Scribbles story comes to an end...

April 8th, 2011 we said goodbye to our beloved horse.   We didnt want her to leave us, after all she is a fighter, a survivor.  This story has not ended as we'd planned, but life is not always as we plan.  Friday morning Scribbles was suffering with a bout of colic. Knowing it was serious, I called the vet who came out bright and early. She examined Scribbles, checked her rectum, felt as best she could for an obstruction.  She sedated her, put a tube to her stomach, checked her for "reflux" and then gave her warm water and oil to help resolve the blockage. She was given a pain reliever, which helps with colic. 

 With strict instructions to call her if Scribbles did not show relief, the Dr. headed out to her next call.  She left me with instruction on what to do, and always caring at Deefield Vet she said to call for anything!  I knew they were there for Scribbles and I.  Of course, Kelly was also right there with me.  We walked Scribbles, let her rest a bit, walked, rested, walked, rested for the remainder of the morning. She could lie down, but was not allowed to roll.  That would risk a twist or displacement of the horses delicate intestines. Scribbles got to a point where all she wanted to do was lay down and roll and stretch out her neck to relieve the pain.  The vet was called back again- she rushed right over to our farm, with her assistant Ashley.  Ashley's horse was Scribbles buddy at Myhre when Scribbles stayed there last October- so Ashley was fond of our girl, and was touched by the events of the day knowing what a strong and special horse Scribbles was.

Late afternoon, there is nothing that can be done on our farm to save Scribbles.  Her heart rate was severely elevated from the effects of the colic, she was quickly getting worse and worse and in terrible diestress and pain.  The colic would kill her, so we made the difficult decision to send her to heaven and take her pain away.  Kelly and I hugged each other and cried as we said our goodbyes to this very special horse. Through this experience with Scribbles, we'd become so close, and really got to know each other as friends.  She was the reason for this, and we would miss our girl so much. 

Scribbles passing was quick and peaceful.  As the Dr, her assistant Ashley, Kelly and I sat with Scribbles we all felt pain and sorrow- but also relief that Scribbles was no longer in pain and will forever be in our hearts. 

I am so grateful for all the friends who have read and followed Scribbles blog.  We will be forever grateful for the kindness of strangers, the letters, the financial support, and the love of animals that we thought only a few shared, we discovered so many share!  This is not the ending we would have hoped for or dreamed of but we accept lifes unexpected turns and feel blessed to have loved such an amazing horse- and to have captured her heart into ours.  She knows she was loved, and gave it back to us every day with her affection and beauty.  She will be missed.....

Hello again! It's been four months...

 As you can see in this picture, December 31st 2010, Scribbles is pretty fully recovered!  She gets down low and runs, rolls, trots and when she's mad at another horse she can back up at lightening speed to ward them off with her back feet.  We are so amazed and pleased at her recovery.  I have yet to get on her back, but will begin that process before winter is out.  It has been a busy four months.  She dropped quite a bit of weight and is eating a tremendous amount of food to have finally gained it back.  The stress of the accident, her recovery all took it's toll on her and the weight came off fast.  But she's great now!

I've been absent from my blog, as our lives are also blended with work and family.  That has kept us extremely busy and the blog took a backseat for a little while.  But we're back, and best of all everyone- horses and family members are all healthy and happy for the new year!  Here's to a great 2011- and a farewell to the end of 2010 that brought us many scary incidents that turned out wonderfully~

Sribbles had her stitches out

Good morning!  The time is never correct on the blog- it's 5 am, in Hudson NH.  Scribbles had her stitches out this Wednesday.  It was uneventful, Dr George removed the stitches from her face without incident. I think it felt good for Scribbles to have the stitches removed.  It really looks good.  On the wound on her right inside leg, she has what's called Proud-flesh, where the wound isnt closing up because the flesh that's new is sort of growing up higher than the skin that wants to close around it.  Dr George gave me some cream to put on it to help with this, and then I have to wrap it.  I've become pretty quick at it!  Best of all when Dr George was about to get in his truck to leave, he said "See you next Spring!".  While he and his family are always a pleasure to see, fingers crossed that we dont see Deerfield Veterinary until we're ready for spring shots. 

Kelly is getting a new horse this weekend, we're welcoming Rosa, a Mustang mare from Maine!  Our daughter, Amy taught / worked  at Camp Runoia in Maine (Belgrade Lakes, it's gorgeous!!!!).  They have an amazing array of learning experiences for the girls who attend the camp, and it's such a cool place. Sailing, gardening, tennis, horsebackriding- the list is endless!  Rosa was part of the riding program for six years and a is ready to be a one-person horse.  Knowing this,  Amy wanted to bring her home.  However, with two horses already of our own, we couldnt consider taking home another.  Kelly however is "horseless", as Missie belongs to her daughter!  As Kelly has been searching for her new horse, I recalled Rosa, made a call to Runoia and we are so fortunate that Rosa was still looking for her new "one person" home. I'm so happy for Kelly- and pleased that Pam will let us welcome her home here.

Okay, Kelly knows that Rosa will be showered with loving from all us girls at the barn, but we all share our horses with each other and sufficiently spoil each and every one.  Though when we saddle up, we clearly know whose horse belongs to who- when they're out there being horses, and looking for some attention I am so happy to say there is no distinction as to which horse is loved most! 

New blankets ... for mom?  
Lastly, Mom , I know you're a little behind on reading my blog, but it's here for you to catch up with when you're back to reading the computer.  My mom has trouble seeing well, (macular degeneration) but loves to watch the horses from her windows in her house.  Unfortunately the brown horses blend in with the brown landscape!  So I've ordered some budget friendly blankets for Splash and Scribbles which are lime green and bright pink plaid so mom can spot the horses a mile away!!  You'll know just as soon as they come in, as you'll see our flashy girls out there in the paddocks behind your house :)

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's raining again!

This was Scribbles last May, after coming home from her training.  She's looking good now that she's back at home, and out with the herd.  Not as round as in this picture, but we're feeding her lots and she's slowly gaining back some weight that she lost after the accident.  She loves being outside, but with all this rain, I'm nervous about the wind and rain.  Luckily she can stay in for a few hours in the am, and then get turned out.  Luckily I have a big collection of blankets, so she's constantly protected from the weather!  She's very unhappy cooped up in a stall all day. 

Today Dr George will come to remove Scribbles stitches.  It's really exciting- I'm a little nervous to have them removed as it's such a sensitive area on her face and really it's just skin on bone.  Hopefully it's all healed well and she'll be a good girl for Dr George.  I have a feeling sedatives will be in order!  I'll take pictures of her before and after her stitches, I'm hoping she'll be one step closer to looking like her old self- or her new/old self!

Happy Wednesday!!

November 4th- another rainy day

This is a cuteness alert- our little friend Kayla on our pony, Buddy.  Buddy is currently residing in Rehoboth Mass, with two little girls and his own pasturemate.  Someday he will come back home to Hudson, but for now he is being properly ridden and spoiled by two little girls and a family who is able to give him the attention he deserves.  The horses we love come in all different shapes and sizes, and he is one of our favorites.  He was brought to our home as a companion, but we soon learned he LOVED children.  As a mother of teens, my big kids just didnt cut it for Buddy. 

Though many little girls locally fell in love with him, sharing him at home took up my weekends and my own time to dote on my big horses.  Scribbles has never met Buddy.  Someday, I hope my younger sister Beth, and her family move back to NH- and Buddy will come home to be my niece, Brooke's pony.  But until then, many years from now, he is being loved and cared for as he should be by two very special little girls.

Scribbles is doing well today.  She and her pasturemates spent the day with rain sheets on and outside.  They were quite content!  I still fret about a tree falling on Scribbles, but hopefully this weekend will be nice and Phil can cut down the most scary trees.  After the accident, they all look scary to me- but Scribbles isnt phased at all!

 She's lost some weight, I'm working on helping her to put it back on.  I think that her body is working hard to heal, so it's using lots of calories in that way.  I went down tonight to check on her, take off her wet blanket.  She was out of hay, so I gave her more hay, grain and hay stretcher-and carrots.  That horse can eat!!  I like my animals pleasantly round- and though she has a lean build, going into winter I'de like a little fat on those ribs.  Her progress astounds us- and I look forward to seeing her get stronger and stronger.

A month ago today

 Tonight I wrote more thankyou's for the love and support from others- friends old and new who wrote to wish us well, and send hope to Scribbles. It's appreciated more than I can possibly put into words, but I continue to try!!

                                                                              

 Somehow my wonderful husband (who has been my love for 31 years) thought to go  online to find our wedding song on You Tube.  Our wedding song brings me back to being 18, and before that- growing up in the 70's in a rural part of town.

We listened to Melanie over and over, and our wedding song is from Melanie's album, StoneGround Words~    "Together Alone".  So for those of you who are old and hippie enough to remember Melanie, and Brand New Key and Lay Down- and on and on- it brings back memories of being so young.  (Thanks mom and dad for my inner crunchy hippie animal loving spirit!!)  

Hearing the songs, it is very sweet and emotional,  as I am so thankful for the support of my husband with his horse-crazy wife- I brought Scribbles home without asking, knowing I couldnt leave her where she was.  Phil instantly connected with her, and we both wanted to save this little horse, not knowing she'de be saved twice by so many!  So as I was deep in thought about Scribbles journey this last month, and how thankful I am, leave it to Phil to put on a song to bring tears to my eyes!

Okay, enough of the mushy stuff...   Back to Scribbles, First picture:  here she is the day of the accident, Friday, Oct 1st standing up with Dr Georges encouragement, then on October 3rd at Myhre...

And lastly,  here she is at home, her first night home with our trusty lab, Max,  to welcome her- and wait patiently in front of her stall to pick up any treats she may drop! 

Welcome Home Scribbles!!!!!



Scribbles, Beckett and Splash

 The end of the day, Sunday.  Tonight I emailed Ellen Degeneres, for the fourth time.  Her and Portia are animal lovers and I know they would love to hear Scribbles story of a horse with such strength and determination.  While I wont be putting Scribbles on an airplane to make her debut on a big televsion show, I just know the story would be heartwarming to Ellen.  I figure she's just been super busy, and hasnt had time to return my emails ;). 

In the middle of this picture, is Scribbles boyfriend Beckett.  He is tall, dark and handsome but loves to roll in a small pile of sand we have in a corner of the paddock. It was supposed to be spread all around, but we leave it there as the horses cant resist a good roll in the dirt every day.  Beckett leaves his clean stall, bedded with pine shaving to go and roll in the sand!!  Go figure.  So his lighter parts, are really just dusty.  Her blanket was donated to our tack sale.  It didnt sell, but needing a light turnout sheet, this is perfect for Scribbles.  Thank you to the person who kindly donated the blanket. 

Notice Scribbles tail and how straight it is hanging!  Just last week she would hold it off to the left, a sign of a neurologic issue.    When we rescued her, her tail  was all scraggly and tangled.  After a good brushing I couldnt believe what a goregous, long and healthy tail she had!  So this is a good picture, of a pretty part of her, her hiney and tail. 

Of course you're all wondering if I got my house totally clean?  No, but I made a good effort, and did a little bit of everything.  Tonight is Halloween, the kids made really cool jack-o-lanterns,  so I put them out on the front porch with candles in them, and hung a candle in a lantern on a hook.  It looks so cute.  I miss dressing up my little ones and walking from house to house- and hearing their  little voices say "Trick or treeeeeat!"

But time marches on, and I'm looking forward to another great week!  Sweet dreams...