Dear Mark,

Welcome to this week’s beautiful cast of characters representing the hundreds of animals we treat every day. Among them is a new horse, Gusto, we’ve admitted with a serious chest wound. Scroll down for a brief overview of Rajasthan’s traditional use of wedding horses. We thank you for being the reason we’re able to treat such a magnificent being.

Scrumptious little Tofoo couldn’t even stand. But that was then!

Night had fallen and the chill had set in. There in the road was an abandoned baby who couldn’t stand. Blinding headlights swept past him as he lay in pain and terror. One after another, cars zoomed by, not slowing, not stopping. But then, someone’s wheels slowed and a kind motorist came to a full stop. “What is it, little one?” she must have asked. She realized that this recumbent little bundle could not stand.

There was no blood, but he was absolutely helpless. She immediately took action and called Animal Aid’s ambulance to the spot, and we hurried him back to our hospital. We snuggled him in blankets and gave him hydration and medicine. 

We surrounded Tofoo with love from all sides– from other orphaned babies, grown-up cows, from our loving care-givers, and, we know, from you.

Turn “orphaned and abandoned” to loved and cherished – please donate.

Emergency surgery saved Bright-Eyes, and now those eyes shine with love! 

Dear Bright-Eyes had a huge tear just below his chest area. But he wagged his tail as if to say “Please. Help me.” We hurried him back to our hospital where we treated him for pain, trauma and wrapped the wounded area.

He needed surgery to save his life. Bright-Eyes even wagged his tail during the surgery preparation. When Bright-Eyes regained consciousness he had a wonderful appetite–and not just for food. He gobbled up love, too!  We felt so lucky to save him. After two weeks of healing, we neutered him, and as always, fully vaccinated him on admission. He’s one of the most charming, sweet and gentle boys we’ve ever met. Thank you for helping us give Bright-Eyes his life back.

For those who keep giving love, no matter what – please donate.

Above – Gusto

No more weddings for Gusto!

Already, Gusto is happier. He’s a beautiful boy recently admitted with a serious chest wound and severe malnutrition. Gusto is also very lame, and was apparently abandoned on the road, where a passer-by found him wandering. He is extremely gentle, and he’s making it easy for us to treat him with daily wound dressings, pain relief and plenty of nutritious food.

He is the Marwari breed used extensively in Indian weddings. It is tradition that the hired horse will be heavily draped in colorful cloth, blinkered and ridden by the groom from his home through the neighborhood so that friends and family can join the celebration. 

Commercially used wedding horses like Gusto are usually never pastured. If there is no wedding to serve, they are made to stand in one place for days in a row, often with front and back legs tied together, watered and fed in place from a feed bag hanging from their face. This inactivity is perhaps more difficult psychologically than the wedding itself.

The wedding causes immense stress because of sprays of fire crackers, traffic and music at high volume from speakers powered by a loud portable generator wheeled behind the procession on a wagon.  There are thousands of horses in this situation across the state. 

Even just days after admitting him, Gusto’s eyes have brightened and we can see him relaxing, interacting gently with the animals around him, and that all-over-sore affect is already gone. Being able to wander at will, safe among the cows and the people in the large animal treatment area must seem to him like a luxury of freedom. 

Mango’s feet are dancing to the rhythm of your beautiful compassion.

When we rescued Mango he had a large, painful neck abscess. But, thanks to your compassion and generosity, we were able to provide the care he so desperately needed, turning his pain to joy. This is the power of compassion in action, and we are endlessly grateful for each of you whose help means Mango’s little paws won’t stop dancing with the thrill of life itself.

Shimmer extra in the Spring Sunlight knowing your purchase saved a beautiful life!

Go shopping here:  https://shop.animalaidunlimited.org/

We thank you deeply for all you do, are, and inspire for animals.

Founding family Erika, Claire and Jim, and the Animal Aid Unlimited team.

Regards Mark