ARF Stories
2011 ARF Case
"Twilight"
In Loving Memory of Twilight This lovely horse has passed on and we are all deeply saddened.
Somewhere...somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some Paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
Stanley Harrison
Twilight is a sweet-natured former thoroughbred racehorse who was recently owned by a married father of two who lost his job. Although he was trying to keep Twilight (Jockey Club registered name, Sterling Image), the expenses were just too great. He had been in contact with local rescuer Sharon Parmenter, trying to adopt him out through her network, but there were simply no takers in this slow economic period. To avoid being sold to a "kill buyer" (sold to slaughter) or a charro (used for horse tripping), Sharon stepped up to manage the detailed task of retraining and rehoming this beautiful horse known at the track for his amazing personality.
A dapple grey gelding born in 2003, Twilight was underweight and "cribbing" when rescued. It appeared to be a boredom crib rather than an anxiety crib: pasture was likely needed. He had not been retrained, so he needed some schooling. This unfortunate horse had eight owners in four years, and Sharon knew he had "all the raw materials to be some girls forever love", and that he deserved to find that relationship.
Sharon has been a miracle worker! She assembled all the pieces, including contacting PAHS, to put this deserving horse on a path to wellness and a loving home. Currently completed or underway are: pasture land, veterinary care, hands on care and attention, and training. PAHS has contributed $1187 toward Twilight's healing path.
Update: Twilight has put on weight and is doing great! Trainer Laura Hensley Trouard of Morgan Hill is now working with Twilight. Laura has experience working with rescue horses and their unknown history and issues, and she won her division in the "Trainer Showcase" at the 2010 Western States Horse Expo.
DONATE NOW to contribute toward Twilight's rescue expenses
2011 ARF Case
"Isis"
PAHS received a call in January, 2011, from a neighbor of an elderly woman who had just passed away. Isis (a 5 year old Persian cat), the elderly woman's kitty, had been left behind with no one to adopt her. The woman's family did not want to step up, so a caring neighbor was regularly checking on her, giving her attention, food and water every day. However, as she is low income (on disability) she could not keep Isis. The apartment would soon be cleared and Isis was to be taken to the shelter.
To avoid possible euthanasia at the shelter, a local rescuer, Madeline Johnston, stepped up to take Isis in to foster care. Rescuer Madeline Johnson says…"If you could have seen her condition when we got her - shocking. Underweight, few teeth, totally matted, covered with fleas and her poor skin red and irritated and shedding sores from a terrible flea allergy. Her hair was completely matted and had to be mostly shaved and the knots groomed out. In the dental surgery they removed her last two teeth they were in such terrible shape."
PAHS covered the majority of Isis' veterinary bills, which included: allergy tests, flea meds, fungal infection tests, and an extensive dental surgery. The grooming, critically needed to contend with her extremely matted fur, was generously donated by Shannon's Grooming in Redwood City. One month later, Isis was adopted into a loving home in Foster City! Madeline says, "I simply cannot believe the home she is going to: with a Persian friend cat, cat toys, scratchers, two stories to romp in, sleeping in the bedroom…, view of the water and the water birds, indoor only, regular vet care, treats, brushing, playtime and company all day long. She will simply thrive! Her spirit through all this was undampened. I have to admire that she is so resilient and friendly, and kept her sweet wonderful personality through all she went through! She is so cute; she reminds me of a little puppy!"
DONATE NOW to contribute toward Isis' veterinary care expenses
2011 ARF Case
"Ike and Tina"
One morning, an East Menlo Park resident and her two young children came in to the PAHS office with a box containing two adorable but scared Chihuahuas: one brown female and one black male. The box had been left on her porch. We applaud the woman who brought the dogs in to us, especially as she was contending with a tremendous fear of dogs (even these little Chihuahuas). Because PAHS is not a shelter, the dogs were (happily) able to be given to Pets in Need so that they could avoid possible (probable) euthanasia at the shelter. Before their journey to Redwood City, much veterinary care was needed. On first assessment, the dogs were smelly and their nails were very overgrown. They seemed underweight, as well. On closer inspection, their teeth were rotted and required surgical removal. They were also vaccinated, and spayed and neutered. It was the vet, Mid-peninsula Animal Hospital, where "Ike and Tina" were given their names! PAHS has contributed $450 toward Ike and Tina's necessary care.
DONATE NOW to contribute toward Ike and Tina's veterinary care expenses
2011 ARF Case
"Roxy"
Madeline Johnston, a local rescuer, retrieved Roxy from a shelter where she would have been euthanized due to her extensive medical needs. Roxy, only about one year old, was rescued from a hoarder's home in King's County, California. She needed care due to fleas, worms, and matted fur. It was then discovered that she had a diaphragmatic hernia that was a life threatening issue. The hernia was caused by blunt force: she may have been hit by a car or kicked. Roxy then developed pneumonia and was in need of urgent care before her diaphragm was completely punctured causing many vital organs to become damaged. A rescue group called Maine Coon Adoptions helped, but they were not able to cover Roxy. Her pneumonia was treated and she had surgery at UC Davis on February 23. She came through it like a champ!
Roxy was a community effort: our favorite kind! Maine Coon Adoptions did a fundraiser for Roxy and brought in $1200, U.C. Davis covered a whopping $2000, and PAHS covered more than $1000 for the balance of the surgery and veterinary care needed.
DONATE NOW to contribute toward Roxy's veterinary care expenses