Well, friends, it's been a rough start to the new year and we sure could use some help. It's an understatement to say that we are very glad to see the backend of January. We've had sick horses, sick bunnies, and mornings in the single digits. One minute, the weather is warm enough for the ground to thaw and the next, freezing and everything is a sheet of ice. It makes life hard for the animals - and for Mathew and me, too.

The beginning of January started with one of horses, Tristan, getting colic. Colic is basically, a stomach upset in horses. However, it requires immediate treatment as it can quickly escalate to an emergency - and even death. Thankfully, we put a call into our vet and by end of day, she was feeling much better. We spent hours walking her and making sure she was getting the very best of care. It was exhausting and extra hard because of the cold temperatures that day. But so worth it in the end to see her better.

A week or so later, Royal, one of the horses we saved last year from the kill-pen in Pennsylvania, started to choke. Horses can choke on any number of things including grain and hay. In most cases, they can correct this themselves, but sometimes, they can't. And when this occurs it is not only very scary for the horse, but also for the caregivers. Mathew and I felt so helpless seeing our beloved old boy (Royal's 18) struggling to breath and stood by him doing everything we could think of to help dislodge what was stuck in his throat. Seeing that he wasn't getting any better I put an emergency call into our vet. Of course, it was Sunday, and we were getting one of the worst snowstorms of the year. It was also starting to get dark. Finally, I was able to get through however, our vet was two and a half hours away! He walked us through what we needed to do and told us he'd be there as fast as he could. We were so grateful that he could come out to us, however, the next couple of hours were agony as we watched our boy have such a hard time.

To make a long story short, our vet finally came and put a tube through his nose and down into his throat to rid the obstruction. Even though the choke was finally cleared, Royal was in rough shape. His respiratory rate was high, and he had developed aspiration pneumonia - a poor and often deadly prognosis. Our vet shook his head and said he didn't hold out much hope for him. We arranged for the vet to come the next day on another emergency basis to administer antibiotics to hopefully save his life. But again, the vet warned us it wasn't looking good. Mathew and I felt utterly torn apart. After the vet left, we held Royal tight and prayed and prayed with all our might.

However, the morning who should great us in his stall with a bright eye and soft nicker, but our own boy, Royal! And he was a changed boy from the poor defeated chap of last night. He was alert and active and clearly wanted out of the stall - and clearly wanted his breakfast! All great signs. But he wasn't out of the woods yet. Our vet couldn't believe how well he was doing. He came the next day and for the next four days, we treated him with powerful antibiotics, until finally, he was given the all clear. I have truly never felt so relived.

Choke can happen to any horse, at any time and according to our vet is a quite common occurrence. Whether you water down grain or hay or take all the precautions in the world, we know we can't bubble wrap these animals, and sometimes bad things happen. All we can do is continue to do our very best for them.

The next week saw one of our bunnies come down with an abscess behind the eye. At first, there was just one abscess on the cheek. The vet lanced this. However, abscesses in bunnies aren't like cats and dog where it can be drained. Abscesses in bunnies has the look and consistency of toothpaste and must be squeezed out - only to fill up again. Because of this, it is very difficult to cure. Where there is one Pasteurella abscess, you can almost always bet there are more. And likely ones you don't see as they are internal. Tragically, the abscesses just kept coming until finally a big and growing one started behind the eye making it so she couldn't open her mouth. Because she had so many abscesses and surgery would be nearly impossible because of the location and the probability that it would come back and require more and more surgery - we finally, (after a full month of treating her with antibiotics prior to the one behind her eye and hand-feeding her) opted to let her pass onto gentler lands where she would be free from pain and suffering. It was so sad. We fought so hard for her, and you could tell she was fighting too which of course, made it all the more heartbreaking.

We also lost another bunny very quickly - within an hour, to what I can only concur was GI stasis (when the gut slows down). She must have hidden her illness very well because that morning she was eating and didn't appear sick at all. Within an hour I found her limp and lifted her into my arms. Minutes later she was gone. Another heartache to bear.

On top of all that, Mathew threw out his back and I couldn't use my wrist from all the wear and tear of going it alone. Our hearts hurt, money was going out quicker than it was coming in - and everything felt deeply discouraging. However, my daughter, Emmaline, who is away at vet school in Glasgow, Scotland, said something quite wise. Upon hearing all my woes, she replied: "I don't think that's bad luck at all. Not really. You saved both those horses and you haven't let any of this stop you. Have you???" Of course, I answer no. "Well, then," she said, "I'd call that good luck!"

This of course, made me smile. She was right! And on top of that, we weren't alone, because there are all of you! Our beloved donors and friends who support us and are always there to rally and help and offer good, kind, encouraging words! We are truly grateful for that!

As you can imagine, with all the extra vet expenses and emergency veterinary care it's been financially rough. Winter is also an expensive month with all the increased utility bills from running heaters to keep water troughs from freezing; extra bedding to buy to help keep the animals warm; and hay and grain have only gone up in price. We've also gone through our emergency medical fund and need to replenish that. We are hoping to raise a total of $5k and would be enormously grateful if you could donate - any bit helps from $5, $10, $15 as it all adds up in the end. Thank you for being there when we need you the most. WE couldn't do any of this without our friends, donors, and supporters to help along the way and keep us going.

Much Love,

Jenny and Mathew (and all your animal friends)