Beebe's Back (and You're Gonna Be in Trouble!)

I think Beebe’s case really challenged the staff at Carrabassett Veterinary Services, and these folks rose to the occasion magnificently.

I hate to spam your in-box, but for those who aren’t active on Notes or Insta, I wanted you to know the good news: Beebe’s back at home—and we didn’t have to resort to surgery! Wooooooooooo!

Welcome to the latest Updates From the Farm! If you are new here, I invite you to check out my About page to learn what this is, who I am and why I am doing this. Or just dive right in! At “Runamuk Acres” you’ll find the recantings of one lady-farmer and tree-hugging activist from the western mountains of Maine. #foodieswanted

In This Post:

Lyme Disease
A Challenging Case
The Big Guns
X-Rays Every Two Hours
That’s SO Beebe
Thank You!
Preview
A CVS Customer For Life
Beebe’s Back!

Lyme Disease

It’s been a long and stressful week, but I’m happy to share that I was able to bring Beebe home to the farm last night.

I was still serving lunch when my phone rang at school. Caller ID told me it was Carrabasset Veterinary Service and my heart leapt into my throat. I wanted to take the call right then, hoping it was the news I’d been waiting for, but the line of rowdy kids demanded my attention lol.

Ten minutes later Ashley, the vet-tech who had been working so closely with Beebe, told me we were in the clear and my girl would be discharged that afternoon.

Ashley said:

Whatever the blockage was has passed through on it’s own, though Beebe has tested positive for lyme disease and aniplasmosis. She's been prescribed an array of medications to treat the problem and speed along her recovery.🙏

A Challenging Case

I think Beebe’s case really challenged the staff at Carrabassett Veterinary Services (CVS), and these folks rose to the occasion magnificently.

She’s a big girl, in her prime at nearly 5 years. 109 pounds, well-muscled and not overweight—she’s solid. Beebe’s in great condition thanks to the quality of food I feed her and this farmish lifestyle we are fortunate to have. I know I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side, that’s for damned sure!

Livestock breeds are wary by nature. Trust has is earned. And that can only happen with time and patience. Kindness and compassion.

Staff at CVS brought me in to ease the transition as Beebe was inducted into hospital on Tuesday afternoon. Jenny and Ashley were able to befriend my girl and I was able to pass her off so that she could receive the treatment she so desperately needed.

In case you missed my post the other day, click here to read the story of Beebe’s sudden incapacitation.

As I mentioned previously, Beebe generally has to be muzzled for treatment. She does not like to be man-handled, especially by strangers. But the berium solution they needed to administer is an oral ingestive, which means they needed to get in her mouth of all places.

So at 7:30 Wednesday night I was texting my supervisor to ask for extra help at school in order to be able to leave to aid CVS staff in treating my poor sick puppy.

The Big Guns

I was able to get coverage and the secretary in the CVS waiting room laughed as I came through the door, “Calling in the big guns, eh?”

Jenny brought me into the back room to greet Beebe and Ashley suited up in a blue smock.

Honestly, it was a little intimidating even for me—to pry that dog’s jaws apart so that Ashley could administer the berium solution syringe-full by syringe-full. And because of her size, Beebe needed the whole bottle.

It was a miserable time. Yet, thanks to the trust I’ve cultivated with this dog based on a relationship of love and compassion, Beebe allowed me to use my fingers to gently pry her jaws apart so that we could administer the treatment.

I was covered in chalky-fluid and dog-slobber by the time we were done—but we got through it—the three of us.

X-Rays Every Two Hours

After that I went back to school and for Beebe it was X-rays every two hours for the next 30 hours. Each time, staff had to muzzle my girl in order to get her onto the table for the picture, and then return her to “her room” and re-attach the IV.

At CVS, they were able to do all that, and keep my girl in house for two nights and three days without her getting too grumpy or anyone getting bit. I’d say that’s pretty successful.

That’s SO Beebe

Ashley, in particular, managed to get fairly close to Beebe. She spent some time visiting with her late one evening, and apparently Beebe even rolled over for a tummy rub.

That’s so Beebe, lol.

Once she warms up to you, Beebe will go to great lengths to elicit a tummy-rub from you. Using the bulk of her body to get in front of you, leaning her weight against you to stop you in your tracks and then flopping over to expose her massive chest and tummy, so furry and soft.

She really is a sweetheart and anyone who earns her affection should feel special indeed.

Beebe’s back on the scene at Runamuk Acres!

Thank You!!!

Biggest and most heart-felt thanks to all who have expressed well-wishes, sent love and prayers or donations during this trying time! Beebe’s vet-expenses came to a total of $1300 (ouch!). Anyone wishing to make a donation on her behalf can click here or use the email: sparklingaudacity@gmail.com to send via PayPal’s friends & family option.

Here’s a preview of some of my upcoming work:

Upcoming Writing:

• The Homestead Kitchen: Part two in my Homesteaders’ Handbook series.

• Chapter 10: On Blackstone Mountain

• [Get Them Kids in the Kitchen]: This is a working title, but a topic I feel passionately about.

On the Farm:

• Flock management: Annual parasite-treatment and hoof trimmings for each of our 9 sheep.

• Installing Nik’s new lamb-cam and bring both cameras online in the sheep-shed.

• Cleaning and prepping the Propagation Room for 2025 seed-starting.

• Order seeds! Wooooooooooooooooo!

A CVS Customer for Life

The relationships Beebe just formed with these people will only serve her well on future visits to the doctor’s office. She won’t forget their faces and each time she sees Ashley, Jenny or Dr. Shawn her trust in them will grow, making visits less-stressful for all involved.

For that reason alone, I’ll keep the same veterinary practice for the duration of Beebe’s life. CVS just earned themselves a customer for life!

Beebe’s Back!

All of the sheep came out to watch from their pen as I let Beebe out of the car back at the Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm. I think I’m not the only one who keenly felt the absence of our livestock guardian dog, lol.

Thanks to the care and diligence of the folks at CVS, Beebe’s back home on the farm today—just where she belongs.🥰

She'll stay inside for a few days where I can keep an eye on her recovery, but she will rebound and we will have many more farmish-adventures ahead of us.

Check out my welcome-home song in the video below if you dare.😆

Sending love and good juju to you and yours.

Your friendly neighborhood farmer,

Sam

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Thank you for following along with the story of this lady-farmer! It is truly a privilege to live this life serving my family and community, and protecting wildlife through agricultural conservation. Check back soon for more updates from the farm, and be sure to follow @RunamukAcres on Instagram or Facebook!

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