Tragedy

June 15, 2007

While we were preparing to move on, Brandi, Errin Weigel's Arabian, tangled in her teather and panicked. We were there in an instant and released her. However, she had a rope burn to her rear ankle. She was seen immediately by experienced horsemen and treated and penicillin begun.

Over the next several days, she was treated by very experienced horse people. Eventually, the veterinarian found she had severed her tendon and the sheath was leaking sinovial fluid. On the recommendation of the veterinarian and after discussions with Brandi's owner, the decision was made to euthanize her. She was in pain and there was virtually no probability of recovery. The end came peacefully on June 20, 2007. She is buried beside another famous Arabian on a beautiful farm near Orillia. She was a beautiful mare with a long mane that fell over her eyes. We loved her dearly and the loss of her was terrible.

During the course of these events, Claudia returned to her home in New Brunswick.

June 20, 2007

Subsequently, Dutchess, Steve's Black Lab/Hound mix, became very ill and required costly veterinary care in Toronto and Sarnia.

The decision was made to end the horse portion of the ride and Steve returned to Golden, BC and I went to Sarnia. I inherited Dutchess. She recovered and remains in excellent health today.

I contacted many of the event organizers across Canada and asked their advice. The response was consistent. The Ride is about Fetal Alcohol Awareness, not an endurance challenge for horses. We would continue on without our own horses but work with local riders for upcoming events.

June 22, 2007

I packed up my son, David, and his best friend, Casey Newby, and set off to continue the journey. Our first camp was in Burford Ontario to be able to serve the Hamilton and London events.

June 23, 2007

David, Casey and I participated in the Grand Entry at the National Aboriginal Day events in Gage Park, Hamilton. Another wonderful experience, supported by a picture perfect local rider. In the evening, Martha and Rick Bradford hosted a BBQ at their home in Stoney Creek, attended by the Fetal Alcohol Support Network members. A wonderfully successful day.

June 25, 2007

London followed with a gathering, sponsored by the Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre and local FASN groups, at The Covent Garden Farmers Market and a walk through downtown to the Western Fairgrounds. Events included a BBQ and speaches. Also very successful.

June 26, 2007

My daughter, Jessica and her friend Craig, joined us for the Owen Sound and North Bay events.

On the way to Owen Sound, a stone ricochetted off the front of our trailer and blew out the rear window of the van. In the midst of calling CAA for advice as to where we could get the window fixed, Virgin Mobile decided my cell phone useage was more than normal (my only means of communications on the trip) and arbitrarily cut off my conversation even though there was still lots of money in the account. This was now leading into the long July 1st weekend. After days of fighting to get everything straightened out, I switched to Bell Mobility. The window had been repaired using my $300 deductible insurance. The annoying part is that if I had been prepared to pay $350, Apple Autoglass would have replaced the window for that cost alone. Because I put it through my insurance, they billed $650 and the insurance company also had to pay $350 on top of the $300 I paid. No wonder our insurance premiums are so riddiculous.

June 28, 2007

The Owen Sound event was hosted at the farm home of Margaret Sprenger and sponsored by the local FASN group and Margaret's church. Representatives of all levels of government spoke at the gathering. The Children were treated to pony rides. Very successful and a great time was had by all, and hopefully the attending politicians learned more about FASD.