Terri Farley

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Tuesday: HoneyBandit & Da Bubbles

Dear Readers,
Here's the most recent news from Palomino and the critters:

Finally, a day that wasn't too wet and too cold for the babies to go outside. Today we were letting DaBubbles play with Honey Bandit. We opened the big door and DaBubbles was off like a shot. Bucking and twisting, running sideways, speeding around like a big furry ping pong ball. Three days of couped up energy blowing off all at once. Man was he happy to be "free", and outside in the fresh air with a little bit of room to run.

Honey Bandit looked outside, sighed a little bit and proceeded to stand still in the doorway. Eventually he moved out. He was in slow motion, and his eyes were kind of dull. Honey Bandit was not feeling so well.

Kathy, one of HB's aunties, had come to visit and bring some goodies for the horses. What a wonderful thing for her to drive down from so far away. We took HB outside for some pictures. He walked along calmly, stopping, backing up and doing just what he was asked. His spark was no where to be found. He has also had an upset "system" for a few days. We have been watching him closely, wanting to make sure that nothing bad was really going on. But today, his energy was so low that we wanted to take him to the vet to make sure nothing serious was going on. Right away the vet could tell that he didn't feel well. However, aside from his gums being a little bit "too pink", and his lack of energy, nothing obvious was showing. His blood work looks great. PTL for that one. His lungs finally sound good, really good, so she was thinking it must be some type of "tummy" thing.

So we brought him home with some meds to make his tummy feel better. It's hard when they don't feel well. I kept trying to tell myself he lacked energy because he was growing so fast, but the little guy doesn't feel well. Guess I just didn't want to believe it. But I do have to remember, when you are recovering from being ill or weak, it takes time. So say a prayer that HB feels better, and that I remember to be patient. Click Me! He is still eating, of course! He is also in the mood for extra loves. It's like he just wants us to "hold him"....

When we got home he didn't want to get out of the trailer. It was like he was saying, "I just want to chill in my favorite place.". So I left him there for awhile. I took out a blanket and put it on him so he wouldn't get cold, as the temperature was dropping quickly. After about 1/2 hour I went out and he came back inside. He was pretty happy by then to go in and eat.

I am sure he will be okay, but it is so scary when he starts acting like that. We will just watch him and love him and make sure he doesn't feel worse. We could certainly use lots and lots of prayers that he will feel better.

On a little lighter note, DaBubbles surprised us today. When he was running and playing, he decided to try and fly over the 6 foot chain link fence. He kind of "bounced off it", (it has a lot of give), looked at it again, and went merrily on his way. The next time he ran up to that fence, he put on his brakes, slid right up to it, nosed it and ran off, bucking and kicking. He had such a good time. I have to tell you though, it was quite entertaining watching him.

So all in all the day turned out okay. Hopefully Honey Bandit will feel better soon and we are thankful that his blood work and lungs are good.

Hope all is well with ya'll.

Labels: Da Bubbles, Honeybandit, vet visit

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Posted by Terri Farley @ 11:25 PM 0 comments

Monday, November 29, 2010

Thanksgiving letter from Palomino's herd, pack, etc.

Dear Readers,
I'm stretching out your Thanksgiving weekend by sharing Palomino's update a little late! Palomino Enjoy! Terri

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! We have so much to be grateful for this year.

Although we didn't expect to bring home a horse the day we went to observe the round ups, we are eternally grateful that the staff at Litchfield had pulled Honey Bandit out to care for him and let us bring him home.

He is doing well, thanks to all of you, and to them for letting us help him. He has grown about a foot taller and a foot lengthwise since we brought him home. He has gained probably 80-90 pounds since then also. That is definitely thanks to all of you! He (and we of course), so appreciate that.

THANKS is something that cannot be said enough when people show kindness. We have met so many wonderful people through this whole thing. I have heard from so many people that wanted to make a difference, but couldn't do it "by themselves". But we have come together as a community and one big world to not only make a difference in this little horse's life, but at the same time to witness the generosity and love that is out there.

His story has touched the hearts of people as far away as Finland, Australia, Alaska and throughout the United States and Canada. It truly warms my heart to know how many people can simply respect the "gift of life" that God has given us, even if it is one of his four legged creatures.

We are also extremely grateful for your support and prayers for DaBubbles. He is doing better, but still has a long ways to go. It was very difficult to go out and treat him, knowing he was in pain. The little horse that jumped on my bed to see me, was running away. He was not happy with me. At all!

However, he seems to be improving and I finally started using my head and we have "happy" times after the treatments, ie. I brush him and take more time just to love on him. So now he doesn't hate me anymore. Yeahhhhh!!!! Also, he had been pretty lethargic, and had very little interest in his surroundings. Now he seems to have passed that point and is starting to play, whinny and just getting into mischief again.

Believe me, that is something I am extremely thankful for. I could not possibly begin to list all the wonderful things that have been done for our rescue and Honey Bandit. We have received food, $ donations, items to help winterize the carport we are living in, blankets, hay, love, prayers and the ongoing emotional support that was necessary to make this happen. I was just the one that was lucky enough (I think that 98% of the time ha ha) to be able to do the hands on care of Honey Bandit. It was ALL OF US together, that made it possible for this little guy to flourish and thrive.

It was very cold here in Shingletown last night. The forecast was for zero degrees. We are a little bit lower so usually about 5 or so degrees warmer. Without everything ya'll have done to help, we wouldn't have made it safely through temperatures like that. While we are no where near finished making this warm enough, it is survivable and we will be eternally grateful.

The best news I have right now though is this. Honey Bandit has gone a full 2 NIGHTS WITHOUT getting cast. So we are very thankful for that. It could mean that his wires are coming back and we won't have to keep dealing with that. The last time he did it, I got him unstuck and he rolled back over immediately 5 times. Then he got his foot stuck and panicked and I was afraid he was going to break his leg. So NOT getting stuck is huge.

My husband and one son are on their way to Washington State for Thanksgiving. We were all supposed to go, but Honey Bandit and DaBubbles still need the 24/7 care and it is too cold to take them in the trailer that far. Also, there are too many crazy drivers out there - hee hee. So although I was pretty bummed when he drove away, I am still thankful we were given this opportunity to experience this. (He has to pick up supplies for HB and the rescue and there was also some family stuff they had to attend to).

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope ya'll get to be with your families and loved ones, in spirit if not actually there.

Labels: Chilly Pepper, Da Bubbles, Honeybandit, Palomino

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Posted by Terri Farley @ 8:03 PM 0 comments