10/13/2026
Run In Paradise, sweet Audrey đ
2017âOctober 12, 2026
Yesterday we said a heartbreaking goodbye to Audrey. We wish her story could have ended differently.
Our longtime friend and trainer, Lisa Sevilla, reached out after getting Audrey from the BLM. Audrey already had a large mass on her face, and Lisa asked whether Equine WellBeing Rescue could help financially with veterinary care to find out what was wrong. After working with Audrey to make her somewhat handleable, Lisa arranged a veterinary appointment for September 15.
The news was not what any of us had hoped. This was not a soft tissue mass that could simply be removed. Examination and X-rays under anesthesia revealed a large bone mass extending into her right sinus area and the palate of her mouth. Removal would have meant incredibly invasive surgery and an extensive, painful recovery, with no guarantee the mass would not return. A loose bone fragment was found and removed during the examination.
Rather than say goodbye that day, we decided to give Audrey some time and bring her to the rescue for hospice care.
She arrived September 26 with significant, infected-looking drainage from both nostrils. In consultation with the veterinarians who had examined her, we started antibiotics and daily pain medication. Their recommendation was to give treatment 10 days; if the infection did not resolve, euthanasia was appropriate. We also sent her records, photographs and X-rays to Dr. L here and scheduled an October 12 follow-up.
Audrey ate all 27 antibiotic pills each morning and evening mixed into her senior feed. She had her own shelter and pen, hay available around the clock in a slow-feed net, and daily treats. She remained shy and would move away when we approached, but she was curious and watched what we were doing. We respected her space.
When Dr. L examined her yesterday, the infection had not resolved. The huge mass caused pain, added weight to her face and blocked her right nasal passage, leaving her unable to breathe through that nostril. Continued treatment offered no assurance of relief, and we knew her condition would only worsen.
We also had to consider the burden of long-term medication and the possibility of needing more medicines to manage side effectsâwhat we call âchasing the medicines.â Above everything else, we had to consider Audreyâs quality of life.
With prayers, love and gentle, tender veterinary care, Audrey passed peacefully.
Sometimes the horses and donkeys who come to us stay for years. Sometimes we have only days, or even hours. However long they are here, saying goodbye is never easy. We wanted more time with Audrey, but we could not ask her to endure more pain just so we could keep her longer.
Today, with cold rain and very high winds, I am grateful she no longer has to face discomfort on top of everything she was already carrying. It hurts to look out the window and not see her there. But in my heart, I know we did the right thing for her.
Thank you, Lisa, for reaching out and giving us the opportunity to help Audrey. This is not the outcome any of us hoped for. Your heart is broken, and so are ours.
Run In Paradise, sweet Audrey. Your time on earth was too short. You leave with our prayers and love. đ¤
