Ramsey Update - some encouarging news

Riding Buddy and I went to visit Ramsey today.  When we got there, he was up on his feet and when he saw me coming towards him, he gave me the biggest, loudest bray you can ever imagine.  My heart nearly split in two at the magnificent sound.

We spent at least an hour with Ramsey and he stayed glued to my legs most of the time.  He also tried to eat the tech's clipboard when she came in to check him and tossed one of his toys.  I was delighted to see it.  That's my Ramsey!  He did get tired after a while and lay down to sleep, which is when we sneaked out.  It was only after he was asleep that I remembered that I had my camera and took his picture...

I spoke with both of his vets, an orthopedic specialist named Dr. Walker who performed the surgery and an internal medicine specialist named Dr. Ness.  They are both encouraged by Ramsey's progress, his prognosis at this point is guardedly good.  We still have a long, long ways to go.  He is going to be in the hospital for at least another week.

There has been one set back already.  Because he has not really used the leg for a week and he is growing so fast, there has been some contracture of the tendons and he may need to wear a splint for a while, which is painful in itself.  There is another specialist who is going to look at him tomorrow and hopefully, I will know more.

Emma is doing OK.  I can not say that she is a happy donkey at the moment, but she is OK.  Her udder is a little smaller today, which means her milk is starting to dry off.  I talked with the vet on Friday about trying again to get Emma down to Cornell so they could be together again, but we decided that it would be best to just wean him.  Emma can be a little shy around people she does not know and she would likely feel that she needs to protect Ramsey from the people helping him.  She would also probably try to chew on his IV line, which could be life-threatening.  All in all, it is probably for the best that she did not get on the trailer, but it has been hard.  I am checking her frequently and spending as much time as possible with her.  Tessa is also being very good to her and Emma is clearly taking some comfort from her nearness.  

The outpouring of caring and support all of you have sent my way in the last few days has been amazing.  I have received dozens of wonderful emails, comments and, incredibly, $600 in donations towards Ramsey's medical bills.  I really don't even know what to say so I am going to just try to be gracious and say THANK YOU!!!.  I have not even managed to answer all of your emails yet, but I will.  I just need a little sleep....