Life on a Bison Farm

2:13:50 PM EDT

This story came to me by email, some of you may have seen it before.  It is an awesome story.

Meet Molly. She's a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana, USA. She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.

But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn't seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didn't overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.
Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there.

"This was the right horse and the right owner," Moore insists.
Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. She's tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood (that) she was in trouble. The other important factor, according to Moore , is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse.
Molly's story turns into a parable for life in post-Katrina Louisiana . The little pony gained weight, her mane felt a comb. A human prosthesis designer built her a leg.

The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life, Allison Barca DVM, Molly's regular vet, reports.
And she asks for it! She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too." And sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca. "It can be pretty bad when you can't catch a three-legged horse", she laughs.

Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. Wherever Molly went, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people. And she had a good time doing it.

"It's obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life", Moore said, "She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others."
"She's not back to normal," Barca concluded, "but she's going to be better. To me, she could be a symbol for New Orleans itself."

This is Molly's most recent prosthesis. The bottom photo shows the ground surface that she stands on, which has a smiley face embossed in it. Wherever Molly goes, she leaves a smiley hoof print behind!

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12:13:43 PM EDT

Thanks to Connie for the tag!

Regularily scheduled Tuesday Tails will not be seen today for a special report.  "Tails" will return next Tuesday!

Free to a good home.....pond fish.

There are all kinds & colors to choose from as well as sizes.  I have really small babies up to larger adults.  

Some are Koi and some are fancy goldfish and some other type of but I can't remember what they are.  

Colors are white with red, multi-colored, solid black, black & orange,  all orange (almost a deep red) and there may be some all white but I'm not sure. 

They are all very healthy & evidently good breeders since both of my ponds are filled to capacity.  They ARE NOT FEEDER FISH!!!! 

I also have a million tadpoles & alot of snails.

They will need to be picked up ~ I don't know if they would survive shipping.  I'm in Southern York County, Pennsylvania.

Email me if interested, thanks!

 

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2:47:35 PM EDT

With this black snake who is enjoying our yard on this bright, warm sunny day.

We have lots of black snakes around, they are good for mice control so we leave them alone.   Although I am not real happy he chose to hang out in our yard ~ Coco stood on him!!!  She is lucky she didn't get bit.

We were out in the RZR and I saw him crossing the road towards our yard.  I went around him since I won't kill anything, even snakes.  Doug was daring enough to take the pictures...I wouldn't get that close.  I think he did a good job with the pics.

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1:52:39 PM EDT
Feeling Quiet
Hearing snoring dogs

Thanks to Connie for the adorable tag, it fits me today.

So...is it just me or is "Customer Service" almost non-existant these days? 

Recently I had a problem with my Dish Network DVR Receiver. 

I called them last Tuesday and to make a very long drawn out saga short, I was told I would have my replacement receiver in a few days.  It never arrived.

I called Tuesday of this week to find they had never entered the order!  So I was transferred to a less than inspired droan in another department who was rude and ask me why I was asking HIM about it.  He then yelled at me (yes, he did raise his voice) and told me "we don't give out tracking numbers but it's in your area, it will be there tomorrow."  I wanted to rip the guy to shreds but left it go.

Wednesday, no receiver.  I called them again and finally had someone who seemed to care and she said the order had never been placed. It had not been shipped so the guy lied to me about the tracking.  She sent one out overnight ~ she was terrific to deal with.

I was so ticked off I woke up through the night thinking about that man lying & his general attitude.  I called Corporate Headquarters yesterday and surprisingly the gal I talked with was wonderful and very, very apologetic.

She was livid at his behavior and saw the notes about my many phone calls so she knew who it was and I am sure he will be dealt with.  I am also getting a $60 credit for the inconvenience, $10 off each month for six months.  So at least they are trying to make it right.  I have my new receiver and it is working, for now.  I am still appalled that the guy blatantly lied to me...why would anyone do that??

It seems to me few people actually care about their jobs anymore and even fewer are willing to help customers with problems.  My mom raised me to work hard and regardless of whether or not you like it, do it right the first time.  I do things everyday I don't WANT to do...but I still do them.  It seems work ethics are going into the toilet.

Enough ranting for one day, I don't complain much but being lied to just really ticks me off.

Anyway....here is a sweet picture.  This is Doug's 89 year old grandmother doing a zip line.  She is an amazing lady, fit as a fiddle & does things that are truly amazing.  She went mountain biking not too long ago ~ I hope to be as active when I am 89!!!  She's an example that age is truly just a number.

 

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12:21:35 PM EDT
Feeling Loopy

**I chose "loopy" as my mood since I thought it was Friday and only realized later it is Tuesday!"  Ooops!**

Today you will meet Jenner.  Jenner came from the shelter, he was already named.  They had his age listed as 1 - 3 years old.  He was turned in by his owner with no mention of any problems so I don't know what his story was.  Only Jenner knows and he isn't willing to talk about it so it remains a secret.  He had been at the shelter 10 months before coming here.

When Jenner first arrived he was such a bully!  He had been with the other 9 cats he came here with but he was such a fightcat.

He was always batting at someone or chasing them and just generally had a foul personality towards the others. He is a big boy (13.8 lbs) so he can be intimidating to the smaller ones.

I believe it may have been the stress of moving since he has calmed down and I haven't noticed him fighting with anyone in a long time.  In fact he is one of the more docile ones now.

He has always been sweet to me though, he loves to get on my lap and take in all the attention he can get.  Jenner loves to be picked up and lavished with hugs & kisses.

I love his eyes, he has true "cat eyes" and looks as though he is wearing eye liner.

So without further ado, here's Jenner...

 

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8:39:17 PM EDT

It has been a crazy few days ~ with spring comes alot of work to be done.

I worked in the cat house the entire day Thursday spring cleaning.  I got two rooms completely done and half of the big room.  I've got three more rooms to do.  It is so nice & clean in there and  the cats are so happy. 

Friday I did things around the house, I have to say after Thursday I wasn't in the mood to spring clean our house.

Saturday we picked up our new ATV.  We bought a Polaris Ranger RZR (Razor).  We were lucky to get it, the dealers can't keep them in stock.  We sold our ATV's & trailer a couple of weeks ago and were anxious to get this.  We only put three miles on it but I think we are going to love it.

I didn't know how I would feel about a side by side.  I am used to being in control of my own ride and I could handle my machine well but all in all I think this is going to work for out well for us.

I just have to get some seat time in and learn the feel and gain confidence in the machine.  I've seen the videos of the crazy things people are doing with these so I know they are more than capable of handling anything I'll get into.

It will also be nice to have this for people who visit - I'd rather them next to me than riding one of our ATV's on their own or riding on mine with me.

Here's a picture of it....

I'm ready to ride and it looks like Coco wants to go along.

I can't wait to do this....this is me in West Virginia ...I LOVE to get dirty!  (This is from a few years ago and not on the new Razor.)

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6:53:45 AM EDT

Some of my tulips are finally starting to bloom....I hope these pictures brighten your day just a little!!  :)

Wouldn't the world be dreary without flowers.

 

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6:44:57 AM EDT

Today you are going to meet Baby.  Let me start off by saying I could have a hundred Baby's ~ she is a sweet, extremely low maintenance little girl & she is a beauty.

Baby was the first resident of the cat house.  Well her & Mommy Cat.  They had been travelling together as strays when my neighbor trapped them and kept them in a large crate at her place until the cat house was ready.  I suspect Baby is Mommy's daughter.  She probably wasn't even a year old when she moved in. 

I imagine life as a stray was a hard way to grow up so I understand why she is so shy & flighty.

She is always around but at a distance most times.  She has days she'll come around for a pet or to play but most of the time she is a few feet away watching everything.  She is still very bonded to Mommy Cat.

Baby is a well behaved little girl never causing any trouble.  She doesn't bicker with the others nor is she a whiner.....she is almost a perfect cat.  Her extreme shyness & flight over any little noise or anything out of the ordinary is her only problem. 

A sure way to get Baby to come around is to rattle a bag of treats.  She is always there for her little snacks & will give you a little rub against your leg in appreciation.  She also loves catnip.

I love this little girl and perhaps as the years go by she'll come around more but if she doesn't, well that is fine too.  She's happy & content and that is what matters.

Cat Pilates!

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5:40:34 PM EDT

A short entry with some pictures from yesterday & today.

The cat birthday parties were great...they all loved the "tuna cake" and enjoyed their special day.  I didn't take any pictures, some are camera shy and I didn't want to upset them.

I'm a way behind on my journal reading ~ it's that time of year, not enough hours in the day.   Today we have on & off storms which means little or limited internet service :(  I'll be getting around soon ~ it seems everyone is busy now.

Here are some pics from the weekend while we were out running errands.

This is how the Amish do their hay baling in ~ and I think we have it rough when it is hay time!

Amish mode of transportation, our roads are filled with buggies especially on Sundays. 

This little groundhog & his "wife" made their home behind my house.  Every day they come out and lay on this old stump.  He isn't bothered by me or any noise, she is frightened easily.  Hopefully one of these days I can get both of them.  I love these guys, they are adorable & so fun to watch. I wonder if they are the sames one who were here last year & would come up on the deck for a drink of water.

Red ant on a dandilion.

Enjoy your Sunday..peace to all.

 

 

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10:09:16 AM EDT

Hello....it's been a long week.  I am bruised & battered from beating myself up all week about Sneakers.  I keep replaying everything in my mind ~ I go from knowing I did the right thing to questioning everything. 

My vet came yesterday and did X-Rays on Cocos' (my chocolate lab) hips and legs.  She's been limping and not able to put weight on her right foot.

Turns out she has torn ligaments in her knee ~ouch!  She needs to rest for a week or two...yeah right!  She is hyper & runs and rams around like a nut.  She is quiet today since she is still tired from the sedative he used. 

He isn't too hopeful it will heal totally since she is almost 12 and she is so active.  Her hips looked pretty good though, just a few little spots of arthritis. 

Thankfully she isn't overweight, she weighed 77 yesterday so she has not lost or gained since last summer.

My little Buffy will be two tomorrow!!  He lives with me in my house and we will have a little cat party for him.  He's my bed buddy ~ he sleeps so tight against me I can't move!! 

Saturday is a big day for birthdays..TuTu, Lily, Marti and Lou will be 3 years old!!!  Will have a party in the cat house for them on Saturday.

Well I have to get out & get some outside work done before it gets too hot...yes I did say that.

It is supposed to be 80 today ~ nice for me but  too warm too fast for the animals.  The buffs were all laying flat out yesterday afternoon & the horses don't want to be out past noon.

Peace to all.

My little birthday boy.

 

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