AUTUMN

There is something about autumn that is an especially busy time at the Sanctuary.

All at once, it seems that we need to be ready for freezing temperatures - in fact that process has been going on for the past month. The mammals are growing winter coats, the feathered friends are moulting soon, and then growing new dense feathers for winter.

This time of year we have a flurry of Kindness and Compassion Tours before it is too cold (the Storytime Tours are already on hiatus until March), and many Scout Troops and field trips. We go to Boston Veg Food Fest, and host Celebration of the Turkeys. It is also the main time of year we ask all our supporters to donate, because we are a not-for profit organization, and grants and donors are the core of how we afford all that we do. We do so this year knowing costs are high for everyone, not just us.

Another thing that happens in the fall is that our older and sicker rescues struggle more - even with added support.

Louie Pig had a hoof crack start because big farm pigs were not bred to live long lives and reach mature sizes - even if at a healthy weight they are heavy for those tiny trotters. Luckily Louie had his cracks debrided here and has been healing on stall-rest with no infection. Yesterday, Nellie Pig presented with a limp and her tiny hoof crack was not so lucky - that foot is hot to the touch. Cornell Vet Hospital and our Animal Caregiver team have all agreed to get her to Cornell tomorrow in order to prevent this from becoming a deeply serious problem.

You already know that Adele Donkey is being treated for EPM - and while we won't know her continued prognosis for a few weeks more - at least she has not fallen for a week now. Sweetie Pony is growing her winter coat, so we have to feel her ribs to guage her weight gain - we hope she can put on some weight before the deep cold. Bob Crockett is holding his own, but we need to look carefully each day at his quality of life.

Over the weekend, Gustavo Turkey started to appear unwell. He was quiet, not eating, had started crook nexck, but today, much quieter and was only walking backward as Turnip Turkey did at one point. He went to MSPCA AngellWest for an emergency exam, and the analysis was likley an ear infection, for which he is now being treated. Billy Goat continues to have issues that seem like a facial stroke,, but he had a fever last week, and his bloodwork shows low phosphorus so he is supplemented and treated for a few symptoms right now.

Sunny Pony has been treated onsite for 'summer sores' in his eye, but a few can't be removed in the field, so he has eye surgery next week at Tufts Veterinary Hospital.

Sanctuary life is NOT for the fainthearted - we do our very best, and we keep eyes-on everyone each day.

Love abounds. Kindness Matters

Please send positive thoughts to our older and sicker rescues