Friday, October 28, 2011

Thoughts

It might seem silly, but I really think that Suki actually looks for me in the morning and evening. We have a bond that is different than other human-horse bonds. I am always amazed by her spirit and how her personality remains unchanged in spite of her ordeal. It demonstrates impressive heart and character, and I am not sure that I would have been as brave if it had been me in that fire. That is why she inspires people.
This morning when I went into the barn to unwrap Suki's hind legs, I heard her call to me before I turned on the lights, or called her name. She knows the sound of my car.
Her skin graft continues to improve daily. The area is completely healed, but the skin needs to be a bit tougher before I can even think of not putting on her special sheet. Without this sheet, I honestly do not think that the graft area would be healed. It is such a tough spot. ...right in the middle of her back where a saddle sits....best place to roll!
I feel rewarded when I receive a nicker in response to my hello.....it was the first positive thing to happen following that horrible telephone call alerting me to the barn fire. It makes my heart smile everyday when my horses return my greeting. Nikki does it now as well, even if I call her brat girl. She isn't really a brat. She is 4, and funny and silly and talented. I feel peace as soon as I put my foot in the stirrup!
I know that I am fortunate to have my two beautiful girls, but some days I look at Suki and feel sad about what happened to her, but joy that she has survived.
I hope that we can become more involved in the burn survivor community, because I have seen how people respond to her, and truly believe that this is her new purpose.
Well, enough rambling for now.....

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Welcome

On July 9, 2009 my dressage horse Amiritta (AKA Suki) was badly burned in a barn fire. Her survival was questionable, but through the amazing care that she received in ICU at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, PA, she not only survived, but thrived! During this time we have met some amazing people and have had a tremendous amount of support from very caring people. Suki has become part of the burn survivor community, receiving visits from human burn survivors. It is doubtful that she will be ridable again, because although she has completely healed, there is a small area on her back that bore the worst burn, making it unlikely that she will be able to wear a saddle. Her new mission is to share her experience with human burn survivors who find her inspiring. Suki has always been a diva, and those who know her believe that is part of why she made it through this ordeal.

There has been some media attention and Suki has more than 2200 fans on her Facebook page. I decided to create this blog to continue to document her progress and not completely clog up her FB page. I will still post (in Suki's voice) but this blog will serve as a more comprehensive diary of her life. It will also help me as I have been working on a book about our experience, the human-horse bond, and the ability oh horses to provide therapy to humans.