Happy New Year!
We look back over the last six months of 2023 with a sense of wonder, excited to share all the work we’ve accomplished with your support for the many animals who arrived at the sanctuary. Summer arrived crashing and booming as thunder storms struck on a daily basis culminating in a spectacular storm in September that knocked out our power and felled several trees. The horses paid scant attention to the whirling winds and showering rain, but we caregivers learned to keep a change of dry clothes after swimming around the paddocks to feed during the daily tempests.
All the usual wildlife suspects made their appearance around the sanctuary: deer with baby fawns, bunnies, woodchucks, opossums, coyotes… and the raccoons. We knew the raccoons had moved into the barn because of the snoring. The scattered garbage, Waverly during the first snowfall of the season grain bags and muddy paw prints on the Kubota were also confirming evidence. But the snoring definitely gave them away. Barn Manager Brenda Izzo walked in one morning and heard the strangest sound. Puzzled, she checked all the horses but found nothing amiss. Then she looked up and there, draped over the rafters, was a family of raccoons dreaming ring-tailed dreams, oblivious to the racket Wyatt was causing in his stall below… just sound asleep sawing ZZZ’s. The raccoons quickly discovered that if they loitered in the paddock with our horse Dutch Treat, his messy eating habits would ensure a feast of grain raining down upon them. Dutch never seems to mind, gazing down at the little bandits while munching his supper.
We did have a newcomer on the scene sporting a majestic fan of quills. Founder Susan Bandy happened to be in the yard with Dolly when she spotted the porcupine waddling leisurely across the lawn. Being a Treeing Walker Coonhound who can catch a scent from outer space, Dolly instantly perceived the new arrival. Howling with glee, the chase was on. Digging in her heels and clinging desperately to the leash, Susan waterskied across the lawn as Dolly motored inexorably toward a prickly encounter. Unaware of the excitement generated by his presence, the porcupine toddled unconcernedly under a hedge just in time for Susan to steer the determined hound back into the house, thanking heaven for the invention of the leash.
We are delighted to share that The Lily Pond was featured in the news!
Susan was contacted at Sienna Sky by Ralph and Deborah Gardner for aftercare assistance with their beloved dog Wallie, who had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Intrigued by the sanctuary, Mr. Gardner returned for a tour, meeting the animals and learning about our mission. He wrote a wonderful and touching commentary in tribute to Wallie, intertwining his experience at Sienna Sky and The Lily Pond. It was broadcast live on WAMC Northeast Public Radio as “A Different Kind of Sanctuary.”
Our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Gardner for entrusting us with the care of Wallie and for sharing our work!