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Post by cardicorgi on Mar 19, 2007 16:16:04 GMT -5
Well that's the hard part, she doesn't *seem* to be in any pain. Her eyes don't say "I hate this, please end it for me" - it's not the 1000 Yard Stare. Au contraire, they are "What are you doing? Where are you going? Oh, I like it when you scratch that spot!"
She is obsessed with my dear friend's mare, and she *does* move around freely but 3-leggedly (pitiful looking to me, who hasn't seen this before - )
Oh! If any of you Portlanders have a good farrier recommendation (mine is booked for months literally)... maybe maybe maybe she can be helped...
Collective jingles are appreciated for Fala...
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Post by schwung on Mar 19, 2007 16:32:37 GMT -5
Jenny, I put 100% faith in your vet and her recommendation. It is NEVER an easy decision to put a horse down and even harder when they have lived in pain for so long they have adapted to it and *seem* normal. This is one of those cases were we have to rely on our vets to guide us to the right decision.
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Post by winterlakesfarm on Mar 19, 2007 17:28:44 GMT -5
Our thoughts and well wishes are with you and Fala
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Post by jellybelly on Mar 19, 2007 19:04:12 GMT -5
How old is this mare and does she have a racing tattoo? She looks vaguely familiar.
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Post by fancyherd@gala's on Mar 21, 2007 13:24:45 GMT -5
Transaction ID: 1U518306T25356522 Placed on Mar. 21, 2007 Payment For Quantity Price Fala 1 $50.00 USD Subtotal: $50.00 USD Shipping & Handling: $0.00 USD Sales Tax: $0.00 USD Total Amount: $50.00 USD
Donation received 3/21/2007 Net Amount after paypal fees: $48.25 Thank you for your contribution![/b]
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Post by cardicorgi on Mar 21, 2007 13:35:30 GMT -5
Thank you Gala.
The silence you are 'hearing' here is because I/we have been trying to reach a specific individual first. I/we feel strongly that this person is owed that courtesy because she so heavily advocated for Fala.
Fala, it turns out, is cared about by a multitude of people, some of whom went FAR FAR out of their way to help her. There are a lot of very complicated emotions tangled up with Fala, from all parties involved.
I think the unifying force is that everyone wants what is best for Fala.
When we know more, we will post more.
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Post by huskiesnhorses on Mar 21, 2007 14:02:09 GMT -5
Thank you Gala. The silence you are 'hearing' here is because I/we have been trying to reach a specific individual first. I/we feel strongly that this person is owed that courtesy because she so heavily advocated for Fala. Fala, it turns out, is cared about by a multitude of people, some of whom went FAR FAR out of their way to help her. There are a lot of very complicated emotions tangled up with Fala, from all parties involved. I think the unifying force is that everyone wants what is best for Fala. When we know more, we will post more. And I would just like to say that this is why I am so thankful to have found this group in addition to being some of the most level headed people I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with...you guys are awesome!
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Mar 21, 2007 15:12:58 GMT -5
I second what Redmond posted!
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Post by cardicorgi on Mar 22, 2007 16:34:00 GMT -5
It is with heavy hearts that we report that both vets involved w/Fala strongly recommended humane euthanization - and that we are going to follow their advice.
The vets we used are my own vets, eminently competent, and they are not over-reactive types.
They both thought she is in tremendous pain, and also that her supporting hind leg is under enough strain that she will inevitably, possibly soon, mechanically founder &/or her suspensory will give way (it is already quite compromised - sometimes it looks really bad, nearly parallel to the ground, and other times less so). She throws her pelvis out when she walks (to avoid putting weight on her bad leg), and her whole musculature has essentially remodeled to compensate.
One vet said she had no options, the other vet said she could be a candidate for a prosthetic (which is $30k upfront, and $500-1000/mo. maintenance, plus twice daily changing of a sock). Both agreed that, even drugged to the gills daily, she would continue to be in pain and they in no way thought this would be humane. Resectioning or corrective trimming is sadly not an option.
Words can't express how sad and devastating this is, and how agonizing it is to make this decision. On one hand, she seems happy and content; on the other hand, it is clear that she is under much strain as she moves around basically 3-legged. Her hoof capsule is a hollow empty ruin - there is no coffin bone in there.
We realize this is a no-win situation for anyone - for us, who hoped there was something that could make her comfortable and pasture-sound; for her proponents who loved her deceased owner, who have seen Fala in person, and want to see Fala continuing to graze and cavort; for her foster, who has grown attached; for the people who haven't seen her in person but think there might be hope; or for Fala.
We hope that all interested parties understand that we only want what is best for Fala - to be free of pain, and to be treated kindly with her best interest in mind.
One person involved said: "It occurred to me that there is a very, very strong silver lining in all this: everyone involved *cares* for this horse, a horse by conventional means deemed "useless". If you ponder that awhile, it's amazing." And this is true.
One person went to extraordinary lengths a week ago for Fala, giving up her time/emotions/life to do so, trusting that Fala would be taken care of well by virtual strangers.
One person agreed to take Fala in immediately, with virtually no notice.
One person drove an hour to come see Fala for himself, and trimmed the feet that he could.
There are more people, too.
Fala’s foster has spoiled Fala during this short time (her foster, the tidiest of the tidy, strews hay around so Fala can eat wherever she happens to be; has purchased innumerable goodies for Fala to nibble on; has groomed her every day - which Fala loves!; bought a sheet for her to keep her clean and feeling cared-for; braided her tail; put a "pretty" halter on her; and has spent the bulk of her days with her).
We want all of Fala’s fan club to know that she is well-cared for, and loved, during her last days, and hope this is some small comfort. We also hope that she will rejoin her old owner at the Bridge, and will be ushered off this good earth with dignity, caring company, and without pain.
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Post by fancyherd@gala's on Mar 22, 2007 16:48:19 GMT -5
she will be doing what she was born to do - move without pain. It is heart wenching but THANK YOU for being her loving spokesman - and being honest with her - that's a gift she hasn't had in a long, long time. Bless you!
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Post by huskiesnhorses on Mar 22, 2007 17:31:10 GMT -5
Redmond wishes her wide open pastures of lush grass and lots of warm sunshine and clear cool waters and lots of friends to run with when she gets there. Goodbye Fala - you were and are very loved.
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Post by cat67 on Mar 22, 2007 17:55:36 GMT -5
Thank you for dealing with this. As the old saying goes, no hoof, no horse. I am so glad she has enjoyed this last week of being spoiled and loved on - that's a huge gift to have given this mare!
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Mar 22, 2007 18:51:52 GMT -5
God bless her. At least her last days were filled with food and love!
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Post by cardicorgi on Mar 23, 2007 15:14:12 GMT -5
She is gone. She went very peacefully, and very quickly.
I spent this morning and last night hand-grazing her, rubbing her neck and massaging her, and feeding her all the carrots apples pears and bananas she wanted.
Afterward, I had a good hard look and feel at her bad leg - she was basically walking on her joint and some horn - there was virtually nothing inside her hoof capsule, and there's also no question that her suspensory was just about gone.
As sad and awful as it was, I believe it was the best thing to do.
RIP, Fala.
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Post by safehorses on Mar 23, 2007 15:19:55 GMT -5
Yes, RIP dear Fala, now you can run and be painfree forever!
Thank you Jenny, you were strong and kind and selfless when she needed you to be. It can't have been easy, so I feel for you today.
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