Sue's relative is brave enough to ride Sarapig!

Craig and Zach

August 25, 2003   

Friends,

Have you ever felt as though arrows were being shot at you from every single direction? That is how it has been for the past eight days or so since I last wrote to all of you. Craig said that I must really be in God's will for the devil to be so busy lately...........let's hope that is true!

First of all, I wrote you in my last update and said that Randy was acting a bit colicky and so I had put him in a stall and was keeping a close watch on him. By the next day it was clear I needed to call the vet, who came out almost immediately. He was no longer eating or drinking, and had developed diarrhea, and the vet considered diagnosing Potomac, and drew blood. We started theBactrim pills combined with 30 cc of penicillin just in case, and administered 10 cc of Bantamine. Twenty four hours later Randy was still not eating, so the vet came out again to check for dehydration. He did not appear to be dehydrated but the diarrhea was getting worse and he was becoming very weak.

Craig and I had taken off the 24 hours prior to Randy becoming very ill to go to the Walker sale (which we missed due to Randy's taking ill) on Sunday. Instead, we made a very quick trip to Springfield to watch the races on Monday and see the various horsemen and women that we knew in the harness racing world. We also took in a concert that evening, which was a really great time - being out under that Illinois sky with an almost-full moon and stars shining and a warm breeze blowing just brought tears to my eyes - tears of gratitude! Meanwhile, little did I know of the troubles that would follow when we returned home to find Randy in trouble.

I phoned Town and Country Vet Hospital and spoke with the vet on call. He immediately agreed that Randy probably had Potomac Horse Fever, and encouraged me to get him to the vet hospital immediately if possible. I tiptoed to the house from the barn very tentatively and snuck into the bedroom. Craig was asleep. I nudged him and whispered his name, and he woke up looking at me, halfway knowing what I was going to ask. Craig has a way of keeping me balanced between hysteria and calm, so when I saw the stern look on his face, I knew the body language was saying, "NO WAY AM I GOING UP THERE WITH YOU TONIGHT". I lowered my head and went out to the barn and told the vet we would come in the morning, and sadly bedded down for the night. Randy was okay until I woke up, and we put him in the trailer for the one hour ride to Town and Country.

When we got there the vet couldn't believe the condition of his gums - she said they were absolutely purple with toxins, and they immediately started IV fluids (4 big bags)!!! His temperature had dropped from 102 degrees the day before, to 98 degrees the day we got him to the vet, but the vet said this was not necessarily a good sign, since his temperature was almost too low. It was SO hard to leave him there after an hour had gone by, but I knew we had to. He watched us pull out and I hoped in the deepest part of my soul that it was not the last time I would ever see him looking at me.

The first 24 hours were the hardest, and the vets were guarded. I did breathe a little easier the second night, and on the third day received a praise report that Randy was responding to treatment!!!! Now, six days later, Randy is finally home. Another happy ending - and I want to commend Town and Country and Dr. Trish and Dr. Bengfort for all their expertise - as well as Kristen and Amie and all the other staff.

As if all this were not enough, I had to deal with my school district in regards to my resignation. I was fined for breaking my contract, which I had signed in April of this year..................but a monetary fine is worth the peace that will come to our family as we try and put our priorities in order for the coming days. Craig is very very much at peace with our decision (yes, it was OUR decision!) and the all the children seem satisfied with the prospect of Mom being home except my oldest daughter, Cherie, who is scared to death that we won't have any money for clothes and just "to blow". This is true, but the time that we add is priceless!!!

We have a mare at our farm who needs your prayers right now. She was given a quick diagnosis by a local vet who said she has a tumor and will die. She was just bred two weeks ago, and shortly after she was bred she stopped eating and drinking. She has lost a couple of hundred pounds and is listless. I spoke with the man who had this mare and he did not necessarily think she had a tumor, but did not want the burden of another vet bill, so was going to destroy her. We talked him into bringing her to the ASAP farm, and so far, so good. She is eating grain and hay and drinking water. Craig gave her 20 cc of penicillin tonight and we are having a vet out in the morning. Something in the back of my mind keeps telling me that she may have a urinary tract infection or bladder infection due to her recently being bred...........I am only guessing at this point. I will be sure and let you know how this turns out.

I know you will enjoy the picture I am enclosing of my wonderful Norwegian cousin, Hennie Liland, who had a lengthy vacation in America and got to spend some crazy days with me and my family. Hennie is seen here sitting atop one of our ASAP pigs, Sarapig!! Sara enjoyed the attention and the camera. The other picture is of Craig and my son, Zachary, who took Leidulf, my other cousin, out on the river fishing. I guess the old Mississippi couldn't compare to the North Sea of Norway, but the company couldn't be beat!

We will not be in attendance at the Northern IL Horse Fest this weekend due to lack of participation and expenses related to registration. Hopefully we will have a good showing at the 2004 Horse Fest!

We were in attendance at Balmoral Park last Saturday evening along with Terry and Katie and my son, Jordan. We had the opportunity to have an informational table and were introduced by the track announcer, who always puts in a great plug for ASAP! Janimal was the horse in the Billy Barn stall this month, and Honey Fitz will be there next month. Janimal arrived at Balmoral after a six hour trailer ride that involved being stuck in a huge traffic jam on Interstate 294 in Chicago in 97 degree heat. Needless to say, he was a bit tired when we got there but put on his best behavior for the crowds that came to pet him and love him. His ears certainly perked up when the races started and when they crossed the finish line - he loved watching through the big glass windows!!! One of Janny's previous trainers, Todd Wild, came to see Janimal and seemed very impressed. I have great respect for Todd, as he has stopped by our table both times we have been present at Balmoral and I can see how much integrity he has and compassion for the horses he trains. We also got a nice visit from a Standardbred owner who is planning on donating a percentage of her horses' winnings to ASAP.

Thanks to Emilio for his recent $200 donation on behalf of his Standardbred who is seeing some winning days recently as well. We could not operate without all of you!

Until Next Week,
Susan