Dear Friends,
I never know how
to start my farm updates... I thought this week about doing
a Thanksgiving theme, or beginning by talking about the cloudy,
gloomy weather we have been experiencing. I guess that means
that no matter what day it is, there is always SOMETHING to
be shouting and rejoicing about, and something we could find
negative in our world to talk about. I will start by saying
there is lots to be happy about!
Liberty found
a home over the weekend, and it is a PERFECT match. The couple
that came have my infinite support and I am confident they will
give him all the love and care and attention he can handle and
then some.
The two minis
are here - Cleo and Roscoe, thanks to some wonderful volunteers
that brought them here. The people who hauled them traveled
from Janesville to Waynesville, Illinois, then picked up the
minis and traveled all the way to our farm south of La Crosse.
I learned so much about the Ash family - they are selfless and
generous and their lives are governed by compassion. They would
not take anything for their service to ASAP - and are willing
to help us out any time we are in need. It is refreshing to
meet people who are mature adults who have led exciting professional
lives in other capacities who now find themselves doing good
works just for the sake of making the world a better place for
all creatures, great and small, and their fellow man. I look
forward to becoming a better person just by knowing the Ash's
in the days to come. Cleo and Roscoe are cute, cute, cute -
way cuter than their pictures! Cleo is just a sweet little trusting
mare with the most vivid sorrel color and white blaze, and Roscoe
is a black little feisty boy!!!! I have a feeling they won't
be here long.
Balmoral last
weekend was a blast, and it was a comical venture for me (when
isn't life comical for me???). As always, the staff at Balmoral
Park was right there to help when I arrived. The security picked
up my trunk and transported it up to the grandstand area while
my mother and I went to the backstretch to look for Bob Again,
who was to be on display for the public to see and pet and consider
for adoption. Bob Again was hauled from Springfield (Dirk Simpson
Stable) up to Balmoral and was supposed to be in Barn 2. My
mother, who accompanied me, and I went to Barn 2, but Erv Miller
had moved so now we had to
find out where Erv Miller was. I called up to trusty Sam in
the racing paddock, and he went to work to find out who hauled
Bob Again in and where he was. The Miller boys said that Bob
Again was in Barn 9, so I drove over there and proceeded to
go through every horse in Andy Miller's barn and Erv Miller's
side... no Bob Again. By this time my hair had completely fallen
apart in the cold rain and the wind was blowing making things
worse. I changed in the barn bathroom while waiting for the
Miller boys to come back to the barn to help me locate the horse
to take to the grandstand. Tick tick tick went the clock - no
help arrived. I called up to the barn and told Sam that the
boys never came and I would have to set up my table without
a horse to show. I had to be set up by 6:00 pm and it was 5:45.
All of Security combed the barns looking for Bob Again - no
results. We were confused, but I knew sometime he would be located
so I went up to the track. Mom rented a wonderful little booth
next to the track where she had two tv's and wonderful service
during the races. I set up the table and was greeted by a dark-haired
little eight year old girl who came to the track frequently
with her mother and step father. She offered to help me set
up the table, and I was very grateful for her assistance. She
asked if I brought another Night Mare toy to raffle off at the
track like I had last month, and thanks to Kim Cleminson of
Minnesota I had another one to raffle. She screeched with delight...
and I could tell by looking in her eyes that she wanted that
precious little stuffed toy more than anything else.
The Billy Barn
stall was empty, but no one seemed to notice that night, as
most came to talk about horses they had placed with ASAP or
just to look over literature. The cute little girl stayed with
the ASAP table all night long, and shared a story with me about
how her mother and her used to live in alifornia, and they moved
to Illinois after she was born. She shared that her dad was
from Mexico and her mom loved her dad but they were not married.
She shared that her dad did not want her to be born, and asked
that her mother get "rid" of the little girl. The
mother refused and had the baby, this sweet little girl who
was standing in front of me telling her story. She said that
her daddy wanted her mommy to give her away, but her mommy again,
refused. She has never seen her daddy and is glad that her mommy
kept her, and she now has a step dad. I could tell she was proud
of her heritage in a sense, as she could speak Spanish fluently
and tried to teach both me and my very Norwegian mother several
sentences in Spanish. Have you ever heard of someone with a
thick Norwegian accent trying to learn Spanish? It was a hoot.
We sold over 30
raffle tickets that night - not a tremendous amount, but the
little girl and her mother and step dad bought seven tickets
total. She wanted that little horse toy more than anything.
There were several young children gathered around the table
when the seventh race was over, hoping to be the winner. I walked
the tickets over to the souvenir booth and had a young lady
there pick the winning ticket... fair and square, my little
friend who told me her life story was the winner!!! She hugged
me and almost cried, and I was truly happy for her. What a difference
a donation like Kim's made in this little girl's life! I hope
beyond all hopes that I can continue to bring these Night Mare
stuffed toys to the track on a monthly basis, and make more
children happy. I felt so sorry for the children that didn't
win that I gave out caps and other little items that we have
at the table free of charge. I wanted everyone to be a winner
that night!
After the races
I was approached by security, who informed me that they had
located Bob Again, and was going to be clearly labeled in Barn
9. We went to the motel with a sigh of relief. Oh, special thanks
to Jennie for her generous donation of $100 and to Tony Maurello
for his continued support and donation that evening, as well
as Korinne. WE love you all!
AFter a good night's
sleep we boogied over to the track and went to Barn 9. There
in HUGE writing was a paper bag with black felt tip marker that
read "THIS IS BOB AGAIN" with his health papers attached.
I grinned. First we had to go to Mike Shulfer's barn to pick
up Entertaining Angels. They were right - the filly has a perfect
heart shape in white on her forehead! She loaded with little
coaxing and after a quick conversation about another horse Mike
and Norma had placed years ago (Stormin Norm) we loaded Bob
Again and we were on our way. I phoned home to let my hubby
know that we had two, not one on the trailer. I had a strong
feeling that I was not going to be allowed in the driveway since
we had not one but THREE unexpected drop-off's on Saturday night
that were just abandoned - left here - without our knowledge.
I had to find help with someone who could foster the two beauties
I had in the trailer. I phoned Weenonah (who previously adopted
Barb's Legacy and JW Lite N Power and Chance and Shine of Hollywood)
and meekly asked if she had room temporarily for two. As usual,
she gladly offered her place as a sanctuary for Angels and Bob.
I have never seen
two horses so very happy to get out of the trailer and get turned
out in a green pasture area with shelter. They ran, they bucked,
they ran, they hopped straight in the air, they frolicked...
it was one of the happiest days I have had turning new horses
out. They are both in perfect condition and sweet as pie. Call
me if you want to go and look at these horses in the Janesville
area before they are gone!!! Bob Again is my pick for gentleness
and personality (very people oriented) and Angels is very sweet
but remember she is two and she thinks she is a little princess!!!
On I traveled
with mom in tow.......homeward. After running a light in Madison
(how weird)...and mom clutching the dashboard, we made it safely
home after dinner and Craig was not in a mood to hear about
my weekend. One of the three horses dumped by the Amish is so
thin she will be virtually unadoptable for a period of time.
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!
The IHHA has generously donated $3,000 towards the construction
of our new barn! We are hoping for matching funds from the ISOBA
- and a new seven stall barn with feed and hay storage, classroom,
and office! We are having an estimate done this week, and want
to thank IHHA over and over again for this donation.
Wolfie and I went
to UW Vet Teaching Hospital on Tuesday. After a rather unimpressive
intake, Wolfie was sedated for re x-rays.............and when
he did not come out of sedation they gave him a reversal drug
which did further damage. The good news was that they found
no mass on his lung....and no absolute proof that he has a malignant
mass in his nasal area, although that is what everyone still
believes to be true. They also found a bunch of old buckshot
in Wolfie's head and chest area - WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I
remember that happening when he was a year old and discovered
some poachers on our adjoining land who were illegally hunting
deer and one "hunter" shot him and he came home and
we rushed him to the vet, but the vet did not do xrays because
we thought he only was grazed. Poor Wolfie- carrying around
all that lead for all those years!!! At any rate, I was really
looked down upon by students at the vet hospital for ever purchasing
Wolfie since he was a wolf hybrid. I commented that right or
wrong, what I did 13 years ago should not be an issue at this
time. They never trusted him, and when it was time to go home
they muzzled my poor gentle sweet boy and wheeled him out in
a steel wagon to my car. He kept trying to get up, and I asked
them to let me handle him and they would not allow me to get
him out of the wagon. We lifted him into the back seat of my
KIA and I was never so happy to snatch that muzzle off my sweet
boy. He was in tough shape for two days afterwards, and I believe
he almost died from the sedation. Despite the recommendation
to bring him back for CT scan and possible radiation, I called
La Crosse Vet Clinic back to inform them that I totally trust
them and will not return Wolfie to UW Vet Teaching Hospital.
I will continue the Etotylac and Prednisone and give him all
the quality of life he can have for as long as he can have it.
No more needles. No more xrays. No more suffering. Just love.
And food. And medicine. And who knows? God has healed and performed
signs and wonders continuously for numerous animals at ASAP
- I am sure His eye is on Wolfie too. AS the bible verse in
Isaiah says......."is the Lord's arm shortened, that He
cannot heal, or His ear closed, that He cannot hear?" I
am paraphrasing that verse, but it has so much meaning to me,
as He gave me that verse when Star Cheetah was colicking and
almost died after 48 hours of walking him. When I prayed that
verse Star was instantly (I mean instantly) healed and got right
up and shook himself off and is still with us today at age 27!!).
So, we'll keep the faith with Wolfie as well.
Okay, everyone,
picture me as a squirrel in the middle of the road with a car
coming. I run this way, that way, not knowing which direction
is best... that is how I am thinking of myself as I share with
you that I am going back to school to teach next week. WHAT????????
AFter all the agonizing decision making and thoughts I shared
with you about all the reasons WHY I should stay home? This
is how I rationalize my decision.......the Viroqua schools called
me - I did not phone them. A teacher had resigned and they need
a long term sub. The students would be many of the same students
I had two years ago when I taught at Viroqua!!! Since I consider
this school to be my second home (I have taught there full and
part time since 1995) I automatically agreed to come back. I
didn't even hesitate... I cried and became very emotional. My
mom is now stabilized with her Parkinson's and is having consistently
good days (you should have seen her dance around the race track
parking lot!)... I phoned her and she was instantly supportive
of taking the job. Rachel is in pre-school two days a week,
and on the other days can go to her old day care, JoAnn's and
is excited beyond belief. The main issue has been finances,
as we would have to plan on over $1,300 a month for Kobra insurance
to stay with WEA for dental and medical. With Zach's heart medication
and Jordan's braces, we HAVE to have insurance. If I continue
teaching, I will have paid benefits!!!!!
Well, this squirrel
in the road is not perfect and seems to be double minded. I
hope that you will continue your support of ASAP despite the
changes, and I will continue to give ASAP the same important
priority in my life that I have for ten years despite me returning
to teach. My husband said, "I guess once a teacher, always
a teacher". I never thought about that before - but I do
yearn for the kids too. I am reading a book entitled "The
Purpose Driven Life" and it seems to clearly communicate
to me that I was born with special gifts that God wants me to
use, as He created you with your special gifts and talents.
To not use them is a sin!!!! So let's support each other - thanks
for all you do and I especially want to thank all of you who
have donated generously to ASAP and to Kim Cleminson, Linda
Bair, Judy Ash, Weenonah Brattsett, Terry Levendoski and Katie,
and Rhonda V. in Illinois for all the hard work you do in taking
care of the horses you are fostering for us!! WE love you beyond
measure!!!! Another round of applause to additional volunteers
who are diligently helping out ASAP: Irma Knowles, Carmen Burth,
Carrie Rowe and Lynette Laska.
NEEDED: Foster
care in Illinois for Kellwood, Delaney Rae, and Gemini Rader
until interstate health certificates can be issued. The horses
are currently in Waukegan, IL
NOTE: The holiday
dinner cannot be held at the track on December 13. The alternate
dates we can choose are January 3 or January 24. Please respond
with whether or not you can join us on either of these dates
for a celebration.
The 2004 calendar
is in the final stages. WE will give you the winning photos
next week!!! You can purchase a calendar for $15. Send us a
check to: ASAP Inc., 745 S. Main St., Viroqua, WI 54665. If
you pay through Pay Pal, please remember that Pay Pal keeps
a certain percentage of the $15, so try to add a few dollars
for shiping and handling.
The Standardbred
Retraining Clinic will be held at Spring Grove MN on March 20
and 21. There will be a silent auction and raffle, including
a personal visit from the Friesian stallion that you can view
before finding out who wins his breeding donation. The raffle
for the donated bridle, Friesian breeding, and other wonderful
items will be held that day. Hope you can come, but we need
an RSVP and the fee will be $100 per rider, and $25 per spectator!!!
Until next week,
Susan
