Updates on Dixie

The Story | Updates | Donations For Dixie | News Releases

Because of the very GRAPHIC nature of the photos, they have been placed on seperate pages so that those who do not wish to see them can still read the updates.

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

CLICK HERE FOR AUGUST 27th STORY WITH PHOTOS

"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

28 August 2005. Today Vonda and Dixie received their first international donation! Support continues to pour in for both of them. The contact information for the Harnett County District Attorney has been added to Dixie's page and supporters are encouraged to contact the DA and voice their opinions and concerns.

"The top of her tail is a little bloody today, that is a good thing. That means blood and oxygen are getting to the area. She is really sore today. She fidgeted a lot during our application of medicine. We are wrapping the tail and we have a sheet on her. She was so pitiful when I brought the sheet in to her. She has never worn a sheet before and this one is closed front. Her eyes got really big and she started trembling all over. All I said is "Dixie baby you gotta trust momma and drop your head." She stopped
trembling and dropped her head. Who said horses don't speak human? She stood perfectly still as we fastened it. Lord, I could not part with this horse now for millions of dollars. No matter what I asked her to do for me she complies. The tail does have some feeling especially underneath (there is live tissue). But there is also a huge hole up in her tail. She does have feeling on all of the exposed pink area, but none on any of the area that is still covered by burnt flesh." - Vonda

29 August 2005. The Fayetteville News & Observer came out to the farm today to take pictures and do an article on Dixie. It should come out in tomorrow's paper.

31 August 2005. TheHorse.com's excellent article on Dixie was published today.

"Dixie enjoyed her first day outside in a long time. She is being housed in one of our broodmare stalls and she has her own little paddock. She decided that since she did not have to be bothered by flies today that she would stand outside. She walked around more today and seems spunkier. Dr. Garret said today that he will come back out Thursday and see how her tail is and we might possibly have to amputate it. More than likely she will have to go to his clinic for this procedure. He says that it is doing pretty much what he expected it to do and for me just to continue what I am doing. He is the boss! Thank you all again for you donations, prayers and words of encouragement. I could not have made it through this with my sanity without you all." - Vonda

CLICK HERE FOR AUGUST 31st STORY WITH PHOTOS

1 September 2005. Vonda really needs our support right now. Today has not been an easy one. If you can stomach the photos, you'll see why.

"Dr. Garrett came out again today to examine Dixie. He amputated her tail at the first coccygeal vertibra. There is NO tail left! No nub, no anything. There is nothing to attach hair to nothing to attach a prosthetic tail to NOTHING. Dixie was asleep while he did the procedure and did not feel anything. She woke up fine and was able to get up fairly well considering her left hind leg is still very swollen with infection. Dr. Garrett wrapped her and provide me additional medication for Dixie. I knew that Dixie was going to lose her tail but my heart broke when her tail was amputated. I guess deep down I had prayed so much for her to be healed that I had kept hope alive even when I knew the reality of the situation.
We are still worried about infection. Please keep us in your prayers. We really need them. Thank you." - Vonda.

CLICK HERE FOR SEPTEMBER 1st STORY WITH PHOTOS

4 September 2005. I spent the weekend with Vonda and got to see Dixie's progress for myself. The wound where her tail was cut off looks to be healing very well and even more amazing is the fact that she is just as sweet and loving as she was when I visited her last year! The incident hasn't shaken her trust in humans. She looks like she's well on the road to recovery. The only thing that really worried me was the amount of swelling in her left hind leg. The hock is enormous.

"Dixie still has severe swelling in her left hind leg. It is really swollen around the hock area. Dr. Garret put her on some additional antibiotics yesterday and we hope that they will clear up this infection. Dixie's
draining tracks are slowly closing and the amputated area is healthy and pink. She is keeping her bandage on well and is still eating and drinking well. Please keep praying for Dixie. The infection really scares me." - Vonda

CLICK HERE FOR SEPTEMBER 4th STORY WITH PHOTOS

7 September 2005. I just got off the phone with Vonda. I really don't know how she does it. Not only does she take care of Dixie, her others horses, and her family (the human one) all day long, she is up until all hours of the night reading each letter that is sent to her and replying. She really truly is thankful for all the prayers and support she receives.

"Saturday, the vet gave her some new medicine for me to put in her drainage tracks and it seems to be really helping them to close. The day we amputated he could get his forefinger all of the way into the track, yesterday I could not get mine even to the first joint. So, that is a good sign. Sunday we had to visit Dr. Garrett again and get some additional antibiotics. She is to take 12 Metronidazole twice daily, 12 Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Tablets twice daily and 12 cc of injectable pennicilin once daily. She gets 2 grams of bute for pain and some paste that is suppose to prevent her stomach from getting irritated from all of the medicine. I had to switch mixing her medicine with syrup to mixing with apple sauce. She really likes the applesauce. She was getting very tired of the syrup, but who could blame her with all that medicine.

I took photos of her derriere yesterday and as you can see her skin is nice and pink and starting to cover. Her left hind leg however was extremely painful and swollen on Sunday and she was dragging it rather than picking it up when she moved. Yesterday around 7-ish, the swelling was beginning to subside and she was walking some better. The burns on the back of her legs are beginning to peel and the area that we have to wrap bandages around in front of her hind legs has been irritated and even has an abrasion from the where the bandage rolled up and has cut her. AWWWWWW, sometimes I feel so frustrated!!!! But yesterday I could see improvement. Doc. says that in about four weeks, he is hoping that she will be healed, if I don't collapse first. :) He has been really great to let me do everything here, he said at the clinic (for the care that I have been giving) it would have cost $4- $5 hundred a day and more at the vet school in Raleigh. Ordinarily he would have strongly suggested that she be taken somewhere and he gave me a huge compliment saying that "No one could have done better." I told him sure they could any Mommy who loves their horse would have done the same as me. Sleep is not an option when your child is sick. RIGHT?

Anyway, just trying to get you up to date. Thank you so very much once again for all you have done for Dixie and I. Your kindness truly made an awful situation a little more bearable. I can never thank you enough." - Vonda

10 September 2005. Now that the pictures aren't as graphic, we can start posting them on the main updates page.

"Dixie is feeling some better. She is a little more difficult in taking her medicine and she is so very tired of her shots. Her leg is still very swollen but her derriere is healing nicely. Still pretty and pink. I will try to get some updated photographs soon. Thanks for all your prayers. As for the girls that did this, the police have still not been able to make an arrest. We need someone who is willing to come forward and say that they heard them first hand. The Detective is ordering all of the girls to take a lie detector test. Hopefully that will help." - Vonda

14 September 2005. The updates have slowed down, just like the healing process. Please be patient. We will post all news as soon as we get it.

"Hi again, I took some more photos of Dixie's Derrier and her leg. In the photos it looks like her swelling is down alot. It is down some but not quite as much as the photos would suggest. She is walking a little
more freely but still has a limp. Dr. Garrett is very pleased with the progress that she is making, and that gives me hope. I know the updates are not as frequent and for that I am sorry. I do hope that you can understand that this is the slow part of the process. It seems very slow to me. As for the girls. There still has been no arrest made. PETA has offered a $1000 reward to any who can give information that will lead to an arrest. So that makes the total reward offered $1250. Please keep us in your prayers. We still need them." - Vonda

19 September 2005. You may contact the Harnett County DA to express your concern and opinions: The Honorable Thomas H. Lock, P.O. Box 1029, Smithfield, NC 27577, Phone: 910-814-4500, Thomas.H.Lock@NCCOURTS.ORG.

mention their names, because they have rights but you cannot protect the innocent children who want to do the right thing. These girls have threatened several children that they have personally told their story with bodily harm!!!!!! This is why there have not been any arrest or petitions! THIS is NEVER going to be over, and I am never going to be able to sleep again if these girls are not punished. These girls won't be punished unless the DA offers some kind of protection for the children willing to testify! I cannot blame the parents for wanting to protect their children. I want to protect all of mine but cannot because the laws at present only want to work for the criminals.

By the way, while I am venting, I called the sheriffs department and asked to speak with the Sheriff. I was transfered to a lady that was very quick to tell me that, "Everyone around here was hoping that you would do the Right thing and put that poor horse down. You have let her suffer long enough!" WHEN DID I BECOME THE BAD GUY? I politely told her that That was NEVER an option. Dr. Garret always wanted to give Dixie every chance, and last time I checked I was doing all of the work and cleaning and doctoring
daily ( I know I had help and thank you everyone, it is hard to do it alone). I never remember once asking anyone at the sheriffs office to help me clean her or care for her. This ladies reference to everyone there
deeply hurt me. It made me feel like to them I am more a criminal than these girls. Maybe that is why nothing has been done! Maybe that is why these girls still roam the streets.

September 19th will have been a month since Dixie was torched. She is healing and she has more energy, she is walking better. Her appetite is great, and she loves everyone. She is happy to be alive. She never asked for any of this. She deserves justice. We all deserve justice.

Please write or call the DA! These girls need to be punished. But most of all these children that are willing to give statements need to be protected. They have done nothing wrong and should not have to feel threatened. Also the girls that did this need to be taken off of the streets. Not called into the sheriffs office given a petition (instead of arrest) and then let go home to the very parents who Did Not Watch them or care about their whereabouts all Summer. YES ALL SUMMER. THEY walked the streets all summer
at 2, 3 and 4 in the morning the police saw them I saw them and several have seen them.

Please help me let the Legal System know that we the public are tired of being scared. It is time to turn this around. The ones who testify are the Good Guys! They are our heroes! It is time we protect them from the villains!

25 September 2005. Updates and a new raffle to benefit Dixie! Her 1/2 sister, Flash's Southern Jewel, will be raffled to benefit Dixie. See "Donations For Dixie" for more information.

"Hello Everyone, As you can see by the photo Dixie is getting better. Not much left to heal on her derriere. Her leg is still slightly swollen and she is still limping slightly but she is better their also. This has just been such a long process. She grows more impatient with the bandaging. Who could blame her? She has been poked and prodded made to eat nasty stuff, and worse of all cooped up for over a month. She is stir-crazy. I just know she has to be bored stupid. I get cabin fever in less than a week. :) As far as I know no arrest have been made yet. Please keep praying for the evidence the sheriff's dept. needs to come to light. I want an Iron Tight case against these girls. I don't want them to have a chance to get out of this evil crime they did. Dixie deserves justice. Hey we all do! Thanks again for all of your support. I could not have made it this far without all of the love and encouragement you all have given me. - Vonda"

28 September 2005.

Dr. Garrett came to visit Dixie again yesterday. He is pleased with how her derrier is healing and has provided me with new medicines to apply to it several times a day. Her leg however did not get such good news. He took several x-rays and has determined from them and the exam that she has many torn ligaments in and around the hock area. It could take at least a year for that to heal. Dixie will probably develop arthritis at a very early age due to such an injury. AWWWWW!!!!!! This doesn't seem to ever end. So Dixie is on stall rest indefinitely! These girls have truly ruined what would have been a fabulous life for Dixie. So please keep us in your prayers. God pulled Dixie through when she did not have much of a chance with her tail and he can heal her hock and ligaments. Thanks for everything and God Bless You!
Vonda and Dixie
Frustrated and Stir Crazy!

Dixie's hock is still swollen, but not as bad.

The wound where her tail was amputated is really healing nicely!

5 October 2005.

Sorry it has taken me so long to write. Busy Busy! Dixie is feeling some better. I have been massaging her leg (hock) 5 times daily and it seems to be helping. It is still swollen and she still has a limp but not as much of one. She is stir crazy! My daughter was cleaning her water tub tonight and Dixie opened the door and bolted down the breezeway. That was not good on her leg. She wants out so very bad. I cannot blame her but it is just best for her to rest right now, whether she thinks so or not.
The Sheriffs Dept still has not made any arrest that I know of and I haven't talked to the Detective or Sheriff in 10 days. I have tried to call just have not talked to them. I did talk to Mary the DA and she is really nice and I feel she will do all she can to prosecute these girls to the full extent of the law (the law won't allow a lot) The DA cannot do anything until arrest are made and it has been six weeks since Dixie was burnt. The girls have had plenty of time to get their lie straight and line up an alibi. I am begining to lose all hope for justice for Dixie.
I think that is why I haven't given as many updates lately. It is very depressing around here. It is so sad to know that these girls can do what they did to a helpless filly and get away with it.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Vonda

10 October 2005.

Sorry it took me a day or two to get back with most of you. My Father and Step-mother came down from Illinois to see us on Wed and left this Morning. Det. Smith called yesterday and he is the one that administered the lie-detector test to 2 of the girls. I quote: "There was deception in both of the girls, according to my charts and others have agreed, they were both lying." Okay so now we know they were lying when they said that didn't do it BUT........ they Did NOT confess and the test is NOT admissable in court. AWWWWWW the frustration. I knew they did it I could just feel it. To bad we cannot convict them on woman's intuition. :( We still need hard proof a testimony or something to prove that they did it.The worse part about this is they will recieve a fine but they will NOT serve any time and they Will NOT be put into any juvenile system or group home. (even though the Sheriff told me that he was going to try and get them put into the system, it cannot be done.) I have learned so much from this. If you want to do anything illegal do it before you are 16. Up until that time you have a get out of jail free card. Doesn't quite seem fair does it?
We are under house arrest - afraid to leave our home. Afraid to leave our babies unprotected! Yet they won't get even one night in jail. I grew up learning that our country was good and just and that our
justice system was the best. Maybe it used to be the best but now the criminals have more rights than the law abiding persons. Courts are interested in plea bargaining instead of prosecuting. Please pray that laws will change to hold criminals accountable no matter what their ages.
Thanks for listening. Dixie is feeling more playful she stole my comb out of my pocket and was looking very pleased with herself. I am hoping that her leg will heal and by next year she will be back playing in pasture.
Vonda

19 October 2005.

Today is October 19th, and it has been two months since Dixie was burned. She is still taking antibiotics daily and she is still trying very hard to resume a normal life.

There have been no arrests. The Sheriff's Department is frustrated now. Monday the lady that I told you guys about a month ago (the one whose son had heard the whole chilling tale, but was afraid to get involved) once again refused to show up for questioning. This is the same lady that has been saying she could not get up with the Detective. Unfortunately she must not have been trying, like she led me to believe. The Detective called me yesterday to let me know that she missed her appointment on Monday.
Please pray that people will do the Right thing, not what is convenient. We have to many people out there in this world that are to scared or don't care to be honest and do what is right. Several children have come forward but none have heard it first hand, so the Sheriff's department cannot use their testimonies. If these children have had the courage to come forward please pray that this boy will have some of their courage and his parents (his father is a police officer in a neighboring town) will encourage him to be the kind of citizen that this country needs.

I am enclosing two photos of Dixie taken yesterday. Her swelling is down considerably but still has a ways to go. Her limp is getting some better. Her derriere is looking better except for the new track that has opened and you can see it if you look closely. There is drainage in the photo and just above will be the track. I am still medicating her religiously. This is the track that will need to be surgically removed if we cannot get it to close with antibiotics. Please pray the antibiotics work. Dixie has endured so very much all ready.

Please continue to pray for her recovery. Dixie has come such a long way thanks to all of your love and prayers. We honestly would not be here without you. So God Bless You All!!!! Thank you for being a constant support for Dixie and our family these past two months. Please keep the prayers coming we still have a ways to go. We need your prayers for her continued recovery and also please pray very hard that these girls will finally be brought to justice.

Have a good day and God Bless You All!

Vonda and Dixie
Many hugs and juicy slobbers!

12 November 2005.

Dr. Garrett came by yesterday to perform the extraction of the track in Dixie that will not close. Upon examination he found that it was worse than expected and this surgery will most likely entail the removal of additional bone. This cannot be done here so we are scheduled to take Dixie for surgery Wednesday morning at 8 am. to the animal hospital. Please pray that all will go well. Dixie will have to stay there at least a couple of days and then when we bring her home we will be back to the cleaning and bandaging routine once more. :(

I am so frightened for my baby. Please pray that God will use Dr. Garrett and heal Dixie. Dixie absolutely adores Dr. Garrett.

Thanks for listening and please keep praying.

Vonda

16 November 2005.

Good Evening,
Sorry it took me so long to write you all. Dixie is out of surgery and recovering at the Animal Hospital. Dr. Garrett said that it went well he had to remove some more bone and has a tube in Dixie right now so that we can flush the wound. Hopefully once we get this to close up she will be somewhat normal. He said that she was great. Well behaved and is eating and drinking and relaxed. I was worried since this is her first time away from home. Hopefully we can bring her home tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see her.

I will take photos when I get her home and post another update when I know more info.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Vonda

17 November 2005.

Dixie is home and Dr. Garrett did a wonderful job. Dixie and I are so very glad that he is her doctor. He said that she was very well behaved and she seemed very content and relaxed in his care. The surgery seems to be a success and we will know more when the cultures (they will let us know what type of antibiotics are needed) come back so you all keep praying. Dixie has a tube in her so that I may administer medicine. Don't be alarmed. :)

My thanks to all of you that have been praying. I am enclosing a photo of Dixie today taken after she got home. They are graphic but not nearly as bad as the early photos. You will notice by her perky head that she is glad to see her home.

Thanks so much,
Vonda

28 November 2005.

Merry Christmas From Dixie!

Thank you all for your support mental, emotional, and financial! We could not have made it this far without all of your love and prayers.

God Bless You All!

Nathan, Vonda, Ashton and Dixie Too!

 

12 December 2005.

Good Morning,

I know I haven't written much lately, sorry. Dixie is a little more difficult now. She is really tired of all of this medicine and treatments. I cannot say as I blame her and she is just about stir crazy. Next week
will make 4 months and I am still praying she will be healed by Christmas.

Dixie's hole is still not healed all of the way but it closed a little past half way now. She absolutely hates the medicine that I have to insert in it. She definitely has alot more feeling there now. Her leg is looking
really good now. It has healed a lot quicker than expected.

There have not been any arrest or changes in the case. They (the sheriffs office) haven't had time to work on it in quite awhile.

Please keep us in your prayers I know that it is your prayers, love and concern that has brought us this far and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Have a great day.
Vonda

Why Dixie was not put down.

I have recieved six emails today asking why I was so cruel to Dixie. Why I din not put her down. Here is my answer. Please if you hear anyone make this statement, you have my permission to explain how I feel.

Some just don't want to be bothered with the care. Others just don't have the time. I am a breeder, owner and true lover of horses. I brought Dixie into this world. I was there the day she was conceived. I helped her take her first steps. I was there when she first sucked her mothers milk. I taught her every thing that she knows, I taught her to be kind. I taught her to trust. I taught her to love all humans. I made the mistake not Dixie. I left her and she was set on fire, not by her own means but by the means of cruel unwanted girls. (no one even cares enough to teach them right and wrong, no one even cares enough to punish them now). I might have felt differently is Dixie had caused the injury herself or had ever exhibited any kind of loco behavior. BUT to put down a sweet, loving and trusting girl like Dixie. I could not look her in her big human looking blue eyes and tell her that she wasn't worth my time to try. It would have been like killing my daughter against the advice of my trusted and respected veterinarian. (Dr. Garret never wanted to put her down either, he could see how bad she wanted to live.)

Does this make it easier to understand?

Vonda Hamilton

"Vonda, in response to this letter, the major burn was limited to the tail and the minor burn to the back of the legs. Dixie was never in severe, unrelenting pain. She was uncomfortable, but the discomfort was easily controlled with pain medications. If at any point in time that I felt Dixie was suffering from severe pain and had a minimal chance of survivaI, I would have suggested euthanasia. I believe that the people that are writing you do not understand Dixie's condition. They are probably associating the burns with those seen on TV or in the Emergency Room where people are in severe pain and need a tremendous amount of intense aftercare. Yes, the tail was severely burned, but that was the only area of the body that had a poor prognosis. Dixie was not loosing a limb, only her tail. This will not change her personality and I doudt she will be very concerned that the tail is gone. Dixie can live without her tail and we can easily help her compensate." Brian Garrett, DVM

29 December 2005.

Good Morning,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are doing well. Dr. Garrett came to check Dixie and said that she looks to be healing fine. He said it looks like the whole is indeed healing from the inside out (this is what it is supposed to do) and hopefully in about two weeks it will be closed. There still is a chance that it could open back up but we are praying for complete healing and God has heard us so far.

I SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!!!!!!! YIPEEEEEEE!

Please keep her in your prayers just a little longer. We could not have come this far with out you.
Thank you all and have a Happy New Year, ( it has to be better than 2005, right?)
Vonda and Dixie.
 

10 February 2006.

To anyone in Harnett County: Dixie would like your support for the campaign of Steve West for sheriff. Since Sheriff Rollins has refused to arrest the girls responsible for attacking Dixie, DESPITE BEING TOLD BY THE DA THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO MAKE AND ARREST AND PROSECUTE, Dixie feels that he is not looking out for best interests of his citizens. Many callers to the Rollins' office have been told "please do not call here again. We will only be talking to the victim" and "We don't understand why everyone is so upset about a horse. It is just a horse."

16 March 2006.

Just a note to let you know that Dixie is doing great. I was windy and pretty yesterday. Thought you might like to see these pictures.

5 June 2006.

Many of you have asked. Yes Dixie is doing great. We broke her to ride 3 months ago and bred her last month. (Dr. Garrett will check her sometime this month to see if she is in foal, Dr. Garrett as well as we are excited to see a lil Dixie). She is such a sweetheart. She cannot go out with the other horses at all the bugs make her miserable. She stays in her stall/paddock area and with her fly blanket on and her bottle of fly spray handy. So far we have gone through 6 fly blankets and 15 bottles of fly spray and it is just June. The blankets don't last long. She has to have a gusset to protect her derriere from fly bites but without a tail she cannot lift the gusset up so it gets extremely soiled really quick. Unfortunately manure and urine are really hard on fabric so the blanket wash about three times before falling apart. I wish someone would make a fly spray that actually works. Dixie says none do. :(

As far as Dixie's health though she is doing well and is the same sweet and loving horse as always. :)

No, they (Harnett counties finest) haven't made an arrest. We don't expect them to after all to quote them "It is just a horse." I guess the sheriff is just a politician. We were ask a few months back to not call anymore about Dixie, they would contact us if the are going to do anything. They stated that they needed a confession. I guess two failed lie detector test aren't good enough. ?? Anyway....

In two months it will have been a year and Dixie has survived thanks to all the help. We appreciated it so much! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Dixie's too.

Vonda and Dixie