A year ago today we lost our treasured old blind mare, Beauty. She had come to us in the summer of 2003 from a Kentucky animal control shelter, where she had been impounded following years of mindless neglect. In the short year we had her, this girl made an enormous impact on us. It was because of her that we significantly expanded our work with blind horses. You can read her original story here.
She died just before Labor Day last year, when a stroke brought her long struggle with failing kidneys to an end. As she lay dying we promised her that one day we would build a barn in her memory. Not just any barn, but one with a heated medical stall and medical room where we could treat old, blind horses like her ... and do so in comfort on bitterly cold winter days.
When we made that promise to her, we thought it would take years to raise the money to build Beauty's Barn. Incredibly, thanks to the generosity of the sanctuary's supporters, the money was raised in eight months and the barn is here today ... one year to the day she died.
As you can see in yesterday's post, we just performed the very first surgery in the new barn. That seemed a fitting if unplanned way to inaugurate the building. So although we're still waiting on some electrical work to be done, we thought today was the appropriate occasion to officially announce that Beauty's Barn is done. Here are the first photos of it. (Click on the images for a larger view.)
On the right side of the barn, the small roof covers the outside entrance to the medical stall. There is an 8-foot door here so we can drive a tractor right into the stall if we have to move a downed horse with a sling. The gray door is the outside entrance to the medical room. There is also access to both the medical stall and medical room from the main aisleway inside the barn.
This wonderful building is a tribute to an old, blind mare who captured our hearts ... and a testament to the sanctuary's many generous friends and supporters who made it possible. Thank you ... thank you ... thank you.
What a beautiful barn. Not having to transport a sick horse in winter is well worth the effort of this barn!! Fantastic. Glad it is ready before one more winter. It will mean more safety for you both also.
Posted by: Karen/SA TX | September 06, 2005 at 06:03 PM
Beauty's Barn is a perfect tribute to Beauty. From the greener pastures, she is looking upon all she inspired.
I am very inspired by all you have accomplished and all the animals you have helped.
Posted by: Leigh | September 03, 2005 at 07:30 PM
With happy/sad tears I read your words. Your supporters love you both and all that you do.
Posted by: Jean/Nevada | September 03, 2005 at 01:36 AM