Monday, July 5, 2010

Further News on the Auction Three and A Half

Sheila and the donkeys were interviewed by one of the major newspapers yesterday so hopefully even more humans can read about the good work she is doing at PrimRose. Many photos were taken and much written down and I look forward to perusing the finished work. When I discover the publication date I will let my blog friends know.

The three and a half newcomers are generally doing quite well. Little Annabelle has had a bath with Tea Tree oil after her delousing with powder and she quite enjoyed it's soothing properties. Jack had those things living on him when he got to Sheila's and he said they made him not only itchy but sapped his strength, which was already low. Annabelle will have a needle stuck in her person to ascertain if she truly is pregnant - good grief, can't they just ask her instead of treating her like a pincushion?? If she proves to be "with child" she will then have an ultrasound (which sounds much more civilized) to determine date of arrival.

Unseen forces may be at work because, as Annabelle was a complete surprise to the woman when she got to the auction, poor Elvira Donkey who has lived at PrimRose for awhile now, was diagnosed with a nasty abdominal tumour. She did very well for a time but is now withdrawn and disinterested in her surroundings. The veterinarian explained that Elvira is in increasing pain and would prefer to slip off quietly with her friends near. Carol, her personal volunteer, is understandably devastated but has pledged to help Annabelle through her troubles. It seems they will need each other for moral support and perhaps there is a serendipitous note about all this...

KristinaRose, the baby sheep, is settling in just fine. Sheila bought her special lamb food and she is taking meds for the cold-like symptoms she picked up at the auction. If Helen is the sheep equivalent of a one hundred and nine year old great granny, then the lamb is a fractious two year old who wants to be with Helen non-stop. Helen spends much time being scandalized by the infantile behaviour but KristinaRose cares not and simply does her best to be a mini-Helen.

Leon is quite well physically, except for his feet, but those will come round with time. He would very much like to interact with humans but his past encounters have left him nervous and wary. He has a strong fear that he will be struck forcibly about the head. The poor lad slowly makes his way over for a piece of apple or carrot (both completely unknown in his former life) but the stress becomes too much and he flees before the humans can touch him. His "brain surgery" will take place as soon as the vet has time and after that he can mix in with William, one of the other boys, for company. Maybe he will learn from William that he is in a safe place and can let down his guard.

So, all is progressing as it should and one day hopefully Annabelle will have a bouncing baby equine (father unknown as yet), Leon will finally learn to trust humans and KristinaRose will achieve her goal and grow up to be just like great granny Helen.

Gayle, who posts here as Gazelle, acts as my official photographer but she is also a life-long friend to all animals. She most generously offered to pay the cost of freeing the Three and a Half from the auction and even now a cheque for their purchase price is winging it's way to Sheila (well, not winging so much as trudging through the system). Thank you Gayle for quietly making a difference.

PS - If anyone knows a non-toxic way to get the last of those dreadful auction number stickers off the newcomers, please let us know!

16 comments:

BumbleVee said...

Sorry to hear Elvira Donkey is not doing so well..... I'm so glad that Carol will Annabelle to comfort her ... this must be a trying time for all at Primrose.... hugs to them all.......

Way to go Gayle... you saved a few more good 'uns... I think it's wonderful that they will have a special place to live now.

I don't know about totally non toxic...and it does stink a bit... but, Varsol takes off everything I have had to get off that was stuck on. Just wash the area with a bit of soapy water after using it... should be fine.... mind you... Leon might not like being touched at all...and in that case...I don't know what or how....?? Maybe a quick smear of butter might be applied and left to do its work..... Mom used to put it on our feet as kids to get off the melted road tar... ....

Dougie Donk said...

I am so pleased to hear the rescued three and a half are doing well, though my heart is with Carol on the loss of Elvira. it is such a hard decision to make, but the final act of kindness for a much loved friend. Run free, Elvira.

On the topic of adhesive removal... My woman says the easiest way is to hold a bag of ice cubes on the offending patches of sticky stuff & then brush or cut them out once the glue has frozen hard.

I think a bag of cold ice cubes applied to one's body is VERY offensive, but am sure the lovely Sheila will find a way to make it more acceptable.

billie said...

Thank you for the update, Sheaffer. I am so happy they are settling in and getting healthier with Shelia's wonderful care.

Gazelle said...

See Sheaffer, Annabelle "quite enjoyed" her bath. Maybe you should reconsider your aversion to having one. You too might find it refreshing :-)

For the goo: Baby Oil might loosen it, or just wait for the hair to shed it off when their Winter coats start to come in. That'll be next month, right !?

Gazelle said...

Lest there be any confusion I should point out that while I seem to have become Sheaffer's ahem "official photographer", credit for the pics taken at The PrimRose Sanctuary of the "Woodville Three" goes to TJ / Virgil's very own Laurel.

Great pics Laurel. Looks like you've captured each one's personality.

ponymaid said...

Vee, I will pass your thoughts on to the crew at PrimRose. I'm not sure what that glue-like substance is that the auction uses to fasten numbers but it sticks with grim determination. I wonder, maybe Leon would allow a smidge of butter to be smeared on the offending sticker...

ponymaid said...

Dougie, Elvira will be sorely missed. She has been a kind and steadfast friend to many and it is hard to see her increasingly distracted by the hateful tumour. The vet is coming on Thursday to help her slide away from the pain. Carol cannot bear to be there but will have Annabelle to return to, which hopefully will make things a bit easier for her.

Ice cubes they say?? Like yourself I am suspicious of water in any form except in a bucket but I will pass along the tip.

ponymaid said...

Thank you, Billie. It's a magical place over there - someday you must visit with daughter and her camera...

ponymaid said...

Gazelle, a bath?? Moi?? Surely you jest? A bath...once I got over the initial shock I began to see the humour in your comment...hehheh, a bath...yes, quite amusing.

Will pass on the baby oil tip - Annabelle seems to have done better in the sticker removal department but of course she had...a bath. Leon is so worried that it may take some time to convince him to let them remove the sticky mass.

And of course you know who was responsible for omitting to give Laurel credit for the wonderful photos - not self, of course. Laurel please consider yourself lavishly thanked by those of us who do not commit social gaffes on a regular basis. Tchhh.

billie said...

Sheaffer, I somehow missed the part about Elvira as I read the post earlier. I suspect that was because last year this time we were dealing with Chase the Corgi's tumor and trying to balance how and what to do as it got larger. All my sympathy everyone involved. It is such a hard thing, but when the time is right, it's the only thing.

ponymaid said...

Billie, has it really been a year? It's a very hard decline to watch, isn't it? Tabi went so peacefully in his sleep - I wish the same for Elvira - that, with the vet's help, she just slide away and be free of the heaviness that has been part of her life for awhile now.

Finn the Wonder Pony said...

Sheaffer,

So sorry to hear of Elvira Donkey's tribulations. I know how hard it is waiting/helping a friend to the end... crossing Rainbow Bridge. I hope Elvira slips off as quietly as CindyLouWho did. After that, one must console oneself by understanding that one's friend is suddenly not in any pain; free to gallop and play to her/his heart's content...

I'm really happy to read of the rescue of the 3 1/2, although I'm not sure I understand what a "sheep" is...

As for removal of the sticker adhesive, my woman says, based on removal of various sticky things from my person, that either WD-40, candle oil, mineral oil, or olive oil, should do the trick.

Your Fann,
Finn

Buddy said...

Goof Off is also good - I don't believe it has chemicals in it - not sure. It does have orange oil and mom has found its very good stuff!

Annabelle is so cute - looks great after her bath. But she looks so SAD? Leon looks great - and KR the baby sheep - what a cutiepie.

A bath is a good thing Sheaffer - even a good squirt with the hose - its quite refreshing and then you can go and roll in the dirt - if you have dirt.

Take care my fren,

ponymaid said...

Finn Pony, you make a good point. Losing Elvira will be hard on her friends left behind but she herself will be free and without suffering. She is tired of fighting the terrible thing that is sapping her strength - we all wish her a quiet and tranquil passage.

I do know a sheep is of the ovine variety but other than that I have no personal experience. KristinaRose has legs like shiny black chair rungs, a long black face and rather elongated ears. She is clad in some sort of dense woolen material. I feel sure that you would like having one or more as companions...

Good to hear you are experimenting with adhesives on yourself - one simply never knows when that might come in handy. I will add that WD40and the assorted oils to the list for Sheila.

ponymaid said...

Buddy, I have never heard of Goof Off but am very taken with the name. I will have Herself research further.

I think Annabelle is a bit worried that her new and wonderful life may not last. She doesn't know yet that it is very much for real and that she need not worry again, ever. Her condition is so deplorable that she must wonder if anything else is even possible. Leon is more overtly worried because he has been mistreated and apparently has known nothing else. He would desperately like to allow the humans closer but just can't for now. Being a very young baby, KristinaRose treats every minute as a new adventure and spends a lot of time tucking into her lamb growing food. No worries there.

Marnie Jackson said...

Sheaffer!

1) How is it that you have such a nice photo sidebar? How do you make them do that?

2) Would you consider making a submission, or several, to our calendar project at www.braysofourlives.com? We particularly need a Mr. December and perhaps a kissable donkey for the caption, "feeling down? Go kiss someone's ass!"

Thank you, and ears to you!

Fenway Bartholomule
www.BraysOfOurLives.com