February 20th, 2010

February 20th, 11:24pm: A busy, busy day. Thanks for your kind emails and reassurances about my blundering, stuttering interview. Okay, maybe I didn’t do so bad. And we’ve sure gotten some very nice emails from people who watched Fox. I haven’t seen what aired but it seems to have really touched people. Wind Chill just has that effect on folks. And that’s just his pictures – people who come out to meet him end up falling in love with the little guy – he really is as sweet as he looks in the pictures. I took some more pix tonight and some short videos of him standing but have to get some things ready for work – I have a 7am meeting and need to be to work by 6am so I’ll try to get them posted tomorrow. Wind Chill was winched up tonight a little after 6pm again. It took two attempts, the first one he just couldn’t get his feet under him – he’s tired, probably stiff from the cold (of which we’re getting more, another -20F night with -40F windchill) and a little groggy from the meds he’s on. Now that we’ve gotten him up the vet wants us to hit him with some meds to ensure his lungs are clear. It’s taking less to get him onto his feet, he’s aware of what we’re doing and lays still while loaded onto the sling and as soon as he’s able he assists folks by twisting and getting his feet under himself. We left the sling under him for quite awhile tonight just to be safe, then lowered it thinking he should lay down so we can cover him and get him ready for ‘bed’. He had other ideas. He’s still on his feet at the moment though very drowsy and will more than likely be laying down pretty soon. Walker’s sleeping in the corner of his stall tonight, those two hang out together most of the day, with Walker going between the pastures and the barn and running around with the two year olds in the North pasture. Walker has seen his role in this as assisting in his healing by annoying him – lots of licks which has been good because Wind Chill reaches out with his legs to push him away keeping his front legs moving from time to time. We have not seen any signs of damage from frostbite which is a very good thing and somewhat surprising given his level of exposure when we found him and condition. Someone emailed and mentioned that even if the humans at that farm didn’t pay attention to his deteriorating condition in that pasture a week ago, God did. I would say we all have to agree with that thought – as I’ve mentioned before, Wind Chill’s skin is paper-thin requiring us to be very careful with the lifts on the sling. If he hadn’t been watched over as he lay frozen in those bitter temperatures and high winds – why isn’t he frostbitten? I’m tired and so forgive me if I repeat myself but the veterinarian said this case is one of the top two worst cases of her entire 20 year career. The other horse had to be put down. Wind Chill has a purpose, of that I’m absolutely certain. I hope you’re managing to stay warm wherever you are reading this. Thanks for caring and checking up on the little guy.

WEBSITE PROBLEMS: I’m sorry for the menu issues you’ve been experiencing – I use Firefox as my browser and didn’t realize those of you using Internet Explorer were having issues and couldn’t read my website. I think I’ve got that fixed as of now. Apparently my hosting company is having problems with the guest book – I’ve reported the issue to them and I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully that will get fixed soon as well because Wind Chill – and his rescue team absolutely love and appreciate your heartfelt messages. Saying “thank you” doesn’t seem anywhere near enough – just know that your thoughts and prayers are what keep us all warm and ‘going’ all these long hours. I talked to Kathi this morning and we realized we’ve been running on empty and stretched to the point that we’re not remembering if this or that was done – you know when you hit the point where you’re really tired and your brain does that little ‘flash’ and suddenly you realize that you’re awake but your brain had just gone to sleep for a second? Once Wind Chill is out of this critical period I think we’ll hopefully be able to actually sleep through a night. It’s just not possible right now, not with a sick ‘child’, you know?

There’s a number of folks that have emailed and are trying to assist with getting a webcam going in the barn. As soon as we figure that out we’ll get something in there so that you can help us keep an eye on him as well. I know you’d like that, many of you have emailed asking about it. I’ll keep you posted.

February 20th, 12:11pm: Apparently the news coverage has led to even more interest in Wind Chill’s story. Also apparently I have been spelling Wind Chill wrong according to Kathi. I will play the ‘guy’ card and plead stupidity for that. If any of you have excess server space – apparently I’m running very close to the amount of bandwidth and space I pay for. I have a call in to the place I rent server space from to see about buying more. We’re up to half a million hits in the past week, it never occurred to me to worry about that until after the Fox News story. I thought I did terrible, they would’ve been better off interviewing Wind Chill (see I can be taught) but he continues to munch and talking with your mouthful is frowned upon by the national media apparently. I’ve already received some very kind emails who said I didn’t do so bad so thanks for that.

Whoops, thanks to our new friend Rick and friend Kitty Kitty for letting me know today is actually the 20th. Days are sort of blending together so no you weren’t reading updates from the future no matter how much technology has advanced us…

9:27am: If you’re really bored and like to see a cowboy fluster, blush and stutter, I’ll be on Fox News “Happening Now” with Jane Skinner at 10:40am. I couldn’t talk Wind Chill into getting up to do the interview. Man is he going to owe me…I hate public speaking…

February 20th, 7:38am: A bitterly cold good morning to anyone up this early. My last check before I head to work. Wind Chill is resting as you can see below. Very cold morning, it’s warmed up to -20F. Tonight is supposed to be even colder with the wind chill factor, -45 to -55 I heard on the radio. Let’s hope his system is up this – we think it is. He’s getting his pain medications and antibiotics and continues to munch away on the hay. Very tired boy this morning. Kathi was in the barn by 4am or so to start his morning care routine – meds, fluids then we turn him over onto his other side. Around 6pm or so the volunteers of Rescue Team Wind Chill will be here to help get him onto the sling and get him up onto his feet. As cold as it is I really hope he can stand longer tonight to get his circulation going and keep his spirits up.

Windchill with constant companion Walker

February 20th, 12:10am: He’s resting comfortably. -10 out right now. I hope he’s ready for tomorrow night, supposed to be -20F. I’ll worry about that tomorrow. For now his quiet breathing calms my anxiety. Sigh. Do we ever stop worrying about kids?