Sunday, November 30, 2008

Saturday and Sitka's Fund

First off, we have raised $4,180.00 for Sitka's Magic Leg Fund! We did it! By the way, Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue in PA raised $798.00 for her Fund during one of their fundraisers this past week. Thanks to everyone at AA and to Jo Deibel! We will continue on with Sitka's raffle and yard sale though, the extra funds will help us cover her vet care at Desert Pines when she gets the leg fitted. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!

SATURDAY'S PHOTOS:

Is it the Bellagio Fountain? No, it's just the Mare Motel's broken pipe....

Breakfast in the Big Pasture...

More breakfast...


Cisco...

The Carrot Brigade and Salsa...

Shy Cortez, the Wandering Mustang, takes a carrot from Kelly...

Sitka takes a carrot from a young volunteer...

Crusoe gets one too!

Jill's Freisians, Tanis and Zuiderzee, share a moment.

A nice morning roll...

I'm not sure why Curry is wearing this basket on his head as a hat, but he sure looks Dapper!


Eric saddled up Gus- looking good!

Charlie looks like he is in a bad mood. Maybe he didn't appreciate his latest music video...

Spur takes a nap in some old insulation...

Dean Parellied NASDAQ. Happily, Dean and his wife Kelly are going to be adopting him!






Saturday, November 29, 2008

Friday, November 28, 2008

I am Thankful for Starwood

Very sad news today as sweet old Starwood passed away suddenly this morning at Shiloh.


Starwood was rescued from the Cedar City auction where he had been brought by his previous owner. We rescued him and for the past 2 1/2 years he lived in our Sanctuary. This morning he was fine, everything appeared normal. Volunteers were in brushing the old guys in Assisted Living where Starwood lived. Starwood ate his Equine Senior and his hay. About 1/2 hour after someone was last in that pasture, I went in to put up a new feeding bucket. I sensed a horse behind me and turned to find Starwood standing close by looking at me. I went up to him and was petting his face when I noticed something was very wrong. He was panting and shaking and looked a bit out of it. His gums and tongue were bright purple, a sign of great distress in a horse. I immediately called Sally over as she drove by in the feed cart. We took his vitals, including his heart rate, which was incredibly over 100 beats per minute (an extremely bad sign). I called the vet clinic as Sally got a halter on him, but as I was speaking to the vet office, Starwood suddenly jumped sideways into the corral panel and fell to the ground in convulsions. We knew he was dying, so we quickly IV sedated him with a strong sedative to help him. He quickly passed away as we all stood around him , comforting him with our voices and hands. Although we don't know for sure what happened, all signs point to sudden heart failure. Starwood was buried at Shiloh under some Mesquite Trees.


Starwood was a great friend to everyone at Shiloh. He attended Pet-a-palooza and was used for all new volunteers as they learned to groom and bath horses. Every weekend he was groomed, stuffed with carrots, and spoiled by caring volunteers. His gentle soul and innate kindness helped many, many people who were new to horses gain confidence and knowledge. Starwood was never sick once in all of his years at the rescue, as Robin said, "he lived until he died." Something we should all be lucky enough to have said about us.


I am so thankful that this gentle horse found love and comfort over the past few years at Shiloh.


I am so thankful to him for his quiet spirit and loving nature. He taught us all a little bit more about compassion and kindness...

Good bye, old Friend, I miss you already.

Starwood gets bathed by the Carrot Brigade...

Thursday, November 27, 2008

What I am thankful for...

I am Thankful to all of the animals at the rescue. If you listen to them, they can teach you alot about living...


Things I have learned about Life from the Shiloh Animals...


It's okay to be bad sometimes. Nobody can be good all of the time.

Feed carrots. When you run out, get another bag. Quickly.

Kick up your heels. It's okay to shine.

Good grooming really does make a difference.

Stay warm when you can.

Pig out!

There is nothing wrong with taking some time for yourself to lay down and take a nap.

If you are feeling small, be mighty. Don't let yourself be pushed around. Stand up for yourself and make yourself heard.

Know when it's time to make a clean getaway and then get the heck out of Dodge!

Share your meal with someone who is hungry.
It's okay to get dirty.

Seek shelter.

Keep your family close.


Sometimes it's best to keep a low profile...

Don't judge a book by it's cover. A scary face might hide a gentle soul.

Play, dance, and enjoy life! It's okay to act wild.

Take time to show kindness...

Sometimes the most important things are the most unexpected. Be ready for anything...


HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM ALL OF US AT SHILOH!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Traveler in Los Angeles 11/24/08

The girls brought me along on the trip to Los Angeles. Tony was coming into town to do The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Late Late Show, and a book signing at Book Soup in Hollywood.

The girls brought me to the Westwood Cemetary to visit Marilyn Monore's grave. There she is!

I tried to leave a kiss for her but the girls would not loan me any of their lipstick...


Back at the hotel. There is Sally, the little speck on the balcony. Hi Sally!

We went to Trader Vics for dinner. Yay baby!

I had a Mojito...

I love the mint. Jill let me chew on the mint leaves.

I also had a Mai Tai. Did you know that Trader Vics claims to have invented the Mai Tai?

Monday, November 24, 2008

Pet Expo Update!

Thanks to our dedicated and caring volunteers- Shiloh raised $1200.00 for Sitka's Magic Leg Fund at this past weekend's Pet Expo, bringing our total raised so far to $2,832.00! We are almost there!

Tony on Television

Just wanted to let you all know that Tony will be on the Bonnie Hunt Show tomorrow (Tuesday), on which he mentions Shiloh and talks a bit about horse slaughter. He will also be taping a segment of the Late Late Show on Tuesday.

Make sure to check him out...

Sweet Oscar, our friend


God's fingers touch'd him, and he slept. - Tennyson

Some very sad news as one of our pigs, Oscar Meyer passed away sometime last night. It looks like he went to sleep and just never woke up. He was found by Daria and Robin this morning in one of the pig houses, laying peacefully in the straw. He will be buried under the Mesquite trees at the ranch.

Oscar came to Shiloh last year after we were called by Lied Animal Shelter. They were going to euthanise him because "he was so ugly that they could not adopt him out". Oscar quickly became a favorite of everyone at the rescue. He loved to eat bananas out of your hand and would wait by the feedroom each morning for his special food.

Oscar was a gentle soul, although he did have a ferocious appearance. We do not know how old he was, but our vet suspected he was getting up there in years. Oscar will be badly missed by all of us. We have to try to be thankful that Shiloh was able to give him his final home where he knew love, freedom, peace, and friendship at the end of his life.

Sometimes, that is all we can do.

Rest in Peace sweet friend.


We celebrate his unique spirit in the following photos...

Who could forget him "playing" with the straw bales?

Pigging out on some donated tomatos...


Enjoying the mud pool...


Fighting with Pig Newton.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Sunday at Shiloh 11/23/08

Here are some photos from Sunday's Shiloh Adventures...

Charmin goes for a walk...
Some hard working volunteers!

I just love this picture! Look at how flat Eric made himself to stay out of Wishes' way! It is too funny! (Wishes, who has been adopted, is one of the feedlot foals who was born at Shiloh.) Sorry, Eric- I had to post this!

Wishes makes a fast get away from the scene!

Sarge is wearing a new scarf!

Feeding time at the feed room... How many donkeys can eat out of one feeder?

Dave has been working hard with Apache. She has come a long way and allowed herself to get a hug for the first time...

Let the Carroting begin!

Wandering Mustang, Cortez, even stopped for one...