The Lily Pond
NONPROFIT ANIMAL SANCTUARY AND GARDENS
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March has arrived, but the days are still cold and the ground blanketed in white here at the sanctuary. The dogs and horses take particular delight in rolling in the snow, but the cats and humans are happy to remain warm and cozy indoors, thank you very much.
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A neighboring farm acquired a new rooster, who sings the sun awake every morning. Occasionally, we glimpse the beauty of a cardinal's crimson plumage perched on a snowy branch. Spring is just around the corner... we're counting the days!
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We are delighted to welcome two new cats to our family here at The Lily Pond. Lou and Atticus both found themselves homeless in the harsh reality of an upstate New York winter, exposed to snow storms and extreme cold. Thanks to several kind souls and the work of two talented veterinarians and their staff, these ill and hapless strays have survived a challenging journey and found the comfort and security of a forever home here at the sanctuary.
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LOU is a senior fellow who was observed wandering around a Hudson Valley neighborhood with no apparent home. When temperatures went below zero in January, a kind soul realized that Lou would not survive the bitter cold and made a call to Robert Codacovi, Manager of Earth Angels Veterinary Hospital in Wappingers Falls. Rob agreed to take him in and Dr. Alex Barrientos and the staff proceeded to rehabilitate this old, sickly, starving, and frostbitten cat.
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Lou's fur was so matted it was actually stuck to his skin, so the team at Earth Angels did their best to shave off the matts... resulting in what we all jokingly refer to as the "haircut from hell."
Lou was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis and liver disease. He was put on antibiotics to treat the toxoplasmosis, but the liver disease is a longer term problem and is the cause of his copper-colored eyes (copper storage hepatopathy). Lou also bears the scars from frostbite on his ears and nose. It turns out Lou's digestion also gives him trouble, so he's not always able to get to the litterbox in time. There was speculation that this may have been the reason why he found himself permanently out of a home, since his sweet personality and love of people make it evident that he was once someone's pet.
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The staff at Earth Angels Veterinary Hospital realized that Lou's old age and medical issues would not make him a popular adoption candidate, so they reached out to The Lily Pond sanctuary to ask if we would consider a hospice case. Three weeks later, Lou arrived at the sanctuary. Now that he's feeling more comfortable in his new digs, he follows us around and entertains everyone with his chatter and sing-song meows. He's got a lot to say and we're pretty sure it has to do with demands for cuddles and kitty treats.
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ATTICUS, a black and white tuxedo cat, had been hanging around a few homes near Hudson for almost seven months but no one could catch him. When temperatures went to -9 degrees below zero in January, a concerned family made the decision to help this lost soul. By this time, Atticus was so sick and hungry that it wasn't hard to capture him. We received a call from the family and advised that he be taken to a veterinarian for immediate medical evaluation and treatment. Dr. Carlene Patterson and Sheep Meadow Animal Hospital graciously agreed to treat and quarantine Atticus. When he arrived, his jaw was shaking and he had a constant stream of bloody drool due to a large ulcer on his tongue. He was also diagnosed with calici, an upper respiratory infection. Atticus was one miserable kitty. The treatment began and once the infection had cleared and his tongue had healed, Dr. Patterson handled the neuter and vaccinations.
Atticus is a very shy boy who puts on a good show of hissing and hiding when first approached, only to hop in your lap a few seconds later and start purring when you pet him. He just wants to be loved! We don't believe he's feral, since he's never shown any aggression or flight response. However, we don't think he was ever anyone's beloved pet. Perhaps he was a barn cat who lost his way. The good news is that now he's home safe, enjoying 24/7 access to food and lots of affection.
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We've received a lot of inquiries regarding April and Sammir, who arrived at The Lily pond in November from a cruelty case that left them both starved, underweight, and in need of medical attention. We're happy to report that this senior bonded pair has adjusted well to life at the forever home.
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Our first priority was to put some weight on April, who our veterinarian assigned a rating of 1 on a scale of 1-9 for physical fitness. Because she's missing so many teeth, April cannot chew or derive any nutrients from hay. So our Palamino Princess is fed four mashes per day that include extra nutrients to help her add bulk in an environment of cold winter temperatures. It's no surprise that she arrived with a heavy parasite load. In her previous home, she was so starved that she ate her own manure.
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We treated it aggressively and were relieved when her follow up test showed zero parasites. The good news is that April has gained approximately 200 lbs since her arrival! That's a big deal for a senior horse during the winter season. Our veterinarian visited her in March and updated her rating from 1 to 3. She still needs to gain another 100 lbs., but her face and body have filled out nicely. She no longer has ribs showing or hip joints poking out. She's looking fabulous and we're so proud of her!!
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April, looking too skinny upon arrival in November 2018
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February 2019 - no more protruding hip bones!
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March 2019 - after gaining 200 lbs.
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March 2019 - looking like a quarter horse should!
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Sammir is doing well in his new home. When they first arrived, we thought April was the alpha horse. It turns out that Sammir's running the show (according to Sammir, of course). He's got a sweet, mischievous personality but doesn't hesitate to nip at April if he perceives that she's getting more attention or treats. They keep close to one another, sometimes bickering, sometimes gently grooming each other like two old friends.
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Photo Gallery: Dashing Through The Snow
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The chilly days have meant more time indoors for the dogs. We're always thrilled when it warms up enough for them to spend time outside romping around the yard and playing fetch. Jeb likes to roll in the snow and Brodie gulps it down in big mouthfuls. He's the one frequently sporting a snow snout!
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SAVE THE DATE!
The Lily Pond's
Earth Day Celebration
A gathering of conscious souls to honor the beauty and bounty of the Earth
Saturday May 4, 2019
2:00 - 8:00pm
65 Downing Road, Ghent, NY 12075
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Interactive program of blessings for the planet and all sentient beings
Collaborative creation of a 4-foot flower mandala on the land
Bouquet of Remembrance to honor those departed
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Sanctuary tour to meet the animals
Vegetarian, local farm-to table dinner
Live jazz music
Wish lanterns floated on the pond at sunset
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We look forward to enjoying a day of music, nature, and delicious food with you!
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A heartfelt THANK YOU to our generous donors, sponsors, and volunteers!
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April and Sammir enjoy a visit and treats from their wonderful sponsor Patricia Roberto.
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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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- Anonymous (2)
- Brenda & Mark Bachand - in Loving Memory of Benjamin Moore
- Susan Bandy
- Jessica Bernstein - in Loving Memory of Milo
- Diane Brackett - in Loving Memory of Kidi
- Alexandra Cayot - in Loving Memory of Melody
- Deirdre Clarke & Christa Rivelli - in Loving Memory of Paris
- Leslie Dornfeld - in Loving Memory of Chumley, beloved pet of the Cochrane-Schwartz Family
- Denise & Cody Elmendorf - in Loving Memory of Ali
- Jason Garvey, Jhori, & Heather - in Loving Memory of Kreios
- Jessica Handschuh - in Loving Memory of Peekachu
- Amy & Matt Hausmann - in Loving memory of Moose
- James & Blanca Hipple - in Loving memory of Nero
- The Hosier Family - in Loving Memory of Ginger
- Brenda Izzo
- Morgan Izzo
- Glenn Lindsay & Alexis - in Loving Memory of Boogie
- Jenny & Billy Lysen - in Loving Memory of Bugga
- Dr. Carrie A. O'Hare - in Loving Memory of Kitten & Pudge
- Patricia Roberto
- Peter Roberts - in Loving Memory of Whisky
- Dan Sparks
- Madaline Sparks & Wayne Greene
- Sienna Sky LLC
- The Uhnak Family - in Loving Memory of Kali
- Nancy Van Deren
- Marlene Vidibor
- Ollie Westfall
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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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