Ann’s Weblog

There is a drama unfolding in the Robson Valley. The story has many versions now, and it’s the talk of the town. I’m going to post some links below the pictures, and if you Google “Renshaw + horses” you get those links and others. It’s a tale of heroism, of people who wouldn’t give up on the lives of some innocent animals. The cad who left his horses behind to starve in the wilderness WILL be prosecuted.

I’m not going to tell the story beyond what I’ve been told by reliable sources. I understand that a wannabe outfitter, who is a lawyer from Alberta, came out to our valley with several horses for a “pack trip”. When he was ready to go home, he either decided not to take all the horses or was unable to catch them. This was many weeks ago, before there was snow in this location, or very little.

Where he left the horses was more than 20 miles from the main road. He didn’t make sure that someone was informed, as I understand it. Whether he came back to look for them is unclear to me. So now this is what the rescuers have to deal with: 6 feet of packed snow, temperatures that approached -40˚, and the distance, which now has to be travelled by sled/snowmobile.

The horses are not strong enough to withstand airlifting, and there are not trained people available to facilitate that. There are people who would donate and fundraise to pay for a helicopter, but it is a moot point because of the animals’ condition. Kind farmers have donated hay, and sledders have been taking people up to the site and helping to shovel the snow.

My understanding is that the horses would be led through the trench to the harder-packed snowmobile trail by end of today. Hopefully then, they can be walked the 20 miles to safe transport. The SPCA and the RCMP are involved now, along with dozens of caring people.

Should these gentle creatures simply have been euthanized when found? I think that would have given many people such a sad feeling this Season. Even though the effort has been huge, there are many who will feel virtuous when the rescue is finally accomplished, and rightly so. When I see the pictures of the horses, my heart turns over; I feel that they needed the chance to live, having survived as long as they have on their own.

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20081220166971/local/news/sledders-attempt-to-save-horses.html

As well, people can follow the thread on one of the popular sled forums:
www.snowandmud.com/forum/f3/horse-rescue-up-renshaw-10308.html

~ Ann

The bathroom reno continues. The cabinet maker says that he is bringing the vanity and other cabinets tomorrow, Christmas Eve. In the summer time, we all joked about having the bathroom done “hopefully before Christmas”, never thinking it really would still be in-the-works at this time.

Here is the grouted floor, ready for the vanity… we don’t piece the rest of the tile baseboard until that’s done:

Also pictured is the shower stall/tub surround, and the new “throne”. The potty is a sleek unit with a choice of “light duty” (low water volume) flush, or a 6 litre flush.

Shelly and Merv are coming up from Calgary today, and Kim will arrive tomorrow. Susan is staying in Calgary to watch over Granny over Christmas and get some papers written, and avers that she’ll be fine.

We will have lots of pets to board over Christmas, and I’ve had to turn some away. Gary and I, if we can ever get some more money saved, will try to increase the capacity of the Pet Hostel for these busy times, especially in the cold weather. We have to protect every animal guest from the bitter temperatures, which can be expected at the peak boarding time of the Holidays.

I would like to wish all my blog readers a Merry Christamas. Also, I hope that the year 2009 is healthy, happy and prosperous, especially if you have endured sorrow in the past year. I know that some of my friends have really “had their butts kicked” by life lately (I’m not trivializing anything; I’m quoting someone). My heart goes out to you. Do call on us if we can help.

Love, Ann