Rescue Blog: Phoenix
May 18, 2010 arrival
To our caring donors: During this season of holiday cheer and family celebrations, we want you to know how much your donations mean to us. Donations from loving hearts help us to continue to Rescue-Rehabilitate-Rehome many of the animals we saved from slaughter. Your donations also help us support the animals who will live out their lives at Dreamchaser – the Sanctuary animals whose physical or emotional disabilities preclude them being adopted. Many of the Premarin mares are in their twenties now, with TK turning 29. TK was the mare who was being purchased by a killer buyer, at 25 years old, with a three month old colt at her side.
Phoenix, pictured above and right, is another such story of neglect and abuse. On May 18, I received a phone call from a farrier who was heading from northern Arizona to the Tucson area. He had just walked onto a property where he had, on several occasions, noticed a mare getting more and more emaciated. The owners were going to shoot the mare. This kind gentleman told them he would take the mare and find a place for her, and they relinquished her to him. Dreamchaser was over capacity at 60 horses and burros, but I could not say no.
These pictures were taken the day she arrived at Dreamchaser, with clumps of hair falling off, her chest bone sticking out, her ribs all exposed, a shelf above her ribs because of her spine, and her hip bones jutting. She was also full of milk, yet there was no foal with her. Her feet were extremely long from having no care, yet she almost fell over when we tried to pick them up. It was another heartbreaking example of the agony animals go through when their ‘owners’ aren’t responsible and caring.
We named her Phoenix, because she was going to rise from the ashes of despair at Dreamchaser. Bringing emaciated horses back to health is a long process, and must be done slowly. Phoenix had her teeth examined by our Veterinarian, Dr. Bill Tryon, and needed some of her teeth cut down to enable her to chew properly. He estimated her at ‘way over 20 years old’. Phoenix is still shy and reticent, afraid of fast movement and ropes, but she trusts me enough to go into a trailer and be the guest at Desert Foothills Library children’s hour. Her every need is met at Dreamchaser, with lots of love and attention, quality food, hoof trims, dental care, and walks in the desert. Here are pictures of her now:
UPDATES
08-13-10:
We have had her teeth floated (she needed her incisors cut down), and given her shots.
She is gaining weight slowly, and is becoming less frightened of people and catch ropes. We see her elegance and spirit returning!
12-20-10:
Phoenix is doing wonderfully well. She has bonded with Annie, the 23 year old Arab, and they share a 45' x 65' pen. Phoenix actually went to the children's library hour at Desert Foothills Library!
She loaded in the trailer just fine, was a little anxious being in the parking lot next to the library building but warmed up to the children.
I was immensely proud of her with all the stimulus involved in her first venture from the ranch.
By the way, Phoenix is a Freisian mare, becoming her beautiful, inside and out, self, in a place of love, trust, and safety. Please donate to us, and help us continue to have beautiful endings! Every dollar you donate goes directly to the animals – we are ALL volunteers here.
We thank you for your continued support. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
-Susan N Thompson, Founder