DIXIE! Our final stocking stuffer story! And, the certificates are IN!

TODAY IS THE DAY!
I finally figured out how to do all of this so today is the day! I will also keep a button up for you to get certificates (via email) up until Dec. 24th.

FINAL STOCKING STUFFER STORY

Meet Dixie.

Dixie whinnied as the volunteers left... so sad. She was so sick and hungry.

This is sad and touching for me because I have a place in my heart for the older horses. They’ve been there, done that and they have a silent wisdom about them. Older horses are usually very loving and like to share (except for the grumpy ones…) They enjoy the comfort of companionship. They are wonderful buddies.

Her head lowered as she coughed...

So, this story breaks my heart… as do all stories of the older ones who just get dumped because they have ‘no job’.

DIXIE’S STORY
Dixie came to her family when she was 2. Her owner hunted off of her and used her for a while.
Sadly, when the owner quit hunting, she was turned out and forgotten. For 18 years, she stood in the pasture.
A while ago, Dixie started coughing and becoming skinny. Something was wrong. The owners did nothing. Dixie got worse.
According to her owners, they figured that there was grass in the pasture and they were giving her a scoop of grain in the morning and a scoop in the evening. (That’s it – no hay.) So, she got skinnier and skinnier and more sick every day. No one cared — except a neighbor. The neighbor noticed that Dixie always hung her head and she had begun to cough often…

She is a big, sick, skinny girl... (this photo was taken shortly after she was rescued.)

HELP ARRIVES
The neighbor was so concerned, she called for help. Here is where Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue comes in.
BHFER rushed over and met Dixie. They described her as a big, buckskin girl who was so skinny that her bones protruded everywhere – no fat or muscle. Dixie’s coat was filthy and matted. She had an untreated cut on her rear leg from barbed wire. And, no shelter. She was a mess.

She followed Theresa all over. Theresa couldn't say no.

Theresa was taken by this mare right away. She had a soft nicker and a big, kind eye. The mare mustered her energy to follow Theresa around and beg for attention. She was very vocal, chatting every moment… Right there and then Theresa struck a deal with the owner. He told her to quick take the mare before he changed his mind. And, she did.

Theresa fell in love with her soft whinny and kind eyes.

EVALUATION
Dixie was immediately evaluated as a 1.5 on the Henneke Scale (Very emaciated). Her cough was COPD. Dixie had long feet and bad teeth. She needed much support to survive.

Dixie is evaluated by Dr. Ryan.

Here is what Theresa said:
“She definitely has COPD and likely Cushings. She’s not drinking so we’re giving her electrolytes via syringe and in her feed. She gets soaked alfalpha cubes throughout the day. She’s a very sweet mare. She’s gotten so many hugs and just loves the attention! Dixie is being treated for her COPD and monitored closely. A CBC was also pulled.”
But, what was very interesting to Theresa was that this mare seemed to thrive on LOVE. Dixie nickered and followed the volunteers as much as she could (even when she had hay in front of her!). Dixie put her head into anyone’s chest and seemed so grateful for the attention and care.
TREATMENT
She is receiving her meds for the COPD and her Cushings is being evaluated. Everyone is monitoring her eating (special diet) and drinking. Her feet have been trimmed and she visited with the dentist! Through it all, Dixie was a dream to handle. She loves being groomed and cared for. Her blood work is looking good so all are optimistic. Dixie is responding!

Sweet Dixie with the equine dentist... such a good girl.

THE BEST PART!

Dixie has fallen in love with Prince. This poor herd animal horse who has been alone for many, many years is finally able to socialize with other horses and with the humans who are caring for her. What a dream come true for this (finally) lucky horse!

Dixie and Prince. Awww. Finally, a friend.

From Theresa:
“Dixie is doing well. She is gorgeous and has a beautiful whinny! She now holds her beautiful head up high and proud! Her whinny is stronger. When we groomed her and put a blanket on her a couple of nights ago she was a doll. Her eyes spoke volumes of the appreciation that she must have felt for the warmth of a blanket – even if the blanket was a little small on her. A new blanket that fits her has been ordered. She had a hooficure and her feet look much better. I’m so thankful that we were able to bring her here before the cold arrived – I hate the thought of her being cold and with an empty tummy.”
FORGOTTEN NO MORE
Dixie was a deserted, mal-nourished, unloved older mare, who had given her life to her family and in return was ignored and left to suffer with illness and starvation — in her family’s backyard!
This story of neglect for the elderly is why she is our final Stocking Stuffer story. Dixie deserves to be loved.

Sweet, kind, trusting Dixie... totally neglected and forgotten by her family.

HOLIDAY DONATION CERTIFICATES!

Finally I have it all organized. The Holiday Donation Gift Certificates details:

You can give these as holiday gifts! And, another fabulous idea from one of you readers, someone just bought these to give in honor of another person’s lost pets! What a great idea! Thank you Terri!!

–2 denominations ($10 and $25). (You can get as many as you’d like.)

–Each horse has his/her own button so you need to purchase from his/her button

–Decide which horse and how many for each horse

–Click on the ‘donate’ button below the Certificate you’d like and you will be taken to Pay Pal.

–Add up your donation (ie: For Mustangs: 2@$10 + 1 @ $25 = $45)

–Put your total in and Click!

***Make sure to designate in the Pay Pal ‘notes’ box, the giftee(s) and the name of the purchaser (you?). If you forget, don’t worry, I will email you and ask.
OK, here we go!