"Swamp Cancer" Claims Chincoteague Pony; Three New Foals

First, the awful news.  Essie, born 11 May 2013, a daughter of North Star and Surfer Dude's Gidget, lost her battle against the island ponies' newest enemy, "swamp cancer," also known as equine pythiosis.  She was in poor health prior to her surgery, and despite 24-hour care, she went into a decline. That leaves six ponies battling this dread disease, alphabetically:
1.  Carol's Lightning Rose  -  "Lightning"   born 8 May 2016
          sire:  Courtney's Boy     dam:  C J Samm'n
2.  Calceti'n          born 1 May 2013
          sire:  Tornado's Prince of Tides      dam:  Lyra's Vega
3.  Destiny's Shadowing Moonbeam     -  "Shadow"      born 3 May 2015
          sire:  Archer's Gambit (Puzzle)     dam:  Destiny's Feathering Spirit (Feather)
4.  Kachina Shenandoah Raindancer  -  "Raindancer"     born 25 June 2018
          sire: Effie's Papa Bear (Hoppy)    dam: Kachina Grand Star
5.  Lyra's Vega         born 14 April 2005
          sire:  North Star     dam: Shashay Lady
6.  TSG's Elusive Star       born 25 July 2005
          sire:  Wild Bill     dam:  Fuddy Duddy

  The good news is that since the Fall Round-Up, three new foals have been born - two fillies and a colt.   On 15 October, two days after the round-up, 15 Friends of Freckles gave birth to a bay pinto filly sired by Maverick.  On 30 October, Thetis and Wild Thing produced a chestnut pinto medicine hat colt, with two blue eyes.  On Halloween morning, Jessica's Sandy presented Maverick with a solid bay filly.
 
 I'm in my 60s now, and I wan't able to to understand my grief about the deaths of people and animals I love (loved) until I was 60 years old.  I have finally come to accept the circle of life, and have stopped asking why a specific creature or person departed this world.  I have to admit that I still feel anger when a person or creature meets a violent death due to a vehicular collision, due to someone's stupidity, or due to a person's anger or outrage.  But I have found acceptance of death.
   I grieve for Essie.  I sends all my healing powers to the surviving six ponies and use my will to (hopefully) cause a good outcome.  But the wheel of life and time turns inevitably onward; death and life are a part of the universe.

   This is the announcement from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company on 30 October 2018:
"Got some good news and some bad news.  First, the bad.  I'm sorry to tell you all that Essie did not survive this "swamp cancer".  She had her surgery but apparently her infection was too far gone.  We had our hopes up but it wasn't meant to be.  So far the others seem to be doing ok.  It's a waiting game.  Good news is, Harry and I met with the USFWS today.  They are bringing some other biologist in who know more about this fungus.  Over time, they will be collecting soil, water and plant samples to see if we can get this mess contained.  There has just got to be a solution!!  The other good news is that we have yet another baby!  A two blue eye, Medicine Hat baby boy!  He is gorgeous!!  Thanks you all for your continued prayers and kindness as we deal with all this.  Our cowboys have been at the carnival grounds day and night taking care of these precious animals.  Their dedication is nothing short of amazing."

Tax-free donations for combating equine pythiosis (aka swamp cancer) may be made on the website for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company using Pay Pal.  On the donation usage  line write Vet Care      http://cvfc3.com/about-us/donate