Third Chincoteague Pony Lost to "Swamp Cancer"

In actuality, the euthanasia of Lyra's Vega on the evening of 16 December was the sixth death that was caused by equine pythiosis, aslo known as "Swamp Cancer."  Lyra was the third pony that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge of the seven ponies that were diagnosed with this disease at the Fall Round-Up .  Essie, and then Raindancer, have died previously since treatments and surgeries began in late October.  Tidewater Princess died in 2016, and TJ's Firefly and Diamond's Jewel passed away in 2017, all from "Swamp Cancer."
   The four ponies now fighting this disease are TSG's Elusive Star (born 2005, by Wild Bill, out of Fuddy Duddy); Calceti'n, Lyra's daughter  (born 2013, by Prince of Tides, out of Lyra's Vega); Shadow (2015, by Puzzle, out of Destiny's Feathering Spirit); and Lightning (2016, by Courtney's Boy, out of CJ Samm'n).
   Lyra's Vega was born on 14 April 2005 on Assateague from the union of North Star and Sashay Lady.  She was a Buy-Back foal and netted the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company $3,100 at the Pony Auction.  She became a proud member of Surfer Dude's herd, and, after his winter death in 2015, she became a part of his son's (Surfer's Riptide) herd.  She had her first of six foals with Surfer Dude in 2010, a chestnut colt named Neptune's Silver Star.  In 2012 and 2013, her daughters were Buy-Backs, also; Dreamer's Gift is on Assateague, while Calceti'n is fighting the disease that killed her mother. She had two more daughters with Surfer Dude, Chai Latte in 2014, and Surfer's Twilight Stardust in 2015.  She had a colt (un-named in the Registry) with Surfer Dude in 2011; and an un-named colt in 2016 with Riptide.  Her last foal was a filly named Fleck of San (Sandy) in 2017 with Riptide.
   Lyra's Vega had been fighting equine pythiosis for 9 months.  She had surgery, removing infected flesh, and seemed better.  Then she had secondary swelling, and a return of the disease, which invaded her bones.  As she continued to fail, it was decided to give her a release from the constant pain and weariness of fighting a disease that was killing her slowly.  Believe me, the firemen, Saltwater Cowboys, and veterinarians do make such decisions lightly.  These ponies are family members and loved all over the world.
  Gallop in green pastures, you beautiful girl, enjoying the company of other members of the Chincoteague pony herds that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge - including your first love, Surfer Dude.  Rest in peace, Lyra's Vega.

 Lyra and Sandy

 Lyra and Sandy

Lyra and Butterfly Kisses

Ponies OK - All Noses Counted

Officials on Assateague Island are now reporting that all of the Chincoteague ponies - those owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, and living on the southern portion of Assateague - are fine and that every pony has been seen.  I will assume that the ponies on the Maryland end of the island did as well as the southern herds.  I always worry about the wild creatures during any type of storm - hurricane, bad nor'easter, blizzards, extreme heat for extended periods.  Thank goodness the ponies were born with a large quantity of good sense!
  Water is still covering most of the roads on Chincoteague and Assateague.  Most damage has been caused by trees going down - the ground being so saturated with water that entire root system gave way, and/or large limbs and pine beetle killed trees falling.  True Teaguers are used to these events, and accept them as a part of the natural cycle.  Any old-timer, or youngsters that have grown up on the island, knows what to do when they hear a big storm is coming - weight, secure, tie down, and make sure your boats are moored to something high that won't float away.....

Chincoteague Island Under Curfew

The causeway to Chincotegue Island was closed by VDOT at 7:15 (EDT) this morning.  All people who are on the island must now stay on the island until VDOT re-opens the causeway and bridges.  The Town of Chincoteague has released the following news update at 12 noon (EDT):
News & Announcements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2012 NOON
A CURFEW IS IN PLACE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CURRENT SHELTER AT THIS TIME!!!
EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE THE "ONLY" PERSONNEL AND VEHICLES PERMITTED TO TRAVEL ON THE ROADWAYS.
  Cousin Aleda and her husband are staying at a friend's condo, on the third or fourth floor, right on the Chincoteague Channel.  Her photos and short video clips of the flooding are awe-inspiring.  When I receive any further information regarding either Chincoteague, Assateague, or the ponies, I will blog again (having checked my facts first).  People have not been allowed on Assateague since noon on Sunday.
   Barry, Aleda's husband, walked down to the southern end of the island this morning to check on the mobile home they are renting.  At 10 a.m. (EDT) the floors were still dry.  A couple of Teaguers picked him up and brought him most of the way back to the condo, so he wasn't out slogging in his hip-boots and oilskins the whole way.
   My blessings to everyone on the East Coast.....

Chincoteague Causeway Closed

This is from today's The Virginian Pilot newspaper:
By Steve Szkotak
The Associated Press
© October 29, 2012
CHINCOTEAGUE
Chincoteague's only link to the mainland has been closed as Hurricane Sandy's rains, winds and a tidal surge have left much of the 7-by-3-mile island flooded.
The 5-mile causeway between the island famed for its annual pony swim and Virginia's Eastern Shore was closed at 7:15 a.m. Monday. Residents who did not voluntary leave the island are being told to remain in their homes.
The island's emergency coordinator, Bryan Rush, said the National Guard has deployed vehicles on the island to assist residents in distress.
More than a foot of water had collected at the Main Street opening of the causeway before its closing, making it virtually impassable for most vehicles before its closing. Many streets are flooded. The island has no shelter.
*******
 Also, NBC News is reporting that the concrete/cement part of the pier and Boardwalk at Ocean City, Maryland is underwater, and that the National Guard has been deployed.

Sandy Storm Scenes

Sea foam (blown spume) on the pier at Nag's Head, North Carolina

 

Ocean City, Maryland this morning

 

Easton, Maryland flooding at noon (EDT) Sunday

 

Eastern Shore Islands and Sandy; Marcus Lattimore

After yesterday, I think that I'll have to look at football the same way I look at horse racing: I love and, and, I hate it. Seeing horses break down and be "put down" is always a traumatic experience for me, yet I do know and understand what the odds are in thoroughbred , or any other type of breed, racing. The first game I watched yesterday put a damper on the exhilarating feelings I usually get watching a really good football game. I was watching the South Carolina Gamecocks (and the ol' ball coach) play the Tennessee Volunteers at home. I have two favorite players on the Gamecocks - usually they would both be defensive players, but I have always liked Marcus Lattimore, their running back, and then no one can touch Jadeveon Clowney on defense. I've really admired the way Marcus Lattimore came back from a severe ACL (left knee) injury last season and has been working his way back to 100%; he's great in rushing and in catching passes, not to mention touchdowns. When I saw him get hit with 4 minutes and 21 seconds left in the first half, I knew something was wrong. First, he coughed up the ball without even trying to recover it. Second, and most ominous, was the way he curled up over his right knee - which was laying at a peculiar angle. ESPN replayed the hit in slow motion, and I ran to the bathroom and up-chucked. Marcus's leg was NOT in any normal position that I've ever seen. They spent almost 12 minutes getting him stabilized on the field, placing a knee immobilizer on, and then an inflatable cast over that... Marcus was in tears, as was his family in the stands. The Gamecocks held on to win - but, but Marcus Lattimore was taken by ambulance to the hospital. This morning, the report is that besides a broken femur, all of the ligaments in his right knee are gone (the PCL, LCL, MCL, and the ACL). He might be able to rehabilitate that leg, but it's doubtful he'll be able to live up to his potential before both of these happened.

   Then the Gators were stuffed by the Georgia Bulldogs. The Gators couldn't even score a touchdown - all their points were from field goals. That was sad. - And, the poor Colorado Buffaloes! They met the Oregon Ducks yesterday, and it was predicted that the Ducks would win by 47 points. At halftime, the score was 56 to 0. I didn't watch, but since the final score was 70 to 14, I'm guessing that Oregon allowed all of their team members to play during the second half...

Football today: I am rooting for the Redskins, Jets and the Broncos. Speaking of the Broncos, it was announced yesterday that Peyton Manning had purchased a 21-store franchise of Pappa John's Pizza... I can't say I'm surprised.

   And, finally, super storm Sandy. Chincoteague Island has declared a state of emergency; Assateague Island will be closed to visitors as of noon today (or 15 minutes ago, on the East coast). The island has announced a voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas on Chincoteague; Arcadia High School is the designated emergency shelter. Several low areas are already under water, and more flooding is expected during the next 36 hours, including the fall of 8 to 12 inches of rain. If I were at Pop-pop's house, I'd have the rugs rolled up and on the second floor, along with all of the movable furniture. Gates on Assateague are open to allow the ponies to head for high ground... 

Here is a part of the National Weather Service bulletin for the Eastern Shore:

 " ** IMPACTS...Water levels are expected to rise to 2 to 3 feet above normal by the Sunday morning and evening high tide cycle...and reach 4 feet by the Monday morning high tide cycle. Tidal flooding will continue through the Monday evening tide cycle. Moderate flooding is expected a few hours either side of high tide Sunday morning and evening...and severe flooding is expected within a few hours either side of high tide Monday morning.
** TIDES...At Ocean City inlet...High tide Sunday evening is at 750 PM with a forecast water level of 5.8 Feet. High tide Monday morning is at 819 AM with a forecast water level of 6.9 Feet. High tide Monday evening is at 825 PM with a forecast water level of 5.9 Feet."

  For everyone on the East Coast, my best wishes and prayers.

  For Marcus Lattimore, my love, tears, sympathy, best wishes and prayers.