Here is the story of how we finally got Ulysses home after our harrowing evacuation from the Airport Fire.
After 4 attempts with other people’s trailers (and their generous help), the 5th try with our own trailer was the winner. Ulysses arrived home on Saturday 9/21. Click here to see a video of Ulysses’ Homecoming.
On Saturday afternoon, we took our trailer back to the boarding facility where Ulysses had been staying since the evacuation. As you may know, he has neurological issues so it can be quite a challenge to get him loaded (which is why it took so many attempts).
Elizabeth had a new plan: Back the trailer up to the a concrete curb that was the same level as our trailer. That way, we could simply walk him in without him having to jump up or use a ramp. One small issue with the plan was that it required the trailer doors to remain open and didn’t allow us to shut the trailer doors quickly (as one does when loading horses). But we moved forward with faith and positive energy.
We arrived at the boarding facility and gave Ulysses some calming meds for the ride while Elizabeth backed our trailer up to the concrete curb. Volunteer Lon (who usually grooms and cares for Ulysses every Saturday) came to help. So did Volunteers Natalie and Dee.
As soon as Ulysses was calm enough, Elizabeth walked him up to the trailer and showed him how it was going to work. He seemed ok and wasn’t too apprehensive. Ulysses seems to have extra anxiety around loading in a trailer and that may be from something that happened to him before we rescued him.
Remember when we mentioned in the homecoming video post that we got him loaded with “a few tricks and a miracle”? The tricks were using the concrete curb to load him in and the right dose of calming meds. Now, let’s talk about the miracle.
Ulysses was giving us a difficult time as we attempted to load him (nothing new really). He wouldn’t take treats or yummy grain or anything. He just DID NOT want to get on that trailer!
Charlotte (our volunteer coordinator) and Volunteer Lon were standing on each side of Ulysses and Elizabeth was coaxing him to load but he was not having it.
Suddenly, Ulysses decided to spin around (with his butt towards the trailer). Elizabeth happened to push his chest at the same time, and he backed up! At this point, all of us were thinking, “Oh wow, what if he could load backwards?” But, we thought, this was not possible because Ulysses with his neurological issues doesn’t back up. But guess what? HE BACKED UP. Elizabeth tapped his chest two or three more times and he loaded himself in the trailer backwards! It was a miracle.
None of us could believe what we had just experienced. We were laughing…a lot, which was something none of us had done for a long time considering the fire threat and the untimely passing of our beloved Quixote.
It all happened so fast, we barely got photos but suffice to say, faith, positive thoughts, crafty ideas and some quick thinking all came together to make a miracle.
Now that he’s home and safe, now would be a great time to sponsor Ulysses (if you haven’t already). We survive on donations from wonderful people just like you. For just $10/month, you can keep Ulysses healthy, happy and munching on carrots. Click here to learn more and to sponsor Ulysses.
