Gidget went through a loneliness that no horse or any animal should ever experience. For 17 years she lived alone in the basement of a barn without any human or horse companionship, for least 10 years. Her elderly owner would simply drop oats down a chute to feed her. Eventually news reached Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary about Gidgets situation.
The sanctuary stepped in to help her. Gidget’s eyes gleamed with delight as she stepped off the truck onto the property. It didn’t take long for her to make a friend in the form of Peggy, a miniature horse in the adjacent stall. Gidget and Peggy both needed someone to talk to. They soon became best buddies.
Gidget spent her year at Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary surrounded by love and enjoying the company of her best friend. When Gidget passed away it deeply affected Peggy. She stood in front of Gidgets halter. Refused to leave it longing for her dear friend to emerge from their stall.
Peggy was overcome with grief. The employees at Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary revealed that Peggy had died five years ago on an Easter Sunday morning. Peggy got laminitis two weeks after loosing Gidget.
She was overcome with sadness. Her body was being overrun by inflammation. She suddenly lost her ability to walk. She has had attacks of laminitis since then.
Peggy tried to befriend a couple of rescued donkeys presented to her by the farm. However, their friendship did not develop as she had intended. Someone was waiting for her. Bourbon, another horse, arrived at the shelter several years later.
Peggy and Bourbon have become friends, enriching each other’s lives.
Unfortunately Peggys health is not, in the condition. Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary shared on their Facebook page that laminitis is an incredibly painful condition.
They explained, “We meticulously manage every aspect of her diet, hoof care, bedding and medication; however laminitis will never completely go away for her (she has also been diagnosed with equine metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance and Cushings disease)…. Please keep Peg in your thoughts and if you have a few dollars to spare for her treatment plan donation would be greatly appreciated.”