Wonderful Weekend!

Hi Folks

Spent an awesome weekend out at the barn with Sir and our volunteer family 😉🐴
The weather was very much spring like with temps in the 60's and bright sunshine.
Sir seems to be doing really well. The medication seems to be working. He is eating.....well, like a horse LOL

The warm weather brought lots of people out as well. Both volunteers and the general public. The horses enjoyed both the attention and great weather,
As we turned each group of horses out they ran and bucked and stretched their muscles, happy to run and enjoy their turn in the large paddock.

Alexis Ritsch took lots of pics of the horses and of Sir. Thanks Lexi!

We are getting ready for our Comedy night on Feb 26th. And on April 22nd we will be holding our ASPCA Help A Horse Day. Some ideas being considered are an Civil War encampment, Chili Cook Off, Swap Meet, and some others.

Keep an eye on our facebook page and here on the blog.


Thanks for following the blog!

Frank

Sir's Human

Still here ☺

Hi all

It's been a couple of weeks since I have posted.

I saw Sir over the weekend and again yesterday. He looked good. He seemed a bit stiff when we first started walking but gradually loosened up and was walking okay.
He seems so normal on the outside. But I know what is rumbling on the inside. I can only hope that he hangs on.

I wish that I could put into words how he makes me feel when I am with him. But no words could do justice to the overwhelming joy and euphoria that he brings me.

Yesterday when I was with him I was leaning over the top rail of the paddock fence and he came to me and was or seemed to be very needy. Needy of my touch and voice. So I accommodated him the best that I could. He seemed to be happy that I did.

Please continue with your prayers and rituals. And if you feel that you want to help with his medication a donation would be very much appreciated. Just mark in the notes field that it's for Sir's meds.

Visit our Facebook page NSHRS Facebook

Thanks again all!

Frank

Sir's Human

Quick Update

Hi all

Sorry for the lapse in posting. I have been busy with meetings for the rescue and the two Civil War organizations that I am affiliated with.

The medications seem to be working. The edema seems to be subsiding. And of course the medication for the heart is doing what it does. 😉
As stated in my last post it is not a cure. It will help to prolong his life. To look at him you wouldn't think that he has any issues. He is alert and eating, is mobile and his bodily functions seem to be normal.
He is a fighter!

I was out at the barn last Sunday for awhile and spent some time with him. Haltered him up and we went for a stroll. He always likes to do that. He grazed a little on whatever grass he could find. And generally seemed to enjoy himself.

So the prayers and Reiki, medication, etc. seems to be doing the trick for now.

The rescue really needs donations. Not only for Sir but for the rescue's operation and the horses.

Please consider a monthly donation or $5, $10, $15, or whatever you can afford. Your donations are tax deductible and your would truly be making a difference!

Have any fund raising ideas? Any questions about the rescue? Email me at skibbo14@aol.com or just comment here!
We could really use your help!

Until next time

Take care

Frank

Sir's Human

In a fight for his life!!!

Hi everyone

Today I am writing to let you know that Sir is in the battle of and for his life. He was diagnosed two days ago as being in heart failure which is also causing edema.

As followers of this blog you know that he is a fighter and has overcome some major issues in the past year; Cancer, Kidney failure, and infection just to name a few.

But unfortunately he is now in a fight to prolong his existence. Dr. Wen has prescribed medicines to clear up the edema and to help with the heart failure.  

This will not be a cure, nor is it meant to be. It is an attempt to prolong Sir’s life as long as the quality of life does not suffer.

Thankfully he is still eating ravenously and his bodily functions are normal as well. Dr. Wen made sure to convey that there is no way of knowing how long or if he will survive.

However, our mindset is to keep a positive outlook; to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I ask that you include him in your prayers and your healing ways and rituals. He is loved by not only me but all of those who have met him and know him.

The cold hard truth is that Sir is currently in a fragile state. As much as I would be heartbroken if he were to leave this plain, I would understand that his contract was fulfilled and it would be time to move on. None of us wants to be selfish and have him suffer just to fill our need to have him in our lives.  So he will be monitored closely and with fingers crossed he will be around for a while longer.

Thank you all for your continued support for Sir, North Shore Horse Rescue & Sanctuary, and I.

If you would like to help with Sir’s medication please follow this link and make a tax deductible donation in Sir’s name. Doante

Thanks again for reading.....

And I will FOREVER Remain

Frank

Sir's Human 😊

The end of 2016

Happy New Year everyone!

I can't believe that another year is in the books. 2016 was a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs. But I can honestly say that there were more ups than downs for me, Sir, and the North Shore Horse Rescue and Sanctuary.
As those of you who follow this blog and the facebook pages you have seen both sides.

Early in the year it started; Sir had two tumors on his scrotum. Thanks to all of you we raised enough money to take him to the Equine Hospital in Connecticut to have them removed. They tested positive for cancer. He was prescribed Chinese Herbs to cure it but he had a bad reaction to it. Then there was hope, It was suggested that it may only be a tick born disease. He began taking anti-biotics. Unfortunately blood work suggested that it was not caused from a tick bite. However, the blood work did not indicate cancer was present. But he was losing weight and was not eating. He took to eating dirt in search of something that he was lacking. He urinated blood and more worry set in. Laurel however was sure that it had to do with his kidneys and Dr. Wen was called. He confirmed the kidney issue and advised that it was curable. He prescribed more Chinese Herbs and the transformation was almost immediate! After few weeks Sir was eating well again and was putting on weight. He was more interactive and energetic.
Needless to say we were relieved.

In addition to the above he developed bruised hooves and special shoes were put on. He also developed "Scratches"  on his rear legs. Not scratches like a scratch on your skin, (Learn More Here)
The cause of this is a mystery to us because his paddock is dry and his stall is always clean with fresh bedding.

Most recently I received a text from Laurel advising me that he was collicking. I rushed out to the barn and arrived just after the Vet had left. Sir had a huge gas bubble that he could not pass. He was given a gallon of mineral oil and a gallon of water.
We walked him around the front paddock in the snow trying to keep him mobile and to hopefully get him to pass gas. He did fart a few times and it was comical how happy and rejoiceful Laurel and I were.
We had him in his stall and he wanted to lie down a couple of times so we got him moving again. The fear was that he would cast in the stall and we would not be able to get him back up or away from the wall very easy. I stayed until around 7:30 and Laurel told me to go home. Tommy was up all night keeping an eye on him.
In the morning I receive the welcomed news that Sir had passed 3 oily poops and was passing gas.He was eating and was back to normal. I was happy to see that when I arrived.

Tommy and Laurel are the best! They truly care about each and every horse at the barn Whether they are rescues or borders. They always go above and beyond for all the horses,24/7 care! I'm sure that there are not too many other barns that offer that!

We lost our dog Griffin to pancreatitis in November. It was devastating to Lynn and I. He was my little pal. He is in a better place now for sure.

And finally, Mack.....the gentle giant lost his battle with cancer. He was the Mayor and Ambassador of the barn for 10 years, He survived 2 1/2 years longer than expected with the help of Dr. Wen.
We all miss him! You can feel his spirit when you are there. The dogs definitely are aware of his presence.

It was not all gloom and doom!

We Picked up some fantastic new Volunteers! People who share our passion for the horses and their well being. Hardworking individuals who never shy away from the task at hand! Each with their own talents and abilities, and much to bring to the table. Combined we are becoming a force to be reckoned with! With or army of volunteers and advocates we will bring the rescue the next level.

We held some fun and profitable fund raising events, Help a Horse Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day Yard sales, Comedy Club, Paint night. Just to name a few. We intend to hold these events again and some others in 2017. The comedy club event will be held at least twice. Watch for it as the tickets sellout fast!

Finally, the last financial report that was shared at the end of the 3rd quarter showed that the rescue had it's most successful fund raising year yet.
This is direct result of those of you who have supported North Shore Horse Rescue & Sanctuary this year and throughout it's 15 year history.

The work is not yet done. There is still much to do and bills to pay. I hope that you we can continue to count on you this year to donate and support the horses. Remember that no donation is too small.

Until next time.......

Happy New Year

Frank

Sir's Human

2016 North Shore Horse Rescue & Sanctuary Annual Appeal

Please Support Us!

Loss of two in a week

Hi all

I have been quiet for a couple of weeks with sad occurrences in my life it was hard to get motivated to write.

Our dog Griffin, who was a part of our family for 10 years had to be put down due to a myriad of illnesses that were just too much to overcome. It cost us thousands of dollars to try and save him. But it did not happen.
I still wait for his bark and company when I am preparing a meal. I sometimes think that I see him from the corner of my eye. Our other dog Wolfie is still in mourning. He sits and stares at the front door crying.

A week to the day we lost our Mayor of the rescue. Mac, a Belgian Draft Horse finally lost his battle with cancer. He lived an additional 2 1/2 years thanks to the Chinese Medications given to him by Dr. Wen.

I arrived at the farm on Saturday morning and the gate was closed. There was a sign on the gate that read "Closed due to a death in the family". A thousand thoughts ran through my mind. Who could have passed? A parent? A sibling or inlaw?

I drove around to the driveway entrance and parked. I could see several people in the barn and others working in the first paddock. As I approached the barn I saw fellow volunteer Nicole Hammel standing in the doorway. I mouthed the question, "What happened?" and she motioned me inside.
I immediately saw Laurel sitting on a tack box, eyes swollen, and obviously very sad.

Then I heard the words, "Mack passed this morning."  I felt like I was hit with a sledge hammer. I could not hold back the tears. How could this have happened? He seemed fine the night before when I fed him. Once again life's culmination had occurred.
"He went his way" to quote Louise Abitbol. And yes he did. With dignity and strength to the end.
And somehow the other horses knew.................................................

Mac is buried on the farm. He is amongst his herd watching over them along with Neptune, the protector of horses.

In my next post I will post the 2016 Annual Appeal Letter the subject of which is Mack and ways to support his memory and the other horses.

Until then I remain

Frank

Sir's Human