancer was back. By February or earlier he also had a hospice worker at his house. Now Mike was a young man. I felt like cheering him on and inspiring him throughout his cancer - wanted him to believe in the miracle of healing for his life. He kept in touch by email, joking around in his usual way. Then, I wasn't hearing from him. Heather, who adopted Never Smoother, was excited to update Mike on their relationship which was going so well. But Mike didn't respond to our email. Today I received an email from his nephew, sharing the news that Mike had passed on April 13. I am so very sorry. As usual, I HATE the cancer that takes so many, young and not so young, and leaves families behind to grieve. Mike's nephew believes that Mike is riding on heaven's grounds now. I want to believe that too! We have hope in eternity.

I'll try to send some updated photos of Miss Molly P, Chevie Silverado, and you'll see Timesareachanging and Taser Gun in a pose that shocked even me. Taser, who came to us in 2007, could literally NOT be in a herd with geldings in it. He had been, up until Times came to the farm, only with a mare or two in turnout. Well, Timesareachanging and Taser have become the bet of friends - you'll see them in a relaxed state, rubbing each other's necks, head to butt. They are so funny to watch together! Taser is learning to relax more, and Times seems to be teaching him how.

Meanwhile, my kids are keeping us busy with baseball and softball (ugh). Cherie, my oldest, comes home more often to just "hang out" - Jordan is currently in Ocala, Florida. Tonite he has been invited to a special event by his wrestling school where he is planning on meeting Vince and Stephanie Mc Mahon face to face! My son?
A professional wrestler? I didn't raise him that way!!! But, we are letting him chase his dreams, and all of us are entitled to chase them, aren't we? Jordan's girlfriend Sophie is coming from Germany to Chicago in early July. He will meet her there and spend a few weeks with her. They plan to travel together for three months next summer, unless he graduates from school, is hired by WWE, and goes on the road as "JDV STONE"?????? I am rubbing my head right now!

So here's some pictures to enjoy. Miss Molly P is coming along nicely and is learning to trust more and more. Chevie is still waiting for that forever home.

Susan

Condolences

My very special friend, mentor, mother-figure passed from this life yesterday around
noon. I got the call while Rachel and I were eating in La Crosse. I had planned on going over to see her right after we ate, but it was an hour too late. Maybe for the best, as family said she was not very responsive. For many, it may be a blessing not to see her suffer any longer in that nursing home bed, unable to walk.
She will no longer have to deal with the ruthless, unforgiving cancer and the aggressive chemo. Still, there was bittersweet comfort in knowing she was still with us. Now there is a very sick, empty feeling in my soul but it sparks a desire to sit and write every single thought and memory I have of her so it will never be lost and can only be shared. While I am sitting here prepared to do that, a three week old kitten is "mewing" loudly on my bed and my daughter is asking where things are in the bathroom so she can straighten her hair. Summer vacation has begun, new lives are being born, and life goes on. It somehow seems unfair, and it reminds me that in the circle of life there is a progression from birth to death - sometimes it is fair and sometimes it is untimely. It tests our faith, and brings us to the realization that we are part of it. Time is of essence. Today matters. There may only be today. Live life to the fullest. I have to chuckle when I think of one of the first things I noticed about D.'s house when I first met her back in the 80's was a banner on her living room wall. It read, "May you be in heaven thirty minutes before the devil knows you're dead". First impressions! She was quite the lady.
With D., I had my first taste of moonshine (she kept it in her hallway coat closet for 'special' occasions), mastered my first water skiing lesson on Kentucky Lake, had my first very fancy dinner of many at Jumer's Castle in Illinois, and watched Dr. Zhivago for the first time while talking about "covey of quail" (don't ask - it's embarassing!)..........LOL I'll write more as the memories come, but for D. nothing was impossible or unattainable. Circumstances could make her angry, but she always, always, always forgave, and expected others to do the same with her. She could NOT hold a grudge, always worked hard, but played just as hard. She is alive through her family and through me as long as we are blessed with life. I am most grieved to have lost one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for, and my heart is with her family. Born in October, 1933 - Died on June 7, 2009. Blessed be her memory.

Prayers

One of the most influential people of my entire life is passing away. Please be in prayer for her. I won't mention her name, but I have known her for 25 years. She came into my life as I was a struggling senior in college, and was a mentor to me and a great role model. She gave me things my parents would never dream of providing - she saw me struggling, working 30 hours a week as a nursing assistant and trying to finish my last year of college. She was there for me when the tears came over me and I felt as though I couldn't do it. She provided for me in so many ways - financially and emotionally, and showed me things about the world I had never seen before. We traveled together, we dreamed together, we ate out at fancy restaurants and laughed about good books and our encounters with funny people. While I saw the world as a hopeless place at times without the support of my immediate family, she saw the world as full of opportunity and promise, and was very open in sharing that with me and encouraging me not to give up. We truly lived, laughed, and loved to the fullest extent humanly possible.

I will forever hold her in highest esteem. In these later years she has really struggled with her health. The last time I saw her walking was at my dad's visitation after his death nine or more years ago. She was there for me, even then, to support me in my time of sorrow. Shortly after that time, she was struck by one catastrophic illness after another, leaving her bedridden. Still, the times I visited her, she was full of quips and stories, jokes and some optimism even in her circumstance. I have been worried about her salvation in some ways, yet a person like her has produced so much good fruit in her life despite our spiritual differences! I have had pastors meet with her, and I know that in the end, it is between her and the Lord. Please pray for her these last days. Honestly, I think I'll write a book in her honor.

This has been a melancholy past week. I think my faith is so strong and God is just so "there" when the miracles come. He has
given us so many miracles in our lives that we get used to leaning on Him and expecting things to go our way. When they don't, it is a time of reflection. I always think my actions produce a reaction. I lost my cat, Tommy, last week unexpectedly, and am still trying to rationalize his death in my mind. He was born in a neighbor's boat six years ago. The neighbor allowed the kittens to stay in the boat until they were fairly mobile, then knew he could not keep them there because his dog kills cats. Naturally, I took in Tommy and his brother Lightning. Tommy was always an independent cat, long haired and black and white - absolutely GORGEOUS. Last year he was attacked by dogs and was bitten in the back. I took him in and kept him in the basement to recover. After two weeks he began to act like something was neurologically very wrong. We rushed him in to the vet and he had contracted spinal meningitis. After believing he would not make it, some people went in (staff) and prayed over him. We prayed. He pulled through! So, $425.00 later, we brought him home. Long story short, a series of him being inside, outside, inside, outside, then away for longer and longer periods of time had me worried. Two Saturdays ago Rachel spotted him outdoors and it was a tearful reunion of "Tommy we are so happy to see you and we'll never let you outside again!". The next day he was found under the couch in the living room and something was neurologically wrong again. Sunday night, trip to the vet office. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered. Order to return Tuesday morning for further evaluation and treatment. Monday he was behind my washing machine most of the day, always calling to me - always reaching out. I fed him. I watched him. No seizures. Just not well. Tuesday morning, up and out the door - and I checked in at work before delivering Tommy to the vet office. When I pulled him out of the cat carrier he began to seize - I mean a seizure unlike anything I had seen. I was immediately terrified and stared at the vet with that desperate look on my face. The vet was concerned for me, as I was close to hysteria. He went right to work on Tommy. I cried and prayed all the way back to work, feeling as though something very terrible was going to happen. Within 45 minutes of getting to work I got the dreaded call - the vets had lost him on the exam room table. His bloodwork was normal - his heart was strong - what could have happened?
I have been over it and over it in my mind - crying out for answers and kicking myself for not noticing something more and being more proactive, insisting he stay at the vets office that day, getting him treated Sunday night more intensely. Still, I can't bring him back. God has prevented that miracle. Maybe it was something I did (is this Old Testament thinking?)........I'll have to wait to ask Him. My son, Jordan, 19, had some insight and told me to quit beating myself up. He said we have to allow things to go and not try to figure it out. He said not to be sad for Tommy. It's really hard.

Speaking of Jordan, he arrived in Florida safely yesterday. I was so worried about him as he drove down by himself - my little boy who is now a big grown up striking out on his own to find himself. It was only yesterday that I was scolding him for putting his whole fist in the glass of milk and spilling it all over. It was only yesterday he was dancing with his diaper on in front of the boombox. Now he wants to go into entertainment and is going to a 12 week school in Ocala - ironic, since my father's first job at around the same age was at a radio station in Ocala Florida! Life is really weird.

Cherie finished up another year of school and is training for a marathon. So proud of her too. She has always excelled at everything she pursues. She is a great girl and so much more mature than I was at that age. A great mom to Julien, too. A model Christian. Just yesterday I was at her ballet recital as a 4 year old in her yellow outfit. Life is so fast.

Rachel and Zachary are finishing up their 4th grade and 6th grade year. Both are active in baseball/softball this summer. Rachel continues to be my little riding companion, and Zach is a master fisherman. He is going to be an enterpreneur - always thinking of ways to turn a buck. I thank God I am having a chance to watch them grow up. Seems like life is all about dodging bullets and we never know who they are going to strike next.

Mom is with my sister this month and I am back at work close to full time. She is doing really well despite her peaks and valleys with Parkinsons. Craig is firing away at signs and keeping busy.

The horses are all doing well and we are surviving the minor dilemmas that come up as families change, move, or deal with their own personal circumstances. We are hoping to rehome Wawatassi this next week to his original savior who rescued him from the Amish and placed him with ASAP. She is anxious to get him back in Iowa where he will never be in another home but only remain with her where she felt he belonged from the beginning!

Thanks to all foster families and volunteers for stepping up during minor crises - thanks to Crisse R. whose band member from the Gleasons donated $100 yesterday - it will go to pay feed bills! Crisse is the adopter of Royal Swan Song and RT Rocky.
Thanks to those who continue to give wherever they can to help us catch up financially. Thanks to Shannon and Andrea to responding to a crisis call involving a foal that is 3 1/2 weeks old who was born with turned under ankles and requires surgery. Shannon and Andrea moved mom and baby yesterday and all are doing well.

I'll write more soon.
Susan

Foster Care

Anyone who is interested in doing foster care for ASAP should contact Susan at 608-792-5126 soon. There are several horses in need of placement, including a yearling Quarter horse filly, Standardbreds, and other breeds.
As situations develop within adoptive families, we strive to assist in rehoming horses quickly. At times we run short of the amount of homes we need to accommodate the immediate needs. If you were ever thinking of doing foster care, or are considering adoption, we would love to hear from you at asapinc@mwt.net

Susan

So Many To Thank

I want to thank Wendy Dunn for her gracious donation of a gorgeous, high quality breast collar, show bridle, and a variety of other bridles and tack that was received this week. Lori Hahn, thanks so much for the much-needed wormer! Ray and Alice, thank you very much for the $200 donation. We are chunking away at paying hay bills from last winter so we can afford to buy more.

Thank you to Ursula C., who has once again donated her many acres of pasture to our long-term sanctuary horses. Strawberry, Steelin Apples, Bob Cook, Arne, Stylish Sharon, and Little Jeffrey John are all enjoying the lush green grass. We have been checking on them and they seem perfectly content. Arne and Strawberry always come when I call, and hope for that sweet feed, but we have backed off on that with the protein content of the pasture being so rich!

Thanks to Lynette Laska for all of her hard work last weekend at the rummage sale.
She devoted her whole day sitting at the end of the driveway and donated tack to sell and gave ASAP the profits. What a great friend to have! She adopted Ella from ASAP years ago and is still very happy with her.

Last Saturday we had six riders at the farm - I'll show some pictures. I still need to teach some of the riders how to put away tack, saddles, and other equipment properly after a ride!! Brandy made a ride of about 1.5 miles with no problems - a long way from when she came to us with the sidebone issues. We think she might be 26 this year and still going strong.

Bad Boy Adam made his trek across two states to his new home in Nemo, South Dakota!
They have been pleasure driving him and he seems to really enjoy this. They are impressed with his manners around traffic. They are presently getting used to his gaits under saddle!

Misty and Cryptic Star will travel together, with Misty being adopted by Sara of Kentucky (who already has adopted Picante Star years ago), and Cryptic Star going on to West Virginia (where she will never see another winter, and I am jealous).
Wawatassi is, I believe, the Phoenix who was advertised on the internet. He is going to a woman who has already adopted before. Mc Lock is going to his new home with the young lady who previously adopted Lucky, and her boyfriend. So lots of changes, but good ones!

Timesareachanging and Taser Gun are now sharing the same pasture! Brandy, Taser, Times, and Remmie got turned out in their own lush pasture and are getting along pretty well (I'll enclose pictures). Taser is still in love with Brandy and won't let Times near her. Times isn't a bit afraid of Taser and lets him know it. Times and Remmie go down to the creek along with the llama where the tall grass is, but Taser becomes a blooming nervous wreck if he goes down there and would rather eat dry hay than go down the path leading to the pasture. I guess Taser is still trying to figure things out as far as being a country horse. It's gonna take some time.

We rode Duck Egg last Monday and I was able to run and run and run until I got my cantering fix completely satiated. We plan to go to Yellow River tomorrow if Grandma can take it. Graduation parties today. Life is good.

We are still working on resolution to the Sadie drama. Keep posted.

Hugs!
Susan

Sadie and Holly

What a beautiful weekend despite high winds - we saw the sun for two days in a row here in Wisconsin - yay!
We had a rummage sale, hoping to raise money to pay HORSE the money they are demanding for Sadie and Holly. Thanks to Lynette L of La Crescent, who gave up her precious weekend day to sit at the table and even donated horse items with proceeds to benefit ASAP. Needless to say, the main rummage sale in the neighborhood really dwarfed anything we would try to do, and most customers turned around in our neighbors' yard before making it down to our sale. Still, Lynette assisted in raising $101 for ASAP! Not enough to pay HORSE their mandated fee to get our horses back, but every penny does help.

I am at a point of our hands being tied in regards to Sadie. We have not been able to recruit anyone to adopt Sadie at the astronomical price they are asking for her. They refuse to release her and have even threatened "taking over ownership" of Sadie and Holly is payment was not made in full by May 15. Sadie bucks, and she has hoof issues that we have just been made aware of, and ASAP has no cash lying around and our personal bank accounts cannot purchase Sadie (and I feel shouldn't have to). The sheriff's department assures me that the horses cannot be sold and they are assisting ASAP and watching what unfolds in regards to HORSE and these two horses.
I am a firm believer that all rescues should work together rather than divide one another. I am still a little shocked by the whole situation. We do not want and cannot afford our precious time to go to court in case these horses are sold outright through HORSE as they have promised us would happen. The sheriff is standing by to assist ASAP but it will ultimately become a civil matter at some point. Do you know anyone wanting a Clydesdale/QH cross mare and an aged STB mare that would step up to pay the ransom to free them? Even if, at some point, ASAP could repay them once they have been adopted formally? It makes me grieve to have to ask these questions. Your advice is truly appreciated.

I am personally infatuated with Timesareachanging, who has settled in quite nicely and has been acclimated to a solitary turnout area with grass. He has made friends over the fence with Brandy, Fargo, and maybe Cole...............incidentally, I may be offering Cole up for adoption. For any of you who have seen him, he is one of the most beautiful Standardbreds who has ever walked the face of the earth. He has a lot of energy and has ridden the hills in South Dakota and never done anything wrong with me as his rider. Still, it is unfair for me to expect I am going to be able to ride Cricket and Taser Gun this summer if I also have to be sure Cole is getting all the riding time he needs. Maybe a silent auction with all proceeds going to the release of Sadie and Holly? Just ideas we are throwing around.

I'll write more as soon as I know more! Thanks to Barb and Scott Edwards for their donation of ten worming pastes this week! Thanks to Lori H. for her donation of vaccines!

Susan

Advocare...........

It's time for me to put a plug in for my little business that helps people, and has helped me so much in maintaining a healthy weight and staying healthy. I am still wearing the same size clothes as I did in high school (always been a size 7-9 Junior), and I am happy to share that I did NOT have a flu shot this past year and did not contract any flu or major cold or illness since starting Advocare nutritional supplements over a year ago.

There are supplements that are studied by highly trained medical doctors to help promote weight loss, maintain energy, and stay healthy on the web site at
www.advocare.com/09024340

If you decide to take a chance to be the best you can be, browse the site! If you decide to order, simply remember me at 09024340 - that is my distributor number.
It will help me be on my way to paying off old bills that have been hanging around for years (interest rates stink on credit cards) and letting me share the excitement of this product with you. Let me know if you order, and if you are not totally satisfied with the products you try you get your money back!

Okay, here's some ASAP news..........

Bad Boy Adam went to Mitchell South Dakota.............Craig hauled him to that point and Lana, his new adopter, put him in her trailer to take to NEMO! Isn't that wild? So we will get to see Adam this summer when we go out for vacation. Timesareachanging is here and Mc Lock is also returning to us and he is now trained to ride.

There is so much more to share but my mother is sitting in the recliner waiting for me and Julien and Zach and Rachel and Owen are all jumping on the trampoline. Horses are waiting for their grain and flowers wait to finish being planted..........
I will send more pictures and updates this weekend! Go to Advocare and at least give me an opinion?

Thanks!
Susan

Horse is OK!!!

Many people are asking, so thought I'd tell you the progress we have made with the horse in Dousman.
Thanks to so many of you, the horse will be transferred to an approved ASAP adopter who already has Sally Rengo from our program!
She went and saw this gelding and fell in love with him. The funds will be given to the person who "purchased" this ASAP horse from another ASAP adopter, but the horse will be purchased to get him out of the situation where he is and back into the ASAP family. Thanks to Joann!!! And thanks also to so many of you out there who pursued this situation. We do not yet know the identity of this gelding since his name was changed when he was sold..........but I'll be sure to let you know, and the adopter will be getting a bit of a contact from the ASAP office as well! Just an FYI - if anyone knowingly purchases a horse from an ASAP adopter, knowing that this horse is an ASAP horse, they are also setting themselves up to be liable and accountable for legal ramifications. Of course, ASAP does not intend to prosecute this case, but would have if the horse had been transferred to anyone except an ASAP adopter. The person "selling" this ASAP horse also would have been liable, since they knew the horse was ASAP property before they "purchased" him. It is amazing how someone can adopt a horse for anywhere from $0 - $500, then turn around and attempt to make some sort of profit if they believe no one is watching...........

Someone may say that they don't have time to wait for another placement to be found..........but I know for a fact that the people who adopted this horse had to wait for someone to purchase him when they listed him for sale............thank God this does not happen often and that most people have respect for the life of their animal and for the bi-laws of ASAP.

Timesareachanging will arrive Thursday and we are thrilled to have him!
Six horses got moved to summer pasture yesterday. They include: Strawberry, Steelin Apples, Little Jeffrey John, Bob Cook, Arne, and Stylish Sharon. They are in heaven!
Taser Gun and Brandy got turned out in pasture at the ASAP farm yesterday. Taser still can't believe it.
So things are looking pretty great - enjoy the sunshine!

Susan

HORSETOPIA AD - PLEASE HELP!

I was alerted by a few people of an ad on Horsetopia posted May 3.
It is ad #383070
Everyone, this is AN ASAP HORSE!
Supposedly this woman acquired the horse from someone else who had him from ASAP.
I want to encourage each and every one of you to support ASAP and this horse by sending Cindy (that is the woman's name) an email stating that ASAP horses can only be transferred back to ASAP in the event they cannot be maintained in their present situation. If this woman acquired this horse knowing he was ASAP property she IS obligated to transfer this horse only to ASAP or an approved ASAP adopter. She is trying to sell him! Please help us! Let me know with a shout-out if you were able to post an email to her - we have not heard from her but know she is boarding the horse near Dousman, Wisconsin. The gelding, who is 13, is currently at a boarding facility. I am trying to get the name and contact information for the stable.

On a lighter note, thanks to Joe and Pam S. of LeRoy MN for a donation of six worming pastes to ASAP! Thanks to Ursula C. for once again offering up her farm to provide summer pasture and board for six ASAP horses this year! I believe that Bob Cook, Arne, Stylish Sharon, Steelin Apples, Miss Molly P. and ?? will go (that is, if we can even catch Miss Molly P - sigh). Thank you to Mary D. of Cedar Rapids for her recent $200 donation! And to Kim O. of La Crosse for finding a gentleman who is willing to donate his three acres of hay to ASAP this year! You all make up ASAP!

Still need to post more pictures of horse fair that people have sent!

Worming Pastes!

Hi everyone,
The vet was out yesterday to float teeth on two horses.
I began doing the spring shots (with Craig's help) and worming and realized that we only have three doses of Ivermectin paste and NO pyrantel or anthelcide wormers.
If you have even one lying around that you would like to donate, that would be wonderful. We usually have an ample supply that is donated each year, but we must have run out.
The vet was pleased with how Remmie looked and, as always, made comments on how nice the Standardbreds are to work with.
It is hoped that someone will come along to love Miss Molly P and Chevie Silverado soon. I will be busy with the shedding blade on many of our older, more shaggy horses that are now losing their winter coats.
Our address for wormers is:
S 6039 Pedretti Lane
De Soto, WI 54624
I am sure some of the foster farms would appreciate some wormer as well! Thank you for your continued support.
Susan