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The Cost of Caring for Lady’s Feet

 

When we arrive at the barn, first thing in the morning, Lady is usually close. She hears the four-wheeler and starts heading over, or some days she waits for her personal invitation and moseys on down. She enjoys her food rewards and seems more than happy to come in for her morning foot soaks and mini treatment. When she is done, she’s also ready to explore and wander. In the afternoon, usually around 3, she lets the caregivers know she is ready for her afternoon rewards and her foot trimming. If she doesn’t come, we feel she is choosing to take a day off, and we respect that. Missing one day of trimming isn’t the end of the world at this point, and we want the elephants to understand they have a say in what happens.

For those who have enjoyed a spa-style mani-pedi, there are some similarities to Lady’s treatment. There are numerous additives to her water, products applied to her cuticles, sprays to her toes, different sprays to her pads, and sometimes clays and fillers used as well. It is a process which is a luxury for humans, but for Lady is needed to ease her pain and extend her life. That is why we have chosen to dedicate the Big Payback fundraiser towards Lady’s foot care.  The Big Payback is a 24-hour event starting May 6 at 7 pm eastern.

Giving through the BPB page helps us win prizes, but we wanted to give people a better understanding of what it costs to take care of an elephant who arrives with feet in dire condition. This page has a list of most of her treatments and the cost incurred with their use, per month. Overhead, salaries, and things like that are not included; this is just the cost of all of the products used and her food/treats. Transparency matters to us, so we wanted everything to be comprehensive and clear.

Thank you to everyone who has followed along on Lady’s journey and sent her love and support along the way. Please check out her page for an even more thorough understanding of her situation. And, as always, feel free to ask questions, and we will do our best to answer.

April 29, 2020

Comments(9)

  1. REPLY
    Muriel Servaege says

    Hope you get enough donations to help Lady. She deserves it.

    • REPLY
      Kelejan says

      Muriel, I am sure that we all are going to do our very best for Lady.

      • EleComposer says

        Thanks so much to both of you. She definitely deserves it. ❤️

  2. REPLY
    Bobi StaySee says

    The stimulus check will definitely go to Lady. Last year there was some confusion for me about the date of donation making the maximum benefit. Have been “saving” donating for then. Assuring that its best to wait for that 24-hour window on May 6, then that is what we shall do. For sure. And yes, Lady deserves it. Her fresh willingness to have those feet touched and cared for is incredibly encouraging for her emotional health, too. The gift of Trust.

    • REPLY
      EleComposer says

      Thanks so much, Bobbie! Your strategy is spot-on: anytime in that 24-hour window helps win prizes and qualifies for the 10k match. We are grateful – she absolutely deserves it! ❤️

  3. REPLY
    Rosie P says

    Maintenance of our girls’ health and well-being is priority and I’m sure Lady will get what she needs as we won’t let her down.
    Reading the comments each day with these posts has given me an insight to the supporters who truly adore Maia, Rana and Lady and all the animals who share their space ………..and want the very best for them! To feel safe, to be free of pain, to let go and be happy.
    Love to our beautiful giants and to all their fantastic carers. XXXXXXX

    • REPLY
      EleComposer says

      Couldn’t agree with you more on every point you made, Rosie. Thank you! ❤️

  4. REPLY
    carey says

    it makes my little donations bigger, whats not to like? will donate on May 6 Lady looks lovely in that pic, so different from at the zoo

    • REPLY
      EleComposer says

      That is the beauty of The Big Payback, isn’t it, stretching donations even further with prizes and a match. Thanks, Carey! ❤️

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