Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Well That is One Way to Start the Year

No fun, guys
Bacon had to go out with a bang I guess. And then started off the year off with a bang too. I came out to feed breakfast on Saturday morning to find my beautiful girl standing in the middle of her pen, head handing low and shaking. I started to tremor and tear up as I called her over. She wouldn't even look up, so I grabbed a halter to see what would happen if I moved her. She sat back and then lurched forward, shuffling away from her spot. I looked at my husband, sobbing, as he hopped into her pen to help me take her blankets off. I searched all over her body for anything out of the ordinary. The left side of her neck was twitching, and when I touched it, she wanted to jump out of her skin.
Weird swelling traveling downwards
One call to the equine hospital left us scrambling to hook up the truck and trailer. Actually, it left Blake unburying everything and trying to hook it as as Bacon and I ever so slowly walked towards the gate to get out of the backyard. It hurt her so much to walk, but she still followed, walking through deep drifts of snow. I fought hard to be able to open the gate, and was able to open it enough for her to get out. I was worried about getting her into the trailer, and she was a little reluctant, but still got on for me. I decided to ride in there with her, and with it being a chilly 9 degrees, it was the coldest ride ever. She did her best not to crush me in the turns, but looked so quiet and sad. I talked to her all the way there, probably more for myself than for her.
Kisses on visiting day
Once we got there, we had to wait a minute for them to finish up with another horse before seeing her. Hubs traded me out of the trailer so I could sit in the truck to warm up. Once they came out to meet us, I explained to them what was going on, certain that it was her neck bothering her. She couldn't really turn around to walk out of the trailer like she normally does, so I crossed my fingers and hoped she would back out. She had never done it before, but put enough trust in me to go ahead and do it. We shuffled inside and the vets ooed and awed at her clip job and prettyness.

She had a fever of 102.1 and they immediately pulled for blood work. She had a little bit of fluid in her chest, most likely from the injection of vitamin B1 the day before. They were not concerned about that at all. But even the gentlest touch to the left side of her neck caused her a significant amount of pain. It was slightly hot to the touch and just beginning to swell. Her bloodwork came back showing some elevation in her white blood cells, and they suggested leaving her there overnight for monitoring and medication administration. I agreed, then turned to my pony and gave her kisses and cried. I am sure I looked ridiculous, but oh well. At least they knew I was one of "those" owners, and that they better take good care of her.
Look at that cute face.
I tried to go on with my day as normal as I could, hoping for absolutely no phone calls from them, as they said they would only call if something alarming was happening. Let's just say it was a long long day. And, of course, I had plenty of phone calls from people checking on me, and every time that damn phone rang, my heart would skip a beat. The next morning, I called to check on my girl. Her neck was much less sensitive, and they had used ultrasound to check out the muscles in her neck and to make sure there were no gas bubbles forming. She wasn't eating well (she never really does) and was back to weaving. The first time I was happy to hear that. We got to visit that afternoon, and she was munching on hay when I showed up. She came right over, looking much brighter, but with a lumpy neck. The vet there told me how much she liked her, and how easy she was to give meds to. Good girl, Bacon.
A little warmer in here!
We went for a little walk around the hospital, and ended up in the indoor arena. This is also one of their reproduction areas, where a handsome palomino stud was making eyes at her. We walked around and jogged a lap for funsies and she was looking good. I about died from my asthma, so we went back to her stall. I left her weaving away, feeling a little better about her situation. We agreed to keep her there one more night, just in case, and we were allowed to pick her up the following day. Before we brought her home, hubs and I trekked out to get some straw bales to make her pen extra cushy. Pandora and Lucy also got some added to their stalls, and were quite pleased.
Home! Yay!
I was nervous to bring my girl home, but she was ready. After I grabbed my invoice (gulp) and went to dress my pony for the cold weather and load her up. She about dragged me onto the trailer, and I let her ride by herself this time. She was eager to get to her pen and went straight to inspecting the straw and getting a big drink of water. It made me so happy to have her home again. She isn't quite back to her regular appetite yet, but has kept a regular temp and just kept smiling at me today. And her neck swelling is gone, so that makes me happy too! They still aren't quite sure what happened to cause all of this. They likened it to cellulitis in her neck. They don't think the injection in the pectoral muscle had anything to do with this, but I still feel like this is all of my fault. And that really weighs heavily in my heart.

But back to that vet bill...we came away with a cool $682, which in all reality isn't the worst. But, it is most of my horse show money for this year. And while to most, it isn't much, when you can't work a regular job and most of the money you make is from trying to complete some art pieces, it sure adds up. I know showing isn't everything, but it gives me a little something to look forward to and to work towards. So, if any of you feel like helping a girl out, I have a plan of sorts:

Want an 8x10, 8x8, or 10x10 acrylic portrait of your pony? I will be offering them at $70. These are easier for me to complete than something larger, and I can usually get them done quickly. You all saw Carly's Bobby portrait, and that is very similar to what you will receive.





I can also do 8x10 mixed media portraits, which almost come out looking like a tattoo style. This is fairly new to me, but I have enjoyed making them and they are also fairly easy for me to complete. They will be on paper or pressed board, and will include colored pencil, marker, and acrylic paint. I will be asking $60 for these.


If you are interested, please send me an email to alyssalapuh@gmail.com. It is first come, first serve, so I will do my paintings in the order I get asked to do them. Payment is asked for upfront, because if I don't Lindsey and Aimee will kick my ass. I feel like I am asking too much for these, but husband and grandma said they would also kick my ass if I didn't, so I apologize for that. So many ass kickings.

Also need to add that I will need to ask $6.80 for shipping for these sizes as well. Sorry for the inconvenience!

So, Happy New Year, I guess!

50 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh how scary!! I'm so glad Bacon is feeling better, and will share this post with my friends to get the word out about your gorgeous art!

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  2. Definitely not too much! When I have some spare money I will totally order ❤️

    Hugs for you and yours

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  3. I'm so glad Bacon is doing better! I was worried after I saw your Instagram post.

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    1. It was too scary for my liking. Poor sweet girl.

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  4. I was so worried when I saw your facebook post. I'm really really glad she's feeling better. And I might be getting a runkle portrait from you in the future...

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    1. I will be waiting to create a future Runkle masterpiece.

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  5. Glad Bacon is feeling better, but what a sucky way to start the year. Hugs!

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    1. One of my friends said that it counts as run off from last year, so this year may still be better. I am skeptical, but we will see!

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  6. I saw your post on Insta but hesitated from asking what was wrong because I know explaining can be crazy stressful, too. I'm happy she's feeling better and I'll pass your art along! Money is tight for me right now but one of these days soon I may hit you up for portraits of my two boys!
    www.baysoverbaes.wordpress.com

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    1. It would be very fun to do your two boys! They are lovely.

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  7. Ugh poor Bacon, so relieved she is feeling better!!!

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    1. She had to go and scare me, I guess that's what I get for leaving on vacation?

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  8. Glad she's doing better! I'd like a painting but need to be on a spending freeze through January. Maybe in February I can order one?

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    1. There is absolutely no rush and no time line. Freeze that budget as much as you need :)

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  9. I am so sorry that happened, but thankful Bacon is back and seeming better! Will definitely keep your (amazing) artwork in mind!

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    1. I am very thankful too! She just likes to keep me on my toes.

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  10. "Payment is asked for upfront, because if I don't Lindsey and Aimee will kick my ass."

    Fact.

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    1. Well. It's true. And I'm little, and not fast, so you could catch me even if I tried to escape the ass kicking.

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  11. I'm glad she is home and doing well. It's so weird that they don't know what caused such severe symptoms. How scary! I hear you about the cost. That's a pretty good deal for a two night stay at a hospital, but that's a LOT of money to shell out unexpectedly.

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    1. I am use to not knowing now, my doctors never know what to do with me or how to help me either. Her and I are too much alike sometimes, and not in the best way!

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    2. Yeah... that is NOT a good thing to have in common!

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  12. I'm so glad she's doing better! That's just terrifying.

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    1. I am very lucky that we now have a truck that can pull our trailer to get to the hospital, and that my husband was home to help me unbury everything and hook it up and drive us there.

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  13. I feel your pain. I just spent $2,000 on emergency dental work for my dog the week before Christmas :(

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    1. Oh my! Abscess? Root canal, extraction? When I worked at the clinic, I think our most expensive dog dental went out the door around $600, but I know we referred others out for root canals and those were $$$. I am so sorry.

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    2. Broken tooth that resulted in an extraction. My regular vet couldn't do it so she referred me to the $$$ dental specialists.

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  14. From one artist to another, you NEEED to be charging more for these! That's what I charge and I'm not nearly as talented. Don't downgrade your worth lady! I am SO happy bacon is okay. Literally the worst feeling ever.

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    1. Whatever woman. You are incredibly talented. And I do what I want.

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  15. That's so scary. I'm so glad she's home and doing better. I just had a rash of unexpected vet bills and I feel your pain on the depletion of the show fund!

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    1. The oh so coveted show fun. Hopefully whoring myself out with art will fill it back up.

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  16. I'm so glad she is OK. I have been thinking about a painting of Cosmo for a while and I LOVE what you did of Bobby. I have some birthday money coming in this month, so I should be able to order soon.

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    1. I look forward to painting that fabulous creature!

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  18. So, so, so scary! It's the absolute worst when our ponies aren't feeling well we can't immediately make it feel better :( :( :( I hope she continues to improve! Give her some cookies for me!

    I absolutely adore the painting of Bobby so much, Estella absolutely needs one! I'll be in touch :)

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    1. Ooo yes, she certainly does! Such a pretty girl. And don't worry, there are plenty of cookie handouts. She thinks that's all she needs to eat now :/

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  19. I'm glad she's feeling better. I'm going to try to budget for a pic in a month or two :)

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  20. Oh my gosh! I'm so, so glad Bacon is feeling better and back at home <3

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  21. Aww I'm so sorry to hear this!! Must've been so scary for you. It's hard to see our horses in pain and suffering :( such a relief to know she's better though!!

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  22. So so glad to hear Bacon is feeling better. I was worried about her when I saw your instagram posts.
    Also your art is incredible. Might have to save some pennies for a picture in the near future (although my plainer than plain bay might be really boring for you to paint!)

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  23. Poooor girl. I'm glad she's feeling better and thinking about y'all

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  24. So scary! Happy she's home safe and sound :)

    Emailing you!!

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  25. So Glad that Bacon is feeling better! My dog took a trip to the vet hospital for some tooth issues before Christmas (2 abscessed teeth, a oronasal fistula, 5 teeth pulled total), so I feel your pain on the vet bills. I would love pictures of my dog and my horse, but I'll have to save my pennies. Vet bills NOT for the win!

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  26. Never feel bad for asking to get paid, artists don't value their own work enough. I hope that Bacon makes a full recovery.

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  27. How stressful :( I'm going to try to decide which photo I want you to draw of Apollo...then will be emailing!

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  29. It came out beautifully!
    Art Friday: Portrait of Rodney
    Thank you!
    Katherine
    (Deleted original comment. Link wasn't direct. Trying again.)

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