THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30, 2008
Support The Cause
Wagner Farm Rescue Fund (WFRF) and Have A Heart Farm (HAHF) Founder and President Debby Rubenstein notes:
Please join WFRF and HAHF at our holiday fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Ethical Planet, 1110 W. Davis, Evanston, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Learn more about our organizations, see pictures of our animals, and hear their stories. Also, Bart's Blend coffee in its holiday packaging will be available for purchase with proceeds going toward the care of our animals.
We thank the local businesses that have invited us to take advantage of the extra customer traffic during the holiday season by giving us venues at their stores to sell our coffee and tell the public about our organizations.
We look forward to seeing our supporters on December 6. Please contact us for information on the dates and locations of our other upcoming holiday fundraising gatherings. All proceeds go toward the care of our many WFRF animals.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the sudden passing of one of WFRF's first board members, Bill Dose, this edition's column is especially appropriate as one of Bill's main concerns in the realm of animal welfare was that animals get proper medical care. Therefore, the following is dedicated to the memory of Bill:
One of our steers, Bandit, who is 11 years old, was recently diagnosed with an eye tumor but has demonstrated a will to live and a determination of spirit that many humans would have great difficulty emulating. Bandit is a sweet and loving soul who took it upon himself to become a mentor and friend to a lame sanctuary steer, watching over him until the steer was grown and fully able to integrate into the rest of the herd. Bandit has also taken it upon himself to be herd leader since the passing of Bart the Bull three years ago.
I was told by Bandit's doctor that the tumor would worsen quickly, and the only humane options were immediate surgery or euthanization. A similar situation happened several years ago when one of our cows, Moodonna, was also diagnosed with a tumor, though not as bad as it was a tumor of the eyelid rather than of the eye itself. The surgery option was chosen, and Moodonna went on to live another happy and healthy three years before she died peacefully at the age of 16.
Knowing that euthanization would be an option available at a later time if Bandit's condition really warranted it, and knowing that there was a strong chance that he would not even survive surgery due to the nature of the tumor, I authorized the surgery because everything that I know about Bandit told me that he would want me to give him a chance to live.
Sure enough, Bandit remained strong through surgery and was steady on his feet and eating well soon after. The doctor has marveled at not only the extent of his recovery, but the speed of it as well. The veterinary care staff has said that Bandit was an excellent and cooperative patient who was thriving with all the attention.
While the prognosis will be more accurately determined by how Bandit continues to do, the excellent news is that he received medical care, responded well to surgery, and is feeling well. Now he has been reunited with his herd and his condition will be watched ongoing for any signs of additional illness. I was told by the animals' caregiver that the herd clearly demonstrated their relief that Bandit was back among them. And, Bandit now also has a new throng of admirers in the hospital staff who have expressed an interest in visiting with him at the sanctuary and meeting the rest of his herd, as they have developed an affection for this steer who showed them such a strong determination to live.
Contributions toward Bandit's surgery can be sent to our donation address, below, and are much appreciated.
Bandit's own will to live, combined with excellent medical care, love, and foremost Divine intervention, has once again provided this magnificent and kind-hearted creature with the miracle of life.
WFRF and HAHF can both be reached at WagnerFarmRescue@aol.com.
Wagner Farm Rescue Fund and Have A Heart Farm welcome support from individuals, corporations, and foundations to maintain their ongoing efforts to promote humane treatment, good living conditions and lifetime care for Wagner Farm animals and other animals in need.
If you would like to donate to the Rescue Fund or Have A Heart Farm, please do so by making checks payable to either organization and mail to:
P.O. Box 2815
Glenview, IL 60025