The Windchill story continues

02/14, 5:00am: Kathi swapped out the ‘moms’ watching over Windchill, letting Annie out for a well deserved respite, and bringing in Dance who immediately began looking over the stall wall with her kind, caring eyes. She hasn’t stopped watching over the little guy since seeing him. The long hours are taking their toll on the caregivers. Dark circles are under everyone’s eyes. The cold works its way into your joints and body, sapping energy. And this is just us sitting with him in couple hour shifts – imagine what being in that 24/7 is like. We’ve had a couple more volunteers offer to come sit with him which should help ease up the wear and tear on the small number of folks we have at the moment. Windchill sends mixed messages of hope and then despair. His few attempts to stand have wiped him out. One moment he seems able to get himself up into a position he can eat and drink water on his own, other times he needs us to help him into a position like you see below and then we have to either sit behind him and let him lean on us or place a wall of hay bales behind him to prop him up. He hasn’t really moved at all since last night.

This morning when I went into the barn to look at him there wasn’t any movement. It scared me. I realized at that moment I knew what I wanted for the little guy – I wanted him to live. Before this, throughout this fight for his life I’ve wondered what the best thing for him would be. If his legs are ‘dead’ he has no chance. But yet…was that a twitch? He can move his back legs! Now just move a front one, please…  The ups and downs are draining on everyone emotionally and physically. But when I thought he was dead this morning I realized how much we all have invested in him – I want him to live.  Maybe as this symbol of hope that despite the stupidity and downright cruelty of human beings, it can possibly be overcome with the determination this little guy has shown.