This week in California was a whirlwind! It is funny how sometimes we go months without any emergencies, and then suddenly everything happens at once. It started with Lazar passing away and Jay and I feeling devastated and so sad that we would never see our gentle giant again. The very next day one of our chickens, Pearl, was found with a swollen face, and clearly in distress. We rushed her to the hospital and we wondered if she would even make the drive. Thankfully she did. She was diagnosed with a sinus infection and she is now on oxygen, on medication, and healing slowly. Still grieving over Lazar and worrying about Pearl, the very next day we woke to find our horse Magic rolling around on the ground with colic. Within minutes he was in the trailer heading for the emergency equine hospital. After ultrasounds, X-rays, and tests they took him into surgery where they found that his small intestines had gone through an opening in the stomach, called The Epiploic Foramen, and was pinched. Thankfully we got him to the hospital in time to pull the small intestines out of the hole before they were damaged. Magic is now recovering nicely in the hospital and will be home soon. With hundreds of animals, most of them old, these emergencies are to be expected, but it never gets any easier. We care so much about each and every one of our babies that when they are not well we suffer right long with them. We are grateful that we have such an attentive staff that catches things right away, increasing their chances of recovery.

With all the activity, our vet bill is extremely high, and with already needing a truckload of hay, we need your help now more than ever. If you haven’t already, please consider donating for hay and vet care. You can even set up a monthly donation of any amount to help us continually. We can’t possibly do this work without you! Thank you for being a part of our gentle family and loving animals with us!