Molly …..

You've got to meet Molly...


She's a grey speckled pony who was abandoned by her
owners when Hurricane Katrina hit southern Louisiana.
She spent weeks on her own before finally being
rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals
were stockpiled.

While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier and
almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became
infected, and her vet went to LSU for help, but LSU was
overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You
know how that goes.

But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed
his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down
on different sides so she didn't seem to get sores, and
how she allowed people to handle her.

She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted
her weight and didn't overload her good leg. She was
a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee, and
a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out
of the clinic and her story really begins there.

'This was the right horse and the right owner,' Moore
insists. Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million
patient. She's tough as nails, but sweet, and she was
willing to cope with pain.

She made it obvious she understood that she was in
trouble. The other important factor, according to
Moore, is having a truly committed and compliant
owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care
required over the lifetime of the horse.

Molly's story turns into a parable for life in Post
Katrina Louisiana. The little pony gained weight,
and her mane finally felt a comb.

A human prosthesis designer built her a leg. The
prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life,
Allison Barca DVM, Molly's regular vet, reports.

And she asks for it. She will put her little limb out
and come to you and let you know that she wants
you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take
it off too. And sometimes Molly gets away from
Barca. 'It can be pretty bad when you can't catch
a three-legged horse,' she laughs.

Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the
rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters,
hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.
Anywhere she thought that people needed hope.
Wherever Molly went, 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', Moore said. 'She survived the hurricane, she
survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope
to others.' Barca concluded, 'She's not back to normal,
but she's going to be better. To me, she could be a
symbol for New Orleans itself.'

This is Molly's most recent prosthesis.


This last photo shows the ground surface that she
stands on, which has a smiley face embossed in it.


Wherever Molly goes, she leaves a smiley hoof
print behind.

Sorry I haven't figured out how to insert the photos in the right places.

What an amazing story thank you so much!

What amazing horse!

What a inspiration.

Molly is a real winner.

Awww........I love happy endings!!!

I have tears in my eyes! I'm so glad this story has a happy ending!

She is adorable pony.

She is beautiful!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing :)

Thank you for posting this...how wonderful that this horse is thriving...

What a great story!

made me cry. I read it to my son as we await another procedure here in the hospital. Thanks for posting.

i love hearing this story. every time it's soooo good :) thanks!

Love this! Thanks!

Nice story and thank you for sharing.
Beautiful pony.

Thank you for introducing us to this remarkable horse. Her story is a life lesson for all of us. "Never give up!" If you believe in yourself, someone will believe in you too. A great example for children who are suffering in some way. Thank you again for this story.

This is a story that would be great to see on our news shows. As would be the one of the woman in Utah that paints portraits of our dead soldiers for their loved ones. This is what we need to hear and see. We are inundated with bad news, bad people and bad politics everyday 24-hours a day. This story is so uplifting. It is a "feel good" story and we need those stories.

Will animals ever cease to amaze us. What an inspiration to all of us.

Touching truely, u hear about dogs and cats birds but you never hear about a horse or cow i seen the pix and i was amazed,

truly inspirational-puts some people to shame for not trying to overcome their obstacles

Thanks! God always has purpose for those who are willing to listen to him. Thank goodness several people in this story did listen and this pony will live a long, loving and useful life.

Wow, amazing story and horse. So lucky to have people that give such good care.
We had friends who put their horse down because it lost the hoof part of the foot. I always wondered isn't there a way to save the horse. Your story proved in some cases their is.

what a special pony!

Thanks for sharing--what a unique story. I copied it and sent it on to my families.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. Molly is a beautiful pony. Hope she continues doing well and giving hope to others.

What a GREAT story....animals can be so smart with their own "issues" and safety. I had a mare who would never put herself in a situation concerning her or my safety without first thinking about it, and acting accordinglly for the best for both of us.
Humans sometimes call them "Dumb animals" but who has the most addictions.....Man or Animals

What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing.

Her will to live is remarkable. I'm so glad she had someone to give her a great life after her ordeal. What a touching story. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

I'm glad they took care of her and her bad leg. She is one very strong horse to go through all that.
It just frosts me that people let their dogs run like that to attack other animals.

Thanks for posting...great inspirational story...I copied and emailed it to horse lover friends of mine!!!!

Thanks

Beautiful story, beautiful pony. Thank you for the story.

Molly is BEAUTIFUL inside and out as well as every one who helped her and loved her all the way back :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

OMG That truly is an amazing story. She is a lucky girl to have such loving care takers.

What this beautiful animal has suffered and survived is truely amazing, animals know when we humans are trying to help, love the smiley face on her artificial leg, no doubt Molly brings smiles to many faces when they read her story, thanks for posting this it has made my day.

Would love to send a bag full of treats for dear Molly, but the tyranny of distance makes it too difficult, anyway much love and hugs for Molly from Australia.

Will tell Molly's story at our next RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) meeting.

This is such a heartwarming story. Molly could teach us all about life's challenges.

She is beautiful and what a great story.....

oh that's so sweet. she's a darlin!
my DIL said their cat broke her leg somehow and the vet put on a cast. then 3 wks later a different cast. the cat is an outside one and went out and lost the cast. Nothing is to be done now. too costly. makes me cringe!!!
pets are like your children. they must be looked after too!

Thanks for sharing this .... I enjoyed the lift!!

What a wonderful story and amazing animal. Molly really knows how to survive. Thanks for sharing.

What a lovely story with such a happy ending.

Thank-you for sharing it.

That is a heart warming story. We can all take a lesson from Molly.