EMERGENCY PLEA FOR HELP - Hannah's surgery

Many of you know the story of Hannah and Hamlet, some of you maybe don't yet. You really can't tell one without the other.

Hannah was found by our volunteer staggering down the back roads of Gasden County. She was a walking skeleton, her head had a huge gash in it, and it appeared that she had just given birth although no puppies were ever found. We immediately had her checked out, and were told she was approximately 9 months to a year, had indeed given birth, and had a concussion from being struck with something over the head. In past years we have had a no pit bull policy at Lemondrop, only because when we attempted to help some in the past, they always ended up attacking the farm animals. But Hannah melted our hearts, and she was extremely docile. We decided to keep her until she found her forever home. This was two weeks before Christmas 2016.

The day after Christmas we got

Phone call from a woman who had found a piglet running around in the grass on Hartsfield road, she had been referred to us by the Gentle Barn in Tennessee as the local Farm Sanctuary. She bottle fed the piglet until the next day when we picked him up.

When we returned to the Sanctuary with the piglet, Hannah immediately took possession of the piglet, we were shocked and amazed when she began to nurse him like a puppy. It was one of the most tender heart warming sights you can imagine, this mommy who had lost her babies nursing an orphaned piglet. She cuddled, washed, protected and nursed him until he was four months old and we moved him into our pig area.

Hannah and Hammy both live their happy lives together at the sanctuary now as permanent residents, both we, our volunteers and our supporters fell in love with them and their story and simply couldn't let them be separated.

Now to our plea.

Last week we had Hannah spayed and the surgery went excellent, we brought her back to the Sanctuary to rest in a kennel so she would stay inactive until her incision was healed.

Last night when I returned from running an errand, I walked in to discover Hannah sitting in a pool of blood in her cage (fully conscious), with muscle tissue hanging from the open incision.

We immediately rushed her to the Emergency Vet Clinic, an experience that I won't go into because it was so disgusting and enraging that a vet would care so little for an animal in need. The Emergency Vet wrapped her belly and told us to take her to our vet this morning.

First thing this morning we were at our Vet Hospital. He told us that Hannah would need emergency surgery to repair the damage. As they were prepping for surgery, the incision opened further and her internal organs began to slip. There was extensive bleeding so they rushed her into surgery immediately and repaired the damage. Hannah is in recovery now, and the vet informed us that she has to be totally still for the next two weeks and sedated so that she doesn't reopen the incision again.

We intend to have one of our two full time volunteers at her side at all times, but this leaves us desperately short of help.

We are sending out this urgent plea for two things, assistance with Hannah's medical expenses (both at the vet and for her at home care), and for volunteer help while our one full timer is working with her toward recovery.

If you have a little extra this month, or a little time to spare please consider helping us.

If you would like to donate towards Hannah's at home care, you may send it to PO Box 2372 Havana Fl 32333. We would also be happy to take blankets or towels that she will need while in recovery.

If you have some time and would like to help out, even just for a couple hours, please contact us directly by phone. 850-508-6576

Any updates on her recovery will be posted below, so please check back.

A huge heartfelt thank you to the vet and his staff who helped save Hannah. They love the animals and what they do, and it shows. They are absolutely the best. Thank you for what you do, without you we would have lost Hannah today.

UPDATE 12/6

Hannah made it though the night, she wasn't able to keep any food down until this morning. She has been very lethargic today, which the vet said is perfectly normal after losing so much blood. We have had someone with her all day long, making sure she didn't try and tear her stitches. She rested mostly, or was awake watching as she lay down. Tonight she has been a bit more alert, asked to go to the bathroom and ate quite a bit more. Our most desperate needs right now are; Wraps, bandages, towels or sheets/blankets. Help/volunteer on Friday to pick up donations. Help/volunteer on Saturday and Sunday at our fundraiser. Thank you all for your support. Please share this if you can. Feel free to contact us directly for an questions. We may not be able to answer right away, but please leave a message and we will call back shortly.

12/10 Update

Hannah is doing well so far, she is alert and really hating being in the come. She has tried to remove it and get to her stitches several times, but we have been vigilant to watching her at all times. Her cough has dimished to almost nothing. Yesterday she "talked" for the first time since the surgery, making happy Hannah sounds.

Thank you so much to Britney, Justin and Jamie who have been so supportive of us during this very difficult time.

We are still in desperate need of a few things;

Monetary donations to help us provide for her at home care, and the medical expenses that were incurred for her surgery. We spent our operating budget to get the surgery done. Please send to PO Box 2372 Havana Fl 32333. As a federal 501c3 nonprofit, all donations are tax deductible. If you would like a tax donation reciept please include your email address and we would be happy to send it to you.

We are also still in desperate need of volunteers to help out, first aid bandages (specifically belly wraps), blankets, sheets or towels.

12/21 Update

On the 17th we removed her belly wrap, and yesterday Hannah went and had her staples removed and got her cone off! The vet said her incision was healing very well. She was so thrilled to have her cone off, she kept shaking her head and rolling around on the floor with absolute glee. She is doing well, still seems to be a bit more tired than usual, but it was a major ordeal and it could take her a few weeks to be completely normal.

Our other full time volunteer has basically spent every waking minute with her, while I care for the other animals, pick up donations etc. We are both exhausted, but so grateful that she is healing well. After having an overwhelming amount of requests from our supporters, we have finally created a Facebook page. It is specifically for the Farm Sanctuary and about the resident animals, there isn't much content on it yet, but there will be soon. Please like and share! We are still in a deficit after Hannah's surgery, so any monetary donations, first aid supplies, blankets, towels or paper towels would be greatly appreciated. A very special heartfelt thank you to those who have supported us through this crisis with Hannah; Justin, Jamie, Kristin, Brittany and Lisa. We love and appreciate every heartfelt donation, all of your support and everything you have sacrificed to help us and Hannah. Thank you. We hope you are all well and enjoying time with your families and the people close to you this holiday season.

Merry Christmas!