PLEASE CONSIDER SPONSORING AN ANIMAL TO HELP DEFRAY INCREASING FEED, HAY, FARRIER AND VETERINARIAN COSTS

Contact Terry @ serenitysprings@wisewb.com

June 2008

My goodness....a new month and it just shows that time does fly. I'm only two days into this month and am wearing a "boot" for a fracture of a bone in my right foot and also have a taped left little finger. The foot was stepped on by the biggest horse on the property. (Tiny) It really wasn't her fault.  She is blind and I just wasn't paying attention. This is not the first time and you would think I would learn my lesson. I seem to be getting myself into some fine fixes without even trying, I went to pitch a bale of hay with my little finger stuck in the baling wire. I'm not sure what the main problem is but I can't run to the hospital each time I injure myself. I taped it and at this time...with it being somewhat immobile....I am able to withstand the discomfort. The foot is another matter as I did have to get an x-ray. I am using the "boot" when I have to but it is slow going and I'd rather just limp along without it...kinda walking on my heel. The "boot" makes me feel as if I'm carrying an extra 10 pounds. It's more of a hindrance than an assest.

I seem to have made another "error". I am unable to find my address book that I just recently completed. I have hunted everywhere for it and the last time I remember using it was when I took it outside to make some calls. It wasn't too hot and there was a nice breeze so decided to take my "work" out there and try to relax in my hammock chair that hangs from one of the trees off of the hill. My fear is that Patrick (the Boer goat) may have made a meal out of it. He has discovered that he can jump in an out of the pens and does so at will. He does like to eat paper as I caught him finishing off the last few chapters of a paper back book that I had been trying to read for several months. I was keeping it in the Gator in case I got a chance to read a bit while wallows and pools were being filled. Needless to say, I never knew the ending of that story. Thank goodness I kept the other two address books that I was incorporating but it is looking more and more as if I'm going to be spending a great deal of time repeating the process.

I am receiveng numerous inquiries regarding placement of animals from people that are facing forclosure on their homes or have already lost them. Unfortunately their animals are also affected. It saddens me. It doesn't seem fair that our economy is displacing families as well as their family pets. Up until two days ago I had been able to place most of the animals already on my list and that has now increased by 12. Most of them are potbellied pigs and although that is what I specialize in.....I am under finacial contraints to even care for those already in residence. I will do my be to "connect" to people that can help but that is becoming harder to do than ever. I feel despondent for not being able to help.

That was yesterday....today it was brought to my attention that there are over 50 more pigs here in Texas needing help. There is nothing I can do. The pigs were bred to sell and apparently didn't. The breeder didn't even separate the males from the females. A little boar can breed at between 9-11 weeks and if they are not neutered and are with females then there are going to be major situation in 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days. A few pigs can turn into a huge population. What is wrong with people? Do something to prevent reproduction. Goodness.....I'm so upset now that I'm going to go out into the 100+ degree weather and top off the wallows, pools and tanks for my animals and be grateful they are here with me and safe. I cry for those I can't help.

I went out to play with the cats and clean their porch. Upon opening the front door I was swarmed and stung by numerous hornets. They got me on my back and right arm. I was able to count the stings by using a hand mirror....looking into a bathroom mirror. I counted at least 8, plus the bad one on my arm. There is a great deal of swelling on the arm and I look as if I'm part Incredible Hulk, part Hunchback of Notre Dame. Thank goodness I'm not allergic to them although I have never had that many stings before. I can remember getting stung on the face by three of them in the well house last summer. It was instant "botox" on the left side of my face. It was an amazing comparison to the right side, which looked like a dried prune. Sadly I had to arm myself with some spray to get rid of them. I was afraid they might attack the cats as well. Now...if they had just built their "home" somewhere else I would have let them be.

July 2008

My neighbors decided to celebrate the 4th the other night by shooting off rocket flares and other noisy fireworks. I had the two blind horses up front with the mini-horses so they could graze and I could keep an eye on them. Their reaction to the event was terrifying. Tiny...the big Belgian... ran into the parked truck and put a dent in it but thank goodness she wasn't injured. It took a long time to get them settled and back down in their assigned area. I wish the neigbors would notify me when they plan on "celebrating" an early holiday. I think I will ask them to do so. Poor Sunnyanna...the blind appy mare... was almost running in a tight circle. This is her behavior when she is unsure of what is happening. The mini's took off at a dead run down the lane to the horse enclosure. Some folks just don't think.

My hornet stings have subsided and are now just itching. I got an new toilet bowl brush to use to allevitate that. My foot is doing a great deal better and I'm able to walk normally and my little finger is working well again. I'm still having a bit of a problem with the fractured ribs but all in all I am pretty much back to normal...whatever that is.

The "real" 4th went quite well.. My closest neighbors celebreated with "the works". While I enjoyed the beauty of the rockets, etc.,it was a little scary at first. I had put out plenty of hay so that the horses would be busy "snacking" and about 15 minutes after the fire works started they seemed to accept them and went back to their hay. The blind horses were the ones I was most concerned about. This time I was prepared and all the horses were in their assigned areas. Sunnyanna started her circles to the left and Tiny clopped around the trees several times and then seemed to accept the new noise in the sky. A few others were a bit nervous while a couple just went on eating their hay. Two of the dogs took cover under whatever they could find in the house and Brutus dove into his dog house and remained there until I finally went out to check on him after the display ceased.. I was going to stay with him in his pen but my being there seemed to make it worse. I can' t bring him in the house due to "issues" that another dog has with him while being indoors. I felt badly, but he was back to normal and went for a walk with me as if nothing had happened. Perkins, the poodle, was totally unaffected by the entire situation and slept through it all on the back of the couch. Some of the pigs grouped up in the woods while others just went into their housing. Although some were a little nervous, there was not a "riot", with pigs running everywhere. This has happened in the past. I don't mind the fireworks going off on the prescribed day as I can at least be somewhat prepared.

Things have been hectic here. I had a "punch" biopsy performed on a melanoma on my right arm. I haven't received the results yet but I'm hoping it will be benign. The sanctuary was without water for almost three days due to a well problem. One company came out to rectiy the matter but after several hours, dropping the well and thinking I had water...ruining my garden with their truck....it stopped completely about 5 minutes after the well company left. In desperation I called my neighbor Joe, who in turn called Dudley Boyd from Lone Star Well ,who came right out. The problem was discovered and I not only needed a new regulator "thingy", but a new bladder tank as well. The one in place had a slight leak that kept the pressure from building up enough for the water to run. He had to go to Ft. Worth to get a new one and didn't return until late that night....only to find that the pressure gauge had not been included. He had to go back to Ft. Worth to retrieve that so it was late the next day when all was finally in place. There was apparently some sort of arch in the electrical system where the other well company had dropped the pump lower and re-wired. I now have a new bright blue bladder tank and all is well.

Which brings me to another shock. I went to Decatur today to file for my SS and Medicare. I was under the impression it was going to involve a great deal of time but it was all comletely in less than 10 minutes. It's a damn shame what they do to the elderly that work their entire lives only to get a pittance. After they take out "taxes" and some medicare payment there is barely anything left. Thank goodness I have my military disability as that does cover the myriad of prescribed medications that I am taking. The shock part of this is that when I stopped at the feed store to get my usual three days worth of feed....I can't only transport that much at a time....I discovered that the feed prices have once again gone up $1.35 per bag. Hay has also gone up a dollar a bale. Whereas I was paying $2,739.65 per month.....it will now be about $2,997. Again...this does not cover any other expenses. I am in big trouble now and will have to cut some corners. Those cuts will not involve the animals.

No more animals will be admitted....no matter what the situation. The sanctuary is now "closed" for any intakes. I have to figure out how I can take care of those in residence. There will no no considerations. I will continue to network if possible though. I lost the lease for the cows and two BLM donkeys, so am looking for alternatives regarding their future. The lease propertly sold and the new owner doesn't want the animals there.

I had a great group (Vegan 101) come out to help. They unloaded and stacked hay, cleaned the cat porch, pressure sprayed part of the house and the items that were on the cat porch. It was great to have them and I hope that they will return. Thanks Bridgette, for orgnaizing the "work crew". We discussed having a "pot luck" dinner here in the future....probably when the weather cools off a bit. It was a hot one and it will be so again today. It is predicted that it will be around 105 so I will be manning the water hoses in order to ensure the pigs stay cool enough.

I receieved the results on the biopsy via phone call from the VA and I will be scehduled for surgery within the next two weeks. They seem to believe that it is confined to the epidermas/dermis but will not be sure until they excise the site. There is another site that will be examined and probably biopsied as well. The procedures will take place at the VMA in Dallas. I sure hope that all goes well. At this point it is not considered "malignant melanoma". Having worked with hospice patients with that diagnosis I must admit to be very concerned. Hopefully it was discovered in time.

There is definetly a heat wave and drought in progress and the temps have been in the triple digits for many days now....with many more to come. Even at night the upper 80's have been prevelant. I am looking forward to winter but that is a long way off. I would love to have a bit of rain and even a cloudy day. I'm getting mighty tired of the hot sun, acutally the sun in general.

AUGUST 2008

I have been attempting to find alternative placement for the two jersey steers and the two BLM jenny's. So far...no luck. As it stands they must be off the lease property by the 23rd. I was hoping to find something close by so I don't have to drive a long distance to care for them. I am still calling around to see if there is something available or some type of deal I can make. I don't have room for them here.

On the navigation menu click on Stories and see the one I just completed. I would be interested in getting feedback. It is not exactly an easy story to read but it is the truth and should be known. There will be more to follow as time permits. Also, check out Real Rescues as there is a new completed story there as well. It is based on a true story that occurred in 1996.

Well, today is the big day. I make my trek to the Dallas VA Hospital for melanoma removal. I have plotted two routes and am still not sure which one I will take. The thought of going back to the "Big City", which I left 13 years ago, terrifies me. I'm not used to much traffic where I live. Although, due to the Barnett Shale, there are many more large transport vehicles running folks off the roads out here now. They drivers of these huge machines seem to think that they own the road and that anyone else in transit should make way for them. I have made the drive to the Ft. Worth VA clinic several tmes and after the first couple found a back way that kept me off the main interstate. I haven't been able to find a way to do that on MapQuest to get to the facility in Dallas. I'm going to give myself plenty of time to get lost. I hate that I may not be traveling back until the rush hour traffic is on the road.

I made it to Dallas and back. I must admit to forgetting to breath numerous times on the way but the traffic wasn't too bad and I didn't get horribly lost. I had forgotten how crazy some drivers can be. The surgery was not done as they wanted to do more testing, measuring and have a pathologist on hand. It will be scheduled within the next two weeks. According to the measurments, I am going to have one really big hole in my arm with a "not so pretty" scar. My thought is..."I don't care. As long as you get the entire melanoma." With luck, all will go well. I dont have time to take off for anything.

Okay, the surgery has been completed. OMG. They said it would only be a Tylenol pain situation but they obviously haven't experienced the procedure. It took two hours and two layers of sutures. I won't know the complete results for a week or so. In the meantime I will have to learn how to work with the pain and the inability to use my right arm fully.

The drive to and from Dallas was another "hold your breath" situation.: this was probably good since there were signs stating that the ozone level was dangerous. There are some crazy folks out there on the highways. Remember, I can go for 20 miles and not see a soul out here so you can imagine the discomfort of having cars in front, in back and on each side of you. I also had to deal with a rearview mirror that fell off the windshield and was hanging there swinging backward, forward, from side to side and in circles. Now, that was a distraction. I had no idea of how to disconnect it. At one time I had to slam on my brakes and at the same time reach for something that was falling. I got wacked in the head by the mirror and the expletives were something to hear. I have attempted to get the Ford dealership to do something about this situation as this is the 10th time the mirror has released itself from the appointed position on the windshield. They have glued it 9 times and also told me it was due to my having to drive on a back road to get to the sanctuary. That sure says something about Ford products. I have had enough and have contacted the Ford Corporation with a compalint. It is dangerous to drive without the use of a rearview mirror.

With that swinging in all directions and attempting to get through Dallas, I thought I would never make it. People were swerving across lanes from one side of the freeway to the other without even a signal light. We are talking 6 lanes. They would pull right in front or me, making me slam on my brakes to keep from hitting them. At one time I was eeking along at about 20 miles an hour and noticed all these people zipping by me in the far left lane. It said HOV, of which I knew nothing about since we don't have those in my area. I later discovered it means High Occupancy Vehicles. Now, wouldn't that mean there should be more than one person in that car? NOT. Time and again a car would go by me with just one person in it. When they came to the end of the HOV lane they would pull into the other lanes without a warning or a thought. I would hold my breath to the point of passing out before I would remember how lifesaving air can be. I did make it, although it took me over three hours to get home. Oh....I did discover gas at $3.62 a gallon. I haven't seen that for quite some time. I guess that was the highlight of my day. Well, that, and the fact that my new next door neighbor, Connie, was kind enough to come over with a casserole for me which I really appreciated. I hadn't eaten all day. It was delicious and vegetarian.

Only the horses got hayed yesterday morning before I left. I thought I would be home in time to feed the rest of the animals but that didn't happen. I'm now waiting for it to get light enough to go out an feed. I'm sure there are some very concerned animals out there wondering what happened to their caregiver and why they didn't hear the feed maching yesterday. I can usually start at 0600 but it is just now starting to get light out and its almost 0635. It is also getting dark ealier so the season is changing. Next, the time change will occur and that will screw up everything as well. Why do we still have to do that? It makes no sense to me.

I can hardly move my right arm and am wondering how I will get things accomplished today. I have to move the two jersey steers and the two BLM donkeys off the lease property and am hoping that the plan will come together without too much difficulty. I will be taking someting a little stronger for the pain before I head out, which I am going to do right now.

It's a few days later now and the moving of the lease property animals went very well. Thanks so much to Kenny, Tandy and Wanda for being there for me. The cows and donkeys were very helpful in that they loaded without balking and they did seem pleased with their new pasture, which is just down the road from me. Thanks to Wes for allowing me to share. It was very kind of him and it is so close I could actually walk down to check on them, if I could make it back. It's up hill and I'm not so good at that. I can drive the Gator down and I go to the feed store so often I can make sure they are alright while passing by.

I was able to change the dressing on my arm and even though I am a nurse, it isn't a pretty sight and was difficult for me to look at. I had to do so using the bathroom mirror. The pain has subsided and I'm able to use the arm quite a bit more now which is a welcome relief. I am still waiting for the results and hoping for good news. I don't want to have to go through the procedure again or to have any further treatment. I wish I had paid more attention to warnings of sun exposure so many years ago. I have spent most of my life out in it. Sun worshipers beware.

August 27, 2008 As you can see, I added the date. That's because it is rather special. I am now officially a senior citizen. My Medicare card came in the mail today. Now I have an excuse for the time it takes me to get things done around here and the amount of breaks I have to take. Thank goodness I am no longer working outside the sanctuary right now. My appendages have been sounding like rusty hinges. I'm just plain getting old.

I did spend the day repairing fencing, raking pens, cleaning out shelters, watering, feeding and attempting to trim some trees that have fallen across the feeding lanes. There was a storm a little over a week ago that was accompanied by some very strong winds and I have been having to manuver the Gator and feed cart through them. I have to use a hand saw. I do have a chain saw but can't use it as I'm left handed and can't seem to get the proper grip and feel safe. I wonder how much longer I will be able to do the necessary work here, without a walker or wheel chair? I sure hope it will be for awhile longer as these poor animals have no place to go at this time. I went to the feed store earlier in the day and once again am bankrupt. I hope everyone stays healthy, me included, until I can accrue more funds. I may have to cancel the farrier for this Friday and put that off for a couple of more weeks, until I get my military disability check. I'm sure I will figure out something but I sure hate the intense anxiety that goes along with attempting to do so. The meager amount of the SS check will help a bit as well. Oh, that I could win the lottery. Thing is...you have to buy tickets to do so and I'm not willing to spend the money when that could be used for the animals.

September 13, 2008 I received the call regarding the melanoma and they say they got the "whole thing". What a relief, although I have other areas of suspicion that I will have to monitor on a regular basis. The sutures have been removed and to be quite honest, it looks as if a hacksaw had been used on my arm. That doesn't matter as long as they got the cancer. I'm certainly not tryig to win any beauty contests. The worry that goes along with the waiting is awful.

Ike has arrived here in the way of a nice and soaking rain. I hated seening the end result in the Galveston area. I remember Hurricane Alicia well, back in 1983. I worked it with the Red Cross in Mass Care on that disaster, deciding I would rather work in the field rather than sit in a FEMA center in the nursing area. I had a beach house on San Luis Pass back then and when I got there was totally surprised to see it standing. All the new pricey homes that had build build along the seashore were all gone. I haven't seen any footage of the West Beach yet but imagine that is pretty much destroyed as it has no protection at all.

I got a call late last night regarding 9 horses that had been transported out of the area and apparently their destination had flooded so they continued driving, getting on the phone for a possible alternative. Someone gave them my name and I told them to come on up and they could have safe harbor here if they had Coggins and vet records, which they did. We put the horses in a lease pasture but will be looking for something else soon if they can't return home in the very near future. Now that the intensity of the situation has passed I have been able to take the time to make some calls for a longer stay elsewhere. There really isn't enough room where they are now. It is going to be a feeding nightmare as well. They are certainly a long way from home now as they came from the Clear Lake area. As soon as the storm passes out of East Texas and I know that there is no flooding at a friend's place, they will be movintg the horses over there as they have the facilities to provide for the horses much better than I can.

I was able to hire someone and I thought it was going to work out. When I do this it is to help with immediate needs that I cannot do myself and no donations are utilized. After 11 hours over a couple of days, he quit. The reasoning behind this move was that he was not motivated to do this type of work. Goodness, if we had to wait to be motivated to do things in our life, not much would get done. I know there are days that I would rather be doing something else. It amazes me how young people today look at the idea of working. He was in his 20's and still living at home with the parents. I guess I wouldn't be motivated either if my folks would allow me to stay at home and not be very responsible. I have another ad in the paper in the hopes that I can find someone, morivated or not, to at least be dependable enough to come and do the work.

There was a pig left behind in Spring, Texas, after his owner was killed in a car accident. His name is Pork Chop and I'm not sure what kind of pig he was but he needed to be rescued. Thanks to the Harris County Sheriff's office for coming to the rescue. I talked to Deputy Leggitt on the phone and she deployed Deputy Baker to transport the pig to the HSPCA where he was neuterd. This is not part of the sheriff's office protocol so I really feel they went that extra mile for one of the worlds sentinent beings. There was also a yellow lab (Lucky) that lived with Pork Chop in need of placement and thanks to Carole Sanders at Animal Angels he too has found a home.

I won't go into all the details of what happened in trying to work with HSPCA, but it was less than satisfactory. I realize they were under pressure due to the hurricane but I was sorely disappoinged. The end result was that Pork Chop was eventually picked up in an SUV and transported to his forever home in Kerrville, Texas. Thanks so much to the Kirklands for giving this piggy a home. I am waiting to hear how he has settled in. There was also a potbellied pig in the shelter that they were going to take as well but she was ill and the possibility of spreading disease was taken into consideration. We had no idea what her true condition was and couldn't take a chance. I certainly hope they will get her the help that she needs.

Due to the rain we have had it looks as if there will be a large amount of hay to be baled. It might even be as much as 600 bales. In order to make room in the barn on the balers property he has to bring several loads to stack here. He already delivered two loads and I think we took more time for breaks than we did for the unloading and stacking. He is 75 and it was just the two of us. There will be four more loads coming in by the weekend and I must admit that I am not looking forward to it. It is necessary to have all the hay on hand that is possible as the horses must be hayed daily. Neither one of us was in a hurry which was a good thing, since it took so long. Things sure do change when you get older. I used to be able to throw the bales off the trailer and stack them to the ceiling without much trouble at all. I wish you could have observed the situation yesterday. You would have thought we were working in slow motion. I was huffing, puffing and grunting and instead of being able to pitch the bales up I had to crawl up and drag them behind me. At least I have two days to recover before the next loads will start coming in.

September 23, 2008 The news regarding Pork Chop arrived and he is doing great. He has settled in and has made himself right at home. Molly says he is a sweet and delightful pig that has already wormed his way into the family's heart. This is such good news and makes my heart happy. On the other hand, I seem to be getting more and more calls regarding animals in need and due to the restraints I am under I am unable to do much to help. I have networked but every rescue and sanctuary I know are full, out of room and out of money. It makes me so sad. I receive emails that I am forced to respond to without being able to help and the tears continue as I wish I had all the room and money in the world to help. The large organizations that get the money and don't even have shelters don't do anything to help out the "grassroots" folks such as myself. They want us to take in those animals they rescue while they keep the money for their large salaries and big budget ads to make more moeny.

There are days that "I hate this world". Today was one of those days. There is so much activitiy in my area in regards to oil drilling that it is starting to feel as if my "safe haven" is being infringed upon by the large oil companies. Their huge trucks are constantly taking over the roads and just today I had to pull off the two lane highway into the grass to keep from being hit head on. The truck driver was passing a tractor in a no pass zone and that was my only option. He then had the gall to wave at me as if I was his best friend. I waved back but did so with only one finger showing. Money, money, money. Hurry, hurry, hurry. There is apparently a new well being dropped just over the ridge as the trucks were constanly heard in the distance. The cows in that area were "bawling" all morning due to all the activity. It matters not that they are destroying the environment and tearing up the roads. Just going to the feed store isn't safe anymore. They had watered down the back roads to prevent all the dust from flying but in turn the trucks just dug deeper ruts in the softer road base. When that dries it will be like driving on a major washboard, to the point that any teeth that are not permanent are subject to damage or loss. Actually, permanent teeth may not be safe. They don't even slow down and the rocks fly. It is my understanding that they aren't even responsible for the damage that they do. I guess it is up to the tax payers in my county while the big companies continue to enrich their coffers. Maybe the day will come when we stand up to "big brother" and hold them responsible.

October 3, 2008 I lost three geriatric pigs within a 7 day period. They were 15 and older. One would have been 18 in November. The average life span for a potbellied pig is between 10 and 14. I am aware that I will be losing more and there is nothing I can do about it. The majority of my population is over 10 years of age. As always, they are transported to Pine Hill Cemetery and buried in the sanctuary plot. I went to visit tPine Hill a couple of days ago and was grateful that there is such a place. The grounds are impeccable and the atmoshphere is peaceful and serene. I used the Gator and took a tour and at one point just turned off the machine and sat there observing my surroundings. My animals are in the shade near a spring fed pond and I could see the ripples on the water and an occasional splash in the water would catch my attention. There was a cachopony of bird songs and I could hear the barking of the resident canine. In looking at the name plates I remembered good times with each and every one of my special friends. It brought tears to my eyes and a sadness to my heart as it brought to mind the bond and the exceptional relationships I had with them. There was Grunt, Precious, Pac Man, Midge, Lulu, and many others. Each one had individual personalities and idiosyncrasies and a very special place in my heart. I know that they had good lives here and that all their needs were met but it still saddens me that they aren't with me in life. When my day comes, I will be cremated and some of my ashes are going to be spread in my areas at Pine Hill. The rest will be distributed here at the sanctuary and then I think some will go to the beach. If, upon my death, I go somewhere that there are no animals, I will know that I am in hell.

I once again attempted to hire some help but after only a week things started going awry. Late arrivals, no arrival, and many excuses. I will not tolerate that as the animals come first here and if can't depend on a person to take the responsibility that I feel necessary, then they are not welcome. I have been attempting to find reliable help as it is possible that I will have to have more surgery and I want to make sure that I have someone that can care for the animals during my recuperation. So far, it is not looking good. Until I find someone I can trust I will put all else on hold.

Tomorrow is a big day. The sanctuary hay has been cut and will be baled and stored in the barn on the property of my supplier. I have contacted two strapping young men that are to meet me at the court house in Montague and go with me to the pasture. I don't know who these people are and am praying that they will show up. If not...I will certainly be in a pickle. I am no longer able to manage the bales as I once did and I believe I have written about that just recently. It has to be done tomorrow and we may have a bit of time on Sunday but there is rain in the forecast so we have to get the bales out of the elements. There are going to be at leat 500 bales, possibly more and it is going to be a big job. If I have to do it myself I will but I sure hope these young men show up.

October 5, 2008 Yesterday dawned bright and beautiful and I headed for the Montague County court house to see if anyone showed up to helpwith "hay" day. Thankfully, one person did so we headed onto the pasture to get started. In the beginning I was loading the hay onto the flat bed but during an attempt to throw a bale I "pulled" something where I last fractured my ribs. I then took over the driving and Glen and Oscar did the loading and stacking in the barn. About 7 hours and 426 bales later, the job was done. Due to the increase in hay prices it was an expensive day but at least I know I won't be running out of hay anytime soon. It was a relief to get this job done and many thanks go to Oscar and Glen for doing the hardest part.

Three weeks ago I was contacted regarding a "pony" that had been found while a couple was fossil hunting on an oil lease not too far from me. I don't normally get involved in these situations due to the legalities but I felt that enough time had passed and something needed to be done. I got in touch with the couple that originally gave me the information and got more specific directions to the location. They told me they had contacted the SPCA, the Montague County Sheriff's Department, the Extension Office and several other organizations withought results. When I got there I drove to the dry creek bed and then started walking towards a sheltered feeding station that I could see in the distance. I didn't see any animals but when I got to the building I started whistling. I can do so very loudly if I can porition my fingers proplerly. There was no response so I started yelling. I knew that this little horse had to be close by as I saw his pile of feces. Many will use the exact same area to defecate. After observing this I looked up and saw this little one coming towards me. It was a gelding and instead of a pony, it was a mini. He was very friendly and came right up to me. As I walked back to my vehicle he padded along with me. As I was doing so, the people that originallly reported him showed up with some feed and alfalfa/timothy hay mix. We prepared the feed for him and he was quick to respond.

While he was eating I was able to assess him and he was is very poor shape. His hip bones were extremely prominent, as well as his spnal column. His coat was rough but his hooves seemed to be in good condition. He was definitely in need of help. I noticed that there was a clear liquid constantly draining out of the right side of his jaw. When he lowered his head it would squirt out in a stream. I got my surgical gloves out to examine the area but could not find a large opening and there was no odor to the liquid. At first I was concerned that it was strangles but that normally has a foul odor. I decided that it was probably a salivary fistual. I hoped that was the case as strangles is highly contagious. While we were standing there a car came by to inform up that we were trespassing. The lady in the car gave me the information as to who owned the lease and where to locate them. I certainly didn't want us to get into trouble so after finishing up with him I went to the house that she had given me instructions to reach.

The lady that answered the door was very nice and explained to me that her son had found the mini out on the highway and had put in in the pasture to prevent it from becoming road kill. I asked for permission to come and go so I could provide the necessary nutrition and treatment. She also said that he had been in the pasture for about 6 weeks. It was late in the evening so there wasn't much more I could do. I couldn't get this little guy off my mind and was so worried. During the night we had a heavy rain and I hoped he had found some shelter.

October 6, 2008 This morning I went back to take more feed, hiking the same path to the feeding shelter. I kept calling for him but he was nowhere to be seen. I was becoming concerned and then I heard a whinny behind me. He had apparently taken refuge in the gully close to where I had parked and was just following me along. I started the trek back to the vehicle and he followed along with me. I mixed up the feed I brought along and while he was eating I noticed that his jaw was still draining profusley. He was eating without difficulty, there was no nasal discharge, his eyes were clear and appetite excellent. I couldn't get a signal on my cell so drove up to the highway where I could talk to Arn Anderson, one of my vets. We made an appointment for him to meet me tomorrow at around 10 to see what we can do for this little abandoned mini. There isn't much more I can do as I can't bring him here until he has a negative coggins and we are sure that his afflicition isn't strangles. He is an unusual color and although I have never seen one I think he's a grullo. I hope there will be a happy ending for this little sweetheart. As I left he followed me up the lane a bit but then turned arond and went back to the area where he had been fed.

October 11, 2008 I have continued to go twice daily to care for the little mini horse "Buddy" and my vet did meet me there on the 7th. He pulled a coggins and confirmed my suspcions that is was a fistula, which if far better than strangles. It will require surgery to repair and will cost in the neighborhood of $700 plus. I received word yesterday that the coggins was negative. I have already started preparing an area for him so he can have a safe place when he arrives at the sanctuary after his surgery. I will be picking him up and transporting him to Cross Timbers Veterinarian Hospital on the 13th. I am hoping his recovery will be uneventful and that I can get the weight back on him with special feed and hay. He is a good boy and deserves the very best. He has been on his own for about 6 weeks before I intervened. He was tough enough to survive that so I have great hopes for his future. I know I am supposed to have a moritorium on intakes but sometimes you just have to step up to the plate when no one else will.

October 12, 2008 Upon my return from feeding Buddy today I noticed a black heap behind the house by the terrace. At first I thought maybe one of the pigs had gotten out and was just taking a rest. After parking and approaching the area I noticed a very emaciated potbellied pig that was obviously inbred. Someone had to have dropped her off during my absence as she was barely able to stand. I know she didn't walk up the lane from the road. She is dehydrated and although I offered her water and a little bit of wet feed ,she showed no interest. I do not have good feelings about her survival but have made her as comfortable as possible. I was able to get her to drink a little bit of water using a piston syringe although I believe more drained out than she actually swallowed. I wish I had been here when they came. I would have had a thing or two to say to them. If by chance they read this...."What is the matter with you people? How could you have let this happen? You were responsible for her life and you let her down. Now I will be the one that will be responsible in her probable death. Shame on you."

October 13, 2008 The little pig called Gidget did not make it. She was too far gone when she got here. I tried getting small amounts of wet feed and water into her with a piston syringe but she just didn't have the will anymore. She was taken to the sanctuary plot at Pine Hill Cemetery.

Buddy was picked up from the pasture and was and taken to the vet. When I got to the pasture and called him he came trotting up to me and starting walking by my side back to the car. When he saw the trailer come down the road he whinnied in excitement and ran towards it. We had to stop him to get a halter on. He apparently had never used a ramp before so went to the side of the trailer and jumped in without using it. He was ready to go. When we got to the vet and he was put in a stall he seemed to be a very happy camper. I guess he thought he had truly been rescued. I swear he was smiling.

October, 19, 2008 Buddy is home. He spent a week at the vet for his treatment. After the iodine x-rays were completed and research was done, it was decided that the best way to treat little Buddy was to atrophy his salivary gland chemically. This was done with injections of paraldahye which did stop the drainage. His other salivary gland will compensate and all should go well. I had thought there might be a possibility that Buddy was still intact although it was difficult to tell. After the vet examined him he called to tell me that he didn't want to hurt the little guy's feelings but that he just wasn't very well endowed. Of course, breeding is not condoned by the sanctuary so gelding was added to his list of things to be done before he could come home. After that was completed I went to pick him up and he jumped right into the trailer for the trip to his new life.

When we arrived at the sanctuary, I opened that tail gate to the trailer and Buddy peeked out to see where he was. I guess it looked alright to him as he hesitated only a moment before hopping out to explore his new environment. I walked him down the lane behind the house towards his new paddock to a cahophony of the different sounds of animals. He was prancing along and looking at everything. When we walked by one of the horse paddocks the inhabitants came right over to welcome him. I was a little nervous but they arched their necks over the white fence to touch muzzles with him. They whinnied and so did he, so much so, his whole body shook. We then walked down to the next paddock where the mini horses were and they too seem to greet him with pleasure. Dozer, the farm pig heard all the noise and came running to the fence to check things out. Buddy was a little nervous but went over to check the funny looking animal out. They touched noses and then Doxer went running off as if to tell everyone that was interested that there was a new resident. He then came back and "chatted" in pig terms with Buddy.

I then walked Buddy to the new area that had been built especially for him. When I opened the gate he stood there a minute as if to assess the situation, then walked right in. Actually, he had to step over a low retainer wall in order to get in but that didn't seem to bother him at all. He wasn't allowed to eat until the next day so I felt badly that all I could offer him was water. I groomed him and stayed with him for awhile, before going on my feeding rounds. That night I woke up and checked on him several times. He is located where I can see him from my bedroom window and he did fine throughout the night.

The next morning I went to get his first meal here at the sanctuary and he was absolutely ecstatic. He will be fed three small meals a day while I am attempting to get his weight back to normal. I put in plenty of fresh hay but will also allow him to graze on the last of the coastal before it goes domant for wintertime. After he ate I walked him for about 15 minutes and will do so a few times a day for about four days. This is something that needs to be done after a stud is altered.

He seems very satisfied with his new home and I must admit to having become very attached to him already. Of course, I get attached to all of the animals in record time. It is so satisfying to be able to help them. I think of their stories and where they might be if they weren't here. They are all very special and I feel priviliged to be able to take care of them.

I had to call and make an appointment regarding my arm where they removed the melanoma. For some reason it is painful, sometimes more than others. I'm not sure what is going on but am hoping it is still just the healing process. They did have to incise the area very deeply. I will be going next week and am hoping there won't be any bad news.

October 23, 2008 Well, it happened again. I hired someone part-time to help, since my arm wasn't working all that well. It lasted almost three weeks, if you count this one as a two day week. I really thought I had a winner this time. Wrong again. He showed up two hours late today and said..."well, at least I showed up". No call, nothing. I guess people think that this is not like a real job.  Of course, he was only 17 and this was his first job.  Kids at that age feel other things are more important once they have some pocket money.   I have to have someone I trust and I'm beginning to think that there aren't any people out there that are responsible anymore. I have given up. I do have someone that is doing the erosion control and has helped winterize the big pig barn. He works on his own time but at least he is getting it done. He is not responsible for any of the animal care so it really isn't an issue regarding time. I will just have to "suck it up" and work through the difficulties. I've done it before. I was just a bit younger then. Well...not so much. lol. Again, no donations are used for outside help. It's all "out of pocket" which is not very deep so all the better to do it myself.

November 17, 2008   Today is the first time I have had a moment to update the blog.  It's been quite hectic, to say the least.   The exciting new is that Joye, who used to work for me, called to say she would like to come back.  I was thrilled as there isn't much she doesn't already know regarding the feeding of the animals and other things that need to be done around here.  There were a few feeding changes for the differnt pigs but she picked that up readily.  Joye is somewhat "anal rentenive", and I don't mean that in a bad way.  She is just very specific about the work she does. 

I just recently had another stent implanted due to a few TIA's (mini strokes) that have occured.  The last one was bad enough to call 911.  I had been having some flashing zig zags is my left eye but as usual payed little attenton.  About a week ago I had been putting out the hay for the horses and while walking back from the barn I realzied there was tingling on my left side and that there was somethng akin to a curtain that had closed the upper half of that eye.  I started towards the house as fast as possible when my left leg gave out on me and I hit the ground with a boom.  I was able to get my cell phone out to call 911.  I did try to tell them that I thought it would pass as the others have done but they decided to send the ambulance anyway.  By the time they got here I was doing a great deal better but when they took my BP it was quite high.  They suggested a transport to the hospital but that wasn't something I was willing to do.    I declined and signed the form that released them from any further responsibility.  After they left I continued to sit outside in a chair until I was sure I could get up and get myself into the house.  I haven't had any more problems since the stent was put in.  I'm so thankful for that.

Today I went to have the last of my teeth extracted and and am not feeling up to par.   I have taken off work for a few days but will be starting back on Thursday night.   It is just an absolute necessity to conitnue working as I don't want to be one of those sanctuary folks that does nothing but complain about not having enough funds to take care of their animals.  I have plenty here and I'm certainly not going to let them down.  I am still working "under the table" at nights but might possibly have an extra day job, cutting pipes for a welder that is building a new facility for a horse breeder.   I will just prepare them and don't have to do any more than possilby deliver them to the work site. 

Buddy, the mini-horse is coming along nicely and gaining weight.  He loves to be goomed and he really ejoyed hmself this last Saturday,  Vegan 101 came for a visit and as always they brought homemade dishes.  Amy, who owns the Spiral Diner in Ft. Worth, came as well.  She owns two of the diners and they serve only vegan food.  The food was great and I love when there are leftovers.  No animal or by products.  It is amazing what you can do without harming an animal.  Again, thanks to Bridgette Dix for organizing the visit and the continued support.  They visit about once a month. 

The sanctuary is home to a new dog that was found wandering and no one claimed her. My mail carrier, Carrie Lynn, brought her to me when she found her laying on the county road.   After checking around we were told that she had been dumped down the road a few months back and had just been hanging out around that area.  It was determined that no one owned her so she will be vetted and this will be her forever home.  She is missing her right hind leg and several teeth but she has a great spirit and seems to feel very comfortable here.  She has been named Cricket due to the way she hops without that back leg.  She won't let me out her signt and looks and me adoringly.  A typiclal resuced dog.  They are always so grateful.  She insists on traveling with Perkins, the poodle, and myself when I have to run errands.

November 20, 2008    Cricket, the new dog, is doing great.  Where I go she goes.  If I'm in a room she will camp out at the door to make sure I don't leave her behind.  She is a darling and such a sweet girl.  Someone had to have loved and cared for her at one time.  So far there have been no accidents in the house and when she goes out she will pee a river.  I am leaving out dry food for her, and all the other dogs, to graze on if they get hungry in between meal times. 

I go back to the dentist later today for some alterations and I can't wait.  I never thought I would say that as normally that is the last place on earth I'd go if given a choice.    My mouth feels as if all the foreign equipment is in there to torture me and it's doing a great job.  I'm attempting to drink coffee and I'm drooling.  Not a pretty site.  I may have to start wearing a permanent bib.

November 25, 2008   The weather has been outstanding and I'm enjoying the cold at night.  Buddy, the mini-hourse, continues to put on weight.  He is presenting with a bit of drainage from the parotid gland so another shot of paraldehyde will be injected agian.  It is a slow leak and is not detremental to his eating.  Cricket  is now an intregral part of the family and an excellent companion.  She gets along with the other dogs and will notify me. in no uncertain terms. when she needs to go outside to relive herself.  

I have been back to the dentist twice now, for more tweaking.  This have been a painful event but things are getting better.  The pain in my right arm has subsided for the most part but the rib situation is still not resolved and I was told that it may never be.  I'm just grateful that both sides dont always hurt at the same time.  Maybe soon I will be "whole" again.  I'm getting used to the discomfort and am glad I have been able to work through it.  Joye being back has been such a big help as I can get some sleep during the day.  I've never been very good at working nights.

Patrick, the Boer goat, got his horns caught in my rope hammock chair.  I heard all this baaing and went to check.  What a mess he was in.  Releasing him was almost like trying to untangle a backlash on a fishing reel.  At one point I thought I was going to have to cut him out.  Of course, I didn't want to destroy the hammock chair as I do plan on sitting in it sometime in the future..  I persevered and after a great deal of work and time I finally got him loose.  He wasn't very helpful as he pulled and twisted making it even harder.  This isn't the first time this has happened but it's never been as bad.  I usually drape the rope chair up where I thought he couldn't get to it but once again, I learned a new lesson.

December 6, 2008   There is another contest for $10,000 so if you would like to help the sanctuary win, please vote:  http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70607/supporters   That would pay for a lot of feed and hay.  It's that time of the year that I increase the amount of both for the animals.  There has been quite a large vet bill as well and it's once again time for hooves and tusks to be trimmed.  The farrier bill alone is usually around $380 every 6 weeks.  This depends on how many we can ready for the procedure.  I believe they recognize Kenny's truck engine and if I don't have every one of the them bridled or contained in some fashion they become very difficult.  Last time the mini's all went under the fence and into the woods.  The t-posts were not set in concrete and Pedro, the mini donkey, learned he could just stick his head under the wire, raise his head, and the t-post would come with him.  It took quite sometime to talk them into acquiescing.  I have since set the posts in concrete and so far they have remained in the ground.

 I had quite a surprise a few days ago.  I was walking down to the feed shed when I saw a stick on the lane.  I went over to pick it up and it started wiggling away.  It was a rat snake.  I hadn't  thought about it being a snake as they are usually in hibernation in the cold weather.  It had warmed up that day so I guess it was out sunning for some warm rays.   I have been aware that it was time for new glasses but just kept putting it off as it means a trip to the Ft. Worth  VA clinic. 

The cold weather has initiated more activity amongst the animals.  A few of the horses have been seen running at top speed and kicking up their heels with joy.  During the hot summer they tend to stand under the trees with a lag lower lip.  The pigs have gone back to sleeping in their barns or shelters as there is pleanty of hay in each of them.  They do come out as the temperature rises and the sun is high so they can sunbathe and keep warm naturally.

Vegan 101 has made another visit a couple of weeks ago and  are due again on December the 8th.  I am so excited to have volunteers that have come on a regular basis.  They always bring great vegan dishes too.  Briggette Dix found me and has initiated the once a month work day.  I have really enjoy their visits and meeting the different people.  Amy, who owns the Spiral Diner in Ft. Worth, came last time.  The diner is completely vegan and very popular.  Great food as well.  Who would have thought that something like that would work in Texas which is a major cattle state.  The diner is located near the Stockyards.  This next time I'm going to try and remember to take pictures to add to the General Photo page.  Briggette has also purchased some really great things for the sanctuary.  The dogs are going to have new toys, as well as the cats.  She is bringing some halters, lead ropes and jolly balls for the horses.  She is also bringing some feeding buckets and grooming equipment for the horses,  I've been in operation for 16 years now and have seldom had anyone kinda "adopt" the sanctuary.  I'm so excited and I want to extend my thanks to the vegan 101 group.  They are very special.

December 8, 2008   Vegan 101 came today as arranged.  I must tell you that they got more work done in a few hours than I do in a few days.  Pens got raked, some terracing was completed on one side of a large pen, horses were groomed, Cricket was groomed, and even one of the horse pens was cleaned.  I really appreciated all that was done and am looking forward to another visit.  Yes, it's nice to have the help but it was even more fun to meet such great people.  I feel very lucky.

We made a trip down the road to put out some cattle cubes for the jersey steers and the BLM donkey's.  We were surrounded by the hungry and inquisitive bovine. I got some great pics and will attempt to put them either on here or the General Photo Gallery.  I'm still learning how to do a few things on the site and it's slow going.  I was never meant to be a puter person and must admit that I sometimes feel like the proverbial "fish out of water". 

I have been nursing a few geriatric pigs and I'm not hopeful they will live much longer.  Guadalupe is 16 and athough she is still eating the special feed and mixture I fix for her, I don't think she has much more time.  There are some days she won't even come out of her shelter unless I go in and prod her into coming out.  She will eat a little but then goes right back in.  She is in no pain and I think it will just be her time soon.  I hate this part of rescuing but I try and remember that if they hadn't found there way here they would have been gone a long time ago.

December 22, 2008  Christmas is just three days away and it is a reminder that this year has passed quickly.  Everyday is the same at the sanctuary but I am taking some time to go and visit my family in Denton for a few hours.  It's hectic and I'm not sure I will get to see everyone as there are kids involved and the schedules are frantic.  It will be "hit and miss".  There won't be snow on Christmas but then there seldom is.  I must say that the weather has been erratic and the cold today is brutal.  It barely made it to 32 degrees and the wind chill factor was in the teens. 

 I lost two elderly pigs (one being Guadalupe), in the last couple of weeks and I'm afraid that there may be more.  There is the age factor along with the windy, cold weather.  I don't know how many bales of hay have been provided for them as I lost count but all the barns and shelters are stuffed full, thanks to Joye.   She has been tireless in helping to make sure all the animals are provided with the necessary comfort items.  The water has frozen and we have had to utilize rocks, picks  and whatever else in order to break through the ice.  I believe it will warm up enough in the next couple of days to rectify the situation.

January 2009  -  Goodness, time has been flying.  It's a brand new year and it has already been very hectic and sad.  Stranger, a potbellied pig mix, who had come to the sanctuary many years ago and always had problems, on and off with mobility, finally went down and could no longer walk.  Across the lane from him lived Chopper who had also been her for a very long time.  He had been attacked by dogs prior to coming here but healed and lived a nice and comfortable life.  They were 16 and 17 respectively, having outlived the normal time frame for potbellied pigs.  It didn't make it any easier to have to make the decision to help them pass to the Rainbow Bridge.  The decision wasn't made lightly.  With Chopper I attemted to get him up and moving for two weeks with pain management and alternatvie medication and the same was true for Stranger.  There just comes a time when I have to stop trying to be a "hero" and let them go peacefully.  None the less, it was a painful decision and I still feel a major loss.  It was coordinated with one of my vets, Arn Anderson, and Pine Hill Cemetery.  I feel blessed to have had these two special pigs in my life and as always, I was with them when they left this world.  They were part of my family and I feel it is my responsibility to ensure that they know I'm with them to the very end.  I am also very grateful for the compassion of Cross Timbers Veterinarian Clinic and Brother Ben Lawson at Pine Hill Cemetery.  They are always there for me. Even as I write this the tears return and the loss is deep.

I have four other elders that are now having difficulties as well and am providing them with special care.  They too are over 15 years of age and I know that all I can do is to make them comfortable and feel loved.  I always try and remember that I have given them all that I have and visualize the special times we have spent together.  Each and every animals that has ever come here for sanctuary has a place in my heart.  I have many geriatric pigs and I know that I will be losing them as I see them becoming less active, lacking the enthusiasim for life they used to have and most are suffering from joint problems and arthritis.  They are being treated with anti-inflamitories and suppliments but I know their time is near.

Okay, it's time to move on to happier events.  Buddy, the mini-horse that was found out on the highway is gaining weight and doing great.  Dr. Anderson did have to come and inject a bit more Paraldehyde into his parotid gland and it seems to have done the trick. There was still a small amount of residual drainage.  Now that has ceased.

I have had the privilge of having the group Vegan 101 continue to come at least once a month.  I can't tell you how much help they have been.  They not only work very hard but they bring great vegan dishes for the "meetup".  Briggete Dix organizes the event and it is something I always look forward to.  There is a diner in Ft. Worth called the Spiral Dine which is owned by Amy.  It is a offers only a vegan menu and has won awards as the best vegan restuarant in the country.  It was a long time coming for me to actually be a true vegetarian.  Of course, pork was the first to go, (figure that out) then beef and then chicken.  I never though the day would come that I would be a vegetarian.  I was raised on a farm and meat and poultry were always a major part of our diet.   I must admit to considering the slaughter of animals on a self sufficient farm was somewhat appropriate rather than farmed sanctuary animals.  Factory farming is undeniably a testimony as to the curelty that lives in the heart of man.

I'm not totally naive regarding the appetites of the general population.  At this point in time I cannot see the human race becoming comapssionate enough to make any changes.  I don't think it has to do with "ethics".   I believe it to be ignorance along with the lack of empathy toward other living beings. Also envolved is the inability of the human race to change habits that might help with the recourse of our planet.  As is embeded in our minds, we are superior and any decision we make regarding our future or those that also share this earth with us is the only "right" thing to do.  That has to to with environment issues as well.  Now, I'm not an expert in any field I may address but I do have the right to express my opinons.  As an expample, we truly believe that we live in a free society.  Don't most of you think of that as being true?  In reality, we are only free if we comply with the paramiters established by "those in charge".  We are programed to see things as implied or schooled and it does not have to do with the truth of our situation.  The paramiters are becoming tighter and tighter.

February 25, 2009    Goodness.  It's been a long time since I have updated the blog.  It has been very difficult lately.  My geriatric pigs are not in good health.  They aren't eating as much as usual and some don't even come to the feeding area.  I have to carry the feed bowls to them and  even at that, they will eat just a little bit then walk away and lie down.  Arthiritis is  makeing it difficult for the potbellied pigs to be mobile.  My vet has been out and there really isn't a great deal more I can do that I'm not doing already.  The predicted lifespan is 10-14 years.  I have many older than that and it is just a matter of time.  I have lost a few to the ravages of old age and in two cases I had to make that final decision.  I hate having to do that but once an animal has a poor quality of life and every medical avenue is explored rhere is not other options.   If I have mentioned this before, I'm sorry I'm being repititive.  This may happen occasionally because I'm too lazy to edit the blog and the weather is just too nice to pass up being outside.  I am forcing myself to sit here and get this done.  It's t-shirt and shorts weather but since this is Texas we could get a cold snap and maybe even snow.  It did that in March of last year.  Some days it means starting off with sweats and then peeling layers.  There wasn't even any need for propane.  I just used the small electric stove type heaters and it did the trick.  The heating element actually lookes as if it is a real fire.  I love to watch them at night.  You can even do so in the summer just for the ambiance by turing the fan off. 

I have taken in 5 new pigs with another on his way.   There just wasn't any other option.  Four of them are farm pigs that originated from VA.  They were first transported to UT (University of Tennessee) for neutering, testing, worming and immunizations. They were then transported here by Kevin Medford and arrived in great shape.  They are approximately 6 months old and are already quite large.  If they hadn't found sanctuary they would have gone to slaughter.  Two of the four will be transferred to Karan Graham at Hillcrest Animal Rescue.  This was a major rescue and I must thank Ron and Lorelei Pulliam for organizing and making sure that all the animals that were involved went to good homes.  The situation that they were in was deplorable.  There were dead animals found frozen in ice.  There was a multitude of farm animals, many of which were malnourished and needed immediate veterinaran attention.   The lady that was involved in the neglect of all the animals she was responsible for is now, as far as I know, incarcerated on felony crimes against animals.

Another of the pigs that arrived is a potbellied pig (Dazzle) from the Sulpher Springs County Shelter.  She is a young silver colored pig with black spots.  She is a cutie but has not been handled much by humans so I am attempting to socialize her.  Thanks for this little ones rescue goes to Denise Stinson, ACO who cared for him at the shelter and Shelley Palmer for transporting Dazzle to her home.  I picked him up from there.  I love happy endings and working with true animals lovers.  Animal people are the best.

Another feral will be arriving on March 6, 2009 from the Houston area.  He is an unusual color and had a real rough beginning.  There is open season in Texas regarding the hunting of wild pigs and there is a great deal of hunting going on right around me.  The feral piglet that has been hanging out down at the lower compound seems to be doing well.  I have been putting feed out for it.  I'm sure the rest of it's family has been eliminated. 

March 7, 2009  It's sure has been busy here.  Two of the VA farm pigs have been transferred to Hillcrest Animal Rescue.  Karan had a couple of volunteers come to retrieve them.  Thanks goes to Judith Homer at Creekside Farm Horse Rescue for supplying the trailer.  The boys loaded easily and were on their way in no time.  It's amazing what a little bit of feed will do.  Even though they were here for such a short time I missed them when they left.  The other two in that group are still here and their names are Zachery and Tebo.  Well, I'm sure about Zachery but not so much Tebo.  They were all micro chipped and I had my vet come out to scan them so we could match up the paper work.  We used color code markings on the pigs but before the pick up date it wore off.  I guess that isn't such a bit deal as they have good homes now and that is the important thing.

The little feral pig (Herbert, aka, Herbie) from S. Texas arrived and I fell in love with him immediately.  He is darling and has the greatest personality.  He is calico in color (he can be seen under "pigs").  He has been a real handful as he is living in the house right now.  He was still on formula although he is now learning to eat solid food).  He loves apples and spinach.  He is a bit small to be put in the outdoor introduction pen.  I put a large crate in the house for him and his travel carrier is also available for him to use.  We go out for a walk several times a day and he has almost upended me more than once.  He doesn't want to be too far away from me so his selected area is between my legs.  He will be walking along and then all of a sudden he will bolt and race in circles, in glee.  He is a one pig demotlition derby.  When I go out to feed I have to incarcerate him in the crate as he is not to be trusted alone in the house.

A good example is an event that occurred yesterday.   I heard a crash and then saw him racing through the den with a plant in his mouth.  I took chase but he was very fast.  I finally cornered him in the hall and retreived the plant.  It was a corn plant and all of the soil it was in was trailed through the house.  He was sent to the "naughty" carrier so I could clean up the mess without his interference.  I explained to him that the plants were off limits.  He has not ventured into the solarium again....yet.

April 1, 2009   I seem to have less and less time to get office business accomplished....not that I did much when I did have the time.  I guess I avoid office work like the plague.  I always find what I think are good reasons for not doing so.  I rationalize in my mind.."Terry, you really must get out there and feed, water, hay, etc.  It won't take that long and then you can come in and continue the office work."   Works everytime..  I go outside, proceed to initiate the plan.  No problem.  I take my time and not only feed but visit a bit with those animals that request the attenton.  "No, they don't verbally address me.  It's all in the bodly language.  Some pigs will rub up against me for an ear scratch or two.  Some may just stop by to acknowlege I'm there but continue on their journey to where ever the are going.  I guess those are the ones that think of me as a food dispenser.  I"m pretty sure they just tolerate me.  They do show a certain amount of decorum in my presence.  Then there are those that are so determined to get attention they will literaly throw themselves down in front of me.  In this case I must stop immediately and assume the belly rubbing position.   If I don't there is the possibilty of tripping over them, knocking myself out, fracturing a shoulder as well as a couple of ribs. (all of which has happened to me) These pigs are very serious about human interaction and certainly let you know that.  Gotta love them. 

April 3, 2009   It's a beautiful day and all is well.  The trees are replacing the fallen leaves of winter and the flowers have peeked out of their earthen winter coffins.  They are reaching for the sky.  The grass is also beginning a new cycle.  It's a beauty to behold. 

It has been a rather tough winter.  Not due to weather so much as the end of several lives amongst the porcine population.  I have known that many of them are beyond the expected age of their life.  Mentally I knew time was nearing an end for them but it didn't make it any easier.  A few passed of natural causes and there were a few that a "final" decision had to be made.  I really struggled with that decision and tried so very hard to find a way to extend lives.  I know.....I was being selfish and after coming to terms with reality I helped five pass with dignity.  I feel that hole in my heart that will never be filled.  The pain will lessen in due time but the memories will always be there.  All I need to do is comb through my recollections and focus on all the great times I had with them.  They will stay with me forever.  Each time I have to feed, rake or fill water tanks in the areas where my friends no longer reside, I feel a deep sadness and loss.  I miss them all so much.  I feel blessed to have had them in my life.  I feel privileged to be able to care for all the animals in my life.  They have taught me so much.  As always, they have been cared for in death as well.  I was with them in life and I am with them in death. 

There was a really bad situation here that was unexpected.  I may have mentioned the feral piglet that showed up and was so small she was able to get through the panel openings.  I found her one morning sleeping in a heap of pigs.  I tried trapping her but she figured that out in a hurry.   I also tried to get up the courage to shoot her.  I couldn't do that but in the long run I probably should have.  Ferals can carry diseases that can affect other pigs at close range.  In this case, that is exactly what happened.  She must have had sarcoptic mange as shortly after her arrival it became evident that the pigs in the pasture she had breached started presenting with loss of hair, itchy skin which caused some abrasions on the affected areas as they were scratching themselves on the tree stumps.  Since there were so many affected I decided it was prudent to contact Arn Anderson, DVM, the official porcine vet. 

It was decided Ithat a holding area would be built with a chute to work them through .  After the injections of Dectomax were given they would go into the large pen.   On the prescribed day It took quite awhile to get them into the enclosed holding area.  As always, food was the motivator with some encouragement using separation panels.  When Arn arrived all was ready and we initiated the plan.  There were twenty eight pigs that were involved and I was relieved that the plan actually worked.  I have had plans in the past that I thought was fool proof. only to find out that I still had a lot to learn.  Sometimes pig are smarter that I am.  Scary isn't it?  This plan was activated two weeks in a row.  The second time hooves and tusks were attended to, much to their distain.  The squealing was intensified and one pig was so determined to release himself he just about mowed me down.  In doing so I ended up with an eight inch long scratch on my right posterior forearm.   I guess it was a little more than a scratch as I did have to use a few steri-strips to hold it in good approximation.  I will use the topical Dectomax next week and have decived to worm more than the suggested twice a year.  A big thanks goes to Joye and Melissa Lee for their help. 

Today equine hoof trimming was performed by the official sanctuary farriers, Kenny and Brandon.  All the horses and donkeys were haltered and tied in order to be ready...thanks to Joye.  I went out to help and discovered there was absolutely nothing for me to do.  It's great having her back.  She knows the animals, they know her and she is ever observent for any problems they may be having.  She is employed as the head animal keeper.  No donations or funds for the animals are used to pay her.  At the inception of the sanctuary I promised that there would be no paid employees using sanctuary money.  I have kept that promise for sixteen years and will continue to do so.  I feel so grateful to have been honored to care for all the wonderful animals that have found their "forever" home here.

To all the animals that have graced my life:

Goodbye My Friends

 

I know there is a Rainbow

With a Bridge where you will wait

Along with all the others

Looking forward to their fate.

 

That time is in the future

When I will leave this plane

But daily I will remember 

You are no longer in any pain

 

You gave my life such meaning

A joy and love untold

I will look forward to our meeting

A new future to unfold

 

Although I may not see you

I know that you are here

Your heart, you soul, your spirit

Your very essence is so near

 

I will always miss you

My heart is very sad

But I know you are my angels

And the best friends I ever had

 

May 2, 2009   I didn't realize how long it had been since I last.made an entry.  I guess you could say I was "MIA".  A great deal has been going on and the best thing was a visit from my best buddy (Nikki) from WI.  We had such a grand time and I was sorry when her two weeks up. She had surgery on her foot in February so was still wearing one of those special boots that pretty much replace casts now.  We only left the sanctuary once and the rest of the time was spent hanging out with the animals and puttering around here.  The time flew and before we knew it she was due to return to WI.  I took some really great photos and will post them in the General Photo Gallery.  Tracy McDaniel from Hamalot Sanctuary in Sands Springs, OK also came to visit for a couple of days.  It's always nice to share ideas and stories with a fellow rescuer.  She was working on a big rescue in Oil City, LA.  It was just another example of pig owners that do not spay or neuter.  It doesn't take long for just a couple of pigs to become an entire herd with the majority of the offspring being so inbred they have multiple problems.

 

The weather here has been such a mixture and so unusual.  128,000 acres of land was burned which included heavy damage in two towns close to me.

I was able to see the glow in the west but wasn't sure what it was.  I was thinking a sand storm due to the high winds that were gusting up to 60 mph.

Later I could smell the smoke and checked with the Sheriff's office.  They told me that Sunset and Stoneburg had been evacuated along with Montague and that there were numerous grass fires in the area.  Rescue units in the different unaffected towns had responded and that the high winds were exacerbating the problem.  The wind finally disiappated and the helo's, etc. were able to help douse the inferno.  Thanks goodness the fires were contained before they reached my area.   It was very scary indeed.

 

I do have an evacuation protocol but I know that I could not implement it.  The pigs would never leave their pens and the blind horses would be too afraid to cooperate.  I could free the cats and load up the dogs but I'm not sure I could leave the other animals here.

 

After the fires we were under severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings.

Two were spotted on the ground not far from me but thankfully it was in areas that were mostly uninhabited except for livestock.  I didn't hear of any losses though.

 

Three nights ago there was a storm like no other.  My rain gauge was full at 10 inches.  It was reported that the rain in this area actually reached 13 inches.  The wheelbarrow I left out was more than half full and in the pig and horse areas it looked as if a high tide came in and then receded.

I'm going to have to repair the lower lane due to erosion but one good thing was that all the poop went out with the tide.  Of course it didn't take anytime at all for it to reappear after the pigs recovered from the fright they endured during the storm.  I'm lucky to be on the side of a hill where there is no chance of flooding except around my back door.  That drains immediately when the rain stops. 

 

MAY 12, 2009   There has been rain on and off which is great for the prospect of hay this year....at least a big first cutting.  I checked with the couple where I buy all their hay and it is a great relief to know that the price will be the same as last year.  Even at that it will be a hefty bill.  I must always have hay on hand due to lack of pasture for the equine.  I have to hay them year round and also use many bales for the pigs in winter to keep them warm. 

 

On the 15th, which is next Friday, there will be a major event day, and an expensive one to boot.  All of the equine (13) will be immunized, as well as rabies vaccine for the dogs.  At least half of the pigs needing hooves and tusk trims will be attended to and the steers must be wormed.  The rest will be scheduled on an alternate day if we can't get all of them done.  I am having blood tests pulled for a couple of the pigs that are in the area that was breached by the little feral pig.  She cannot get into the pens anymore but she has not left to find a sounder yet.  She is usually laying next to the fence line when I make rounds in the morning.  I have been encouraged to eliminate her and I even went so far as to go and purchase of 32 automatic to use.  This now makes me armed and dangerous.  The only problem is....I can't seem to carry through with the procedure.  I have called those that trap the ferals but to no avail.  No one is interested in doing so for just one pig.  I wish there was a way I could worm and immunize her but "shooting" her has been the suggestion that will eliminate the problem altoghter.  She has wreaked havoc but I just keep thinking she will go away.

 

I have received numerous calls and deliveries of Easter gifts of dyed chicks.

Why do people think it is so cute to buy them as gifts.  What is the matter with people that would do that without conversing with the intended target for these poor little chicks?  You should never buy a live "gift" for someone without checking to see if they would like to have them....or even if they can have them in the area where they live.  Roosters are not allowed in almost all cities and they are normally the ones that are up for sale for this blessed day.

I am considering building a coop and actually having some hens for egg laying.  I refuse to buy eggs from grocery stores.  Those eggs are from battery cages and those chickens never feel the grass or ground under their feet.  They never even see the light of day.  There are always fluorescent lights on so the chicken is clueless as to whether it is day or night.  That makes sure that more eggs are layed.

 

You will find "free range" eggs available.  Sounds good, right?  You want to do what you can to help so will purchase them, thinking you are at least helping out in a small way .  What you don't know is.....the reason they are considered "free range" is that instead of battery cages they are stuffed by the thousands in a small barn also never see the light of day.  The live chickens walk amongst dead and the dying.  Many of the chickens are ill, attacked by other chickens and most have their beaks crimped.   All of the chickens are pumped up with sterioids, antibiotics, hormones, and who knows what else.  In turn we are also affected in our consumption and have no idea what this actually does to us.  Maybe not right away, but in the future. 

 

It is my opinion that the additives given to all factory farmed animals are detrimental to humans.  Could the antibiotics that they are given be one of the reasons that many humans are now antibiotic resistent?  Could the hormones and steroids be the cause of some ot the malady's that affect our children?  I have not delved into major research regarding this matter.  It just seems likely that this could be the case. It has been a concern of mine for a very long time.

 

No, I do not eat meat .  Will I ever eat meat again?  No.  Would I like to see more people become vegetarians/vegans?  Absolutely.  Will that ever happen?  Most likely not.  Do I "preach" my choice to others?   No.  But if asked I will gladly share my knowledge both healthwise and the impact on the environment, etc.  As I mentioned....I think people will probably always eat meat but I am certainly an advocate for a humane way to treat these sentinent beings that give their lives for the consumption of those that choose to.  You should too.

 

So in deference of our sentinent beigns could we treat them with respect and make their short lives less traumatic?  We treat them as unfeeling objects and give no thought as to the application of the pain and suffering we impose upon them. 

 

I don't tell anyone how to eat or how to live their lives.  However, I do hope that more people research how their behaviors and actions may be effecting our sentinent beings and environment.  As a whole, the human race lives only for themselves and the instant gratification they feel they are entitled too. The future be "damned".   It doesn't seem to matter that the chaos, clutter, environmental destruction, etc, we are now engaed in will be detremental to the children that will inherit this mess, and their offspring , etc..  In my opinion, their job will be a gargantuion effor to rectify the stupid mistakes that we are now making.   We are hell bent on the destruction of the very planet and environment that sustains us.  Do we care?  I'm sure many do but are unwilling to make the necessary changes or just believe that there is nothing they can do.  We should be focused on the legacy we are leaving for future generations.  Unfortunately there just may not be enough time to rectify the disasterous route we are taking.  I cry for the children of the future.

 

June 2, 2009  Sara Schweers DVM and her Vet Tech, Tori Hopkins just left after removing sutures from a horrible injury that my Arabian mare, Calypso,

suffered.  I still have no clue what happened.  One afternoon she presented with a whole the size of golf ball about 1 inch from her right eye.  I was in shock when I saw it.  I knew immediately I was out of my element on treating her injury so immediately pulled out my cell phone and called Cross Timbers Vet Clinic.  Dr. Schweers was available so she headed to the sanctuary and got here in record time.  While waiting I examined the situation and was afraid it had damaged her nasal septum as there was blood draining out of her nose.  I used a surgical glove and attempted to find out just how deep it went.  When the entry of my finger went up to my knuckle I was sure I was looking at some sort surgical procedure.  I tested her eye for reflexes and she passed that. 

 

When the vet team got here and started to explore even deeper we realized that the "hole" was indeed tunneling into her nasal cavity and out her nose.

Sara had fixed up an IV bag and tubing with a cleansing solution and let the entrie bag drain through the wound.  It really looked so painful but apparently the sedative was working.  It was decided that Calypso go into the clinic for a much more intensive exploration.

 

We got her loaded up but not without difficulty.  My horses don't travel much as my vets usually come here.  After several tries she finally stepped up into the trailer and after checking the electrical system, off we went.  It's about a 35 minute drive and I couldn't wait to get there.  Upon arrival, she was immediately stalled....that wasn't easy either.  She had to walk on pavement and to my knowledge has only done that once before.  It was hard to leave her there.  She started pacing the stall so I left as quickly as I could.

 

The surgery was perfomed by Sara Schweers, DVM and her vet tech, Breanna.  I wasn't there for the surgery but Sara called to update me and she said that they were able to complete the surgery and that the hole have been covered over with some shattered bone fragments.  The idea is for that to solidify as much as possible although she will more than likely always have a small hole and that for the most part will be a soft spot.   I am going to research head gear to see if I can find something that might be able to be put on her head that will protect it. 

 

When I went to pick up Calyspo and after we got her loaded , I drove by a stall that had a brand new, bright red mobile squeeze shoot and thought to myself..."I bet I had a hand in paying for that puppy".   It does boil down to the fact that my animals deserve the best and that is what they get from the vets at Cross Timbers Veterinarian Clinic in Bowie.

 

June 6, 2008 While waiting for the vet this monring I decided to do a bit of paper work while drinking a cup of coffee.  All those that know me know that the last thing in the world would if would choose to do would not include office work or house cleaning.  I picked up the latest pile which included May bills.

 

I set in on the desk in front of me as there is a small place to work between the computer monitor and the key board.  I shuffled them in to a semblance of order and then separated them into category's.  Vet and feed bills were first on the pile so I sucked it up and totaled up the bills. I knew I was in trouble.  Normally I don't have situations that occur at the same time.  This gives me time go get a job or whatever which gives me time to come of with the funds. The world just seened to crash on top of the sanctuary.  I hope it got that little "s__t"  fairy that seems to be roosting on my roof.

 

My job around here is to plan a way to circumvent the obvious indoor chores I should be engaged in.  I distract myself, even to the point of picking out something entirely different that I need to get done before I tackle the office.   It is called "procrastination" and I have a degree.  I may have made this statement or one similar before...if so...sorry for the repitition.  I am just going to continue posting on the blog site but will not critiqe anything already written.  I'm too lazy to take the time to re-read the past posts.

 

Now, where was I?  See how good I am?  I got diverted again.  Oh yes.  I was discussing the bills.  Anyway...I haven't gotten through them all but it's going to average out close to $4,500 for the vet. (not including today;s farm visit and treatment).  The last feed bill was $1,835.32  Wow.  Seeing it in writting is a scary thing.  Looks like my job will be to look for another job.

 

The vet is here so off I go.  Calypso is having the sutures removed from her surgery site.

 

June 11, 2009   Again....I know I have probably mentioned this in the past and will be likely to do so in the future.  If you can't be a vegan/vegetarian at least consider becoming an onbudsman,  to support change for these sentinent beings and become more compassionate in their lives here on earth.  The human race should definitley be more sympathetic to the horrors that many endure in order to fill our bellies. 

 

The most brutal "murder" is that of the porcine persuasion.   A gun shot with the proper placement would be far more kind than being electrically shocked into seizures (which seldom renders them unconsious or dead,, hung on an overhead conveyor belt, (many still squealing for their lives), exsanguinated, dipped in a vat to loosen the skin and then skinned.   Imagine the terror and pain that these highly intelligent sentinent beings must endure. 

 

I would like to encourage everyone to research the process with which the meat that you buy at the grocery store gets there.  Also be aware of the anitibiotics, steroids and hormones that they are pumped with in order for them to grow bigger and faster than nature intended.  What they are injected with, you are ingesting.  Those that make their living this way would rather you not know the chance you are taking. 

 

June 18, 2009  This was a very busy day.  I had to go into town to pick up some medications from the vet and then go pick up the sanctuary vehicle at the dealership.  The a/c was no more and a new compessor was installed.

It went out before I even got back to the sanctuary.  I couldn't go back as I had an appointment to be interviewed for Vegan Word Radio.  I was already running so late and when passing a bank it had 102 as the temperature.

When I finally made it back Jerrilyne and Lisemarie were wating for me.  They were so hot they had hosed themselves down.  I felt badly that I had made them wait so long for me.

 

June 29, 2009   The interview that I did with Vegan World Radio was aired this morning.  I almost missed it myself as a huge storm went through here and my satellite connection was broken.  I got back online just in time to listen.  I hate hearing my voice.  It's a good thing it doesn't sound so bad when I'm talking as it does when I am subjected to hearing it after being recorded.

 

Calypso's surgical sight is looking great.  You can tell she had a bad accident but it is less unsightly than I thought is would be.  My thanks again to Dr. Sara Schweers.  She is one lucky little mare as she could have easily lost her right eye.

 

I had to have Arn Anderson , DVM out last Saturday.  I had been trying very hard to find a way to "cure" one of my elder pigs but the time came that I had to admit defeat.  She was no longer able to get up on her own and even with my help she couldn't stand. Pigs are very stoic but Tilly was definately in pain and I really had no other choice.  Ben Larson , who owns Pine Hill Cemetary, came to pick her up and take her to the sanctuary plot.  I know she is at peace and for that I'm grateful.

 

July 1, 2009   It is hard for me to believe how fast the time is passing.  I was thinking of years past and didn't realize that I have actaully been operating the sanctuary for 17 years now.   How could the time have flown by so quickly?  Most of the time has been a struggle and will probably continue to be but it has been worth it.  My biggest fear now is that I won't have someone to take over.  I will be 67 in September and although I am still able to get most of the important things done....I wonder how much longer I will be able to do so.  I did have a couple that said they wanted to and started coming up to see what it was all about.  I was so relieved as I felt they would be a good choice.  It wasn't too long before they told me that they felt they had made a precipitous decision.  While I was very disappointed, I can understand.  They were a young couple....not yet 30...and running a sanctuary is very time consuming and certainly limits other options.  Even taking a vacation is pretty much out of the question.  I think I've mentioned in the past that the only "vacation" I've had was and overnight stay in the hospital after a stent was implanted. 

   

Night before last my neighbors, who apparently don't have a calendar, shot off some rockects and some other noisy fireworks.  I heard a loud popping a couple of times and ran outside to see what was going on.  At first I thought it was gun fire as that has happened on many occasions   Hobo, my little dog that is terrified of loud noices, was outside and I started calling for her.  She didn't come but another dog came running down the hill and almost crashed into me.  She was terrified.  I recognized her.  She actually belongs to the idiot neighbors.  She hasn't gone home since.  I knew Hobo was in hiding and would not return until all the ruckus stopped.  She did so the next morning.

 

July 3, 2009  The little dog from next door seems to have decided she likes it here.  She came over and started to follow me on my feed rounds.  As usual, the chickens all come running as they too enjoy the pig pellets.  I didn't give it a thought as my dogs never bother the chickens.  The pup apparently doesn't have the same respect for poultry.  I was in a pen helping one of my "assisted living" pigs when I heard the horrible noise of an attack.  I saw feathers flying and  I couldn't get out of the pen fast enough.  I had my feed scoup in hand and hurled it at her while exercising my vocal cords with verbal abuse.  The scoup is plastic so there was no way it was going to do anything but distract her.  I actually think it was my military voice that scared her enough to make her run up the lane, giving the chicken the opportunity ot get through the panel to safety.  There were white feathers everywhere and I didn't see where the chick went.  I could only hope that there wasn't any life threatening wounds. Since all the chickens had dispersed I went to finish that particular round of feeding and watering.   I then picked up the pup and took it down the road to the neighbors. 

On the way up their lane I hit a bump and the feed cart popped off the Gator.  I explained the sitiuation to the son and asked them to please keep the dog on their property.  I  aslo asked if they could come and help me get the cart attached to the Gator.  I hadn't finished feeding and there was still about 150 pounds of feed in it.  They did so and promised to put the dog up so it wouldn't happen again.  I thanked them and headed back home.

 

I went back to feeding and haying the horses and the rest of the pigs but just about the time I completed my rounds, there was that dog again.  Before taking her home again I removed the feed cart as it still had feed in it.   I felt badly as she seemed so happy to be over here but I can't have an obvious chicken predator here.  I took her back to her home and asked them to, please, please, do something to keep her at home.  Again, they said they would and took her from me.  They said that they were going to tie her up. Of course, that didn't set well with me but what could I do?  I did suggest that they build a pen for her and even offered to help and told them I may have enough materials and panels or fencing that we could use.  They said they would do something when the men of the family came home from work.

 

On my way back to the sanctuary I stopped at the mail box to pick up the mail and then started back up my lane.  I stopped at the house to take the mail in but before doing so I took the time to go through it to see if there was any junk mail I could put in the dumpster.  While doing that I felt what I thought was a fly on my leg and went to slap it.  I looked down and was totally surprised to see the pup again.  She did have a rope around her neck but you could see where she had chewed herself free.  I had to laugh. She just about beat me back here.

 

I don't know what to do.  I am certain this little girl has not been vetted so will pick up immunizations when I go to get feed tomorrow.  I don't think I can take her to be spayed since she isn't a sanctuary resident and I could get into trouble.  These folks don't spay or neuter.  I have cats and kittens all over the place here and they all originate from the neighbors.  Many of the chickens came from there as well.  Once they lost interest they just let them go.  This isn't the first time. 

 

July 26, 2009   I know it's been awhile and lots has happened.  It is so hard to keep up with everything.  I try and jot things down to share but due to my lack of organizational skills I can never even seem to find that.  I had a little notebook that I was using to collect these thoughts but lost it to a goat.  I just don't seem to learn lessons easily.  I now remember the address book that I left outside after spending a great deal of time transferring information from the old ones.  Another goat situation.

 

I must say that the weather has been a major interference as of late.  The triple digits have been horrendous...even reaching 116.  This was without the heat index thing that I don't understand at all.  Usually at night the temperatures become bearable but even at that they have been in the mid to upper 80's.  This is not good.  The water well has been running almost constantly.  I can't seem to keep the pools and wallows filled adequately.  I made note of the time it took to water one day and it was 4 hours and 22 mintutes.  I would normally rake pens while doing this but it was too hot and the shady spots were few and far between.  I even got a touch of heat exhaustion....becoming a bit nauseous to the point of doing one or the things I hate the most.  Emesis.  I hate when that happens.  Usually at least of small protion of it migrates to my nose.  Sorry.   

 

It wasn't a one time occasion.  My immediate treatment is to spray myself down and then sit until the event passes.  If there is a breeze it is even better.  I drink quarts of water during the time I am outside.  I experience such a large amount of diaphoresis that I get thirsty very soon after I have sucked down a great deal of water.

 

Many of the pigs have decided that it is even too hot to eat.  They choose to stay in the shade lying around the wallow.  They hardly moving a muscle except to breath.  This may only last a couple of days and then they feel compelled to expend the energy to walk the lengthy 10 feet to the feeding area. Most of them have not even sauntered up the hill to the sheds.  I have started feeding them where they are spending the most time.  I really don't blame them and don't get worried as a healthy pig will never starve themselves.  The longest period was three days for old Bull Dog.  (I didn't name her.  She arrived with that name)  The fourth day she came at a rapid pace to get to her eating place.

 

I don't mean to exclude Joye in all of this.  She is the one that is doing most of the work on many of the days.  I wish I could afford to give her more hours.

She is a dynamo and if it weren't for her I wouldn't get everything done.  She is the official head animal keeper and as time goes by I will need her more and more.  Her work is very much appreciated but once the heat and intense sun rays subside I will have to cut back her hours more.  Just about everything comes out of my fixed income and I have had to dip into my "retirement" fund. 

 

As I said....much has been happening and I will just briefly visit a few of the events.  Other than the weather the computer has been my biggest antagonist as of late.  It is much like a pig.  Stubborn, unpredicable and just plain irritating.  It is as if someone snuck in and changed all the settings and programs.  The printer has been affected and even though I disabled it and then enabled it again...it refuses to co-operate.  I just discovered that some incoming emails are being diverted to different files.  Pay Pal was one of them.  I am feeling so guilty as there have been some very kind people that have made donations that I haven't acknowledged.  How they got in that file...I have no clue.  At least I know to go there now to check.  How do things like that happen unless I do something inadvertently?  If that is the case I wish I knew how I did it so that I can resolve the matter.

 

I decided to lauch my plan to organize the office and did make a great deal of progress.  Unfortunately in doing so I misplaced some donation checks.  Since I had a bit of time today I went into the frenetic mode and finally discovered their hiding place.  They were apparently on top of the printer and fell off the back.  It is not a place I would normally look for anything as it it requires the moving of furniture and the printer desk is rather heavy.  I was feeling badly about that as I wasn't able to respond to those special people...not remembering who the checks were from.  I have a lot to catch up on now.  In looking for the checks I am back in the position of having to re-organize.  I got a bit upset and wasn't being prudent in my efforts.  Actually, I was so irritated that I got a little out of control.  That will go to show me.  I think it was the heat.  lol

 

I thought I had come up with a solution in my quest to find a way to cover myself as protection from the sun.  I do use the sun block but the back of my neck and ears seem to suffer.  I got a soft dish towel and attached it to the back and sides of my baseball cap.  First, I hate wearing anything on my head and would not be doing so unless my life was at stake. Now that it is I will work with it. 

 

 I have trouble keeping one on but if I put my hair in a pony tail and stick it through the hole in the back of the cap it seems to help.  I also put on my sweat band which helps in anchoring it somewhat.  I also put my ear phones over it with the wires deverted towards my back.  I find that if I'm listening to music it detracts from the acute unfomfortable feeling of frying as if in a pan.

Lately my choice has been Josh Grobon...having just recently discovered him.  I know....I am so out of touch.

 

The day I decided to don this attire and give it a try I was feeling very accomplished in having discovered a plan.   I slathered up with the sun block (#50 that day) and headed out to start my daily schedule.  I was pumped and ready to go.  I got the Gator loaded up with feed.  I then retrieved my frozen bottle of water out of the freezer.  I always carry one with me on my rounds in the summer.  As it melts and I drink the water I can refill it at the different watering places and it could last a couple of hours.

 

As I mentioned, I hate wearing caps/hats.  They always make me feel as if something is hovering over my head and I can see up.  Since it is now a necessity I know I have to learn to learn to work with one. 

 

All went well at the first feeding station.  I got back on the Gator and drove to the next one.  In all the pens there is a "gate" of sorts..that I call a walkover.  There is a panel at the bottom tall enough that I can leave the gate open and the potties can get out.  This doesn't work in the farm and feral pigs live as they can jump over the panel.  I filled the troughs with feed and started running the hose in the wallow.  I grabbed my rake, turned up the volume on Josh's, "Up To Where You Are" then opened up the "gate".  I went to step in when I felt me head being pulled backward by my pony tail.  The last time that happened was when I was in grade school.  His name was Stephen, something or another.

 

 I had already put one foot in so was pretty much commited to entering.  I realized I had gotten caught on the branch that hangs over that particular area.  I didn't remember it (how could that happen after so many years?) and I couldn't see it due to the cap.  I put my other foot over the panel while disentangling myself from the branch.  I was still bending a little bit backwards and when I went to straighten up I felt a sharp pull.  The cap, dish towel and headset were gone.  At the same time I twisted my ankle..further loosing my balance until I felt myself heading for terra firma.  It was then that I felt as if someone had put a thin noose around my neck.  It tightened until I heard a snap and I was then released.  It was the wire to the headset.  

 

As I sat there on the ground I lamented on my not following through with my first instinct.  That was to google some safari clothes that just might be the thing I needed.  Oh, and I would trim back that limb and any others that could attack me from above.  My ankle wasn't sprained and didn't hurt long.  However, I did get a pretty good abrasion on my elbow.  I guess it could have been worse.  I still have a few bones left that the animals haven't broken.

 

With the hot weather we have also been deprived of rain.  There was a downpour of 13 inches a couple of months ago.  It did some more erosion damage.  I still haven't come up with a solution to the problem.  The dryness  has forced me to do some watering of the grounds.  I have only concentrated on the lawn for the most part and try not to do so very often.  I use so much water for the animals I feel I have used my share of the worlds water supply by the time I finish that.  There are also a few plants that I attend to.  I normally start in the very late evening after the heat of the day and the sun is disappearing in the west.

 

I have a system and leave a green hose with silver strips in place towards the remote area of the yard.  I start there and work my way back to the house as there is a securtiy light and one on the front porch in order to see at night, if need be.   I attach the green hose to a yellow one so that I can see where the connection is.  I know it sounds as if it is a massive area...it really isn't.  It is just odd shaped and it takes more to reach all the areas.

 

The other night I started up the water and then took Brutis (American Bulldog rescued from Chico Animal Control) for his evening run.  Off we went and then he went further than was acceptible.  He ran into one of the horse pens and started to smell around on the ground.  My horses don't take kindly to pesky dogs sharing their space and will chase them.  I don't know what might  happen if these horses are serious.  Brutis wouldn't listen to me as his find was so very special.  You know...those cute piles of rounded brown "chocolate".    I saw Jake, a QH, spot Brutis start his way.  He still wouldn't respond to me so I made a dash to the Gator.  That is one thing that will make him stop everything to react to the sound of a motor.  I started it up and before I could even get it into gear to drive to the eventful location he was running towards me at top speed.  It always works.

 

After our excursion I put him back in his pen with his dinner.  As I started back up the lane to the house I heard the sputtering of the sprinkler.  I thought about just turning it off then decided that I would move it and water at least another hour.  I could stay up that long.  By then it was too dark to see and out here you don't just go forging in to places where you don't have good visulization.  I continued on to the house to retrieve a flashlight.  I really should have one of those huge spotlight types but I just have a small one that really isn't a real good (must continue later) 

 

Oooops.  I was just checking the site and realized I didn't finish this story.  Here goes:

 

After procuring the flashlight I returned to the front yard to move the sprinkler.  As I was detaching the yellow hose there was an ephemerel glint from the flashlight that revealed a slimy green object.  I didn't hear any hissing but I wasn't going to take a chances so decided to evacuate the area.  The last thing I needed was a snake bite.  As I started away I felt something encircle my leg and felt sure the the next thing I would feel would be sharp punctures on my calf.   In my effort to retreat I did became disentangled but continued a few more steps to make sure I wasn't in striking range.  I turned back and shown the flashlight on the ground to see what kind of snake it was.  It was the very rare and dreaded "garden hose" snake.  Now, ain't that a kick in the butt?  Needless to say....there were no penetration wounds. 

 

August 10, 2009   Now, that didn't take long, did it?  I think it was 16 days.  That seems about right for me.  I'll have to go back and read where I was before the necessary departure.  What's really scary?  I can't remember what sent me running.

 

Tonight has been a bad one.  Buddy, the mini-horse, that was found on the side of the road wasn't acting right.  He was lying down this morning before I left but got up when I went by his pen so I didn't give it a great deal of thought.  Yesterday he had eaten every bit of his meal and had eaten some fresh hay. 

 

He had been put back in his pen so I could control his eating as he has now earned the name Buddha Buddy.  I did notice there was fresh excrement which was a good sign.  When I got back tonight and I went to check on all the animals I noticed him down in his pen.  I was immediately alarmed as he didn't get up on his own.  I grabbed his lead and attached it to his halter and started pulling on him.  He finally got up and I led him out of his pen.  I detached the lead and let him wander off.  I followed to watch his behavior. 

 

He went down and seemed to have a conversation with Jake, the QH, over the fence and then went to lie down.  I watched but there was no rolling or obvious discomfort.  I went and encouraged him to get up again.  This time he walked down the lane towards the house, passing it to the small yard just in front.  He again layed down.  I had noticed that while walking he didn't seem to feel that comfortable.  That really scary red flag went up.....colic.

 

He wasn't looking at his belly and lying down to roll. That is a major indication that a horse is in the full throws of a colic attack.  It can kill fast  As far as I could tell he hadn't even rolled as he wasn't dusty.  In fact he was almost as clean as he was when I completed grooming him the day before.  It didn't matter.   I always proceed on the side of caution, with the thought that it's "better to be safe than sorry."  I  whipped out my cell phone and hit the Cross Timbers speed dial.  Yes, it's my most important number. For quite some time now I have spent more time with my vets than I have my family and friends. 

 

 Anyway, by now I could tell that Buddy wasn't feeling all that well.  His temperature was 104, which is high. for a horse. This could have been due to pain but there are other concerns along with this as well..  I walked him around while waiting for the Mike Ward, DVM, who was 'on call".  It didn't seem like any time at all before I saw his headlights shinning up the lane.  This in itself was almost a miracle.  Mike gets lost during the day, or ends up in a ditch (that's another story) and it had been quite awhile since he had last visited the sanctuary.  After examining Buddah Buddy it was decided to tranquilize him, give him a pain medication and then tube him to administer mineral oil.  This would lubricate his innards and help to eliminate ands constipation. 

 

All of this was done without too much trouble.  I had to hold Buddy's head up due to his sedation as it got quite heavy.  I asked Mike how you tell if the tube is placed properly (I know how to in humans).  He held up the external end and told me to smell it.  UGH.  I was sure it wasn't in the lung.  It was not an "aroma" that you would want to smell again, if given the choice.  After the procedure was completed Buddy had a shot of Bamamine for any further discomfort.  I was also left with a couple of more injectible doses just in case.  The recovery period for the elimination of the sedative doesn't take very long but I am always uncomfortable using drugs such as that out in the field.  I'm always a nervous wreck.

 

I took this opportunity to run in and take a shower and prepare for what was going to be tomorrow but is now today.  I dressed for the day.  Hahahaha.....this brings to mind a memory of when I was in the service.  Of course, it was during the Nam war and the duty hours were incredibly difficult.  Very few hours were spent in the sleep mode.  When I would finish a "so called" day I would head for the showers.  Once I was all poofy and clean I would don my uniform, put on make-up (such as it was), fix my hair and put on my socks.  I would then situate my shoes right next to the cot.  The last procedure of the day was to sit on the bed, scoot my butt into the middle of the cot and then heave my legs into a completely horizontal postion.  I would sleep "at attention".  When I was either "called" to duty, or, got up with the clock alarm, I was ready to go.  I only had to get those shoes on and off I went.  Those were the good old days. 

 

I haven't forgotten Buddy.  I have been going to check on him while writing this.  He has recovered and for a goodly amount of time I just sat with him.  His head was on my lap while I stroked his head and ears.  He is such a loving little horse.  There is not a mean bone in his body.  He truly fits the classification of a "bomb proof" horse.  Mike, DVM was discussing the worst case sceario of colitis and that could mean major surgery.  He indicated that it probably wouldn't be an option due to the expense and that the percentage rate of survival were around 60%.  I do need to meniton that this statement wasn't actually directed at me.....just a general account of the norm.  I don't think it took me more than 10 seconds to respond from my heart that it wouldn't be problamatic, that I would find a way.  He then asked me what I thought that the cost of a surgery such as that could cost.  I answered, thinking that my thought might be excessive, $5,000 to $6,000.  He validated my concept of the price. 

 

You know, I wasn't shocked nor did I feel even a minute of hesitation.  You can't put a price on a life you have already saved once.  That life is now in your life and heart as a very special being.  All of the animals here are family and you don't deny family the opportunity of life if there is an option.  If I didn't try then I wouldn't be living up to my "code of ethics" regarding the mission of my endeavor.  The guilt of not doing so would be a shroud I would wear for the rest of my life.  I carry enough of that already. 

 

Wow, I sure got off track.  I'm somewhat sleep deprived (worked last night and most of today) and still have a long night to go.  I will keep checking on Buddy.  Last check he was still just standing with his head close to the ground..  I will have to go next time to see if I can find some excrement. if he has moved at all from the area he is now in.  That is one of the most important duties of a sanctuary operator. Poop.  It's importanct to know the amount, consistency and color.  It does help if you know which poop belongs to which animal.  Unfortunately this is not always a possibility unless you spend the entire day following them around.  It's also important as to who is peeing, how much, the color and concentration.  Remind me to tell you about the time I had to get a urine speciman from one of the potbellied pigs.  Just thinking about it makes me chuckle.  It's called "The cup on a stick procedure".

 

August 14, 2009  First of all, Buddy is pretty much back to normal.  I am so grateful.  Last night is the first night I actually slept for any length of time although I didn't attempt to do so until around 3.   I have been staying up to monitor him.  I did end up calling in another professional, Bart Sirman, DVM.  He is a local boy....having grown up in Forestburg.  He graduated from Texas A&M in 2007 having waited until a bit later in life to answer the "call" of the animals.  He is an equine specialist and is mobile only at this time.   He drew a CBC/Equine Chemistry Panel which ultimately disclosed a viral infection.  This had to account for the high temperatures that were registering  Pain can also raise temperatures so maybe the combination of the two were a factor.  Buddy is now on an anribitotic, is defecating and urinating, and has become more interested in his surroundings.  He had been laying down most of the time but is now mostly on his feet.  He is also eating a little bit at a time and partaking of small amounts of fresh hay.  I can't tell you how relieved I am.  I am still checking on him q hour of so.....just in case.  This little guy and I have really bonded since we have gone through so much together and I don't want to take any chances. 

 

I must say that during my nights with Buddy I discovered a whole new world that goes on here after the moon takes over the world.  I had no idea there was so much wildlife enjoying the dark of night.  I was sitting in the hammock chair which gave me a good view of Buddy.  It also allowed me the opportunity to view everthing down to the last security light at the first horse paddock.  There are many shadowy areas but I could obseve anything moving across the lane.  The peace of sitting there was almost overwhelming.  It was as if I was enveloped in comfort and contentment.  The sky was littered with the brilliance of sparkling stars (there were even three times as many when I took my glassed off) and in the distance I could hear the howling (or is it baying?) of the coyotes.   It always seemed to be such a forlorn resonance.  My feelings on this are not congruent.  While I feel such joy at their being there and being free I am also sad as to the igonorance of man regarding these misunderstood creatures.  I mourn the lack of intelligence of the human race.

 

The tree frogs made their presence known and I listened to them while watching the toads,   They join up under the security lights to dine on the savory crickets and other delectable insects that are attracted to the luminosity.  While I was watching them my attention was diverted to a very familiar dialect.  I heard some rustling in the tall grasses on the side of the hill and then I saw her.  She jumped over the terrace retaining wall and walked directly over to the feed cart.  I remained mortionless so as not to alert her to my presence.  It was the feral piglet that had caused such chaos a couple of months back.    She is becoming very bold....like she lives here or something.  Why do these animals think they can just move in under the dark of night and not think I will eventually notice them?   (ran out of time but will return to finish at a later time) 

 

August 19, 2009  Lets see.  It only took me nine days to get back here this time.  The update on Buddy is fantastic.  He is himself once again although he is still on antibiotics until the 21st.  I have to mix the powder with water in a piston syringe and then place it in a certain area of his mouth to purge the medication for him to swallow.  He takes it like a trooper.  Once the round of ABT is completed I will worm him.  I can't tell you how relieved I am that he is doing so well. 

 

Since I last blogged not a great deal has been happening.  I have spent more time outside at night than ever before....just enjoying the special cacophony of night life sounds and the cooler temperature of course.  There has still been no rain.  I am truly ready for fall and winter.  I sure hope it arrives with some inclement weather.  I am actually getting a bit tired of the sun as well.  A great deal of that is probably because I spend so much time having to avoid it.  The animals are all well which has been a relief.  It has been a hard few months. 

 

There was one incident where I misplaced my cell phone.  I had been hooking up the trailer in order to go and transport a horse to the vet for a friend of mine.  After I finally got it connected I reached into my pocket for the phone so I could call and tell her I was on my way.  No phone.  OMG.  I have all my important numbers listed in there.  I looked all around the trailer but didn't see it so started to back track my steps to the last time I remember using it.  After about 20 minutes with no results I got my land line and started calling the cell while walking down the lanes.  Nothing.  I went back to the trailer and tried calling the cell again.  I could hear the faint tones of it responding but it was not near the trailer.  I listened again and was very perplexed when I heard it across the lane.  As I walked over it stopped ringing so I redialed the number and stood there waiting.  There it was again.  It was muffled but I was able to discover from where it came.  In the dumpster.  That just couldn't be.  I opened the top and could still hear the tone but couldn't vizualize it.  I grabbed a stick I keep there to jam the trash into the container and pushed some of the refuse around.  There is was....inside a dog food can.  How in the world?  It was then that I remembered fixing Kiki's special dinner and I must have just put the cell phone in the can with some other bits and pieces of things that were unworthy of keeping.  It was close to the bottom now that I had moved everything around.  I tried reaching in but it was too deep for me to grasp.  I used the stick and got it into the can enough to try pushing it up the opposite side of the dumpster.  I was leaning in at a rather precarious position with more of my body hanging in than out.  Just as I got it to a point that I thought I could grab it I made an effort to do so.  This shifted my weight to being totally top heavy and in I went.  It was my lucky day though.  There was very little garbage...mostly feed bags.  I was then faced with how I was going to get out.  It certainly wasn't in the plan to get out the way I got in.  The problem was that there was nothing in there that could help me climb out.  I tried stacking the feed bags in a way that might give me some height but my weight just smashed them down. 

 

While I was considering my options I decided I best call and let my friend know of my predicament and confess to my error in judgement.: I should have gone and gotten the step stool that I considered before this mishap.  It was at this point that I heard the beeping of a truck down the lane and realized that it was trash day. The waste management vehicle was backing up the lane.   I must have looked completely idiotic standing in the dumpster, stick in one hand and the cell phone in the other. At first I thought I would scrunch down so he couldn't see me then remembered he would just have the automatic arms grab the dumpster and lift it to be dumped.  That wasn't too bright of an idea.   I wish you could have seen the look on  his face.  It was priceless.  He helped me get out...laughing hysterically.  I told him not to ask.  While he hoisted the dumpster up to empty it I sauntered on over to the car and trailer as if it was just "another" usual episode here at the sanctuary. 

 

August 26, 2009   Another mishap has occurred and little Cody, the black mini-horse, is at the vets with a very bad injury to his eye.  I'm am not exactly sure what happened but it wasn't good.  I took him in Wednesday and he will be there until next week sometime.  He has a 50-50% chance of either losing or retaining the eyesight in his left eye.  It may be that he was running very fast and didn't veer fast enought to avoid a branch.  This is not a given but the injury is consistant with that scenario.  He and Buddy managed to end up in the same paddock and even though they are geldings the surgery was performed a bit late in their lives so they still have that "studly" attitude.  That is why they are normally not together. 

 

While I was waiting for Cody to become a bit more alert after his sedation I noticed a Tobiano filly in the padded area where they normally recover horses that have undergone surgery.  This little gal had gotten her head and feet caught in a three prong tractor attachment and was not doing well at all.  She was lying flat on a pad with her "mom" at her side.  Mom had been staying with her since the fiilly had come in (3 days) and was waiting for her husband to come and relieve her so she could get to some school classes.  While we were talking this little filly was able to upright herself to a positiion where she was on her belly.  She looked straight at me and I was enfulfed with the strangest feeling.  I saw defeat in her eyes and felt the propinquity of doom.  It was a sensation that traveled through my entire body into my soul.  The tears came and I had to leave as I didn't want my feelings to be evident.  On my way out the husband arrived and I wished them luck and told them I would hold them in my heart. 

 

On my way home I had to go and pick up Snickers....the dog that came from neighbors....from her vetting.  It had become obvious that she had chosen the sanctuary as her new home and had no intenetion of returning to her previous sitiuation..  That had become very clear as every attempt to take her home had resulted in her return.  She is very happy here and that is what counts.  She is a cutie and has fit in quite well.  There was a couple of chicken related incidents in which I had to intervene but that is no longer an issue.  Samantha, cat, was also at the vet for a wound that needed to be attended to.  She came home on anitbiotics, otic solution and a cleanser for the wound.  I  had treated her sitiuation and thought the problem had been solved but when John Martin was here for a visit he noticed she had been scratching it and the area had become inflammed.  Thanks John.  I sometimes feel so guilty as I do miss things as times. 

 

August  27, 2009   Cody is being treated with something similar to a continuous lavage system for his eye.  It is regulated by a pump that has a cathether inserted and sutured in place above the eye.  Greg Meyers. DVM, is in charge of Cody's treatment and mentioned that there is a possibility of a "flap", using some of the conjunctiva, being placed over the punctured area of the cornea.  This is no a given yet and it is a "time will tell" situation.  He assured me that Cody is doing as well as can be expected.   I was not able to get to the vet to visit him today but plan on doing so tomorrow.  I asked about the Tobiano filly and was told that she was holding her own. 

 

August 28, 2009   I had a fitful night last night.  I have been so worried about Cody.  I am going to go in to visit him today as well as run some other errands in town.  I am worried about the little Tobiano filly as well.  I haven't been able to get her off my mind.  It seems that somewhere, in my dreams last night,  I saw her running off into the brilliance of a sunset.  Her head was held high and she was looking in all different directions.  Her tail was held high as well.  I know...it sounds strange...but I feel certain she has gone.

 

I have already gone around,  treated and checked on everyone and am waiting for the last hay load to arrive.  This hay was the first cutting and has been stored in the barn at the place where I buy my hay.  We had to get it all moved out as it is time for the second and last cutting so the room was needed in that barn.  I even have my list of things to do while I'm in town so am ready to go.  Can you beleive it....I think I'm organized.  Well...for this moment in time.  Gads, I sure wish it could be a perpetual thing.  I do have to admit to being very tired and I am finding it harder and harder to make things right.  UPDATE:  I went to the clinic and Cody's is holding his own.  His eyesight possibility is in jeopardy but I can deal with that.  His vet bill at this time is $952.62 and he will probably be there several more days.  I am at a loss as to how I will afford this but I'm sure I will find a way. 

 

September 7, 2009   Goodness, things seem to be going from bad to worse.  The farrier was here on the 2nd to get about 4 horses hooves trimmed.  I got the lead rope around Chacha's neck and she took off, pulling me down.  I felt a very sharp pain but got up and continued as I thought it was probably just a bit a a wrench from the old fractured rib.  We got the hooves completed and I went on about my business.  That night the pain was excurtiating and I knew something was really wrong. I took three Tylenol and a musscle relaxant and the pain started to subside.  The next day it was worse so during a trip to the ER I was told I had another new fracture involving different ribs.  One seems to have been more of a bruise than a fracture.  Anyway you want to call it...pain was a constant.  As usual, nothing can really be done but to control the pain and sleep with support on the affected side.  Oh yes...and try to do nothing and take papin meds.  Well, that doesn't work here.  I have been living on Tylenol and pain meds when I need to do something....like get upright.  At least this time it hasn't been as painful during the breathing process.  Thank goodness for my "right hand gal", Joye Malone.  

 

Tomorrow Cody's eye will be removed as there is no hope of any eyesight returning.  This morning it was discovered that Calamity Jane....his partner in crime...had a laceration of her left eyelid.  The vet was called for a farm visit and she was layed out to have it sutured.  There was no puncture of the eye so if all goes well she will retain her eyesight.  Once again a sweep was made of the the paddock to no avail.  I have no clue what is going on.  Poor little girl.  I think there is an equine "s---t" fairy hanging out around here.  Her eye was fine last evening.  After the Ketamine wore off and Calamity was attempting to get up she stepped on my big left toe.  OMG....I was sure it was broken but after the initial pain subsided and I found I could move it and walk I am guessing I will just have a big black toe and will lose the nail.  It is already turning dark and is swollen. 

 

Now that I've gotten all the bad events out of the way I can tell you about the good ones.  Hmmmmmmmmm......let me think.  Nothing comes to mind.  Oh...there is the fact that three little pigs that are in shelters around Texas...(Lufkin, Irving and Abeline) have found sponsors and will be arriving this next week.  I think all will be delivered.  I can hardly sit to write this so I don't think I will be able to go and collect them. 

 

September 9, 2009  The arrangements have been made to get the Lufkin piggy (Thelma) here and I also the Irving pig.  If she doesn't already have a name I was thinking  Lousie.  I will let their sponsors name them though.  Once they are here and I have pictures of them up on the site their sponsors will be recognized.  I can thank them enough.  The other pigs on the radar are still being "shuffled" and I will see if I can do anything to help them out. 

 

I was planning on going to the clinic to be with Cody for his enucleation but there isn't a specific time frame for the procedure so I will wait to hear how it goes.  I am hoping I will be able to pick him up tomorrow or Friday.  He has never been away from the sanctuary.  I really miss him.  Since he has not been able to see out of that eye since the incident I am hoping he has adjusted fairly well.  Of course, he has been confined to a stall so it may take him some time to adjust to his old surroundings.  It will be good to have him home. 

 

I did someting that I thought I would never do.  I contacted CBS Channel 11 to see if they would be willing to come out and do a story on the sanctuary.  I am not one to ask for help in this manner but the rising vet bills have overwhelmed me and I am hoping that there might be some help forthcoming.  I have always been able to provide for my "family" but I guess there does come a time when "pride can cometh before a fall".  I talked to a very nice person, Joel Thomas, and he was going to discuss the option with his producers at a meeting this morning.  I haven't heard back so it may not be the type of story that is of interest. 

 

 My vet bill has been my main concern as I have had to put it on my CC and of course there is that interest.  It has topped $6,000 now (not including all of Cody's bill) and with a new cutting of hay that will be in progress within the next couple of weeks I am truly not sure how I will cover it all. 

 

The new pigs coming in are covered for at least a year so I am not feeling guilty about that.  If there were no sponsors, they would not have a home here.  Again....thank you so much for those that were willing to help these special animals.  I wish everyone would take the time to come and visit with the pigs, horses, donkey's, steers, goat, cats and dogs.  It's a pleasant setting and those that have come have really enjoyed just being here.  As has been my goal, I would just like to get every animal sponsored.  Life would be so much easier and less stressful. 

 

I was attempting to stay somewhat presentable, just in case CBS would come out but I can't wait any longer and must get out there and start on the rest of the day.  I can get the lawn mowed as it is still in the shade.  This hiding from the sun sucks. UPDATE:  The vet called and Cody's eye has been removed and he is doing well.  He will be allowed to come home tomorrow on antibiotic therapy and if all goes well he should not have any more problems.  I feel badly his eye could not be saved but all options available were attempted.  It just wasn't meant to be.  Oh....I didn't get the lawn mowed either...it was way too painful with all the bumping around.  I'm giving it up for the day. 

 

September 12, 2009  Yesterday CBS Channel 11's Joel Thomas and his cameraman arrived to tape a story for the sanctuary.  Of course, it was one of those days that things had not gone as planned.  I won't go into all the details but by the time they got here I looked as if someone had taken a machete to my legs and arms.  I had been chasing a wayward pig through the poke weed and at this time of year the purple berries are weeping.  I looked ready for a "war" party. 

   

Thank goodness it was a cloudy day as I didn't have to slather myself with all that sun screen (melanoma) and just before they arrived there was a bit a rain sprinkling.  I've been waiting for rain forever and now it was going to happen at an un-opportune time.  In the end....it didn't occur.  The little bit of rain subsided.  It had been just enough to setlle the sand and dust though.  That was good.

 

I really enjoyed the visit and loved showing them all of my special animals.  I had already fed, fearing the rain, so there were some piggers that had already retired to their shelters.  A few of the horses were behind the big barn snacking on their hay.  Sunnyanna, the blind appaloosa, did come to visit as did Gyro the goat.  The others were just too busy to bother.  Buddy, the mini-horse that was found on the highway, was in attendance.  He hates missing anything. 

 

The "big pigs" (farm type) were excited as I remembered to take them their favorite treat (oatmeal cookies).  They even behaved remarkable well considering there is usually a feeding frenzy over this delicacy.  All in all, I thought it went very well and I thank CBS for the story.  You can read and view the story at http://cbs11tv.com/local/Terry.DeGaw.Serenity.2.1179091.html   To all that maybe be interested....there is an "open door" policy at the sanctuary.  I would suggest a call regarding specific directions as even some folks using GPS end up in a cow pasture on Thurman Road. 

 

September 17, 2009    First, I want to thank everyone that responded to our plight here at the sanctuary.  I must say that I am becoming less stressed and am so very grateful for all the wonder people that stepped up to help.  It has been raining for several days which has given me the opportunity to write thank you notes to everyone.  I haven't had the time to tally everything up and to get all the entries made but I do believe that the vet bill is paid off...if not close to it.  I can't tell you how much of a relief that is.  I have said in the past that I would never have a limit on what I would spend if there was any chance at all to save an animal and that has not changed.  It was just a very scary prospect having so much happen at once but with the help of some very special people I have been vindicated on that stand. 

 

Now, when the weather dries up I will have face the hay bill but am not going to worry about that now.  I do feel a bit like a squirrel....wanting to store up enough for the winter.  Since there is no pasture here on the property I use 4 bales a day for the horses here and two per day go to the donkey's and cows down the road.  That will probably increase during the winter months.  I lost track of how many were used last year for piggy bedding but I feel certain there will be enough.  The pigs do have each other to keep each other warm as well. 

 

Next week Calamity's sutures will be removed from her eye.  Cody's will also be removed from the site of the enucleation and Honey, the last feral piglet that came in, will be going in to be spayed.  The Irving pig, Irving (how original), has done well after his neuter and has made friends with Razzle Dazzle from the Sulpher Springs Animal Shelter through the fence.  I guess I will make sure that they get to live together.  He still has another couple of weeks or so that he must remain alone until the testosterone has run it's course.  He is in a reinforced enclosure at this time.

 

There are eight pigs that have to be moved to a larger area and although I have tried to do so a couple of times it hasn't come to fruition.  They do not want to leave what they know.  They were all in the same smaller area due to a need to put on weight.  That has been accomplished...and then some... so they now need more room to exercise.  If there are enough people from Vegan 101 that come on the next visit I may give it a try once again.  We can use small panels and make a "walking" fence to encourage them to go down Pigadilly Lane to the intended enclosure.  I think they will like it down there once they become acclimated. 

 

Oh, on Monday went I had to go to Decatur I noticed a large sounder on my neighbors property.  They were gathered together close to the road.  They were all young and of different sized and colors.  I think they had just been serviced by a couple of males.  I saw two large pigs running off in different directions from the sounder.  They had their tails held high and were somewhat prancing.  I think there were about 18 in the group.  That's going to be a lot of little piglets in the very near future.  It was great seeing them running free.  I do know the damage they can do and know that it is a great irritant to the farmers.  It saddens me that their future is very much in question but I do understand the nature of things.  The little wild feral is still hanging around here and she has certainly dozed up a couple of areas.  Due to the rain the armadillo's have been much more active in my yard and flower beds.  They do a good job of rooting too.

 

I have planned a garden for next year although I will have to be a bit diverse in where I plant what.  I don't have enough room for one large garden so am going be be planting different veggies in different places.  I'll problably use some panels to enclose them and then move Herbie and Honey pigs into the pens to root them up for me.  They do such a good job. 

 

October 2, 2009   Okay, I want to know how time is passing so quickly.  The weather has been outstanding after the rain.  Cool mornings and pleasant afternoons.  If only it could be this way all year.  I am sitting here looking out the window at the shadows of the rising sun and see Buddy (wandering mini-horse) grazing down the lane between the pig pens.  He is apparently working his way around snacking on the lush grass that has sprouted and taken the place of the brown patches of dried vegetation.  I love this time of year.  I have more energy and interest in applying myself to outside activities.  It's not that I still don't have to participate in the hotter summer weather....I just enjoy it now.  It's hard for me to stay indoors and accomplish the mundane activities of keeping up with the site, books and other household duties. 

 

The last crop of hay was baled and a load came in yesterday.  The rest is stored at Glen Long's in his hay barn.  He and his wife are my sole suppliers and are such a special couple.  He will deliver as needed.  All the bays in the hay barn are full and most of the "classroom" still has a supply.  The smell of fresh hay is one of my favorite aroma's.  I have been known to go to the enclosed hay area in a rain storm to just sit, snuffle and listen to the precipitation alight on the metal roof.  It is amazing and delightful. 

 

One of my elderly pigs (Ezra, with the one ear) presented with a largel lump under his jaw.  I checked it out and it was solid.  I manipulated it thinking that it was a cyst that just needed to be lanced for drainage or would burst.  Nothing happened so called the vet as the other option was a tumor.  When Arn got here and we found Ezra and I was showing him the site...it spontaneously burst.  It was a pyongenes cyst that will drain and heal on it's own.  It's still better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.  Arn will be back out on the 8th to remove Honey's sutures from her oopherectomy and to trim hooves and tusks.  It never ends, but is just a part a sanctuary life.  UPDATE:  Ezra's cyst has already healed and he is doing well.  It is amazing the healing powers that pigs have.

 

October 9, 2009  Well...due to rain another round of rain the vet visit was a wash and will have to be rescheduled.  I just couldn't see us out there attempting to corral pigs that don't like cooperating during these procedures.  It's hard enough when the ground it dry.  With ribs that still haven't healed....it just didn't seem prudent to exert myself for this endeavor.  I was checking the weather and it looks like next week is going to be bringing pretty much the same.  Whomever it was that told me that this was going to be a wet fall was right on target.  It's is going to be nice though as the brilliance of the foliage should be spectacular this year.  A few of the trees have started turning yellow and there is a hint of red in some of the trees.  The wild lantana that showed up on the property this year is blooming and so is the salvia and Texas sage.   A few of the mum's have blossomed as well.  The main lawn has been  a major attraction.  It is riddled with holes and trenches from armadillo's rooting for grub worms but.....what can you do?  And I thought pigs were bad.

 

It was in the upper 80's yesterday and the a/c came on.  By this morning it was in the 40's and has stayed that way.  My little heaters have been turned on in the rooms that I occupy...when I do.  I only use them while in them as it helps to keep the bills down.  I seldom use the central heat as that uses propane and electricity.  With things going the way they are I am attempting to do everything I can to reduce usage of anything that costs very much.  It rained all night long.

 

There has been a rush to get hay to all the shelters, barns and igloos.  The rain has helped to procuce grass in the lease pasture where the steers and BLM donkey's are so that has helped to cut down a bit on hay for right now.  Of course, the horses are still hayed daily since they have no more pasture to graze.  They are considered to be in dry paddocks now. 

 

I had to go to town yesterday and on my way out noticed a dog that was curled up in the weeds by the entrance.  Gads, I just got the other newbie vetted and introduced to the ever increasing pack and now....here is another drop off.  I stopped at my neighbor's to see if there was anything I could do to help them as the patriarc of the family has been quite ill.  I found out that he was in intensive care and not doing well..  His daughter mentioned she saw someone stop and put something out at the bottom of my lane so I guess this scared and very skinny pup was dumped.  She is a sweet little dog and in apprerance looks like a border collie saluki mix.  Very strange looking but in desperate need of vetting.  I guess I will attempt to get her in next week.  I was looking for the worming medication but since I have been attempting to reorganize all my veterinarian meds and epuipment...I seem to have misplaced that particular need.  I am going to make more of an attempt this evening.  After just a couple of meals she is looking a bit better.  All I have to say right now is:  "The time has come the walrus said, to speak of many things.  Of shoes and ships and sealing wax and "stupid human beings".  I made up the last part of that...the first being part of Alice in Wonderland."  What is wrong with people?  UPDATE:  I contacted Carole Sanders at Animal Angels regarding the "drop-off".  I explained the situation and she told me to bring the pup on over and meet her at her vets and that she would have all the vetting taking care of.  It was really pushing my finances and there is no better person to count on than Carole and Nita.   I eamiled to check on her and she is doing fine.  Carole said I could have her come back here if I would like.  It is so strange...she was so grateful when I invited her up to the sanctuary from the road and I still feel a bit responsible for her.  I'm thinking about Carole's offer.  What's just one more?  Gads, that's how you can get in trouble. 

 

Why do they do this to poor animals that have no say and have no way to care for themselves when they are dumped out here.  I have no need for anymore mouths to feed....just having to go on local TV to ask for help to cover a major vet bill.  Now there will be more to add.  Of course...it will be done.  I invited her up to the sanctuary and I am now responsible for this little girl and will make sure she gets what she needs.  I know it is horrible to say but the people that do things such as this deserve the worst in life and I hope they get it.  I know that's not very benevolent on my part but that is just the way I feel. 

 

I will be putting an add in the paper next week for some house cleaning work or possibly caring for other's animals if they have the need.  I know I can't make money that is taxed or will lose what I get now but maybe they can make the checks out to the sanctuary as a donation and it can go into that account.  I had to go to the bank yesterday rob Peter to pay Paul and can work with that for awhile.  The spot on TV was a great help and for all of those that may read this and had helped......thank you so much.  I am hoping that I got all the paper work and thank you notes completed properly and I do plan on getting a newsletter out for the Holiday....and hopefully on a regular basis.  Anyone wanting to receive one...please email me your address.  I am also going to try something called an electronic update....as soon as I figure that out.  My skills are not in the electronic field.  Please send email addresses in case I do get it worked out. 

 

October 15, 2009  I have been practicing and am hoping that I have discovered the way to show the incidents that have occured to the horses that caused such a high vet bill.  I have gotten the pictures on the page but can't seem to get them to go where I would like them to.  The first one is of Calyspso after her incident (which I never discovered how it happened).  The second is during reconstructive surgery and the last ones are after the sutures were in place. 

  

             

Calypso was as the vets for over two weeks and Sara Schweers Holloway, DVM was her vet at Cross Timbers Veterinarian Clinic in Bowie, Texas.  The surgery and recovery was phenomenal.  The fragmented bones that were placed in the hole solidified so there is not a soft spot.  As you can see by the picture below....she is almost back to normal.  There is only a small indendation that is evident but I have to tell you...this is one lucky little mare...she could have lost her eye. 

 

Which brings us to Cody (the mini-horse pircture below) who also had an accident. It has been determined, at this point, that he apparently put his head through the fence where there was a piece of the fencing wire exposed.  This is not a normal thing here at the sanctuary as I try to be very careful of protruding branches, wires and anything else the animals could harm themselves on.  I guess I was remiss in not discovering this and must admit to feeling guilty.  After having Bart Sirman, DVM out to check his eye with dye it was discovered that there a puncture of the eye itself and that immediate and intensive treatment was needed.  Bart is a mobile vet only so it was decided to transport Cody to Cross Timbers.  It was there that Greg Myers, DVM took charge and it was decided that we would try and save his eye.  A lavage system was in put in place, meaning that a catheter was sutured above the affected eye and attached to a pump that would provide a lubricant and an antibiotic.  The catheter

line was then extented to the pump that was secured by taping it to his neck.  At intervels the correct medications were administered by this procedure.  I was willing to continue with the expense of the necessary treatment but the precentage of saving the eye continued to be reduced until it was around 20-30%.  I felt at that time that that trauma this little mini was having to endure, and the odds not being in his favor, put me in a position of having to make the decision to discontinue the treatment.  After discussing the situation with Dr. Meyers it was decided that the best option would be to enucleate Cody's eye.  He had already become accustomed to the lack of sight in his left eye so he would not have to make any more major adjustments other than to reacclimatize himself to the newness of his situation once returning to the sanctuary environment. 

 All considering, Cody is doing very well.  He and  Calamity were wild mini-horses upon arrival and even though they have had had plenty of time to learn to be social, they have chosen to keep a bit of the wildness.  I have no problem with that as they are here to live as they see fit and I don't feel it is necessary to impose my will upon them.  They are two very special entities although not easy to handle at times.

 

This is Calamity Jane on the right having her sutures removed by Bart Sirman, DVM after she lacterated her eyelid.

Another incident that is not yet explained.  This was an easy fix, thank goodness.  Her eye was not damaged and although she was greatly distressed at not having her best friend Cody here for support she has fully recovered and is back to being the little wild thing she is.  They are together again.  She does have a club foot that has been a bone of contention and my farrier has attempted to make some corrections with trimming.  It is just not to be.  She is very capable of getting around without difficulty so no further attempt will be made to rectify the situation. 

 

This little guy is Buddy who was found on the side of a nearby highway.  He was put on a cattle lease by the person that originally found him.  He was there for about 6 weeks before he was discovered by a couple that were hunting for fossils in a dry creek bed.  They contacted several groups to no avail and then I received a call, as there were very concerned about his condition.  As you can see...he was very skinny and he also had a salivary fistula that was draining profusely.  Arn Anderson, DVM, another of my great vets from Cross Timbers, met me at the site and a coggins was pulled.  Once the results came back negative Buddy was transported to the clinic for care.

The only option to correct the drainage from the fistula was to inject his parotid gland with Paraldehyde to destory the gland.  It took a couple of treatments to control the drainage.  He was also gelded prior to coming to the sanctuary.  Since arriving he had a bout of colic

and a viral infection.  He was tubed with mineral oil and put on an antibiotic for 10 days.  He roams the sanctuary at will and has become the official greeter of visitors.  He is quite the little "puppy dog" and follows me around while I am out going about my daily activities.  He is no longer just Buddy...he is now known as Buddha Buddy.  He has become..probably a bit too chubby..but he is a happy camper and one of the nicest "little" horses I have ever met.  I cannot understand how anyone could throw him away as they did.

 

This is Buddha Buddy today and I'm sure you can see that there is a vast difference.  It is amazing what can be done to rejuvenate the life of an animal if given the love and proper care.  He has a bad habit though.  He will come to the back door to get my attention if I'm the least bit late in getting my outside activities started. 

The picture on the right is one of my favorites.  Ghanda came for a visit with her mom, grandmother and her brother Poet.  Actually, they came three days in a row to volunteer at the sanctuary.  The entire time these two were inseparable and I actually believe that Buddy was very sad after she left.  This little mini is pretty much bomb proof and has certainly enhanced my life...just by being my Buddy.  Of course...all of my animals have made a major difference and I am privileged to care for them.  How lucky can one person be?

 

I guess now you have a bit of an idea of how I got into some financial trouble regarding my vet bill.  I didn't go into detail regarding the feral piglet that infiltrated the geriatric herd and caused a major sarcoptic mange epidemic. That was and extensive and expensive situation.  Of course, there were then spays and neuters and a few loses of my elders.  The anmals all go to Pine Hill Horse Cemetery so I had a bit of a bill there as well  

 

I still have no plans to change my protocol regarding the amount that will be spent on the care of the animals.  As long as there is a chance there will be a charge and an attempt.  That is just part of my responsibility to the animals in my care. It should be the same for anyone that owns any animal.  They are not disposable...although I have many here that have been.  They are no longer in that category.  This is their home for life.  That is the way it is and will always be.

 

I hope that those of you that read this blog will enjoy the pictures that I finally discovered how to insert.  I won't tell you how many nights I stayed up attempting this procedure...only that I finally figured it out.  It may not be perfect as I still have a great deal to learn.  When you stop learning you are dead.  I want to continue my erudition for a long time to come. 

 

October 18, 2009  The day dawned bright, sunny and beautiful.  It is the second day of sunshine and things are really starting to dry out.  It was 46 degrees when I let the dogs out this morning and I am gong to make it somewhat of a "down" day.  I do have to work on the IRS paper work as I have to present my last 5 years of donations in order to see if my "letter of determination" as a 501(c)(3) will be upheld.  You have to make a certain amount of donations to remain eligible.  I know you can't make more than $25,000 per year for some part of it and that is certainly not a problem.  I haven't gotten that in the whole 5 years of the determination.   I'm am not very adept at all of this so do hope I am getting it right.   I'm not sure I can include the "donations" I've made in the way of personal payments for vet, feed, hay, farrier, ect. bills.  Wish me luck.  The funny thing is.  I don't think that having the 505(c)(3) has been beneficial at all.  It has just meant paper work.  I know many sanctuaries that remain private and have gotten more donations than I ever have.  I will complete as much as I possibly can and contact the IRS tomorrow to see if I am preparing the form properly.  Being dyslexic hasn't been a great help either.  Another thing...why do they have to make the print so small? 

 

October 23, 2009  Goodness.  You plan a day and think you have everything in order.   You think you have it under control.  I was going to work on the books some more, do some house cleaning (the bane of my existence), clean out the tack shed that seems to have a leak, rake some of the leaves that has started to release their grip on the trees and spend a little bit of time reading.  I have a book to finish that I started in 2007.  (I must apologize to my brother-in-law as it is his novel  and while it is so exciting...I can't seem to find the time to finish it.)  All was well when I got up.....coffee time, email reading and answering and then I was on to my planned schedule. 

 

Well, it didn't take long before everything went awry.  After taking a shower I was toweling dry my hair while walking down the hallway.  I didn't see Cricket, the three legged dog ,and tripped over her.  The only reason I didn't hit the floor is that I was able to stay upright until I crashed into the couch in the living room.  Unfortunately, it is the couch where I have been doing all my IRS paper work and the stacks I had placed so judciciously went flying. Okay..that could be rectified.  I wasn't happy about it but I sucked it up and decided I would attend to that situation later. 

 

Then the phone started ringing and it's raining animals.  Can I take this?  Can I transport that?  Can I, can I, can I?  I arrange what I feel I can attend to and get back to my "schedule".  I'm still trying to organize my life...have been for the past 50 years.  Why?  Just because I think I should.  Will it ever happen?

I have serious doubts.

 

I get another call.  My neighbor has "fallen and can't get up."  I race down there to help which puts me behind on my "schedule".  Not that I don't mind helping.  That is what I do.  I'm a caregiver of all species.  By now I'm lost and have no clue what I'm supposed to do next.  I can't find my "schedule" list and sit down to muse my situation.  What in the world am I doing.  Okay.  Got it.  I will start cleaning the kitchen.  Surely that was on the list...and...if it wasn't..it should be.

 

I had been expecting company for the weekend so had been creating a couple of new vegan dishes.  In my endeavor to do so I made quite a mess.

The visit was cancelled so I lost interest and decided I would move on to something else.  I must say though...I came up with some really tasty dishes.

I'll try them out on Vegan 101 when they come for their next visit.

 

Anyway...the rest of the day went downhill.  The "schedule" was cancelled and at this point in time....I have accomplished nothing that I can be proud of.  Well, there is one thing.  Another neighbor called and left a message on my machine regarding something at her back door.  My telecommunication system is dying and I couldn't understand theentire message.  It sounded as if someone had been hurt and been placed at their back door.  The time has come to replace my existing phones and message machine.  I wait until there is no other option.  I have better things to spend my money on...like the animals.  I jumped into the Gator to race over there and there was a dire situation.  A barred owl was in a cage, having been hit by a car while apparently swooping to snatch a meal that was crossing the road.

 

The owl is now in the guest room...(I always wondered what that room was for other than hiding things when visitors are due) and I believe it has a broken wing.  I have no expertice in the world of birds of prey so called Kathy Rogers at Rogers Wildlife Center for input.  I do know that they eat meat...of which I had none and I don't think there is such a thing as a vegetarian owl.  I considered Boco Burgers but owls are carnivorous after all.  Joye went up to the little country store for me to get some hamburger meat which will have to do until I can get this special bird to the proper rehabilitator.  It is drinking and did eat the meat so I am hoping that it will make it through the night.  All wild animals should be free.

 

I took the owl to Southlake Animal Clinic to Greg Moore, DVM.  You can see the drooping of the right wing which indicates that is is indeed fractured.  I was assured that all would be done to help it.  If it can be released I was told it would be done so in this area.  I am hoping that it will be work out and that I can be present during this event..  I would love to see it fly free once again. 

 

November 6, 2009  The owl was repaired and has been sent to a certified rehabilitator until he is ready for release, if indeed he can.  I was very happy to get this news. 

 

There is a hint of fall in the air.  The leaves are releasing their grip from the branches of the trees and fluttering ever so softly to the ground.  The colors are brilliant.  The time change has me confused and I am at a loss as to what to do in the evenings.  I'm having to adjust to being forced inside so early.  I don't understand why we can't just leave the time alone.  It really makes no sense to me as to why we must change our clocks.  If left alone the daylight hours would be much more conducive to sanctuary life...well...to my life at the sanctuary.  The animals don't seem to have much of a problem with it.  The inner clocks are programed to the rising and setting of the sun.  And of course...feeding time.  However...I'm not so well programmed. 

 

Novermber 7, 2009  This morning I awoke at 0520 on the dot.  I know as I looked at the clock.  At first I couldn't determine just what occurred to make this happen.  I vaguely heard Bruitis barking which was somewhat unusual but I just turned over and attempted to settle in again.  I took a deep breath and then it hit me.  The pungent odor of skunk.  It permeated the room almost gagging me.  I had the window above the bed open..as I always do in order the hear anything that might need my attention..and I looked out quickly.  I saw a skunk sauntering by, take a left and head past the well house towards the horse barn and out of sight.  I then heard Lizzard Dog (Lizzy) barking, followed by yelping.  It was evident that she had encountered the skunk.  By this time I could hardly breath and shut the window and turned on the celiling fan.  As I looked out the other window I saw another skunk passing behind the house.  Gads..maybe there was a pack of them.  Do they run in packs?  This horrendous odor pervaded the entire house.  The only thing I could think to do was to grab the Febreeze and spray it in front of me as I made my way to the kitchen.  Might as well put on some coffee as there would be no going back to bed now.  There would also be no sipping coffee with the cats on the porch enclosure.  I would have to forego my usual time spent with them.

 

When it became light I went out to check on Lizzy and Hobo as they usually sleep in the well house.  OMG.  You could smell Lizzy 20 feet away.  Poor baby.  Her eyes were still a bit runny and she certainly wanted some reassurance but the stink was too much.  She couldn't even stand herself.  I did manage to spray her with the Febreeze as I have nothing else here.  Now she is a sweet smelling skunky dog.  Hobo had a run in with a skunk a couple of years ago and apparently learned her lesson.  She had no skunk odor at all.   This visit was a surprise to me as there has been no evidence of skunk's since Hobo's last encounter.  It's a good thing that Lizzy prefers to be outdoors as it would be a long time before she could come in. 

 

November 17, 2009   The last of the original pigs passed away during the night.  I was expecting this but I'm hearbroken.  Chewy was a very special pig.  He was blind and depended on me to get around at times.  He would listen to my voice and follow me.  For the past few weeks he was less mobile but eating, drinking and eliminated appropriately.  He was 20 years old which is considered extremely geriatric.  The majority of his time was spent sleeping but he did not indicate that he was in any pain.  I will certainly miss him as will his buddy Bart.  I might consider moving another pig that lost his buddy in with Bart.  Chewy lived a long life though and never wanted for anything.  He had been checked out by the vet and there was nothing that could be done for him.  Pine Hill Cemetery will be here sometime this afternoon to pick him up.  He will be buried in the sanctuary plot.  RIP Chewy.

 

The weather change overnight...from being in the 70's to the low 40's.  It's blustery even though it reached 54 degrees right now,  it feels much colder.  More hay has been put in the shelters and barns.  When I went to check on the pigs last night I noticed that most of the pigs were "invisible".  I could only see their backs.  They dig under the hay for warmth. 

 

I am still attempting to get all the animals sponsored so if you see an animal on the site that meets your fancty..please consider picking one for your very own.  As a reminder...there is an "open door" policy and everyone is welcome to come for a visit.  Also, even though I have some part-time help now no donations are used.  I am getting to where there are certain things that I am unable to do as easily as I used to do.  It's called...."the Golden Years".  NOT

 

November 27, 2009  I hope every one had a great Thanksgiving.  I was able to get away and go to my sister's.  All my nephews, their wives and children were there and it was a really fantastic time.  I really thought I would be tempted by the roasting turkey and I was but did not partake of it's eating.

In my mind I remember how they are treated in life and all the antibiotics and hormones they are injected with.  It became easy with that in mind.  I stuck to mashed potatoes and green beans that were cooked without meat products.

 

It was a rather busy day as the farrier, Kenny Cates, came early in the day to treat Chacka, the standard Jenny's hoof problem.  She was seized by the Humane Society of North Texas a few years back and had been foundered badly.  She has presented with some abcesses on two of her hooves and after getting the hind one somewhat healed another one appeared on her front hoof.  Thanks so much to Kenny for stopping by on his way to Thanksgiving dinner with some friends.  He cauterized the front hoof as he had done with the back one and allow she is still limping the dressing changes have been ceased for now. 

 

When Chacka first came she was so traumatized I couldn't even get very close to her due to her fear of humans.  It was a long time before I could even pet here much less pick up her feet.  She has since overcome her fear and stood nicely for Kenny and myself.  I was thrilled as it meant that I could do the dressing changes without having someone to hang on to her.  She will always have problems but at least I can address her situations on my own if there is no one here to help me.  She has been on antibiotics and bute (anti-inflammatory) orally and that is working nicely.

 

The little dog (Josie Mae) was left for the first time outside while I went to my sister's.  I was worried that she may not be here when I got back but she met me with the other outside dogs upon my return.  She has tick fever and has been on antibiotics since arriving back at the sanctuary.  Originally, she had been left at the entry to the sanctuary.  I really wasn't in a position to have another dog so called Carole Sanders at Animal Angels in Jacksboro, Texas.  I made arrangements to deliver her to Carol for vetting with the intention of having her stay at Carole's facility.

 

I hadn't been to Carole's new place and was totally amazed and the number of dogs that she has rescued.  They were everywhere and all of them looked great.  I never doubted that it would be any different but the amount was somewhat overwhelming.  While I was there a red alert went out...there was a missing dog.  I wondered how that could be detected with so many to be accounted for.  I believe there is at least 200 dogs in residence, probably more.  It didn't take long for the missing dog to be located as she had been secured in one of the sheds for treatment.  Carole apparently had a brief lapse in memory which is allowed....she is even older than I am.  Carole and Nita are doing a great job and have a fantastic place.

 

Jose stayed at Animals Angels for a couple of weeks.   It was then decided that she would return to the sanctuary to see how she worked out.  She has been doing quite well although she is having a bit of difficulty adjusting to the pigs and chickens.  Hopefully she will decide they are not all that interesting.  If she doesn't acclimatize and is a danger to the other animals she will be taken back to Animal Angels.  I'm hopng that will not be the case. She is a very sweet and loving dog and quite the beauty.  I will be getting a picture of her soon to put up on the website.

 

I guess I'll tell a story on myself..talking about a lapse in memory.  About a month ago I was due to take Cody, mini-horse, in for a checkup regarding his eye situation.  I had a 10 am appointment and was in a real hurry to get there.  I had quite a few things to get done prior to leaving so was rushing around attmepting to accomplish everything.  I got the trailer hitched up and moved to an area where I could load Cody.  I arranged all the dogs in the correct places and fed them. I put out some hay for the horses then retrieved my cell phone from the charger.  I loaded the two dogs that enjoy traveling with me, grabbed my purse and off I went.   I opened the entry gate and then closed and locked it as I usually do so when I'm not going to be on the property. 

 

As I was driving into Forestburg I realized I hadn't gotten a soda from the well house refrigerator so decided to stop at the country store.  I chatted a bit with one of the clerks then headed back to the SUV.  I put my soda in the holding area and thought I'd better check on Cody.  I went to the back of the trailer and hiked myself up on the running board to look in.  To my chagrin...there was no Cody.  I had forgotten to load him.  Thank goodness I decided to stop as it would have really been embarrassing if I arrived at the vet clinic without the main purpose I was making the trek into town.  I think I need a keeper. 

 

I am totally on my own right now.  My part-time helper may not be accesible for quite some time.  I won't go into detail but will mention that the arm of the law is very long and unforgiving.   It's been a couple of weeks now but all is going well...for the most part.  I'm having a bit of difficulty with picking up the feed bags and hay bales.  I'm am back to feeding out of the back of the SUV since I can just pull them out and into the feed cart.  The hay bales are a bit more difficult but so far I have managed to get them loaded.  Vegan 101 DFW was here last weekend and Jim and Alex loaded many bales and took them to all the shelters and barns.  That was a great help and relief as my stamina is not what it used to be.  My thanks to them for being here.

 

Vegan 101 DFW is also building a hen house and coop.  I am so grateful to them for their support and willingness to come and help.  I look forward to their scheduled visits.  They come to help and to have a "meetup" bringing vegin dishes to share.  Anyone wanting to try some fantastic vegan dishes should try and go to the Spiral Diner.  There is one in Dallas and also in Ft. Worth.  You would be really surprised at how fantastic the menu is.

 

November 28, 2009  I have some time before leaving for the vet.  My indoor cat, Gingee, has had a couple of seizures and I'm not sure why.  I am going to have a total blood work up done and have her checked for diabeties.

I have not been able to constantly monitor her but it does appear that she has been urinating more than usual and I have been having to fill her water container more often.   I just called the man that brought her to the sanctuary as I really didn't know her age.  Come to find out she could be as old as 20 years old.

 

I am trying to complete the Holiday newsletter but seem to find so many other things that need to be done.  I am going to have to set some time aside....even if it is in the middle of the night.  I am determined to get one finished.  I know....maybe I should be working on that right now instead of writing this.  Good idea Terry.

 

December 2, 2009   Goodness, imagine my surprise when I  woke up this morning to a snow covered ground.  The last few days have been rather cold and misty, making my work schedule slow and exasperating.  I have to use the Gator to take feed and hay to the steers and BLM donkey's down the road as the tail gate to the truck won't open.  I don't have the power to get the bales loaded without that being down.  Maybe someone will come along that knows how to fix it.  I hope so as the trip down there is very cold. 

 

Out of four of my usual canine companions that usually go with me...only two went yesterday.  Josie Mae and Cricket.  I don't like for Cricket to have to run due to her having only three legs so I heaved her up into the Gator.  It's about a mile down the road and with the wind from the moving of the vehicle and the misting....I felt like a popcicle.  I'm thinking that I need some hunting gear to maintain some warnth.  The animals were happy to see me as always.  I can hear the steers bawling and the donkeys braying when they know I'm close to arriving.  I have been attempting to find some round bales to use for them as it is becoming expensive to use the square bales and much harder to spread.  I usually just put the feed and the hay over the fence.  Also, it can be rather scary as the oil trucks are running again.  They used to go as fast as they could but some of us out here have complained so they seem to have gotten the message.  They always wave and whereas I used to wave back with one significant finger...I do so now in a more friendly way.

 

Gingee..the cat at the vets..is doing well.  She is on antibiotics and it was determined that a couple of small turmors erupted.  I am to go and pick her up today. 

 

December 7, 2009   Gingee is home and finishing up her antibiotics.  I think there are a couple of more doses in the bottle.  She has several sebaceous cycsts and she had apparently bitten herself where one was located when she had one of her seizures.  Since she has been home I haven't seen her have anymore.  She will be going back in for a check up this week.

 

Ran into a couple of problems yesterday.  Had a flat on the Gator and the green slime bottle didn't have the attachment that connects to the tire.  Briggette and Daniel came to help out a bit and he was able to plug the hole and fix the flat.  I had been trying to haul the feed around in buckets and was just about to give out.  I did get the farm pigs fed and the horses hayed and was working on a plan as to how to finish up my schedule.  I am so grateful to them for coming and helping me out.  While Briggette and I were finishing up the feeding Daniel put a new knob and lock on my back door as well as hooking up old DVD and VCR units that have just been sitting.  I had tried to figure out the logistics of attaching them but had given up.  I wasn't even sure they would work as I got them from a "freecycle" list that I'm on.  That's where I get much of my "stuff".

 

During the feeding rounds on Pigadilly Lane I noticed that the census had changed.  Dagnabbit....there was another feral piglet that had come through the cattle panels.  In order for that to happen they have to be very young and small.  I got a bit panicky as the last time this happened it was a major situation that I have mentioned before.  This wee one seemed to have chosen Daisy as it's "mom", so to speak.  Daisy is a neutered male pig and came with that name.

 

We tried several times to get it in a corner and catch it but it just went right through the fence and back into the woods.  We gathered up a board and a small panel in the hopes that we could come up with a way to catch it.  While we were standing in the pen, Daisy went and got into an igloo and the piglet followed him right in.  We missed on the first try after blocking the entry.  Daisy wasn't pleased and wanted out so when he got out the piglet snuck out real fast along with him.  It ran back into the woods and came back through another pen. 

 

Daisy had gone back into the igloo and the piglet followed.  We approached from either side so that it couldn't see us.  We took the board and covered the entrance.  I got down on all fours getting ready to grab whatever appendage I could if the timing was right.  Again, Daisy wanted no part of the situation so we let him out and then I grapped for the piglet.  I think I had a leg and Daniel had grabbed it somewhere and then forced it into a carrier.  Oh my...not a happy camper.  We brought it back up to the house and put it in a large carrier and that is where it is right now.  I believe it to be a male and I have no clue what to do with it.

 

I am considering taking it a long way from here and releasing it.  The other option is to put it in a pen that I don't believe it could get out of and see about taming it.  The other feral that breached the fencing still comes around at feeding time.  She has grown a great deal and makes herself at home here.  Even the barking dogs don't frighten her.  It is so strange.  In all my years here this has never happened before but then there wasn't as much hunting and trapping of the ferals in the past.  I"m in a quandry and haven't made a decision as to what to do yet.  I'm thinking the word is out.  "I know a great place to live and here are the directions."

 

December 10, 2009   It is freezing here and I'm not looking forward to my daily activities.  It's 22 degrees with a bit of wind which makes if feel much colder.  It took me along time to get everyone taken care of yesterday.  I didn't have anyone to help load up the feral piglet for release so I did the best I could by putting in enough hay in the crate to keep him warm.  I was so glad that I accomplished everything and was really looking forward to getting in the house for some warmth. 

 

After doing so I came into the office to work on that newsletter I'm trying to finish.  While I was thinking about it I looked out the window and noticed an unusual looking pig in one of the pens. Oh no.  I ran out there and was greeted with the sight of another feral piglet.  On the advice of my vet I am attempting to find someone to come and collect these piglets.  I'm afraid that the one running loose may have to be shot.  I don't know how else to get rid of it unless I can find several people to come and help confine it to one of the stalls in the pig barn.  This in itself with be difficult as I'm not sure I can round up enough folks at the same time.  It really distresses me having to have it shot but I'm afraid that might be my only recourse.  II will try and figure out a way to trap him first.  I hate like the dickens to have to take a life.  Well, I couldn't do it but someone else may have to.  I won't do that unless there is no other option.

I just have to make sure that my intact females are not a target.

 

I just talked to Arn Anderson, DVM...my piggy vet and he is going to try and get someone out here to trap the wee one.   I don't think the end result will be what I would like as it will probably end up on someones dinner table.  I can't control that but I must control the health of my animals.  Ferals are really becoming a problem and I just don't know what the answer is.  It's open season on them year round.  They are even being killed via helicopter.  A sow can have up to 12 piglets per litter and the are just overpopulating the area.  They can wipe out a pasture in record time and a corn field even quicker.  I understand the angst of those that make their living in this manner.  It's a major delima.  Life can really be difficult to deal with at times.

 

December 13, 2009  With the help of Vegan 101 participants the feral piglet was caught.  It wasn't easy and I got an "owie."  It was racing straight towards me and I attempted to grab it's leg.  In doing so I ended up getting a nail torn off one of my fingers along with a small bite.  I will be calling the vet and the VA clinic first thing in the morning to see what I need to do.  I'm betting I should get a tetanus shot and some anitbiotics for a starter.  The feral piglets are due to be neutered and then released but that will have to wait unitl I find out the health ramifications regarding the incident.

 

December 14, 2009  Went to the VA for a tetanus shot and also talked to the ag extension vet at Texas A & M.  I'm not likely to get anything from the feral piglet.  I got home and went to check on them and discovered that the one that caused all the problems yesterday had broken out of the crate.  It is back in the pen with the other pigs.  I'm afraid it sealed it's fate as I don't think I can go through another event such as yesterday.  I will try and figure out something before I make the final decision.  Just not sure what to do.  Somedays just suck. 

 

December 15, 2009   The feral piglet saga continues.  Due to my not wanting to take a life a roundup was attempted once again this morning....to no avail.  I was able to get it in the catch pen but the poor little thing was terrified and found about the only spot it could to get out.  I was surprised as I had checked the area first.  It proceeded to run from section to section and then into the woods.  We waited and waited for it to return.  It was probably watching us and waiting and waiting until we left before it felt safe enough to return.  I fed all the other animals and then went down the road to feed the steers and BLM donkeys.  Upon my return I made the rounds and sure enough...he was back and eating heartily with the large herd.  Little stink.

 

Plans are being made for another attempt on Thrusday. I wish there were more people available to help but being on my own I have to depend on who I can when they are available.  I will reapair the catch pen fencing tomorrow to make it more secure.  I'll just keep trying until it becomes detrimental to my intact sows.  As I have mention before....not all of the sows are spayed due to their age or size when they arrive.  All males are neutered. 

 

I believe I have found another option regarding their release site.  I wish I could keep them here as I really love ferals.  I have as many as I can support in the areas I have available.  As I'm sure I've said before...they are the comics of the porcine world.  I hate that so many are slated for elimination due to their destructive nature and ability to reproduce so rapidly.  Many are being trapped and either go to slaughter or are put on hunting farms where they don't have a chance.   It's similar to "canned " hunts.  Also, some are used for hog/dog rodeos.  It's such a shame.

 

As a result of the bite on my finger I'm afraid it is getting infected.  It is throbbing and painful with some drainage, swelling and redness.  I have been cleaning it twice a day and applying Bacitracin and a dressing.  Unfortunately it is my left middle finger and I'm left-handed.  I has been difficult to even type.  It's not like I can stop what I normally do on a daily basis so it has been hit a few time on different things.  I am wearing a surgical glove on that hand with a soft glove over that.  Guess I'd better make an appointment to go back to the VA clinic for a check on it.

 

Decembar 16, 2009  I just read an email chastising me for even considering the possibility of having to eliminate the feral piglet.  It hurt my feelings as I always do everything I can to make sure all animals have the chance to live.  In fact...I have gone out of my way and spent thousands of dollars to do so.

I am not going to take offense as there are many people out there than don't know all of the ramifications of harboring a wild pig.  Those without the information don't think except with their hearts and I understand that.  But, as a sanctuary operator I have to take into consideration the existing population.

 

As an example....there was that little feral girl that breached the lower geritatric pen. (I've addressed this before but I guess not everyone reads all that is written...or I didn't explain the situation properly.)   I didn't want to harm her and there was no catch area in that pen.  Then end result was sarcoptic mange running rampant, over a thousand dollars in worming injections and ultimately...the loss of six of my long time geriatric friends. The treatment was traumatic on all the pigs as well as myself.   It was devestating and I still haven't recovered from their losses.  I was told then to eliminate her but didn't listen.  I tried everything to catch her but in the long run I failed and also failed my long term residents.  It is usually people that don't have the knowledge of the consequnces and will tell you about it but don't offer any help.  It's my problem and they will just ream me out as there way a dealing with it.  Me....I have to be pragmatic.  So...for the lady that thought I should be doing things differently...why didn't you offer to come and help? 

 

It makes me sad that I can't always follow my heart.  Anyone that knows me is aware that I always go the extra mile for any animal.  I shouldn't have to defend myself as I know I always do my best and there are so many that have no clue how hard it is to run a sanctuary..especially when you are the only caregiver for 122 plus animals that trust and depend on you to keep them healthy and safe.

 

All animals on my property have a right to live as long as they are not putting the animals in jeopardy.  Snakes are not allowed to be killed and I just now had to run out and grab an armadillo that the dogs had cornered.  It was trying to dig a hole under one of the barns to get way from them.  I grabbed it and took it via the Gator down the lane and into the woods to release it.  It will be back but mayabe the dogs won't be aware of it.

 

Enough of that.  My finger is infected and I'm on a round of ABT.  They had to do a slight bit of surgery to remove some proud flesh.  The novacaine is wearing off and now I can feel the discomfort.  I liked it better when I couldn't feel my finger although I have been making many mistakes in typing and have been working on this for what seems like forever...having to go back and fix my mistakes.

 

Hopefully the piglet will allow me to trap him tomorrow.  The red one has been picked up and is at Pam Stanley's.  She is an independant rescuer that read my blog and offered to help.  She will come tomorrow to help again with the other piglet.  If all goes well they will both be going to Atlastahome Sanctuary run by Chris Hinterman in Ennis.  Although they were scheduled to be release on 360 acres of private property Chris agreed to take them in.   I then have to coordinate the worming of all 89 pigs on the property.  I will attempt to do so topically in the hopes that I won't have to do the rounds of injections. 

 

I lost my Suey yesterday to old age.  She was infirm and had to have special treatment and help for several months.  So many times I had to get her up as she had a great deal of difficulty doing that for herself.  I had been contemplating her quality of life and had discussed it with my vet.  She was still eating and although she had problems getting around I wasn't wanting to make the final decision.  She was 18 years old and the ravages of time were against her.  I have so many here that have lived beyond the prescribed time.  Arthiriis is a common malady here with the elderly potbellied pigs...and their caregiver.  They just weren't bred to live so long and their conformation is detrimental in old age.  I have used Glucosomine, Deramax, Metacam and even consdered Adequan.  The latter is an injection and after much consideration I'm not sure that is going to be an option.  It is very expensive...although I have no limit on what I will pay to ensure the lessening of pain.  It's just rather caustic and linjection site abcesses are common.  Just another road block in making decisions.

 

My helper is still incarerated and by all accounts will be so for a very long time.  Although she only worked about 16 hours a week she was able to get some things down that I am unable to do anymore.  I couldn't afford to pay for more hours than that.  No sanctuary funds are used for help or any of the maintenance, building, ect.  All donations are allocated for the direct care of the animals.  Up until the CBS coverage to pay off the $8,000 vet bill no funds were used from the sanctuary account.  I have wanted that to remain intact for them when I am no longer here.  Unfortunately, I don't have funds to cover all of that right now due to being on a fixed income.  I know this have been mentioned before but I do want all to know that donations are only for the animals.  If I can find someone to help I pay them privately.  As always and still all building, maintenance, fencing, and any upkeep that is needed is not from the sanctuary account.  I have been able to pay a couple of feed bills due to the CBS coverage but will take that back over when I accrue enough funds from my military disability and SS checks. 

 

My endeavor has never been about me.  It has always been for the animals and it always will be.  I committed to them 18 years ago and will continue to do so until my very last breath.  This probably sounds rather dramatic but it is just the truth.  What I give to them I get back on a daily basis.  They are what keeps me going nad just seeing them happy, healthy and well cared for is all I need.

 

Oh...I have mentioned the dog that was left at the sanctuary entrance that was vetted and retreived....Josie Mae.  Well...she is such a cutie but I must admit..things have certainly changed since her arrival.  She is a Border Collie/Saluki mix.  I never considered that she could become butter and get through the cattle panels.  Well, she can and has been seen attempting to stalk and round up the pigs.  Much to her vexation they ignore her.  She gave up on the horses as well.  They look upon her with distain.  She did show a great deal of interest in the chickens as well but after a few chats regarding her inappropriate behavior...she ignores them now.

 

One thing that I haven't been able to deter her from doing is going next door to appropriate things that have been left out by the kids.  She and Lizzard Dog (Lizzy) think we made the access just for them. I have a very pink stuffed monkey, a green plastic pumpking, PVC pipes, balls, some toys and to my distaste...dirty diapers.  I pick up things on a daily basis.  My neighbor has been very ill and they are destitute.  He came home after many months in the hospital with a trach and no health care so we made a lane for easy access between the property's.  It made it easier for me to get there quickly if my help was needed.  He needs suctioning quite often and has been known to have seizures.  Running down the lane to the road and around took too much time.

I discovered that even with the new access...I really can't get there much faster than jumping on the Gator...if it is close by.  I'm just plain too old to do any running for any length of time.  Twenty feet is pretty much my limit without a break.  I no longer hike up the hill to my old meditation place either.  I sure miss that.

 

I have spent a great deal of time writing today but I have been waiting for some help to unload some hay.  So far...no show...so will have to address the sitiuation on my own as I believe there is rain close by. 

 

December 17, 2009  I guess the saying..."third time's the charm" is accurate.  The little feral piglet was caught today without too much difficultly.  I am so relieved.  I sure hope there are no more that are small enough to get into the pig sections of the sanctuary.  Thanks to Pam Stanley and her husband Greg for coming to help and for transporting the babies to their new home. 

 

December 20, 2009  Two days ago I had Arn DVM, my vet that will work with the pigs, come out to take care of trimming some hooves and tusks.  I also had him look at a few pigs that I am concerned about.  Babe, who lives with Chops, has been presenting with a large belly that looks to be something other than a pot belly.  She went off her feed and preferred not to leave the warmth of the hay in her stall.  This in itself was a signal that there was someting wrong as she is always ready and willing to eat.  I asked Arn to bring his sonogram machine as I suspected a uterine tumor.  This gal is intact and was too old to endure that procedure when she arrived.

 

We got it all set up as I have to run extension cords from an outlet that was quite a distance away.  Babe was very cooperative and it was immediately evident that it was indeed a tumor.  Surgery is not an option due to her age and the apparent involvement of other organs so she will be allowed to live and lead her life as usual until the time comes where she may be in pain.  Yesterday and this morning she came out of the stall and rested in the sun after eating a fairly good amount of feed.  That is a good sign for now.

 

Another pig, Rudy, is doing poorly and has not eated for at least four days now.  He is refusing to go into his shelter so due to the cold I have been "tucking" him in with hay wherever he decides to sleep for the night.  .His pen mate, Piggy, snuggles up to Rudy and I cover them both.  This is so unusaul as I normally have problems getting them to leave the comfort of their shelter.   I checked out the shelter for any critters that may have spooked them but only found a couple of hen eggs.  I knew this wasn't a problem as there is a hen on the property that has been using that shelter to lay eggs and has even hatched chicks in there.

 

I'm really not understanding their behavior but my mind goes to what I know of pigs and other animals as well.  When their time comes they want privacy. The area they have chosen to stay in is down in a dry wallow bed and they can't easily be seen.  I may end up calling the vet today as I feel that Rudy has decided that he has lived a long happy life and is not willing to deal with the ravages of old age.  Both are over 14 years of age.  Still, it breaks my heart.

 

Freckles was another worry of mine.  She has presented with open weeping sores on both sides of her flanks.  I have been treating her with injectible Penicillin and doing the best I can to debride and apply medication to therareas.  I felt pretty sure it was some sort of staph infection which was confirmed by my vet.  Of course, she isn't helping much by scratching on the side of her shelter and on the trees.  She will be started on another round of anitbiotics but at a higher dosage this time.  It's not easy to treat her as she has never been a people friendly pig.  I picked up another bottle of Pen yesterday at the feed store and started her on 8 cc BID.  She really hates me as I have been torturing her in order to get this under control.  I may also run to town and get some beer as it his my drug of choice when I have to "sedate" a pig that needs treatments they would prefer not to have.  It works wonders and it is safer than using conventional sedatives.  I usually keep a few in the well house fridge but someone seems to have helped themsevles. 

 

The good news is that I finally finished getting the newsletter printed out and have been sending them in increments.  I still have a few more envelopes to stuff and send.  I never expected this endeavor to take so long.  I have even been staying up at night...or waking in the middle of the night....to try and complete them.  It has been a monumental task.  There are a few mistakes but I didn't realize that until the printing was completed.  Sorry about that but I chose not to redo anything.  I was running out of paper and ink cartridges.

I did this one in color but not so sure I will do so in the future.  I do plan on doing one at least 4 times a year and considering the length of time it took me....better start on the next one now. 

 

I am also going to try and send electronic emails if I can figure out how to do that.  There are several options along those lines and I am going to be looking into them.  If anyone reading this would like one please send me you email addresses.  Of course it you are reading this...it's more informative on a daily or weekly basis...or whenever I get to it.  (If any of this is repetitive...please forgive me...I don't always take the time to edit and my memory isn't what it used to be.....or maybe it is and I'm just now realizing how bad it has been)

 

December 22, 2009   Yesterday was so very sad.  Rudy and Babe passed within 8 hours of each other.  They were not in the same pen and each had long time companions.  I feel so badly.  I know there was nothing more I could do but that doesn't make me feel any better.  Both were special to me.  All of my animals are.  I took turns sitting with them attempting to comfort them  Both were comatose but I talked to them as I would one of my dying patients.

They were gone before a vet could get here but I knew they were in no pain.

Their companions are showing signs of grieving and are staying as far away from the area in which there friends passed.  Neither would eat yesterday  and may not for a couple of days.  If people think that animals have no feelings....think again.  The most cerainly do.  They develop strong ties and mourn losses.  I know.  I have seen it before and I am witnessing it once again.  It is heartbreaking.  I will miss them terribly.  It will be difficult to pass their areas without thinking of them.  I have to remember that they had a good life and that age is unkind.  As a whole I think that we would prefer to think animals are void of feelings so that the neglect, abuse, murder and abandonment don't affect us.  How very heartbreaking.  So imprudent.

 

December 27, 2009   Boy, I never thought I would be saying this.  I almost got stuck in a snow drift yesterday on the way to the feed store. I was finally able to back out of it and turn around to try a different approach to the farm to market road.  That road had some very scary places too as it isn't a heavy traffic road.  It was a very stressful trip to say the least.  I forgot to breath on several occasions....especially going over the ice and snow laden bridges.

 

There had been a weather alert for Wendnesday of possible snow but that the ground was too warm for it to stick.  I believed that as it was 76 degrees on Tuesday.  That night a major thunderstorm went through but no sign of snow.

It had gotten rather chilly so I dressed for the occasion when I went out to care for the animals.  It was slow going due to the rain but what happened later was a huge surprise.  Small flakes started falling but didn't look as if it was sticking to anything except some trees.  The wind picked up and the flakes got larger and larger.  I heard later that the wind was gusting at about 45 mph.

I was determined to get everyone fed and tucked in just in case.  After spending several hours making sure there was enough hay for the pigs to stay warm and for the horses to eat I was ready to quit but then remembered the steers and BLM donkey's down the road.  I loaded up the Gator and headed down there with snow and some sleet pellets blasting me.  I could see that it was adhering to the ground but figured it wouldn't be too much snow. 

 

Coming back up the road I decided that my assumtion may be in error as the snow was really coming down.  I could hardly see out of my glasses and was thinking of a nice warm house.  I got back here and tied up some lose ends because I knew if I went in I may get too comfortable and decide not to finish up.  Here the animals come first though.  When their needs are met...I take "me" time.  It's a good thing I did finish as the snow was continuing to blanket the earth, the trees and all the shelters and barns.  The snow was in a whirlwind and it got to were it was difficult to see.  By the time I finished I felt sure I had lost my toes and fingers.  I couldn't feel them and my lips and nose were numb.  It took a long time for me to warm up. 

 

I called my sister to tell her I didn't think I would be able to make it to her house in Denton for Christmas due to the increasing amount of snow.  There was no way I was going to attempt to traverse the back roads.  It kept on snowing until night fall.  When I awoke Christmas morning I was amazed.  I got dressed to go out and check the animals as there certainly weren't any out and about.  The snow was at least 9 inches and there were drifts all over the place.  It was beautiful.  Post card material at least. All in all, it reached at least a foot.

 

The pigs were all covered in hay and were in no way interested in going out into the white stuff.  The ferals came out for a bit but they too decided it was much more comfortable in the barns.  I certainly couldn't blame them as I was thinking I should be in the house all nice and warm. 

 

As I was making my rounds on one of the lanes I noticed a strange foot print of sorts.  I was following the tracks to see where they went.  I was very intent on following them and continued to do so down Pigadilly Lane onto Hogandas Road.  They were very strange prints indeed.  As I rounded a corner I looked up and discovered I was tracking Lizzy dog who had to bound to get through the snow.  She is very short. I had to laugh at myself.  I thought I was going to find a new species.

 

A hen had some new chicks and 3 of them were frozen so I collected the 6 that were left and I am now hearing them chirping away in the living room.

Thant goodness chicks are born to peck and drink on their own.  I was thinking I would take them back out when it warmed up abit...which hasn't happened yet.  There is still plenty of snow left and I just now learned that there could be a repeat Tuesday.  What is wrong with this picture? This is Texas.

 

December 28, 2009   There is still plenty of snow on the ground although there is a melting pattern appearing.  Where the sun is shinning the snow is giving way to the earth below.  I got the Gator stuck in the muck and mire around the horse barn and it took me awhile to get that taken care of.  I finally got into the barn to get some hay and on my way back out I just gunned the Gator and took my chances.  As I turned the corner outside the barn I felt as if I had totally lost control of the machine.  It slid and was going in a direction which was not of my choosing.  I finally got back on track and made it out of there.

 

Once again I had to take hay and some range cubes down to the steers and donkeys.  On the way I saw cow tracks along the dirt road where some of the snow had melted.  My first thought was that Humphrey Houdini had gotten out again.  He does so on a regular basis.  Most everyone knows where he belongs and usually just put him back in.  I was worried but when I got to the pasture all were present and accounted for.  I put out the feed and hay and started back up the dirt road in the Gator.  On the way I met an oncoming oil feild truck and just assumed they would slow down in order to minimize the "spraying" of the mush and mud.  Not.  They just barreled along and after he passed me I was covered in everything that was on the road.  My glasess had mud spots as well as my attire.  Cricket, the three legged dog, was riding in the back and she too was covered in mud and slush.  I don't think the idiot driving the truck heard me but I had some choice words for him at the top of my lungs.  He also got my one finger wave.  What is wrong with people?

 

I seem to be asking that question a lot lately.  It seems there a fewer and fewer people that are considerate.  I know that saying...."what goes around comes around"...the problem is....I want to be there to see them get what they deserve. 

 

January 5, 2010   Happy New Year - I slept through the TV parties on the 1st.  I was trying to stay awake...although I'm not sure why.  I didn't even make it through the 10 PM news but did awade at 0015 on the 1st.  I looked outside and nothing seemed to have changed so went back to sleep.

 

The first day of the New Year was not a stellar one here.  Due to all the rain and then snow the horse and hay barn were surrounded with muck and mire. again only much worse.  I made my way around the lanes and fed the majority of the pigs without any problems.  It was then time to try and get the horses taken care of and the pigs at the lower end of the sanctuary.  When I got into the horse paddock I was pretty sure I was going to be in trouble but didn't have an option. 

 

When it was time to go around and get the hay in the barn I gunned the motor and pointed the Gator in the prescribed direction.  I know I had to go as fast as I could and keep going.  As I got closer to the barn the mud took over and I ended going side ways...almost crashing into the back outside wall.  At least I didn't get stuck.  I carried the feed to the farm pigs and fed the horses in that paddock.  After I put out hay for that group I loaded up three more bales with the intent of using one bale for the last four horses and then putting the extra two bales in another barn closer to the house and out of the gunky area (that's a clinical name for mud).   I was in the breezeway of the barn and thought that if I gunned the motor again and went straight out the front I would have enought momentum to get ot a dryer area.  It had worked in the past.  I did sit there for quite sometime contemplating this manuver.  Going back the way I came wasn't really an option.  I started at the back of the breeze way where it was dry and accelerated towards the front opening while holding my breath and hoping for the best.  

 

Yeeeehaaaaa,  looking good.  Ooooo noooo, looking bad.  Going sideways and then spinning wheels, then going no where.  A nightmare in progress.  I sat there a  few minutes lamenting my situation then decided that wasn't going to get me out of this mess.  I had to try something to get the muck and mire to release me.  I tried rocking the Gator back and forth while utilizing the pedal with my right foot and use my left foot by placing it in the mud on the left side.  I tried to get some traction to push the machine backward.  All that happened was more spinning of the wheels and a deeper hold by the mud.

 

Okay then, it was time to put Plan B into action.  WAIT....I didn't have one.  Hmmmm.  Oh yes...maybe if I got some loose hay out and placed it under the wheels for traction?  Yep, that sounded good.  I got the hay and go to the front of the vehicle where I stuff it under the wheels.  My next move was to get some hay for the back wheels too.  

 

I got everything into place and then gave it another try.  The result was less than desirable.  The wheels were just spinning and the Gator became even more entrenched.  I won't share the explitives I was using.  I then decided to check the enclosed room in the hay barn.  While attempting to get there my boot got stuck in the mud and sucked the blasted thing right off my foot.  Now I had done it.  Dagnabbit.  So there I was...trying to balance on my right leg while struggling to dislodge my boot.  I tried once and failed but on the second try it came free.  Much to my indignation the surprise of  this extrication sent me backwards into the supine postion.  Gads...what a mess I was in.  Gyro, the goat, had been observing my antics and came over to sympathize with me.  It was a good thing as I needed help getting up and as always he let me use him to get to my feet.

 

Still having a naked left foot I managed to get into the hay barn room and discovered some boards.  While in there I attempted to get the boot back on but it was so gross and felt so yucky I decided to just get the Gator out and go to the house for a shower.  I did get the boards in place and gave it a try.  Nothing but spinning wheels and one board flew out the back hitting the cart.  I repositioned the boards and some of the hay and tried once more.   This time it worked although there was mud splattered everywhere.  I was free at last.  I didn't stop until I reached the gate...slipping and a sliding from side to side.  When I finally got to the house I stripped at the back door so as not to make a mess in the house.  (hahah....have to laugh at myself...it couldn't get much worse.)  I trotted to the shower and turned the water on....glub..glub..spit...spit and then nothing.  Drats...It was then I remembered I had turned some water that was still running to fill up a tank and had obviously forgot to turn it off.  When water is running outside there is no water inside. 

 

What a drag this was becoming.  I didn't have to go too far to turn the water off and I certainly didn't feel like dressing in clean clothes just to get there so I padded down to the faucet in my "birthday suit" with a jacket and some boots.  It's a good thing I live where no one can see me as it was a disturbing visual, I'm sure  I did get that shower..put on some clean clothes and settled in for the evening.  I was glad the day was over.

 

January 9, 2010    It's been a sad new year already.  Five of my elder pigs have passed., one being humanely euthanized.  I hate this but again...I know they had good lives here and you just get old sometimes and life doesn't have the same meaning.  When I go to feed and get to the areas those pigs resided, I feel a great loss and emptiness.

 

My computer went on the blink and I had to put it in the shop.  I got way behind on many things that require the puter so will attempt to catch up a bit while I await a delivery.  It's amazing how lost you can feel when something you use on a regular basis is no longer available.

 

Today is the second day without water to the animals.  What was available had frozen and a hammer was used to allow for some of the water to be available.  It was 7 degrees this morning.  Yesterday evening the water to the house started running again.  It had frozen the night before even though I let some water dripping out of one of the faucets.  Right now it is 28 degrees and I decided to call for help.  There is some water being brought in and I will just put a piggy pool in each area.  I don't want the pigs to go without any.  It is due to warm up tomorrow but who knows if it will be enough to melt everything.  Thank goodness the sun has been shinning.  Many of the pigs are heating themselves up using the sun.  I think I have put out as many as 50 bales during this arctic blast in order to keep the piggies warm. 

 

OMG.  I was just looking out the window and saw two of my pigs...Dazzle and Irving...actually jumping on the ice in a piggy pool.  I guess they were succesful as all the other pigs came for a drink.  Now , try and tell me that pigs aren't intellegent.  They never cease to amaze me.

 

January 14, 2010   I have some very sad news and I'm in a bad place.  This year so far has been one I would like to start over and have things happen differently.  My heart is broken and my pain will be with me for a long time.  My census is less by six.  Four more of my geriatric pigs passed naturally and I had to help one pass.  I now they can't live forever but it is still always hard.  I also lost my beloved Cricket today.  She was the three legged dog that had only been here a year but wormed her way into my heart immediately.  I always wondered what her story was. 

 

She started presenting with symptons that alarmed me.  She stopped eating and was becoming dehydrated.  She was also very lethargic.  It seemed to happen almost over night.  I took her to the vet immediately and started prepairing myself for the worst.  I dropped her off at the vet so they could run tests and a sonogram.  I went to get some more stuff done that had to be addressed and then went back to the clinic.  Arn took me into a room to show me the lab results.  They had started an IV on her and some antibiotics.  He wasn't real hopeful and it was decided she would remain there.  If she was better in the morning they would perform surgery.

 

I went back to visit with her and was feeling I may be saying goodbye.  While I was on my way home I got a call from Arn and the sonogram results were not good.  Not good at all.  There were visable masses in her abdomen.  The plan was to monitor her overnight and revisit the skituation this morning.  

I got a call from Arn DVM first thing this morning and he told me that she had really gone downhill over night.  A new sonogram showed some intense tumors involving her spleen with the possiblity of met to the liver...or visa versa. He was sure that there was nothing that could be done.  We decided that there was no option other than to help her leave this world in order to wait peacable for my time to join my "family"  He asked if he could perform a post mortum.  I asked him why and he suggested that it would be beneficail to me so that I would know for sure there was nothing I could have done.  I was feeling I had missed something and was holding myself accountable.  What had I missed?  Was it something I could have prevented? 

 

The results exonerated me but sure didn't make me feel any better.  She had multiple tumors.  The reason that it was an acute sitiuation is because one had ruptured after necrosing.  There was really no way to know what was really going on.  One day she was almost knocking me down to get out of the door with me....a bit of seperationg anxiety...then the next she was very lethargic.  She was eating one day and then refusing the next.  The minute I noticed this change I took her in.  No matter what....she will forever be in my heart,

 

My next decision will probably be for Kiki.  She is having a more difficult time getting around and sometimes I don't think she is the happy free spirited dog she once was...then she is.  The connection I have with all my animals is very deep and any loss I take personally.  Being a sanctuary operator with a "family" of animals can be a burden at times.

 

January 18, 2010   Six chicks are still in the house.  Another hen is herding 11 around the sanctuary and another nest was discovered in one of the pig shelters.  I have two chickens due in from the Houston area soon.  One is a rooster so I will have to decide on how to keep him separated from the other two.  I'm not sure the sanctuary is big enough territory for three roosters.  The new one may have to be in the chicken coop and I can just gather up the eggs. 

 

I am still missing Cricket so much.  I miss having her riding in the back seat of the car and in the back of the Gator going to feed the steers and donkey's down the road.  I miss watching her try to curl up enough to fit in one of the doggy beds in the house.  I miss her coming to me for a bit of loving and tripping over her everywhere I went.  She had separation anxiety and would lie in the hallway or doorway to make sure I didn't make a move without her.  Now I'm suffering from separation anxiety. 

 

January 23, 2010   I went to the VA CBOC to get my lab results and the report  wasn't all that good.  It seems I now have Type II diabetes and will have to do finger sticks and be on an oral medication and a new diet.  My cholesteral is high again so my dosage of Zocor was doubled.  The  last time I was there I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.   I told them I'm not coming back because they seem to find something new wrong each time I do.  January the 28th is my appoitment for the CA checkup in Bonham but am wondering about the weather.  It is predicted that there will be rain, sleet, freezing rain and more snow in my area.  What a winter we have had this year.  I'm going to stock up on feed  just in case I can't get to the feedstore.  Hope there won't be long term freezing like last time. 

 

January 28, 2010  The weather won and I didn't get to the VA appointment today.  The back roads were impassable.  It was about 60 degrees this morning but the rain started during the night and hasn't let up.  During the day the temperature started to drop and the winds whipped up to about 45 miles an hour.  It was not a fun time outside making sure all the animals were tucked in.

 

Chacka, the foundered jenny, got a check up by my vet Arn, and it is a probable abcess just above her hoof.  The plan was to soak in water and epson salt to see if it will burst.  Have you ever tried to make a donkey stand in a bucket of anything?  Goodness..she wasn't very compliant and after several tries and several spills I implemented plan B.  I did have one this time.  I made a paste of the ingredients, put it on a dressing and used vet wrap to secure it.  That is what I did last time and that worked.

 

The problem was the weather today.  She needed to be able to lie down but due to all the muck and mire (I sure am using that term a lot lately) I decided she needed to be stalled.  In the slippery mud, driving rain and rapidly falling temperatures she was finally where I wanted her.  Poor baby..it is very uncomfotable for her to walk.  Dosed her with some Bute and hope it will help.  I don't think I will be going out to check on her.  The rain is even more intense and although it's just 1530 it looks like 1730 outside.  Hobo, the dog,  came in here to dive under the computer desk about 30 minutes ago.  This indicated that there was a major storm on the way.  It has now hit with a vengeance with thunder and ligtening.  It is due to drop into the 20's tonight and I'm not looking forward to that.

 

I got all the cats laundry done so they could have some fresh blankets in their condos.  Turned on the small electric heater in the living room and put the chicks box close to it...not too close though.  I guess they think it's night time since it is so dark.  They are all cuddled up under their "blanket" and there is only an occasional chirp. 

 

January 29, 2010   I am stunned by the winter weather once again.  It has gone from rain to sleet to freezing rain to snow back to rain and then back to snow again.  I decided not to keep up with it anymore...it was making my head spin and I had difficulties trying to decide what needed to be done and what I could actually do. 

 

I also have another startling relevation this morning.  I know I have mentioned that I had a lady named Joye coming to help me part-time and that she had been incarcerated due to a violation of her parole.  Well...it seems that it was a bit more than that and yesterday morning at the carck of dawn the sheriff's department and other agencies decended on the propterty where Joye and the Malone clan live.  Twelve people have been arrested...three of which were already in jail.  Two were juveniles...one being Joye's youngest son.  I believe him to be 14 or 15.

 

The news coverage and article from the county newspaper had pictures of those arrested and some of the property where they all lived.  It has an under ground labrynth where the condiments for making meth were found. The local newspapers website quotes the sheriff as stating is was a year long undercover investigation and it resulted in one of the largest organized crime rings he's seen in Wise County.

 

I have to be honest and admit I knew she was using but I really had no way to prove it...or stop it.  I was leaving it up to her parole officer and the system to run the UA's.  I believe that is what happened which resulted in them picking her up. I was also somewhat reaping the awards as she was working real fast and hard.  I was waiting for a dirty UA to show up eventually.  What really has me upset is the fact that her youngest son was arrested as well.  I hear he's in juvenile detention in Denton.  There is a great deal more to that part of the story but with his whole family being incarcerated he has no soft place to land.  I hope to change that if I can.  He is really a good kid and now I understand a lot more about his relationship with his mother. 

 

February 9, 2010  My lab work was a bit off kilter...not only did I recenty start medication for hypothyriodism but now I have been diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2.  I was put on meds for that...twice a day.  I was sent a glucometer along with test strips and lancets.  I am going to have to stick myself a couple of times a day to get a base line.  This also changes my diet big time.  I'm finding there is little available for me to consume.  I am attempting to come up with a diet that would address all that is going on with me.  A major decrease in fats, cholesteral, sugar, caffine, some soy products that don't go well with thyroid medication.  Citrus for the most part will have to go on the "no, no" list due to my being on a statin.  All veggies are allowed so will be stocking up big time on them since I no longer consume meat.  

 

I'm going to try and find some sort of an alarm to notify me when I need to stick and snack.  I sometimes go all day withough eating and that is certainly going to change. With this diagnosis it has alterted me to some s/s that are attributed to diabetes but I didn't make the connection.   My idea of totally becoming a vegan looks like is out of the question.  I'm still rather confused but on the ADA diet menu's a great deal of attention was placed on dairy products as being very important.  It did say that Silk is alright.  I'm just going to have to keep researching and practicing a new schedule to put into place.  May take awhile but I will get it together.  My trip to the cancer clinic yeilded a good report, thank goodness and for that I 'm very grateful.  It's hard to attend to so many things at once.  I get confused and the only thing I'm not confused about is that I'm confused.  Did that even make sense?

 

February 12, 2010   I think Texas was moved up north when I wasn't looking.  I awoke to a heavy covering of snow (again) and throughout the day it continued on and off...mostly on.  All in all my best estimate using a ruler and depending where I was....there was at least a foot of snow.  I got some great pics but have to download and find a place for them on the site.  I guess it will be in the General Photo Gallery.  If there were any pigs out they must have just stepped out of their shelters to relieve themselves returning to the comfort of the their hay immediately.  I did see the "feral girl" but I'm sure she was disappointed as no food was put out yesterday.  Today was a bust too. I must figure out someting for tomorrow. 

 

I'm sitting here attempting to catch up in the office and on the website.  I can't help but look out the window at the beauty of nature.  While I was attempting to get a few things done outside yesterday I stopped and just stood still.  I watched the snow floating to the ground in large fluffy  flakes. There were any number of birds fliting and flying and perching on the fencing.  The brilliant red of the Cardinal's really caught my attention.  The stark constrast was mezmerizing.

 

When the snow blankets the earth there is a certain feeling of comfort and the silence is deafening.  If I didn't have to worry about taking care of animals I would love to be snowed in more often.   Some large clumps are starting to fall off the trees and many that were heavily laden are starting to straighten up again.

 

February 16, 2010    I have a new helper named Lloyd and he has been here for about a month.  I haven't mentioned it before because I was afraid I'd jinx myself.  He is learning the ropes and had been doing very well.  I'm feeling relieved once again...just knowing I have a back up that knows the routine.  This past weekend his daughter Sarah and her friend Colten came to volunteer.  Much of the snow had melted but the horse/hay barn was a mess once again.  This time I had them  feed up there and get the hay.  This time they got stuck.  At least there were three of them to get out of the situation.  When they got back down here I could see the results.  Apparenlty Lloyd took the drivers seat and put his daughter and Colten in the back to push the Gator and cart.  Of course...it spun out enough to plaster them with mud.  I know if I had been here on my own I would probably have had the same problem I did last time.

 

I haven't left the sanctuary for several days now.  The weather was a bone of contention for one thing and I've been having a bit of difficulty in my attempt to regulate my blood sugar.  This has resulted in some side effects that have kept me close to home.  I am hoping to get a handle on this soon.  I am going to have to got to town today as I have to go the vets to get some medication and get some grocery's for myself.

February 19, 2010    I am waiting for my vet....Arn Andreson to come and check out Chacka the donkey who has not been responding to treatment.  He will also check out Freckle's (pig) who isn't responding either.  Worst of all..if I can remain strong my baby Kiki (GSD) will be helped to "cross over".  I have been selfish too long. Her quality of life has been decreasing almost on a daily basis.  Her hind end has deteriorated to the point that she can hardly control it.  He behavior has changed a great deal as of late.  She has always been an independent girl but she is now clingy and the spirit has gone out of her eyes. I believe she is trying to convey to me that she is just tired and ready to go.  I am heartbroken but know that this is the best thing for me to do. There is nothing more that can be done and it is painful for me to watch the exacerbation of her myopathy. It is such that I must give her peace and let her go.  Arn just drove up.

 

I'm back.  I am going to try another round of epson salt poultices on Chacka's leg....if it doesn't work this time my only other option is to take her to an equine vet that specializes in podiatry.  Who knew that there was such a thing.  Arn says it will be very expensive so here is hoping that this round of the treatment works.  I don't really have a limit on what I will spend to do right by any animal on my property but I may have to solicit funds for her treatment...if it comes to that.

 

Freckles the pig is doing better but will still start another round of penicillin  BID for another 7 days.  I sure hope this will treatment will to the trick. Arn said it looked much better to him and that the area of infection is reducing which is good news.  I will continue to debride the scabs and spray the area with Blue Kote.  This has been a long term and difficult treatment but I'm not willing to give it up.

 

I was able to stay strong and help Kiki cross over to the Rainbow Bridge.  I truly had to reach deep into myself to enable me to stop being so selfish.  It was the right thing to do for her and I know it.  I'm not feeling much of anythimg right now but I expect it to hit me really hard.  I will see her where she loved to sleep.  I will miss feeding her...walking with her...I will miss everything about her.  I am still feeling the loss of Cricket so now my heart is so very heavy.  Kiki has gone to Pine Hill Cemetery and will be creamated. (all my dogs are)  My heart has a huge hole in it.....never to be filled. This year hasn't been kind so far.

 

February 27, 2010   And time speeds on....going faster and faster.  I sometimes feel that I am in a vortex that is spinning out of control.  There is still so much more that I want to do.  I guess I'm afraid I won't fulfill my "bucket" list before my time is up. I got a late start.   I was asked recently how I would like to be remembered.  It was a difficult question for me.  I guess we all feel that our epitath was one that should regale our accomplishments.  Who wouldn't like to be considered one that left a mark in their life-time.  Who wouldn't like to know they have made a difference that wouldn't  be forgotten?

 

History brings to light so many things that many of us would rather not have to re-visit.  I sure have those events and moments....maybe even more than most.  I just want to be remembered for my love and dedication to the companion animals and sentinent beings that have grounded me for so many years. There is a certain delight in my world.  I may not get financial compensation.  I may have worked very hard to support and continue my endeavor to save those that have no voice.  I may have had to go without to provide for them but the end result is the greatest reward ever.

 

I am not so grounded right now.  I am working hard to accept and move forward after the loss of my "animal family members".  I really hope there is that special place...The Rainbow Bridge...that will reunite me with all of those I tried so hard to provide a safe and harmonious life for them to enjoy.

 

March 4, 2010  The weather has made a drastic change and with it I seem to feel more elightened and uplifted.  It was almost 70 degrees today and it was sheer pleasure seeing the animals enjoying the sun.  It was as if they too came to life again.  Of course...with spring and summer in the near future the work load will increase.  All the barns and shelters will have to be cleaned out and this is a job I do not look forward to.  The wallows will have to be dug out once again and the long days of filling them looms.

 

My priority right now is to enlarge the big pig area.  Thanks to a very sepcial person I was able to order all the panels needed.  They were delivered today and I'm ready to get started.  They have grown so much over the winter months they no longer fit in the original area.  I can't wait to see them rooting under the trees in the woods.  There will be so much for them to explore...so many acorns to root up.  I intend to video the "grand opening".  I hope they will be as excited as I am to be able to provide this for them.  I am hoping that a few kind souls will be willing to come and volunteer to build this enhanced environment for Tebo, Zachary and Miss Faith Hill.  They will be so grateful...as I too will be.

 

March 17, 2010   Regarding the pen mentioned above.  It is almost completed and I hope to finish it up today.  It hasn't been easy getting the panels through the woods.  I've been weaving them in and out of the trees so I didn't have to cut any down.  It's a lot of work but I am a "tree hugger" and the less I have to disturb the better I feel.  All three of the big pigs were lined up in the old pen watching me put up the panels. 

 

A group called VOICES came to help.  It is a group that works with kids that have to do community service.  Kim Martinez, the director, brought three guys which was really great as they helped Lloyd and Joe finish the entire new pen.  It was an even more exciting day for me because I was a observer rather than a participant.  Kim and I talked while the guys did the work.  This is my kinda day.  Tomorrow will be the big release and I can hardly wait to see the reaction of the big ones.

 

I finally got 6 of the pigs moved from the pen closest to the house down to a much larger one at the junction of Pigadilly Lane and Hogandas Road.  It is great that food is such a motivator or they would probably have never gone. Those that made the trek seem to be happy campers once they saw their new home.   Four were left behind as they just plain refused to leave their pen.  I will give it a try again in a couple of days. Pigs are such creatures of habit.  Even though all ten have been together adding the last four will change the dynamics.  It will be as if they have never been in the same herd and they will have to work out their positions in the family unit once again.  I am hoping the transition will be limited to a bit of mouth smacking and posturing without a great deal of contact.

 

March 18, 2010   Hot dang (that's a mild Texas expletive) the big pig pen was completed and the pigs are really enjoying their new territory.  While I was finishing up the entry from the old pen so I could open the alley that they will have to traverse to get to the larger area in the woods, all three stood there watching me.  It was as if they knew that any minute I was going to enhance their horizons. Once the gate was opened Miss Faith Hill went right through and up the lane to the woods.  However, the boys didn't follow suit.  Lloyd (helper) was trying to steer them in the right direction to no avail.  I mentioned that it must be an inbred deficit in the male species..won't  follow orders and certainly won't ask for directions.  I told him to go and get some feed as that is the way to a pigs motivation and sure enough...they were on their way.  They immediately took off in all directions to check everything out. When I left they were already snacking on leaves and rooting.  They will still return to the old area for their shelter and water but will have easy access to both.  All is well in their world...and mine...since they are happy campers.

 

March 22, 2010  It's not even noon and I feel as if I have put it a whole day.  Kenny Cates, the sanctuary farrier, was here at 9 to trim 36 hoofs.  During this procedure Arn Anderson, DVM, came to checkup on a couple of pigs and trim some pig hooves.  I seem to have scheduled more than I thought for one day and at the same time.  It all worked out though and by 1030 all was done. 

 

The farm pigs were blissfully soaking up the sun in their new enclosure when I was up at the horse barn with Kenny.  The birds are chirping and singing with joy and there were three puppies dropped off.  Yep...another thoughtless individual was at work on the back roads of Montauge County.

 

You know...I really wonder why so many people choose to be irresponsible.  If they can't deal with their own stupidity they dump the responsibility on someone else.  Those that do this apparently feel that in doing so the  discarded animals with be safe and cared for.  They have dumped and just figure that since there are country folks out here the dogs will be taken in by someone. They have done their job.  Think again you idiots.  Think again. What so many don't know, and prefer not to, is that many of these abadoned animals fate is not very secure.  Although these pups were dropped off here they will not be staying here.  It is impossible for me to keep them. 

 

This is a farmed animal sanctuary and many dogs do not fit well into this environment.  They will have to be taken to a shelter and the outcome may not be a happy one. I do wish I could take in every animal in need but I have my limits. I don't know of one rescue in my area that is able to take in more animals than they already have.  If people would just belly (a play on words) up to their committement in owning an animal and have it spayed or neutered there would be less mass murders of the unwanted.  Dumpers should be required to work at a shelter on the day they euthanazie.  Maybe that would open their eyes.  Then again, these people are just plain stupid and you can't cure that.

 

I'm going to tell on myself and share a couple of my random acts of ADHD.  Just the other day I was heading out to go to town.  As usual I locked the back door and then unlocked the SUV with the remote.  After I got all settled in to leave I realized I hadn't gotten a soda out of the house frige.  I had put some in earlier so they would get really cold.  I unbuckled, got the keys out of the ignition and headed for the back door.  while doing so I pointed the remote at the door and "unlocked" the door.  I grabbed the knob and attempted to turn it.  It wouldn't turn so I re-aimed the remote and tried again, to no avail.  It took me a minute or so to realize what I was doing...or not doing ..as the case might be.  For some unkown reason I looked around to see if anyone might have seen me...like there are people everywhere here just wacthing me.  I tried the real key in the door and sure enough...it worked.

 

Due to those tinting glasses I had to stand inside the door for some time before they could adjust and I could actually see where I was going.  After the prescribed time I went to the fridge and reached in to get a soda.

Goodness..imagine my surprise when I didn't see any.  I knew I had brought some in.  Oh well, I thought...I'll just warm up some coffee and take that with me instead.  I prepared the travel mug and opened the microwave to heat it up and guess what I discovered?  You got it....the soda's.  Now does anyone want to dispute that I need a keeper?

 

April 3, 2010  Well, I think the weather is stabilizing.  It has been cool at night but so great during the day.  All of this means I have my life back and can take the time to spend with the animals as I go about my daily activities.

 

April 15, 2010  Well, as you can see, I was diverted once again.  There has been so much to do getting ready for the summer and high temperatures.  The new farm pig area is being enjoyed by all.  VOICES came again and thanks to them a new wallow was dug out and enclosed. I can't thank that organization enough.

 

Miss Faith Hill, Tebo and Zachary are having the time of their lives. The area that was enclosed was virgin woods with many oak trees.  They have been rooting for acorns and grubs.  They have a place in the shade and a place to sunbathe if they choose.  They are fed by putting the feed over the fence into their troughs.  I can't go in with them to do that as they wipe me out in their enthusiasm.  Once their tummy's are full...it's a different story.  They are growing rapidly and are "huge". They still want their belly rubs and ear scratches...I just have to be a bit more careful.

 

They will soon be joined by two young pigs coming in from a research farm in AK.  They are due to arrive on Saturday, April 17, 2010.  They will be put in a quarantine area prior to be released into the big pig area. I will have to build a new shelter as well.  The existing one has been outgrown.

 

April 19, 2010   It looks as if the rain is finally going to stop for a couple of days.  There is more in the forecast.  It rained constantly for three days making mush...once again....of everything.  I swear I could actually see things growing.

 

The piglets (Mia Hamm and Pippi) arrived as planned.  They are absolutley the cutest ever.  The were so white/pink and clean upon arrival but that didn't last for long.  Once they were released in their pen they were everywhere...running around and rooting.  They sure seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Thanks to Kydle Brunson for rescuing them.  Also, thanks goes to her mom, Trish Brunson for sponsoring them.

 

May 29, 2010   My goodness, it's sure has taken me awhile to get back to the blog..and the rest of the website as well.  So much has happened I'm not sure I can cover it all..or remember it all.  Hmmmmm. Let me see.

 

Okay, Mia Hamm had herniated while still in AR and had a repair while  there. She herniated once again after her arrival at the sanctuary.  Of course, that had to be repaired so I took her into the clinic.  What was supposed to be a simple procedure turned into a very difficult one.  It was decided that Mia would stay at the clinic for several days in order to give her a better chance at healing.  Her pen mate, Pippi, really missed her and was one excited piggy when Mia came home.  If you understood pig talk...and I do.. so I will interpret.  It went something like this.  "Oh Mia...I'm so glad to have you back.  I missed you so much.  Come over here and see what I've done.  You remember all that grass that was here?  Well....I rooted it up and ate most of it.  I 'm sorry but I was so depressed about your not being here I had to resort to comfort food. Oh...follow me Mia...come see how I fixed up our house.  See the new nest I built for us?  I knew you would back.  I kept myself busy while I was waiting.  I love you Mia.  Welcome home.  Now...lets run and play."  And all was well for the newest of piggies seeking sanctuary.

 

My Arab mare that had the reconstructive surgery is now presenting with a growth just below her left ear.  I'm very worried.  One thing we both have in common is melanoma.  She had one removed from her poll a couple of years ago.  I am so hoping this is not going to be an exacerbation of the problem.  It willl be biopsied in a couple of days. I don't have a limit on what I spend regarding the health of the animals.  I'm sure some of you remember my having to go public about my circumstances when my vet bill was akin to the national debt.  I'm holding my breath as everthing is so expensive these days.

 

There has been another water crisis. The feral girl that caused all the problems here still continues to do so.  She has managed to break off two of the faucets that provide water to two different areas.  I got some cattle panels and cut them down to size, placing them around on of the outlets.  I tethered them with rebarb and was so very proud of myself.  She made me feel like a fool the very same evening I finished the project.  After finishing up with all the chores it was time to prepare for a calm and comfy evening. I was looking forward to taking a tepid shower, put on some clean jammies, and settle in between the just washed clean sheets.  Heaven.   I got all ready and turned on the water.  Wait...what water?  What now?  Did I forget to turn some water off somewhere?

 

I put on my hard sole slippers and started walking around the lanes and areas where the water stations were.  Nothing.  I then went into the lower horse paddock and started to walk to the back where that water source was. All of a sudden an object went darting by me almost running me down.  It was Wild Girl.  The only way out of the area was past me.  

 

 I shown the flashlight on the area and saw the damage.  Water was everywhere and she had dozed up a wallow for herself, using the spouting water.  I headed back to the well house to turn off the water, lamenting the fact that there was nothing I could do until the next morning.  Grimy and icky I decided to get out a sheet and cover the couch to sleep on for the night.  I wasn't a happy camper.  What was I going to do about this gal?  

 

The next morning I cut a cattle panel down to size to bend aroung the faucet.  I pounded some rebar in to stabalize the panel.  I was very proud of my accomplishment.  There...that would show her.  What I failed to do is to go around to do that at all the stations.  She wiped out another one at the bottom of the lanes..where Pigadilly bifurcates with Hogndas Road.  It too has been repaired now. That has prompted me to put "gates" at each end of the lanes to close at night..hopefully detering her.  So far so good but I will just have to see.  She is a smart one...that Wild Girl.  I have to admire the ingenuity of the porcine persuasion.

June 9, 2010   Here I am again...trying to catchup.  I'm on my own again..without help.  It's hard to find anyone that can do the job.  I don't understand why it is so difficult.  Yes...it's grunt work for the most part, but it is a job with a paycheck since I'm on a fixed income and do not use any sanctuary funds.  It may not be a huge amount but it would at least help put food in the mouth and gas in the truck/car. Drats...just when I thought I could spend some time on this I look out the window and see my two brats..Walt and Willey..making their way up the lane.  Now how did they get out?  Guess I'd better go and put them up.  Another aborted try at this. No...it did take me

 

June 12, 2010    No...it didn't take me all this time to round of the fearsome ferals.  `They acquiesed quickly when the disovered food was involved. Willey just had to get some one on one attention and flopped down at my feet for a belly rub.  It isn't easy to ignore a 500 pound pig so where got her way.

 

Day before yesterday turned out to be a comedy of errors.  All was going smoothly until it was time to load up the Gator with feed for the steers and jennies on the lease property.  I really rather enjoy the ride down there..it's probably about a mile.  Of course the dogs, Lizzy and Josie Mae went with me as they normally do. The were running in front or me a bit down the road when I saw them head into the bushes looking as if they had found something very interesting.  There was rustling in the bushes and when I almost got to the area where the commortion was occurring I was totally surpirsed when an animal scurried out...and it wasn't a dog. 

 

When I saw what it was I attempt to veer to the left to avoid it and gunned the motor to get away.  I almost made it but was the recipient of one of the most infamous odors that is ejected from any animal.  It was a skunk.  Thank goodness the Gator got most of the spray but I too recieved a partial direct hit.  Gads....there was nothing I could do to avoid the confrontation.  Mostly I was sprayed on my left leg.

 

I continued on my way to deliver the range cubes thinking ahead about how fantastic it would be to take a nice warm shower.  While down there I noticed that the automatic water regulator was faulty so repaired that and I also scooped up most of the algae that was floating on the top of the water.  The wind was blowing enough that I didn't smell myself all that much.  With all that needed to be done being completed I headed back to the sanctuary.  Once back I decided to finish filling up the wallow for the big pigs before attempting to rid myself of the dreaded skunk odor.

 

When I started running the water in the wallow I noticed the hose was buried in the muck and mire.  I attempted to free it by pulling on it while I was outside the pen through the panel.  Nada. I then went into the pen to try and pull it free.  It was really stuck and I had to step into the wallow to get a good hold on the hose.  While pullling with all my strength the hose was released and in doing so it made me lose my balance.  I'm sure you can guess the rest.  This wasn't the first time something along these lines have happened and you would think I learend my lesson.  Ugh and ick. 

 

The mud was dripping off me and into my boots and I could feel it squishing while I was walking.  At least this was the last of the chores for the day so I sprayed myself off as best I could and headed for the house.  It was another of the outdoor strip downs, spray off and a run for the shower.  Afterwards I went back out and got my clothes and soaked them in one of the kiddie pools that wasn't being used. Once all the mud was off I threw them in the washer and I called it a day.  Just another day at the sanctuary.

 

I am attempting to learn how to send an electronic newsletter out.  Due to my ineptness in regards to the technicalities I have been having a horrendous time.  The newletter is almost complete but I can't seem to merge it with the email addresses.  I actually lost the A-I addresses and have not been able to retreive them.  Is this why it is said that you should back up everything quite often?  I did find those address in another program but can't get them back to the address book so I am trying to do so manually.  If I could afford it I would have someone that has the expertise to come and figure it out for me. That's not an option.  Oh do I wish I could win the lottery.  Of course...you have to buy tickets to be in the running.  I don't consider that money well spen.

 

July 2, 2010   A lot has hapeened since I last posted.  I'm facing some enourmous vet bills once again. Gingee, a 20 year old cat, just came back from the vet after having major surgery to remove a tumor on her left side. Her incision reminded me a bit of the one I had to remove a melanoma.  It's about 10 inches long and is sutured and stapled.  She has a cone to wear to keep her from licking and chewing on the site.  The histology won't be back until July 6.

 

Mia Hamm, who had the hernia repair, needs another one.  This time it will have to be done quite differently and will be very expensive.  In order to have any chance at making the next repair work Prolene webbing/mesh must be used.  One sheet 8 x 10 in is $1,100.  A sheet was found at a local general hospital in Nocona and I will get the the surgery done.  I am going to try and schedule everything that needs to be done in the same time frame.  Olivia, a new potbellied piglet,  will be going in for a spa. and Calypso will finally get in for her aspiration biopsy.

 

The big pigs are growing rapidly and are really enjoying their new pen.  My neighbor is not.  She is very upset with me for putting the pen where I did.  I tried to explain to her that putting it where I did was my only option.  I told her before hand that was my plan. Her bedroom window overlooks the pen and it has one little window up high.  She said she didn't want to look out and see pigs.  I used the term "bedroom" loosely as it was a closet at one time and if she wanted to look out the window she would have to stand up to look out. She doesn't live there...it's her weekend place...and the last couple of times I've been in that area when she has been here I have said hi....and there has been no response.  I thought that I might put up a privacy fence so she didn't see the pigs and called to tell here that.  Her response was..."I didn't move up here to look out my window at a fence."  She also said that the pigs stink. I have walked their are several times a week and there is no smell.  They use the potty down near their shelter and wallow which is no where near her "window".  I had to laugh...some friends of mine were here visiting and we went to give the pigs some treats.  The neighbor had set up a place for everyone to sit right next to the pen.  She has a beautiful front porch and view. It makes no sense she would choose to have her guests sit next to the pig pen.  I will tell you that there is an odor up in that area and it's from the horses defecation.  I hate being at odds with her but she knew this was a sanctuary and I have no intention of changing anything to please her.  City folks coming to the country.  Gads.  It's my property...well...it's the animal's property and I just visit their world.  I will do what is necessary for the animals.

 

July 12, 2010  Two extrordinary events occured today.  The hen  house and coop was completed and the first resident is enjoying her freedom from the cage she lived in.  She is old enough now...actually she has been for a couple of weeks or so.  She will acclimate to the house and will probably be allowed to roam during the day once she learns to return at night. There a couple of hens setting on nests and I may try and transfer them to the coop for safety until their chicks hatch.  Can't seem to make up my mind on that.

 

The second amazing thing is that I finally got my inbox cleaned out.  It went from 1731 down to 87.  That is a feat within itself.  I must admit that I got a bit carried away after a couple of hours or so and hit the mass delete option more often than not.  I sure hope I didn't expunge anything really important.  I tried very hard to address all the ones that needed my response.  I found some emails that were needing attention quite sometime ago and felt badly about that.  I just have to figure out a way to manage my time better.

 

Gingee's histology report was not good.  She has basal cell carcinoma.  She is due to go back to the vet for a check up in a couple of weeks.  She got her cone off a few times and did some scrathing and chewing on the side where she didn't have the surgery.  It seems that there is another growth now. 

 

June 21, 2010  I seen to have gotten real busy since I last blogged.  I'm not sure I remember all that has happened since then.  I will be taking a piglet in for a spay to day.  Her name is Olivia and is one of the cutest pigs ever.  I always get so nervous when my pigs have to have surgery and it's real iffy with them regarding anesthesia.  

 

Gingee, the cat, went for her check up and the cancer has spread.  There is another tumor on the other side.   She is 20 years old and any further surgery wouldn't be a cure.  I will just make sure she is comfortable.  Her appetite is good and her kidney's seem to be functioning well enough.  She is such a good girl. She was so opinionate and standoffish when she came.  She continues to be opinionated but she is an "in your face" cat now.  Pet me now and don't stop.

 

Mia, the herniated pig, has yet to have surgery.  My vet is trying to find a place that will gas sterilize the plastic milk jug.  I sure hope that can be done soon as she is getting bigger and it will be hard to transport her.  She and her buddy Pippi are very active.  A wallow was dug for them as they have gotten too big to share a pool.  They do everything together.  They are so cute and special.  Mia's one ear where it was notched still bends backward most of the time, giving her a comical look.  Her eyes are still blue.

 

I am trying to find transport for a steer in AZ.  I contacted all the farm sanctuary's in that area and there is just no room.  It's a Holstein...dairy type.  Does anyone want to drive almost 2,000 miles round trip?  It could be a vacation. I'm not exactly sure what vacations are...it's been so long since I've had one.  Is it where you actually go somewhere for more than a day and spend time having fun?  I seem to remember something along those lines back in 1991. 

 

I took Diane, the capuchin monkey, on a trip to the beach house.  She hated it because the wind blew all day long and when I tried to walk the beach with her I had to wear a shirt or jacket for her to hide under. She would wrap her tail around my neck and pretty much choke me. She was always glad to get back to the house and would hug my neck and chat her thank you.   Needless to say...our stay was cut short

 

July 22, 2010   I'm side lined today.  I called for backup to feed.  There was a mishap and I was the one that got it.  Buddy, the mini-horse, was in with the big horses.  How that happened...I have no clue.  I'm pretty sure he went in when the big horses were being fed and it wasn't noticed until I went down later in the day to do my rounds.  Thank goodness I did the check up as Jake, the sorrel Quarterhorse, was chasing Buddy.  He got him in a corner and had little Buddy on his knees.  I propelled my chunky self to the area and tried to divert Jakes attention.   I really don't remember all the details as it all happened so fast.  I do know that I got the big gate open to try and get into the pen and when I did Jake came crashing through.  I lost control of the gate and it slammed into my right side.  Gads, that sure hurt and to top it off I went over backward with a hard fall on my backside. The wind was knocked out of me but I was able to get up and out of the way before Calypso, white Arab mare, came racing by me

 

I went looking for Buddy and found him in the back corner on the other side of the paddock. When he saw me he came trotting up to me making little neighing sounds....like "what happened?  Why doesn't Jake like me?" "Now...get me outta here." I took hold of his halter and we walked back to the other gate staying close to the fence line.  He could hardly wait for me to get the gate open.  Once out I took a good look at him and could see areas of missing hair and bite marks.  My poor little Buddy.  And then...poor me. 

 

With the adrenalin subsiding I realized that I was feeling the impact of the gate and the butt landing. Later there was the tell tale signs of a bruise in the shape of the gate on my right side.  As far as the posterior end...let's just say it isnt' easy to sit unless I get into the right position.

 

July 25, 2010  Harley the potbellied pig came in today.  He follows Clay Bacon and Lucy  Bell.  They were all owner release animals.  One more is due in from the Houston Sheriff's Department and then the doors will be closed once again. I have yet to find placement or transport for the steer in AZ. 

 

I was considering sending my part-time helper to pick the steer up but that is probably out of the question now.  If you have been keeping up with my blog you are aware that my last part-time helper went to jail and was then re-arrested while in jail.  She has been in the Wise County jail since last December on drug charges.  I'm now wondering if she will run into my present part-time helper.  I thought it was strange that his dog showed up here and there was no Lloyd with him.  I called my neighbor to see if he was over there and that's when I found out that Lloyd had been pulled over and couldn't pass the sobriety  test.  This was yesterday morning.  I believe this is his third offense.

 

Yes...I did know he had a problem.  I knew Joye did as well.  I just had no other choices.  I wanted to make sure that someone knew how to care for the animals....just in case.  I was feeling as if I was enabling both of them but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.