Stardance's precious little girl was born with contracted tendons in both hind legs. We are working with our vets to help her tendons stretch properly and lengthen. She is improving daily. Stay tuned for updates. Mom and baby are doing just fine. Thank you for your prayers and concern.
7/26/10 Update: We took Tiny Dancer and her mom to the vet's today so that Tiny Dancer's legs could be x-rayed and measurements taken of her legs so the Dynasplint Company can make her two special spints for both rear legs. The splints should arrive by the end of the week!!
Close-up live birth at Half Ass Acres
Web cam video replay by Wy Cherie at marestare!!
Paper Tyger
(Click photo to enlarge)
Very Dark Brown Jennet w/NLP
DOB 7/06/10 @ 10:42pm
Birth Height: 20 ¼" ~ Birth Weight: 18 lbs.
MDR # pending (applied for on 7/19/10)
Microchip ID# pending
Sire: Heiken's
Ark Napoleon, 31 ½" Dark Tri-Colored Spot
w/NLP
Grand
Sire: Heiken's Ark Dandy, 30 ¼"
Dark Spotted
Grand Dam: LN Nigeria, Grulla Brown/Gray
w/NLP
Praise the Lord for another succesful birth. Thank you to everyone for all their prayers!
Boy is he ever tiny! Dark eyeliner all the way around both eyes. We love the character of the little boy, Brick, in the situation comedy 'The Middle' and we wanted to name a donkey after him. ***hanging my head and repeating in a whisper....... 'after him'*** Little Brick is now being offered for sale. Visit our 'for sale' page for more information!
Brick @ 6 days of age!
Close up live birth at Half Ass Acres
Cute To Boot
(Click photo to enlarge)
Dark Brown & White Spotted Jennet
DOB 5/25/10 @ 6:10 am.
Birth Height: 22" ~ Birth Weight: 27 ¼ lbs.
MDR #pending (applied for on 7/19/10)
Microchip ID#pending
It's a gorgeous spotted girl..still wet but she has a short wide head just like my favorite donkey, Junebug. She has a perfect bite, stocky straight legs...wide chest. Dark eyeliner all the way around one eye except for one tiny spot of pink in one corner and a half and half dark eyeliner on the other eye. We are thrilled with this girl!! Rowdy and Tilly are a great match together! Cute to Boot is relunctantly being offered for sale. We just can't keep them all as much as I would love to. Visit our 'for sale' page for more information.
Cute to Boot @ two days of age
Close-up replay of live birth at Half Ass Acres.
Web cam video replay by Eenie at marestare...thanks!
Click MDR sticker to see Heartstring's complete pedigree!
It was 11 days ago that this, amazingly beautiful, little girl was born at Half Ass Acres. It seems it took forever for the weather to cooperate with us so we could get pictures and videos. Please take the time to watch the picture/videos as they capture everything we could ever tell you about her. As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”…so it is with Heart Strings.
One of our oldest jennets, Sheena, quickly approaching 20 years old certainly puts her “beauty marks” on her foals. Firefly seems to like the older women, too, and his pedigree carries through nicely in his foals.
We knew this elegant little girl was a knock-out the minute we laid eyes on her. She has a red/brown coat with precious bay pattern legs. The bay pattern leaves as they mature, but, for now, we are still admiring them as she dances and prances her way around the pastures.
We can truly say, “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart” when we were able to see Heart standing up next to Sheena. Her head was held high looking right at us with determined eyes, and she was wearing that “look at me attitude”…..sturdy, straight legs, perfect bit, and ready to conquer the world. She appeared to even have a smile on her face..,..at that moment, “All nature seemed to be in perfect harmony, Zing! Went the strings of my heart.”
Don’t miss out on this one fine little jennet. Sheena will not be having many more foals so call and make an appointment to see Heart Strings in person. I know she will make you heart strings go Zing! Heart Strings is for sale! Visit our 'for sale' page for more information.
This jennet is a full sister to
Drama Queen and The Cisco Kid!
Heart Strings at six days of age.
Close up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres
Smalls
(Click photo to enlarge)
Brown & White Spotted Jack
DOB 5/11/10 @ 6:39pm
Birth Height: 19 ¼" ~ Birth Weight: 17.0 lbs.
MDR #59419
Microchip ID# on file
Sire: Heiken's
Ark Napoleon, 31 ½" Dark Tri-Colored Spot
w/NLP
Grand
Sire: Heiken's Ark Dandy, 30 ¼"
Dark Spotted
Grand Dam: LN Nigeria, Grulla Brown/Gray
w/NLP
Click MDR sticker to see Small's complete pedigree!
SMALL IN SIZE…BIG IN HEART….this says it all about another precious spotted jack born at Half Ass Acres last week. The foals this year have simply been outstanding and we have been so blessed.
It has taken a while to get pictures and videos taken as we have had so many rainy days or days with no sun. Finally we were able to capture Smalls with his mother, Sailor, as they were finally able to go out in the pasture for some much needed sun and exercise.
Smalls is only 19.25” tall but he stands and poses, struts and runs, as if he thinks he is ten feet tall. His dark spots are beautifully placed, and he holds his gorgeous head so upright showing a look of determination, a look of sweetness, and a look of 'I’m little, but, I’m big'….just so cute and personality plus shines right through those eyes so beautifully surrounded with dark patches and dark eyeliner.
The movie 'Sandlot' is known for a famous quote, “you're killing me Smalls” that Bob Lowenstein is always saying to me so we decided to name this little guy Smalls…it suits him to a “T.”
Be sure to check out Small’s video as it captures his energy and his love for his mother, Sailor. We are equally as proud of Sailor and Napoleon for this adorable little jack…good job! We are holding onto Smalls until he gets older and we can decide if we want to keep him for our new spotted herd sire.
Smalls at one week of age.
Close up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres
Web cam video by chelsm90 at marestare
This is the famous quote from the movie, Sandlot, where Bob got his name.
Justified
(Click photos to enlarge)
Dark Brown/Gray & White Spotted Jack
DOB 5/06/10 @ 8:30pm
Birth Height: 21 ½" ~ Birth Weight: 24.8 lbs.
MDR #59418
Microchip ID# on file
Sire: Heiken's
Ark Napoleon, 31 ½" Dark Tri-Colored Spot
w/NLP
Grand
Sire: Heiken's Ark Dandy, 30 ¼"
Dark Spotted
Grand Dam: LN Nigeria, Grulla Brown/Gray
w/NLP
Dam: MGF
Venus Mink, 31 ½" Very Dark Brown w/NLP
Grand Sire: The Fireman, 32 ½"
Dark Red Grand Dam: MGF Venus Hallista
70, 33" Brown
Click MDR sticker to see Justified's complete pedigree!
From looking at our web site you can tell the foals have been coming pretty close together this year. Some of the girls did not take exactly the dates I saw them being bred and this pushed some of the foaling dates closer than we anticipated. We, also, have the little adopted Doo-Dah who is being bottle fed every 4 hours so we have had some sleepless nights.
When we saw Mink go in to labor, at a rather early hour, we hurried down to the barn anxiously awaiting the birth of our next Napoleon foal. We knew that Mink and Napoleon both had outstanding pedigrees, so this just had to be a great foal.
As Mink was presenting we could see the spots emerging and they just kept coming….I kept saying to Joe it’s a spot, it’s more spots, and more spots, until the entire foal was lying on the stall floor displaying the most beautiful spotted coat we have ever seen. He was one “flashy dude” and we were drooling all over ourselves with excitement. It didn’t take him long to get the “new born” legs up and looking for his milk bar. As he searched we admired his beauty noticing he had a super wide chest and rear. He was straight as an arrow, perfect bite, dark patches on both eyes, and dark eye liner all the way around both eyes and an unusual presence about him. He had everything one would look for in a dark spotted jack…..definitely herd sire material.
We had a hard time leaving the barn that night as all we wanted to do was watch Mink and her new boy bond. It didn’t take him long to let Mink know he had gotten this “new born stuff” under control. He was in charge and jumping all over the place. Mink tried to rest, but, he was tireless, climbing all over and under her as if to say, I am “JUSTIFIED”….I AM ONE HANDSOME, FLASHY, DARK SPOTTED JACK! We laughed at him that evening and finally left the barn with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts for yet another healthy, happy, foal. He had earned the perfect name!
Watch his video and, you too, will be amazed at his presence as he performs for the camera. Justified is a true beauty to watch and a true sweetheart to love.
Canada Bound!!
Justified @ 5 Days Old
Close up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres
Pipe Dreams
a.k.a. Dreamer
(Click photos to enlarge)
Dark Gray/Black/White Tyger Spotted Jennet
DOB 4/24/10 @ 3:31am
Birth Height: 21 ½" ~ Birth Weight: 23 lbs.
MDR #59256
Microchip ID# on file
Sire: Heiken's
Ark Napoleon, 31 ½" Dark Tri-Colored Spot
w/NLP
Grand
Sire: Heiken's Ark Dandy, 30 ¼"
Dark Spotted
Grand Dam: LN Nigeria, Grulla Brown/Gray
w/NLP
Dam: Emerald
Ridge Piper, 29 ¾" Gray-Dun, NLP
Grand Sire: Emerald
Ridge Ricco, 31 ½" Gray-Dun
Grand Dam: Emerald
Ridge Twiggy, 31 ¾" Gray-Dun
Click MDR sticker to see Pipe Dream's complete pedigree!
You heard us say before that Piper is the perfect little gray donkey. We had searched a long time for this jennet and she continues to be the perfect match for us at Half Ass Acres.
In 2008, Piper gave birth to the cutest little jennet that we named Gussy Up and we were SO pleased with that stout little girl. This year 2010, in the wee hours of the morning, Piper presented us with yet another striking stout little foal. This time she had a gorgeous stocky little spotted jennet. She has always had gray dun foals until this baby and when she first looked back at her buundle of joy she seemed to say to herself, 'what the heck are you?' But she quickly accepted her new baby spots and all. We knew whatever she had it would be fantastic and we would love the baby. We had dreams of gray, rose-dun gray, and possibly a spot. We did breed her to our herd sire Napoleon because he is small and Piper certainly needs to be bred to a small jack. This was a match made in heaven breeding these two fine donkeys.
We absolutely adore this “few spot” jennet. She has a short coupled body, straight legs, perfect bite, and eyes that immediately capture your attention. Her eyes look as if she is wearing stage make-up and boy she uses them nicely as she flirts with every movement of those “drop dead” gorgeous eyes. The insides of her eyes are pink liner, but, the outsides of her eyes have dark liner with hair totally around the edges of both eyes. This makes her eyes really stand out and gives her a unique look of glamour. We love everything about her and could not have dreamed of a prettier little girl. She is truly our Pipe Dreams come to life.
Be sure to watch her video as she makes herself known to the rest of the donkeys and particularly some of the other foals standing back watching this, mostly white, beauty, make her debut.
Pipe Dreams is being offered For Sale so make an appointment now to meet her eye to eye! This gal will not last long as she seems to already be in great demand.
Visit our 'for sale' page for more information.
Headed to Vermont!!
Dreamer at one day old.
Close-up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres
Foaling replay on web cam thanks to TNHoney at marestare!
Pull-String Toy
(Click photos to enlarge)
Dark Brown Jennet w/NLP
DOB 4/15/10 @3:29pm
Birth Height: 19 ½" ~ Birth Weight: 19 ¼ lbs.
MDR #59254
Microchip ID# on file
Sire: Heiken's
Ark Napoleon, 31 ½" Dark Tri-Colored Spot w/NLP Grand
Sire: Heiken's Ark Dandy, 30 ¼"
Dark Spotted Grand Dam: LN Nigeria, Grulla Brown/Gray
w/NLP
Dam: Heiken's Ark Ramona LB, 28 ¾" Very Dark Brown, NLP
Grand Sire: LUA Maxx's Little Buckaroo, 30 3/8" Black
Grand
Dam: Heiken's Ark Renee, 31 ¾" Very Dark Brown, NLP
Click MDR sticker to see Toy's complete pedigree!
LOOK WHAT SHOWED UP AT OUR FARM!!!!! Is she real or is she a stuffed donkey on wheels??
As all of you know we get very excited about our jennets foaling. We get both excited AND anxious when the jennet is a maiden. Ramona is one of the smallest jennets we own, and, for that reason, we waited beyond her 3rd birthday to breed her. We chose Napoleon to be Ramona’s first “encounter” with a jack. Boy, are we pleased with that pairing. We will certainly have to do a repeat with this love mate.
Ramona basically spit herself out with this little girl. She is ever so tiny but has the biggest heart and personality you can imagine. She struts around wearing her thick dark brown coat, no light points, with head held so high you would think someone had a “string” around her neck taking their “pull-toy” for a stroll in the park. It was unbelievable how perfectly balanced she looked immediately following her birth. Joe and I were anxious to get her weight and height…..she was a 4 X 4 … 19 ½“ tall and weighed 19 ¼ lbs. She was about as big as a square stick of butter full of lots of sugar. She had all the ingredients of a square piece of delicious chocolate cake. Yum, Yum.. we could just smooch on her all day. Like a sweet piece of cake, we simply cannot get enough of “Pull- String Toy”.
You guessed it, this little piece of dessert is NOT FOR SALE. We have to keep her to make sure no one ever breds her to a jack too large for her size. At least that is my excuse! We’d love for you to come see her. We’d be more than happy to share her sweetness and let you take a walk around “our park” with Pull-String Toy.
Her call name is….”PSSST!” We stoop way down and just go Psst and she comes running to us to give and get those sweet hugs and kisses! Thank you, Sandy Dorris, for thinking of the perfect name for her!!
Pull-String Toy @ 3 Days Old
Close up video of live bith at Half Ass Acres!
Foaling replay on web cam thanks to Lizziee at Marestare!!!
Jealous Much?
(Click photo to enlarge)
Dark Tyger Spotted Jack
DOB 4/06/10 @2:27pm
Birth Height: 22 ¼" ~ Birth Weight: 31 lbs.
MDR #59255
Microchip ID# on file
Sire: Heiken's
Ark Napoleon, 31 ½" Dark Tri-Colored Spot
w/NLP Grand
Sire: Heiken's Ark Dandy, 30 ¼"
Dark Spotted
Grand Dam: LN Nigeria, Grulla Brown/Gray
w/NLP
Click MDR sticker to see Jealous Much's complete pedigree!
How do I begin, where do I start, how can I explain? The people, who know me well, know that Junebug has always held a very special place in my heart. I have loved her so much and that was before I ever owned her. Then one day, Junebug was ours and all was right with the world.
Two years ago she foaled, Black & Blue a.k.a. Bruise, who we have retained as our junior herd sire and who, by the way, we consider to be the finest jack on our farm. We chose to breed her to Napoleon this time knowing that the elegance from both parents would only produce a masterpiece. We were not wrong!!
It had only been 14 hours since our hearts had been “smitten” with our new little jennet from Bessie, when Junebug decided it was time for her to share her bundle of joy with the world and what a bundle!!!! As we watched this little guy being born all we saw was white, and more white, and very few spots. As he dried it was evident that his few spots had been delicately placed to perfection. He has dark spots around his eyes with dark eyeliner (guyliner!), a couple on his shoulder, mid section, back of legs, and ears. When he was completely dry his coat resembled lofty clouds floating in the clear blue sky. He stood there with a presence of beauty rarely seen in a new born jack….and he weighed 31 lbs. standing 22.25”…. built like a tank!!! If he had arm muscles I’m sure he would have flexed them to all the other donkeys as if to say, “JEALOUS MUCH?” He is a one of a kind boy with lots of herd sire potential. For now we are going to hold on to Jealous and if we decide to keep him we may offer his sire for sale at a later date. We certainly don't need two spotted jacks.
Jealous Much? at three days old!
Close up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres
Foaling replay on cam thanks to Mayhan at marestare!
It had only been a month since our last foal, Le Roux, was born but we were already anxiously awaiting the arrival of another foal from Bessie and Badlands. Our foals are so special to us and after each birth we catch ourselves saying “we’ll never have one any nicer than the one just born!”....but with each foaling we fall in love all over again as if it was our very first foal…..and repeat “oh this one is the nicest!"
In the wee hours of the morning Bessie gave birth to the prettiest, no light point, jennet. Her color still has us guessing from time to time but after taking and looking at many pictures it has been decided she is very dark brown. I must say her adoring personality captured our attention and our hearts and once again we were “smitten” by another beautiful foal born to us at Half Ass Acres. Nothing would do but we name this beautiful little girl for what had taken place in our hearts. We were “smitten” with love for her.
Smitten wears her progeny well, taking the best from her gene pool and sporting around the pastures holding her head up high as if to say, “Surely you are “smitten” with my beauty”…and she is right. She is stocky as can be and stands so straight and tall. Her bite is perfect, her legs are perfect, and she is a perfect match for us.
We would love to have you visit our farm so you, too, can be “smitten” with the charm this little girl has to offer. She comes with that guarantee for sure.
All the hugs and kisses she will give you are free!
She's for sale! Visit our 'for sale' page for more information.
Thank you to Julia Vaughn of JKV Designs that took photos of Smitten after she helped me with my tax books all day...thanks Julia. You are one in a million!
Illinois Bound!
Smitten at 3 days of age!
Close up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres!
Foaling replay on web cam thanks to WyCherie at marestare!
Le Roux
(Click photo to enlarge)
Dark Red Jack
DOB 3/05/10 @10:54pm
Birth Height: 21" ~ Birth Weight: 23 lbs.
MDR #59257
Microchip ID#on file
Dam:
Windcrest
Summer Sunrise, 32 ¼" Dark
Red
Grand Sire: The Fireman, 32
½" Dark Red
Grand Dam: Boone's Little Rose Marie,
32" Rose-Dun Roan
Click MDR sticker to see Le Roux's complete pedigree!
Yes, we were watching Summer in her stall. Yes, she had some signs of foaling. Yes, we were watching for all the pacing and rolling, but she did not do any of those normal foaling things. She plopped right down and started delivering her foal. Joe and I ran to the barn as fast as we could get there and she was already pushing and having that foal. It was one of the fastest and best deliveries we’ve ever had on our farm. It was PERFECT and so is he….Le Roux. Yes, that is his name and suits him to a tee.
There has been so much drama at our farm since Feb 9th, with two of our jennets getting ill and us loosing Strawberry and her red jennet foal. Strawberry was the only donkey we have ever owned that “sang opera”…her bray was very unique and she captured the hearts of everyone who visited and were lucky enough to hear her serenade us with her opera brays. She loved doing it and we all loved hearing it. I am just so sad that I never captured her beautiful voice on tape. She can now serenade the donkeys in heaven with all the other angels. I must mention that Strawberry’s best friend was Summer. These two girls were born only 2 days apart and have NEVER been separated…when sold they were always sold together as no one wanted to ever break up these two very special jennets. Their sire, The Fireman, is no longer producing foals.
I wanted to name a donkey that would honor Strawberry for all she gave to us and to others that were lucky enough to have met her. Thinking of names for this handsome new baby jack was my opportunity to name Strawberry’s legacy. The famous Opera, “Phantom of the Opera” was first a novel written by the French Novelist Gaston Le Roux. Many years later it became an Opera. The author’s last name Le Roux, in French, means red-haired. The minute I heard that I knew we would be naming this beautiful donkey Le Roux. He is a beauty and wears such a rich dark red coat, tons of personality and certainly has those herd sire qualities. He carries his pedigree well with bloodlines such as Windcrest Firefly,MGF Fiftyfire,The Fireman and several more. Le Roux has that stocky compact body with a show stopper head. He is small and very correct in every way as he weighed 23 lbs and was 21 inches tall. Le Roux is one of those few and far between jacks that are born with so many herd sire qualities but since his sire is Firefly and we have kept so many of his jennets to breed when they turn three that we will be offering Le Roux for sale. Some lucky farm that is searching for a handsome, dark red jack as a Jr. Herd Sire will love this all around spectacular jack. Who knows, maybe he’ll have an opera bray when he grows up!
Call to book an appointment to meet Le Roux…you will be more than impressed with his beauty in person. Le Roux is now being offered for sale. Visit our 'for sale' page for more information!
Le Roux @ 3 days of age
Close up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres
Foaling replay on web cam thanks to Chelsm at Marestare!
Pajama Girl
(Click photo to enlarge)
Spotted Jennet w/Blaze Face & Dark Eyeliner Both Eyes!
DOB 2/24/10 @ 10:24am
Birth Height: 22 ½" ~ Birth Weight: 28 ½ lbs.
MDR #59259 Microchip ID#on file
Dam: Windcrest
Little Sierra, 33" Black & White Spotted
Grand Sire: Fisher's
Ghost, 32" Fully-frosted White
Grand Dam: Sutherlin's
Little Reba, 33" Black w/Cross
Click MDR sticker to see PJ's complete pedigree!
The birth that put a big smile on our faces came the morning of February 24th at 10:45 a.m. Joe and I had been so involved with Bridget and her premature foal, Mr. Big, that it was such a relief to be there with Sierra when she went in to labor and presented us with a gorgeous spotted jennet.
We could immediately tell she was beautiful with her striking blaze face and dark eyeliner on her two big expressive eyes. She was sporting nice big spots around both eyes and her body spot pattern is one that we really like with a blanket type over the top of her body. After she began to dry she displayed a beautiful rose color that we adored in a couple of our previous foals but rarely had seen. It was love at first sight for both of us. Sierra was the same color when she was a foal and later turned dark. Her 2008 jennet foal, Ch Ching, was the same color at birth and she later turned to a dark spot as well just like her mom. We expect PJ to do the same when she is older.
It seems so much happened during her first week that all seems like a big blur. It was very cold that evening after she was born and we had some very cute pajamas that we thought would help keep her warm. We put the peach colored ones on her for warmth and immediately all the Mare Stare Viewers were commenting on how cute she looked wearing her “jammies”…..that first walk across the stall runway was a big hit and she became known as the “Pajama Girl”….easy enough giving her that name as she wore them well. She even got to change in to 3 different colors of “jammies” as she made her fashion statement in her stall for Half Ass Acres.
Her personality is so sweet and gentle and Sierra has been such a wonderful mother. It has been said that when Pajama Girl heard about Mr.Big being born, and his mother not having milk for him, that she called Mr. Big at the hospital and invited him to come over for a drink when he got home. She told him she would share a teat with him. They have been sighted out in the paddock together…hmmmm?????
As always, the miracle of birth blessed us with an adorable spotted jennet.
Yes, we will be offering Pajama Girl, aka PJ, for sale. Call to set up an appointment to meet our “Styling Pajama Girl”….get your picture made with our little donkey fashion model.
Vermont Bound!
Videoed at four days old
Close up video of live birth at Half Ass Acres!
Short version on web cam thanks to Missy at marestare!
Long version on web cam thanks to TN Honey at marestare!!
Big Money
aka Mister Big
We believe in miracles!!!!
Dark Red Jack w/Star
DOB 2/22/10 @ 2:15am
Birth Height: 20" ~ Birth Weight: 18 lbs. (measured & weighed at vets)
MDR #59258 Microchip ID#on file
Dam:
Windcrest
Little Bridget, 32 ¾" Dark
Red
Grand Sire: Windcrest Little Red Man, 31" Dark Red
Grand Dam: Windcrest Red Beau's Robin, 32" Brown
Click MDR sticker to see Big's complete pedigree!
“I think I can, I think I can”…a phrase we have all heard from the children’s book, The Little Engine That Could. To tell you about Mister Big is to tell you the story of a little donkey who thought those same words, “I think I can, I think I can.”
Bridget, and her best friend, Strawberry, were hospitalized with botulism poisoning on 2/9/10. Sadly we lost Strawberry and her red jennet foal was stillborn by c-section. Bridget kept fighting for her life and the foal within her was kicking around letting us know he was alive and had a “will to live.” Two weeks passed and Bridget was finally beating the dreaded botulism poisoning but then developed hyperlipidemia. She would not eat or drink, yet the foal inside her was kicking away letting us know he had a “will to live.” Bridget had been on heavy medication and constant IV’s to sustain her life. She did not move around in her stall and most days appeared very lethargic.
On 2/22/10, in the wee hours of the morning, Bridget went in to labor and delivered her foal under vet supervision. It was way too early for her to have her foal so there was major concern for both Bridget and her very tiny 18 pound jack foal. With Bridget fighting for her life, how could she ever have the strength to mother her foal? We went immediately to the hospital to be with Bridget and her baby. He was so tiny that we feared we could loose him and possibly Bridget too. His little perfect red head looked up at me and his eyes were saying, “I think I can, I think I can”…I hugged him with tears rolling down my face letting him know I would do all I could to help him survive. Bridget was not in a motherly way and did not want him to nurse. She had NO MILK and the nursing was hurting here. She did kick out and nudge him away from the nursing area, but let him snuggle around her body and chin. She would stand vigil over him letting him know she was there and loved him but could not possibly provide for his need to nurse. Luckily the vet was able to strip Bridget of the little bit of milk she had and gave it to him. Later he tubed him and for a week he kept the tube stitched in his nose and down to his stomach and he had to get “faux milk”….still sleeping most of the time, he would occasionally stand up and try to nurse but nothing was there for him. Luckily he had gotten enough colostrum to get his antibodies from Bridget. He would look at me and again his eyes would say, “I think I can, I think I can”….!!!! I told my self I’d better not fall in love with this little guy in case he does not make it. That feeling lasted about 2 seconds,… I was smitten with so much love for this struggling little boy. He was already in my heart and that’s when I said to myself, “I think I can, I think I can.”
Since Bridget had delivered her baby prematurely, at the Equine Hospital under vet care, we decided to name this precious bundle of love Mister Big Money. It was costing us a fortune for Bridget and Mister Big’s hospital stay but you can only imagine how this duo captured the hearts of everyone there. He got tons of attention but still slept most of the time. A week later the staff told us they felt they had done all they could do and thought taking them home we could care for them with the help of our barn cams. Joe and I left with our precious cargo driving ever so slowly to take them both home hoping they would beat the odds. We had our hopes but I must admit we had our doubts as well.
For two weeks we bottle fed Mr. Big every two hours around the clock with Joe and me taking 8 hours shifts. Mr. Big was not feeling well and his legs were swollen so big he could barely walk. Fearing the worse the vets came to the farm, drew blood, took x-rays, and checked him out from head to toe. Nothing appeared to be seriously wrong other than he was still premature, a bit low on protein but nothing really wrong. After they left I wrapped his little back legs, began massaging them and by the next day he was standing and walking more….his eyes and the determined look on his face were saying, “I think I can, I think I can.” Bridget, too, began to perk up and eat and drink. The making of a MIRACLE was unfolding before our very eyes.
I must give credit here to all the Mare Stare viewers that helped us watch Bridget and Mr. Big 24/7 for 3 weeks. We had people all over the world praying for Bridget and Mr. Big and believe me these viewers have a straight line to heaven. Praise the Lord!
Bridget and Mr. Big are doing excellent now and spend their days out in the paddock enjoying sunshine and the company of other donkeys. We still bring them in under the cams and we still are feeding Mr. Big 16 ounces of milk every 4 hours in addition to him nursing. Bridget’s milk continues to flow so all is well with his feeding.
It is now 3/7/10 and you can see by looking at his pictures that he is truly healthy and happy. There are no signs of his struggle to live and we absolutely adore the ground he walks on as he follows me and Joe everywhere we go. Think imprinting has set in…..what an honor he thinks I am his momma and Joe is his “momma” too.
A big 'thank you' to our personal vet, Dr. Greg Harris in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and The Tennessee Equine Hospital in Thompson Station, Tennessee, and all the vets that attended but especially to Dr. Matt Povlovich and Dr. Jessica Smith.
