Friends For Life Forever Farms

Beauty and the Beast

Pete Wagner — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:30:21 +0000

Friends for Life cares for cats with Feline Leukemia (FeLV). A separate room is maintained at the Forever Farm where these cats are totally isolated from the rest of our colony. This virus is a “beast” that can be spread via any body fluid: blood, saliva, nasal discharges, etc. Food bowls, water bowls or litter boxes can be contaminated. A fight that draws blood, or breeding, is often how outside cats, that have not been vaccinated, get the disease.

We were recently asked by a local county shelter to accept a “beauty” we named Suzy and her two infant kittens. Suzy had tested mildly positive for Feline Leukemia, and could not be put in their adoption program and faced euthanasia. Her kittens were too young to be tested. They are all temporarily in Friends for Life foster home. The kittens will be weaned shortly and Suzy will be retested in hopes that her healthy young body has chased off the “beast”. The kittens will then be tested as well. If any of the three test negative, they will placed up for adoption. If Suzy tests positive she will move into our FeLV isolation room. If the kittens test positive they will stay in a cage and be retested in a couple of months.

Cats with Feline Leukemia CAN be adopted into homes with no other cats, or can reside with another FeLV cat. However, over the years we have only adopted out one FeLV cat. Adopting one of these cats would truly be a “lifesaving event”.

New Member of the Herd

Pete Wagner — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:48:49 +0000

Meet the newest member of the Forever Farm horse program. Sevwyon is a 16 year old Tennessee Walking Horse whose owners realized he required more care than they could give him. They asked Friends for Life for help. A thorough veterinary exam suggests that his thin body condition is most likely the result of a lack of dental care throughout his life. Although he will now have his teeth attended to, Sevwyon will require a special diet for the rest of his life in order to gain weight and maintain a proper body condition. This little horse has won all of our hearts at the Forever Farm and it brings us great pleasure to provide him with the care and love needed to regain his health. If you would like to help us provide Sevwyon with the veterinary care and special diet he requires please consider making a tax deductible donation through our website. Checks can be mailed to Friends for Life at P.O. Box 340, Sapphire, Nc 28774.

Niko Has Arrived

Pete Wagner — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:09:58 +0000

Niko, the Spotted Saddle Horse has joined Raven at the Forever Farm. Little Boots has gone home to prepare for her summer at Camp Merrie-Woode. Niko came to us from Hope for Horses, a wonderful horse rescue outside of Asheville (www.hopeforhorses.com). He is believed to have been effected by a disease called EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis). This disease is caused by a parasite that effects the nervous system resulting in neurological issues like ataxia. Because of this Niko should not be ridden, making him difficult to place in adoption. At the Forever Farm he can enjoy life hanging out with Raven. If you would like to come visit “the boys”, call us at 828-508-2460. Yet another horse will be coming to the farm this week – stayed tuned for his arrival

Last Stop

Pete Wagner — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:12:55 +0000

In the last year, brother and sister, Bubba and Violet have experienced extraordinary loss. Their mother and two litter mates passed away due to various health issues, and most recently, they lost their human family under sudden and tragic circumstances. After 11 years in the same home, with the only companions they had ever known, they found themselves in the county shelter, confused and traumatized. We can only imagine how they must have felt, their world turned upside down. Violet was especially affected. She is hyper-vigilant, always observant of the world around her, watchful over her brother. Now she was thrown into a state of high alert that must have been exhausting. Bubba, though outwardly calmer than his sister, was never the less hurting as well.

Through the combined effort of various organizations and private citizens, Bubba and Violet are now safe and happy at the Forever Farm. From the moment they arrived, a change in their demeanor took place. Their body language relaxed, their tails wagged. It was as if they they could sense they were in a place where they were supposed to be. In the days since arriving, they have begun to see the farm as home. They relax in the grass, stretched out in the sun, looking over the farm. On their second day here, they began to howl, heads turned heavenwards, their duet echoing through the hills. It is now one of their favorite activities. Most importantly, they are accepting the Forever Farm staff as their new family. Under Violet’s watchful eye, she and Bubba seek and enjoy affection. They look at us with relaxed, happy faces. Though they’ve been through so much, it’s clear they know this will be the last stop in their journey.

Bubba and Violet singing video

FELINE FENG SHUI

Pete Wagner — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:59:17 +0000

You, too, may have a special feline companion that feels it is his, or her, job to rearrange your home based on Feng Shui. You know, the Chinese system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy. “Stevie Wonder”, who I foster in my home, does not like order, but rather disarray. Interestingly, Stevie has been blind since birth, so sight has nothing to do with the rearrangement of his living space – which happens to be my bedroom and bathroom. I am positive that the Feng Shui “flow of energy” – his energy, to be exact – causes the rearrangement of rugs, paper towels, magazines, shoes, anything he can get his paws on. Stevie is very proud of his decorating ability, and I find it very entertaining – most of the time.

Animals born with disabilities have no idea that they are any different then their siblings or roommates. They don’t bemoan the lack of a sense, or a limb – they learn to handle life with what they have to work with. These special animals enrich my life – and I am dedicated to rescuing them. Help me keep the Friends for Life mission alive. Every tax deductible donation, no matter how small, helps to keep the Forever Farm a safe and loving home for senior and special needs companion animals. Visit our website at www.friendsforlifeforeverfarm.org and take the Visual Tour. Donations can be made online, or mailed to P.O. Box 340, Sapphire, NC 28774. Call 828-508-2460 for information.

The Face of Wisdom

Pete Wagner — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:54:53 +0000

How can you look at this beautiful face and not want to give her a loving retirement home. Jazz is typical of our many senior dogs who have lost their homes through no fault of their own. In some cases their human companions have passed away, and in some they have become incapacitated. And, sadly, in some cases like with Jazz’s two roommates, Ruby, a Redbone Hound and Stella, a Red Tick Hound, they have actually been abandoned to fend for themselves.

Jazz’s owner had an aneurysm that left her unable to take care of her dog. Jazz spent weeks in her veterinarians kennel until we were able to fit her in at the Forever Farm. She was used to taking daily long walks with her companion, and living a lonely, sedentary life in the kennel was difficult for her. Fortunately, she is now able to run in the large exercise field attached to the cottage she shares with her two roommates, but her choice would be to spend all her time with a human. She is a “people dog” and desperately misses that lifestyle.

Jazz is a healthy, happy, well behaved dog, who has earned the “good life”. Who is willing to give her that?

The Forever Farm is a lifelong sanctuary for senior and special needs companion animals in Lake Toxaway, NC, operated by Friends for Life, a nonprofit charitable organization.

We depend on your tax deductible donations to continue our mission. Visit our website at www.friendsforlifeforeverfarm.org to take a Visual Tour of the Forever Farm, and show your support by making an online donation. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 34, Sapphire, NC 28774.

Peace of Mind

Pete Wagner — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:21:26 +0000

Mia and Amy have been with Friends for Life for over eight years. They may be sisters, or “cousins”, as they came from the same abandoned house. Amy has a limp from her collar bone being broken at some point in her life, and both girls were semi-feral when they came to us. They have become “touchables” over time, but will probably never be adopted. The Forever Farm gives them a safe, secure and healthy, home where they can spend the rest of their lives.

All of the animals at the Forever Farm can count on that same “peace of mind”. Some may be lucky enough to be placed with a loving family – but to many, Friends for Life will be their loving family, caring for them the rest of their lives. We believe that not only compassion, but also commitment, are the essentials of “animal rescue”. We will never turn our backs on an animal that has at some point been in our care. They are part of our family.

In this new year we will continue our mission to provide “hope for senior and special needs animals”. We also hope, that with your help, we can assist more and more of these special animals. Please make a tax deductible donation to Friends for Life and the Forever Farm through our website: www.friendsforlifeforeverfarm.org or by mail to P.O. Box 340, Sapphire, NC 28747. For more information call us at 828-508-2460.

Merry Christmas To Our Friends and Supporters

Pete Wagner — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:06:34 +0000

This free photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Barrel of Fun and Friendship

Pete Wagner — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 06:06:56 +0000

Monday, December 10, 2012
5pm – 8pm
The Cork & Barrel Restaurant & Lounge
3093 Highway 64 East in Sapphire

Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and Friends for Life are teaming up for a Barrel of Fun and Friendship! This inaugural fundraiser will benefit the animals at the Humane Society no-kill shelter and the Friends for Life no-kill sanctuary at Forever Farm! Join us for an evening of great drink specials, awesome food, and mingling with fellow animal lovers. Admission is free, and our gracious host The Cork & Barrel is generously donating ½ of all food and beverage purchases that evening to our two organizations. All donations and proceeds during the event will be split equally between CHHS and Friends for Life.
When animal shelters, sanctuaries and rescue groups work together, the animals win! Join us on December 10th for the inaugural Barrel of Fun and Friendship!

For more information, call 828-743-5752 or 828-508-2460.

A Terrible Loss

Pete Wagner — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 01:40:57 +0000

A devastating loss occurred last night when our very special friend, Dewey died from what appeared to be a possible intestinal blockage, most likely from a mass that was probably growing slowly in his gut. Thankfully he showed no signs of pain or suffering until yesterday morning. Despite his buddy Raven’s attempt to move him up to the barn for breakfast, he stood in the woods until I walked him to the barn. It was immediately obvious that Dewey was in great pain. With several consultations through out the day and evening with his veterinarian, I was able to provide some relief with pain medication. He passed away in the early morning hours with Raven by his side. He was buried in the pasture where he had enjoyed many a romp during the eight months he lived at the Forever Farm.

Dewey was an inspiration to all of us and he will never be forgotten. Our thanks to everyone whose donations helped to support Dewey through his rehabilitation.