The Lily Pond
NONPROFIT ANIMAL SANCTUARY AND GARDENS
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Autumn swept through the sanctuary bringing colder temperatures and a dazzling array of red and gold leaves. The new season is not the only recent arrival... our sanctuary family has been expanding over the past few months and we're excited to introduce each of these special animals to you.
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The Lily Pond Opens Barn Doors to Horses
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We're overjoyed to welcome two very special horses to the sanctuary! April is a 28-year old Palomino Quarter Horse and Sammir is a 25-year old Arabian Bay gelding. They're a senior bonded pair who arrived November 3rd from Labrador Hill in New Jersey.
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It was late August when we received a call from the founder of Twist of Fate Farm and Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, who was working with another nonprofit sanctuary, Rancho Relaxo, to re-home over 70 horses from Labrador Hill in New Jersey after the owner of Labrador Hill was formally charged with cruelty following an investigation into multiple reports of horses living in poor conditions without proper food, water, or shelter. They were
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able to find homes for many of the horses, but were having trouble placing a senior bonded pair who needed immediate medical attention. We made the decision to bring these two home and began the process of arranging quarantine and transport. All of September and October were spent in a flurry of activity cleaning the barn, repairing fencing in the paddocks, purchasing supplies, and scheduling veterinary care.
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April receiving some much needed dental care.
(Photo courtesy of Denise Elmendorf)
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Sammir having his hooves trimmed by the farrier.
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The day of their arrival was full of excitement and anticipation. Our knowledgable and experienced Barn Manager, Denise Elmendorf, was here to welcome the horses, leading them off the transport trailer and into the barn without any issues. Once April and Sammir were safely home, we began to notice just how skinny and hungry April was. Sammir had no trouble munching his hay, but April just tossed it around. Denise quickly assessed the problem: April's teeth had not been properly cared for in years, so she wasn't able to chew hay or derive any nutrition from it. This poor girl had been slowly starving. Denise mixed up a warm mash of beet pulp, Timothy pellets, Alfalfa pellets, and grain and fed the bucket to April, who wolfed it down. We put her on three mashes per day, and then increased it to four on the advice of our veterinarian, Dr. Naile from the Equine Clinic at Oakencroft. He noted that she needs to gain about 200 lbs. and commented during his exam that "April is lucky she came here because she would not have survived another winter at her weight."
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Sammir does not have the same weight challenges, but Dr. Naile did diagnose a neurological issue in his hind quarters, which is noticeable when he walks. He speculated that this could have been caused by improper handling during his earlier years. However, Sammir is healthy and happy and a very gentle soul. Both horses like people, enjoy being groomed, and are very interested to meet anyone who stops by the barn. How blessed we are to welcome these two wonderful horses to our family.
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In Celebration of Black Cats
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October 27th is National Black Cat Day, which was intended to bring some positive PR to a population of cats that have been the unfortunate recipients of negative treatment due to old superstitions. Not only considered bad luck, these felines are the least likely to get adopted. We have some delightful house panthers here at the sanctuary, and wanted to take the opportunity to introduce them.
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BAGHEERA arrived at the sanctuary in November of 2016 after she had been abandoned by her owner, who moved out of his apartment and left her. She was so stressed from the experience that she had compulsively licked all the fur off her tail and hind legs. We were glad to see that the obsessive licking stopped once she settled in to her new home. Her fur grew back to reveal a beautiful fluffy tail! She's also known as the "Leaning Tower of Bagheera" because she likes to stand on her hind legs and lean in while being petted. She's very enthusiastic about cuddles!
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BETTY is our grande dame, also know as "The Empress Dowager" since she is one of our most senior kitties and expects royal treatment. She's been known to swat at people and other cats who don't show proper respect. Betty was found as a stray near one of the local ponds. She was so hungry that she followed a woman who was walking her dog around the pond. The woman was kind enough to bring Betty to Sheep Meadow Animal Hospital, where Dr. Patterson nursed her back to health. She joined the sanctuary in November of 2016 and has been ruling over the cat house ever since.
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ZANDER is a handsome fellow who came from a loving home whose circumstances changed unexpectedly. His favorite pastime is sitting at the window to watch the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks, in whom he takes a keen interest. Zander also has a weakness for catnip and an ability to open sealed containers even when stored on high shelves. This clever cat has been know to empty a whole bag of catnip and roll joyfully in it for hours. Once we smartened up and hid the catnip, he developed a fondness for chewing on the leaves of the plant. Hmmm...
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TOBLERONE arrived at the sanctuary as a kitten in September 2016 from a local farm that was overrun with feral cats. He heard there was too much peace and quiet at the sanctuary and came to stir things up. Known as the "Head of the Department of Mischief", this curious and rambunctious fellow knows how to party and wreck general havoc. Chewed up plants? Toberlerone. Lamp broken in pieces on he floor? Toblerone. Shredded curtains? Toblerone. Chewed up shoelaces? Toblerone. Toilet paper festooned throughout the kitchen and living room? Yep. That's our boy Toblerone.
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BARNABY was part of The British Invasion - one of Viz's three kittens that were born under our deck last summer. Before we were able to safely trap and vet all the kittens, they had been wandering all over the property. One night, we heard a kitten crying for help near the garage, but couldn't find him anywhere. Upon further investigation, we discovered that he had actually run into the garage. But we still couldn't locate the source of the cries... until we found him lodged in the engine of our truck. It took two days to extricate him. Barnaby was overjoyed to be fed a good meal and re-united with his mother and siblings. He doesn't go near the garage anymore.
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Our pack of two has expanded to five with the arrival of Tig, Jeb, and Brodie. A local family's house caught fire after being struck by lightening, forcing them to temporarily relocate until contractors could repair the damage. Unfortunately, they couldn't take the dogs with them and left them alone at the house. Concerned family members took action, and that's when we received a call asking if we could foster the three dogs until construction on the
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Tig, snuggling on a chilly day.
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house was complete. We agreed, and now Dolly and Elsa have a Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, and Springer Spaniel as playmates.
All three are senior dogs, but you'd never guess given their exuberant energy. On the day they arrived, Dolly, Elsa and one astonished human looked on in dismay as Tig hurtled at high speed around the room, bouncing off walls and finally landing in
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the water bowl, which went flying to spectacular effect. Meanwhile, Jeb and Brodie staked their new territory by marking every single piece of furniture in the room. Good thing our rugs are washable.
But that was only the beginning. The Three Amigos arrived full of fleas, without collars, leashes, tags, food, heartworm meds, or proper vaccinations... or any obedience training that we could detect. Tig's ears were covered in burrs and Brodie was full of matts from head to tail. This was going to be a project.
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Jeb, learning to sit for a treat.
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Brodie, happy for pets and cuddles.
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We got them to the groomer pronto, then over to the veterinarian clinic, where Jeb was treated for an ear infection and Brodie treated for Lyme.
It didn't take long for the dogs to settle in. They love to explore on their daily walks and never get tired of cuddles and belly rubs. We discovered that they love to play fetch in the yard, but only Brodie seems to grasp the concept of retrieving the ball and bringing it back. Jeb and Tig are just excited run around in the general direction of an object flying through the air.
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Our wonderful dogs, cats, and horses are not the only animals who share this beautiful land on which we live at the sanctuary. We are graced with the presence of deer, coyote, fox, opossums, hawks, raccoons, turtles, chipmunks, herons, geese, butterflies, squirrels, frogs, and many others. Here are a few photos of some of our wild friends at The Lily Pond.
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Blessings In All Directions
-- by Donna Wahlert
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We look to the north and see
hardy caribou, noble elk
the husky, rolling in snow
the salmon struggling upstream to spawn
the deer whisking his tail with elegance.
We look to the south and watch
the alligator measuring the pond
the armadillo turning his armor to the world
the wings of pelican, wood stork, heron
catching the low warm air streams.
To the west is the
rim-eyed panda, the yak, the kiwi,
a koala nestled in the fork of a blue gum tree
the take-charge kangaroo and wallaby
leaping to attention, balancing the world on
thick tails.
The red earth of the east
is the setting for the stately parade of giraffe, elephant, gazelle,
fringed lion, svelte tiger, portly hippo -
all staking a claim for their home on the continent.
We look nearer to home and glimpse
the curious Persion cat, the faithful Labrador,
the regal quarter horse
content goldfish, clever hamsters,
the reptile appreciating friendship.
As we finish taking inventory,
We send up a prayer of thanksgiving
for these blest animals, who reflect all of creation
and who share with us
this air
this water
this dust.
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A heartfelt THANK YOU to our generous donors, sponsors, and volunteers!
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Sanctuary Barn Manager Denise Elmendorf leads April and Sammir from the transport trailer to their new home in the barn.
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- Anonymous (4)
- Gretchen Behr-Svendson
- Maggie Sue Benton-Rodarme
- Faith Connolly
- Denise & Cody Elmendorf
- Elsie Fletcher
- Drew, Katie, and McKenna Gibson
- Wayne Green
- Carol Guerin
- Kelly Kilmer
- Lisa Lerner
- Sarah Lipsky
- Lorna McMurray
- Teisha and Chris McMurray
- Doug Rigg
- Madaline Sparks
- Art and Carol Stoerzinger
- Sheree Surdam
- Sienna Sky LLC
- Stephanie Stanton Norbet
- Lorie and Bart Trotter
- Ollie Westfall
- Adrienne Yeardye
We are so grateful for your interest in helping The Lily Pond sanctuary to provide a forever home and quality care to animals in need.
All donations go directly to the care and feeding of the animals.
Your support makes a BIG difference and is greatly appreciated!!
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Mission Statement:
The Lily Pond is a nonprofit animal sanctuary that brings people, animals, and nature together in healing partnership. The sanctuary provides a home and lifetime quality care to cats, dogs, horses, and parrots in need.
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