Sugar – Farewell on September 22, 2017

In August 2008, as part of a criminal investigation, the Escondido Humane Society animal services officers seized two horses from a dairy field in San Marcos. Both young horses, were extremely emaciated and showed signs of severe neglect. The Escondido Humane Society committed significant resources to the recovery of the two mares, Haley and Sugar. Haley and Sugar flourished under the care they received. Once fully recovered, Haley was adopted into a loving home. While Sugar had also recovered physically from her ordeal, an appropriate adoptive home wasn’t found for her.

On January 24, 2010 Sugar was transferred to the care of Horses of Tir Na Nog. Unfortunately, all of our corrals are currently full. In order to continue her behavioral modification and enhance her socialization skills, she will be staying at Oakzanita Ranch temporarily.

Although Sugar had been through what no horse should ever have to suffer, she has had an amazing team of people help her through her recovery. The Escondido Humane Society and SPCA rescued her; Dorothea Boughdadly served as her foster mom for 18 months; and the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA Animal Reserve Team transported her from Valley Center to Oakzanita Ranch.  Once at our sanctuary, Sugar fell head over heels in love with Lobo, a blind quarter horse. They remained tightly bonded until his passing in April 2016.

Sugar is a great example of how, as a region, San Diegans care about animal welfare. We hope that people throughout the County will continue to provide the support that this very special girl deserves.

 

Farewell – September 22, 2017

Our hearts broke today when we said good bye to Sugar. Even though we knew she was struggling with colic, she was so stoic that we didn’t realize how bad things were until Dr. Johnson did a belly tap. The fluid was cloudy and contained small food articles. This indicated that she either had a partial obstruction or a partial torsion, neither of which we could repair. It was hard to reconcile those results with the girl showing so little discomfort. But those who knew Sugar knew she was one tough cookie, an Arabian through and through.

While Sugar was a difficult mare for us to have volunteers work with because of her severe mood swings, she was fortunate to be the beneficiary of several special relationships with people at the ranch. Initially it was Andrea Brittain who helped her settle into life at the ranch and got her through months of allergy shots and skin treatments. Most recently Nathan Bailey had become the center of her world. Their relationship was nothing short of amazing. Sugar was also the beneficiary of essential oil treatments donated by Leesah Jacobs Givot.

Not only is she beautiful, but she is curious, relaxed and happy. Over the last few months, we had seen a softer, gentler Sugar than we ever had before. She learned to love the attention of people. This is the greatest gift we could have given Sugar and we cannot thank those that made this possible enough. Sugar was truly a happy, albeit a sassy, horse! Thank you for giving her this precious gift.
As funny as fate is, in 2010 when Sugar was transferred to our care, she was transported by the San Diego Humane Society with a crazy little sheep, Wesley who left us at the beginning of this week. It is amazing that these two unrelated residents would arrive and depart so close together. Perhaps Wesley’s been waiting to lead her across the Rainbow Bridge. We have no doubt that her beloved Lobo is waiting for her on the other side, with his eyes wide open to see for the first time how truly beautiful his Sugar is.