From Near Loss to A Winner

Sequel to Augie Bear post.

Being able to purchase a mustang from the BLM in June 2005 fulfilled a dream I'd had for a long, long time, since I was a teenager.

It was part of the reason I was so upset when he came down with severe COPD in July 2008. I sure didn't want him to suffer and deteriorate from this horrible condition. His coughing was so bad he couldn't hardly get his breath. If I had put him down, it would also mean the end to my dream and the wonderful times we had together. It would be the end to a horse who truly took care of so many.

It was wonderful to find the VibraVM and watch it turn Augie Bear back around from the very first treatment.

In late September 2008, a month after riding in Loretta Lynn's fall trail ride, I rode with Augie Bear and my dog, Miss Minnie Pearl, in the Third Annual Great Ozark Trail Dog & Horse Race held in Leslie, Arkansas.

Miss Minnie Pearl is a Louisiana Catahoula/Labrador mix who I adopted from a rescue shelter. I took third in a field of seventeen, winning a beautiful belt buckle. THIRD -- I think it is incredible that I placed on a horse with lung issues. Not a bad showing for this middle aged lady competing against those much younger than myself with my two survivors.

This really fun race is sponsored by Western Horse Heritage Foundation (www.westernhorse.org) and I was just thrilled that we could be part of it again this year. I was so exhilarated and excited to be on my beloved horse and to not only have him back, but to have him back in such a wonderful way. And to think I almost put him down. It would have been a tremendous loss. What a marvelous turnaround from nearly dying to being a winner.

I can't say it enough:

Augie Bear has COPD, but thanks to VibraVM, COPD no longer has Augie Bear.