February 22, 2013

Willow Update (Friday)

My day keeps getting better and better... :)

First I heard from Dr. Ruggles.   So far so good, but he will know more on Monday when they are able to get some good x-rays.   He said she's eating well and comfortable!  She has a metal plate and 12 screws holding her elbow together, and she is still on bute and antibiotics.  So glad to hear that she is still doing well!

Then I got an email from Rood & Riddle's fabulous Public Relations Manger, Alex Riddle!  He sent these photos of my sweet girl... 

Side note:

Willow would be horrified to know that I posted these photos of her looking so disheveled... so please don't tell her! ;)  But of course, I think she looks beautiful... Alive and beautiful!!  ♥

By the way, they were able to get her exact weight which is sadly still only 960 pounds. You can see how thin she still is in the photo below on the right...

My guess though is that she was only 800 pounds when I got her and probably only 700 when Leah first picked her up from that abandoned farm. :(  Makes me sick to think about it...  anyway, the good news is that she has gained and will continue to gain weight.  Though her condition will be harder to manage with her recovering from a broken leg, we will do everything we can for her as always. ♥

Thank you Rood & Riddle!!

And THEN, Alex sent me video!!!! Check out my fighter... already walking!!!  She stumbles a couple of times & I cried because it looked like she was in pain, but Martha saw the video and reassured me that she looks great and better than she had expected!  I feel like it's a total miracle!



So grateful!!!

41 comments:

  1. I love this horse and only just started reading her blog this week!!! What a beautiful spirit. I'm so happy for you all. I will pray she just keeps getting stronger and stronger.

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  2. she looks amazing :) you must be so relieved :)

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  3. Oh my goodness...this is happy news indeed! I am so happy that she came out of surgery well, and is up and at it. YES - this sweet girl is a fighter through and through...Thank you so much for all the updates Shana!

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  4. I cannot believe she broke her elbow and has 12 screws and is walking! She is a fighter indeed. She definitely still looks gorgeous! How did the reunion with Martha go? I'm literally obsessed with this story, Willow has so many people pulling for her! I can't wait until you get her back. So happy to see a positive update!

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  5. so happy to see her walking and in the best care possible! i'm so happy for her and for you!

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  6. Not to worry, she'll never know about these pic's ;)

    SOOOOOOO happy right now!!! Amazing how much weight she's put on already. I know she's got a ways to go but she's heading in the right direction. And oh my, what a beautiful voice she has :)

    thank you, Rood & Riddle!!!

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  7. Wow!!! Willow is a fighter. =) She has someone to come home and love. Thanks for posting the video. She is beautiful, and very strong.

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  8. Oh Willow, you incredible girl!!!

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  9. This story is such a joy. Willow inspires me deeply, she is a beautiful, brave soul. I hope her recovery is swift and complete, and that soon she will be running in the sunlight.

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  10. Just amazing .... I have horses myself and would fight for them also ... your Willow inspires me daily ... my youngest daughter comes barreling in from school every day asking about the "updates" on "her willow"! I do hope she knows she is "your" Willow and that we have our own horses ... I'm sure she does... she is 13... she just loves to read about her! Thank you again for sharing part of your life and willows with us ....

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  11. Words cannot express the gamut of emotions I have experienced from reading your blog. I have been following Willow's story since the beginning and have grown to love you both. Your story is such a powerful testimony of LOVE! May Willow continue to heal and touch many more lives with her strength, courage, resilience and beauty. Long live the Queen and her fair Lady <3

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  12. So beautiful and heartwarming! Big hugs to Willow..and a carrot too <3

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  13. amazing! So glad to see her walking, she looks so well!

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  14. Hail to Queen Willow! I am so thrilled to see this update...Have been stalking the blog all day ;)

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  15. This just thrills me to no end. What great news.

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  16. thanks for the video and the update, she's beautiful and I will continue to pray for her.

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  17. She IS a miracle - wow, I'm just amazed that she is doing so well from such a significant injury!
    Celebrating with you for your beautiful Willow :)

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  18. She is such beautiful girl with an amazing spirit to survive in spite of all odds. We have horses also and they are such incredible creatures. I just love her long mane. Praying her recovery goes well!

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  19. She looks super Shana. I'm so glad you were able to save her. I'll be following her recovery closely, as when my horse came up with a broken leg I could not save him. Now, he is my spirit horse and he's watching over Willow in spirit.

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  20. so glad Willow is going good.. I felt so bad seeing her in pain in the video.. poor baby... Hope she has a speedy recovery!.. she has a lot of people praying for her so I am sure she will be just fine soon!...

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  21. oh I am so happy right now! Great to see her! I'm so happy for you both. I hope she continues to improve and will be home with you in no time. I know how relieved you must be, and to actually see her walk must have just been the BEST! :) Continued prayers and good thoughts! xo

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  22. She is such a fighter! Our prayers were answered. Keep up the good work, everyone!

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  23. I'm amazed at how strong this girl is. She's determined to win. To be healthy. To be happy. To run again. At home!❤

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  24. While she might still be underweight, its very clear she has been gaining and improving steadily, and most important, healthily. She is one tough cookie too! She is doing amazing for only being one day out of surgery, she is one hell of girl!

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  25. Shana, What a girl she is!! Sounds like one of the horses down the line liked her too!! As I've been following her progress, I keep remembering things about her. One of them, is how much she always seemed to believe in herself, her self confidence and Queenly attitude. These pictures and video show it too. "Yes, I've had an injury, but I am still holding my head high." I'm so relieved she's doing so well, and so glad you could get her to R & R so fast. Prayers and blessings.

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  26. Shana you are amazing ...we are so fortunate that you are sharing this beautiful diary with us ...in so doing you have received thousands of blessings and prayers

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  27. My sister and I were keen to find out how Willow was doing today and we are both pleased the news is good and, of course, hope the news just keeps on being positive. So nice to see those photos of her too!

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  28. Willow. Queen Willow. Why, now this beautiful horse is loved and prayed for by thousands of people. But a Queen would expect no less, now would she? What a remarkable story - one that prayerfully has many more chapters to be written. Thank you for bringing Willow into so many lives. God bless you. And long live Queen Willow. :)

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  29. So..I'm not a horse person, so someone who is, help me out so I understand this. Is the elbow injury one that is "good" as far as horse leg injuries go?

    I love the one photo of Willow above where she's walking..with that head held high and such grace and dignity!! That horse knows she's loved and respected once again, and is basking in the warmth of it. Thank you, Shana...you may not be able to make a difference in the lives of all horses out there...but you've definitely made a difference in this little gal's life and future.

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  30. So happy to see this great news! Keeping her in my thoughts and prayers...

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  31. erin from ohio2/22/13, 8:00 PM

    Agreed- I cringed when I saw her stumble, but so happy that she is doing well! I have shared her story and your blog with several of my horse loving friends. Amazing how she is touching so many people. I mentioned before, but her story really is that of a novel or movie. Maybe you should start writing the script. You know- in all of your extra time ! ;)

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  32. I am sooo happy that Willow's surgery went well - she and all people careing for her give us a wonderful demonstration of love and courage. Thanks so much !

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  33. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  34. Anonymous (of course)... Willow is not aggressive toward other horses, she is just usually the dominant one. We did not leave them alone for a long while. My trainer Martha, leah, etc. were all here for their first day together. And then they got along GREAT for 4 days before this happened... and also we fed them separately of course. This is normal horse behavior. Horses do this all the time, and this was a freak accident. How DARE you suggest I've been another person to let her down. This a horse that MOST people would have put down years ago. I have spent so much time, money, research and effort helping her with the aid of the most knowledgeable equine specialists in many disciplines. Your comment did offend me and was so unnecessary. What happened was an accident and no one's fault.

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  35. p.s. Even the experts at Rood & Riddle say this was an accident... normal horse herd behavior...

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  36. I am so glad she is doing so well.. I am tellin ya that horse is a fighter.. just like you fight for her.. she is fighting too.. and to whomever left you the nasty comment.. I hope they are ashamed of themselves.. how dare they even think you have let Willow down.. you have gone so far for her.. and poured so much love over her.. clearly that person is a fool..

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  37. You are indeed right, horses are a natural pack/herd animal. When they are placed in a new group setting, there is always a time of adjusting for the pecking order or alpha horse to establish the domination of the pack/herd. It is highly normal and a natural instinctive behavior. Don't let anyone bring you down, Shana or try to lessen your truly gift given ability to love and treat these animals with care...whether it be Jimmy or your baby Willow! Keep up the good work, sister...you are making a difference not only in the lives of these animals but in the world of rescues you are encouraging others to step up and take on the challenge and learn to love living those rewards...all hail Queen Willow!

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  38. Shana, there will always be someone who needs to criticize and find fault to feed their own need to feel superior somehow. They are to be pitied for they are missing out on the real story of Willow and her triumphs. You are sharing a remarkable and inspiring story that touches the hearts of many. I am among your hopeful and inspired readers who appreciate and respect your commitment to making a difference in Willow's life while also making a difference in ours.

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  39. Shana, thank you for sharing Willow with us and for allowing us to take part in her journey. I have to say that I see Willow's current low weight as being a blessing to her right now. If she were weighing a normal weight, I believe her recovery would take longer by bearing more weight on her leg and she might not have had as easy of a time adjusting to the hardware. God never ceases to amaze me on how He alone can work things out for our good whether we can see it at the time or not! You have an amazing horse, with an amazing sprit and I never tire of hearing updates. Thanks, and God bless Willow and those who care for her!

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  40. Shana, perhaps you were always meant to be Willow's angel...have you ever considered that perhaps you were put into Willows end-of-life path, to show her pure love, trust, kindness and caring? Perhaps it was Willow who prayed to God for mercy from her torturous past, and YOU were sent. Perhaps YOU were Willow's answer from God above.

    Will keep you all in my prayers, Willow, in her magnificent beauty is running wildly across the plateau's of heaven, sunshine on her sleek beautiful coat, glistening in the sun, knowing she was loved here on earth, finally. I am glad God put you in her path to teach her love and trust.

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  41. I am sooo happy that Willow's surgery went well - she and all people careing for her give us a wonderful demonstration of love and courage. Thanks so much !

    Public Relations

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