Updates on Dixie

The Story | Updates | Donations For Dixie | News Releases

27 August 2005. To date, Vonda has received thousands of e-mails and hundreds of calls from well-wishers. Much needed donations have come in from North Carolina to New York! The outpouring of support has been phenomenal! The CHBOA would like to extend a heart-felt "thank you" to all of the people who have been there for Vonda in her time of need. Not all of the response has been positive. A few people have called to tell Vonda that she is "cruel" for not putting Dixie down. Please keep in mind that Vonda is going through a very difficult time, and there are several experienced veterinarians that are handling the case and making recommendations. If they believed she didn't have a chance, Vonda would listen. However, the latest news is heartening:

"I want to share with you what she did last night. I was cleaning her around 7ish and putting on her medicine. I could see her eyeballing the grass so I decided to let her mow for me a little. Nathan suggested letting her graze around the riding ring. So I turned her loose. She looked at me, I swear her eyes twinkled and swollen leg, no tail and all she started bucking and running for sure 2 year old playfulness. Now that told me that she isn't done yet and she still wants to be a horse and as long as their is one ounce of hope, I am going to let her be one. So.... if any of you hear from negative people that say Dixie should die, would you please tell them for me that my baby told me that she doesn't agree. Dixie said she wants to live." - Vonda

Debridement - removing the dead tissue	The cleaned wound
Makeshift wound cover - Maxipads to the rescue!	The bandage stays on

"During Dixie's cleaning and medication applications, we noticed that her legs may not be swollen from just infection. She has skin peeling on both legs from burns that were more minor but still bad. I was so focused on her tail that I failed to see her leg burns. I had a RN here that has worked in a burn unit and she said that Dixie has Stage 4 burns on her tail. Her legs have superficial burns, and we also noticed peeling from burns around her muzzle. The RN said that it is obvious that she tried to bite the fire to
put it out. I am so frustrated with myself for not seeing it sooner. I had been rubbing salve down her legs but wish that I had been doing more. Please pray for me I am not by any means a medical professional, I just really want to do what is best for Dixie. I am attaching a photo of Dixie being cleaned please do not open it if you have a weak stomach. We have finally managed to get a bandage around it and Dixie is walking better. I have noticed that the stess is making her lose weight. She is eating about 2 times as much as normal but still losing. Please keep her in your prayers." - Vonda