An "Enlightened" Pony

Molly is a special pony and has a special story.

She was abandoned when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and her owners had to evacuate. Molly survived for several weeks, and was finally rescued only to be taken to a place where abandoned animals were just stockpiled.

At this farm a pit bull attacked her, and when her gnawed right front leg became infected, she almost died. It was her beautiful will that saved her.

A surgeon noticed Molly's strong survival ethic and how well she let people handle her. How she was careful to lie down on different sides so as not to get sores. She even seemed to protect her injured leg by constantly shifting her weight to rest the leg. Molly was a smart pony, as well as sweet.

The surgeon was so impressed he agreed to amputate her leg and fit her with an artificial limb. The prosthetic gave Molly a whole new life. Her vet laughs and says that Molly even asks for her prosthesis! "She comes and puts out her little limb to let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she indicates that she wants you to take it off too."

Molly walked out of the clinic strong and courageous, but that's only the beginning of her story. She now has a job.

Her new owner takes Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers--anywhere that people need hope. Wherever Molly was taken, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people. And she had a good time doing it.

"It's obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life," the surgeon said, "She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others."

This is a photo of the bottom of Molly's most recent prosthesis. It shows the ground surface that she stands on, which has a smiley face embossed on it. Wherever Molly goes, she leaves a smiley hoof print behind!

Let's all aspire to leave Molly's kind of footprint on our world.

Get 6 deekshas online on June 25, 2008.

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