I had looked forward to having a couple of foals be born this summer. I had been feverishly trying to get 3 mares bred and for whatever reason it didnt happen. Or now as we know, Patches did take afterall, thank god. So I began a search to find a bred mare so I could have at least one baby. I came across a place that had a beautiful black mare who was due to foal anytime.I called and was told she had foaled the night before. A beautiful red and white filly.I was told she had a messed up leg and had splints on her legs to help straghten it.
I was also told her moms milk had not come in, so the vet gave mom a shot to help with that.The first pictures I was sent, it was obvious that she was a little dwarfy.But I didnt care. I just had to have that baby with the big brown eyes to love and care for. 1 week later I drove to pick her up. She was so tiny. She came right up to me looking for attention. Her little leg looked like it had straightned out pretty good too.I took her home and vowed she would be loved and live a full long life with me.This would be her forever home.
One week later little Allie began to show signs of being sick. She had started running fevers and became lame. I called the vet right away.He spoke to the first vet about her and come to find out, the woman who had her let her lay there all night,about 12 hrs, with no milk and by the time the vet got to her she was listless. They had to give her plasma to get her going again.The vet told us she was lucky to even be alive.And now she was diagnosed with septicemia. After 2 plus long months of battling fevers and being treated with antibiotics and ulcer meds to prevent ulcers, Allie won the battle. I know there were some people who helped watch her on my cams and prayed every day for her. Thank you again for that.
So in the meantime her little leg started turning again so I called in a farrier who specialized in corrective care and we put hoof extensions on her to try to help.It helpd a little I think but after awhile we took them off. She was doing good. She didnt even have a limp. It still wasnt perfect but as long as it didnt cause discomfort we were satisfied.
Through all of this she had become very attached to us as we did her. She loved to get out of the pen away from her over protective mom and run and play and follow us around.
She had to help with the chores in the barn (it was more get in the way lol) and go around and check all of the food bowls for leftovers. She also knew she would get her treats while in there so she would run to the feed room first thing. She also got a taste for Pepsi. She would see you with a bottle and would not leave you alone until she got her share. She was always chewing on your clothes or shoes, and would untie your shoes every chance she got. And she loved to undo velcro.
We called her the little housekeeper because she had to lick everything. All the walls, the corral panels, the barrels, just anything she could get her mouth on. It had to be cleaned.
Mark would take her out back , off of our property to the field in back.Never with a halter because she would follow us anywhere without one. Down the path there was a dumpster that the water department used to throw away old water tubing etc, and Mark would climb in to retrieve some. Allie would see him disappear and turn and run all the way back to the barn.He said maybe she thought that big monster just swallowed her dad. ROFL
She was so much fun. She became the favorite on the farm. I had offers to buy her and I would tell them Not my baby. She isnt going anywhere. We would have to put her in the truck to keep her from getting run over if we were in the pen with the truck. We could throw hay at the other end of the pen and all the horses would run up there and eat. But not Allie. She had to be with her humans. So she got to ride in the truck. lol
So you see, thats why this is so heartbreaking. She has been fighting since birth to live and she had overcome so much. She had a big heart, and always made people smile. I was going to get her weaned, then check with some nursing homes to see if I could take her there to bring smiles to the people there too. She had so much to give.
And when she got sick this time, the vet said he would refer us to a hospital to get her help. We were at the hospital a little over an hour later.No matter what we had to save our baby.All the while we were waiting for a surgical staff to be put together, she was getting into everything.She sprayed the assistant with the hose and wandered into places she wasnt supposed to be in. I said she, just like a kid. Getting into everything.But even as bad as she felt she still would stop, back up and want her butt scratched. We left about 5 am and returned home to wait for the vet to call. When he did he said she had make it thru the surgry. YIPEEEEE Now we just had to wait.Her intstines needed to get started back up and work. Well they never did. I spent the day with her and no more than got home and the vet called and asked if he could put her down. She had gotten more bloated and painful and there was no more he could do. That was the hardest decision to make but to get her out of pain I gave him the ok.
I just feel like a part of me is gone to.Its amazing how in just 5 short months she made such an impact on so many people. She was just special. And the love she gave back was priceless.We buried her in my side yard under the lilac bush. I am going to make a memorial garden for her.
I will never forget my little Allie
