I also love animals. My mother was crazy about animals and I got that gene from her in a big way. We take in animals that have been abused, abandoned or rescued in one way or another. It is very rewarding as well as challenging. To help with the financial end of things I have decided to liquidate a good chunk of my finds. I figure, let someone else enjoy them plus the money goes for a good cause. Currently we have 3 dogs, one from the animal shelter (Best dog ever!) and two strays, a cat, orphaned at 2 weeks and abandoned by his owner, (Grrrrrrr), a donkey we got from a drug bust (long story), an older horse who was being abused at the place she was boarded (the grand dame of the animals) and our newest additions are 2 miniature horses Trinket & Daffodil. They were left at a stable because the owner thought they were too much work and their "cuteness" had worn off (never!). Daffodil is 4 years old and just a little doll (with an attitude),Trinket is 3 1/2 years old and has a pronounced under bite and poor teeth. She has some trouble breathing when she runs due to a lack of cartilage around her nostrils, they collapse when she breathes hard (working with the vet on fixing that) She is a little slow mentally and would never be good for breeding which makes her undesirable for most people. We however love her and don't breed animals. Everything that shows up on our property gets spayed or neutered. (Be careful if you come for a visit!) And that's our little corner of the world!
An update on our animals: We lost two of our beloved dogs recently.
Shane, who suffered with eyesight problems, wound up with some kind of brain malady and the quality of his life got so poor we couldn't stand to see him suffer any longer. So we took him to our wonderful vet, and with an entourage of myself and 4 neighbor kids had him put to sleep. We petted and hugged him and none of us would cry so he would not be upset. He was loved right up until he passed. The donkey was inconsolable for weeks as they were best friends.
Sheena, our pound rescue died from old age, she was 15. A long life for such a big dog. I let her outside to go to the bathroom and she didn't want to come back in which was not unusual since she loved being with the horses. I left to run an errand and when I returned home a little while later I found that she had gone out to the horses stalls and made a little bed between them, curled up and passed away. At first I thought she was just sleeping she looked so peaceful. But when I bent to wake her up I knew she was gone. We all mourned for the longest time, animals included.
A month after that, our oldest horse Lulabell died just a few days before Christmas. We were all there including about 8 neighbors when she passed. We were with her right up until she died, petting and loving her. It was a sad Christmas for everyone.
I believe death is a natural part of life,and when an animal or person is making that transition, it is so important to let them know they are loved and try not to upset them with a lot of crying and hysterics. It is so very hard to do, but often times the hardest things to do in this world are what's right and best for our fellows creatures, human and animal alike.
On a much happier note, we got a goofball of a dog named Cody who had been through 4 homes in 6 weeks! And although not abused he was certainly getting confused. His last owners were at their wits end and so sad they couldn't keep him. He is Golden Retriever. He weighed 85 pounds at 10 months old and has enough energy to power a small country if I could only harness it! Cody was OVERJOYED when he saw the yard and the horses for the first time! His only problem before was that his owners kept trying to make him a sedate indoor dog, which he is definitely not!He had an odd double row of bottom teeth, like a shark, so we had those removed when we got him fixed. (I am not kidding about that spay and neuter thing). He sleeps with the horses and has been wonderful company for Kelly, our dog left alone when the others passed away. He is such a nut and a real joyful addition to our crazy little farm.
Our Latest addition to the family is Tika. She is a beautiful paint horse who had been horribly abused by her previous owners. She is a sweet gentle natured horse that we are working diligently on rehabilitating. It has been an uphill battle but she is hanging in there!
And now you are up to speed on what's happening around here!
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