Wilson's Wish

04/08/2025

The hardest part of sanctuary life by far … when your seniors are all of a sudden, just not themselves.

Whatever the outcome, Arty… we got you, buddy. And we know our supporters do too … 🙏🏻

04/05/2025

We have had SOOOO many people reach out regarding Cookie as of late that we realized we should have provided an update much sooner... it's just been a crazy few weeks (I mean, when ISN'T it, crazy... really??), and we clearly failed to keep y'all in the know! (SORRY!)

Anywho ... despite all odds, Cookie is doing AMAZINGLY well! After her initial diagnosis of having severe liver issues, we took her back to Veterinary Associates on the Monday after the soup cookoff fundraiser where she spent two days getting fluids in hopes of flushing her liver. On Tuesday afternoon, they ran her blood panel again, and much to ALL of our surprise... her counts had stabilized!

We kept Cookie in the garage for another week (much to Moe's disapproval) to monitor her, and we were beyond relieved to see her get better and stronger with each passing day! We then moved her to the barn by her friends but allowed her to free range, so we could ensure she was eating, drinking and well, effectively ... doing her business.

Also, because Cookie had fallen several times while she was sick, it was obvious her body was quite sore. So, we asked our friend Emily from Peak PEMF Performance to come and treat Cookie in hopes it would offer her some relief. Lo and behold... she just stood right there and soaked up every minute of it! And trust me... that is NOT how her treatment sessions went when she got them for her laminitis! Clearly, she was SUPER thankful for the extra love and care in helping her get back to good as new.

And today... well, today Cookie joined her friends again in her pen. She has assured us that she's back to her old self and ready to get back to her old routine. Now... make no mistake, she has some weight to gain yet, and she will now always be on our elevated "watch list", but tonight... she's back to just being Cookie.

Wait, nope... She's now "One Tough Cookie".

Thanks to EVERYONE who helped with Cookie's care and recovery! We could NOT have done this without you all! When they say it takes a village... they're not kidding! And dang it... we just happen to be a part of the best one around!

04/03/2025

Let’s start the day on a feel good note, shall we friends?!?

It never ceases to amaze us the generosity of individuals who share our passion for animals. We spend a lot of time seeking out fundraising opportunities, but we are certainly blessed with unexpected donations from various individuals, organizations and businesses as well.

Such was the case recently when we were contacted by !! Dave worked for them after his initial “retirement” up until shortly after we relocated to Luxemburg. During that time, he made some wonderful connections that we cherish to this day.

However, we were still so surprised to hear that we had been not only nominated, but selected to be one of their monthly community giveback recipients!

They recently visited The Wish to award us with a $500 donation, and of course, meet all of our deserving residents! Unfortunately, the weather was cold and muddy (surprise surprise!), but we definitely made the most of their visit!

This generous donation was invested directly into our barnraising savings account. We have been diligently working behind the scenes on several options for the new cow garage. Although it may not look exactly as we had initially planned, we are exploring several options that will not only provide an amazing new space for the cows, but it will also be more financially responsible as well. Can’t wait to share all of the details with you soon!

Now, go on out there and make it a great day friends!!

☮️🩵 The Wish 🩵☮️

03/30/2025

Current “WISH” list items …

Floaties for farm sized animals

… OR …

An ark

Seriously, for the love of all things holy, can someone PLEASE tell Mother Nature to maybe throttle back on the rain a bit? We’re all a bit soggy over here … 🌧️

03/27/2025

I distinctly remember these moments with Lily like they happened yesterday. It’s almost unfathomable to believe that, in reality, it was four years ago already.

When we were asked to take Lily, we were just newbies in this crazy world of rescue and sanctuary. And, in full transparency, I’m not sure we completely understood the magnitude of the situaion we we had gotten ourselves into. The frostbite to her back legs was so severe, her hooves fell off within days of us bringing her home. I’m here to tell you that there’s not much more traumatic than holding up a tiny baby goat with her hoof dangling by a thread… and knowing you’ve never been more unsure of what to do next. 

Quite honestly, though, the most traumatic and disheartening part of Lily’s entire journey was reaching out for help to every vet we could find and being consistently turned away. We were told that Lily would never survive. We were told she was a waste of time. We were told there were no resources for her, and her life was not of value. If it were not for Dr. Jenna at 4 Legged Friends Veterinary Clinic, who as a last resort, agreed to see her, I am certain Lily would not be the strong and vibrant girl she is today.

For months we catered to Lily’s every need. Consistently cleaning her wounds and ensuring she was not in pain. She lived in our house, slept in our bathtub and cozied up contently in her playpen as I worked during the day.

Looking back at these pictures of Lily brings me such joy. Joy in knowing that there is goodness in this world and people who do care.

Not only did Lily survive, she thrived. She is a fierce little girl who lets nothing stand in her way. We have all learned so much from Lily, and hopefully, she will continue to teach us all valuable life lessons for many years to come.

03/25/2025

When you return home after a weeklong work trip and just want to kick it with your cows…

But all you get’s da b***y! (which is the “bovine cold shoulder” for those who may not be familiar)

Guess I should have brought snacks … 🤦🏼‍♀️

03/25/2025

If y'all are wonderin' where we beeeeeen .... I know, I know; it's been a hot minute! In full transparency, I actually do not recall the last time we were basically absent on social for an entire week! YIKES!! 😬

Sooooo... thought it might be a good time to offer a quick glimpse into the "Real Housewives of Sanctuary Life"! Spoiler alert... we also balance life OFF the farm as well!

For those that may not be aware, Dave is retired (although he is starting a part time job this summer at a local golf course... but before you feel TOO badly for him, let me remind you that Dave and his Dad built a fairway and greens at every home he grew up in, and Dave subsequently went to college on a golf course scholarship. Yes... Farmer Dave🤣).

I, on the other hand, do still work a full-time job remotely from The Wish (and a part time one bartending... and MAYBE another part time one starting next month). Although I no longer endure the full-on hustle and bustle of "Corporate America" that I previously did, I do on occasion have to travel for work which can be incredibly stressful. Let's be real though friends, life is hard and adulting is no joke! So, instead, I try to focus on the positives...

✈️ I get to travel with my boss, Michelle, who I have worked with for a combined 12 years and been friends with for 17. We have A LOT of laughs, and I never have to be worried when we're travelling together.

🏨 I get to see some AMAZING places, and... enjoy some amazing food and drinks as well! These are places I would never get to experience if not for my job.

👚 I am able to stay up to date on the latest and greatest in the promo industry!!! YEEEES! Give me ALL the merch! This keeps my creativity sharp and allows us to offer amazing merch options to our supporters (at competitive prices)!

☮️ And best of all ... I get to share the mission of The Wish with amazing people from all over the US! Now, is it awkward when I consistently whip out my phone to show 87 photos of the most amazing and adorable animals EVER?!?! Um ... sometimes! But, even more consistently, it's a moment of connection that I KNOW will leave a lasting impression when we all board our flights to head home.

So... that's where I have been for the last week. The sunny desert of Palm Springs, assisting in the ex*****on of an amazing event in the promotional products industry! And... doing a little "Wish" promotion of my own in the process! I know y'all can't be surprised at that!

Shout out to the AMAZINGLY supportive Farmer Dave for keeping things running smoothly here at The Wish while I was gone! No easy feat as I am sure you can all imagine!

And, with that, I'll leave y'all with a few photos to prove that I CAN clean up well when necessary! Meanwhile, I am about to get my snuggle on; these puppers best be prepared!

** Side note... now, that this trip is behind me, Season 2025 planning is in FULL SWING! Get ready, friends... our social about to be CRAAAAZY! Let's GOOOOOOOO!

🩵☮️ The Wish ☮️🩵

03/17/2025

☘️ An oldie but a goodie … Moe Finnigan; spreading St. Patrick’s Day joy to the world. ☘️

“May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.”

~ An Irish Blessing ☘️

03/15/2025

“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.” — Kristin Armstrong

Despite a very difficult week here at The Wish, every day continues to remind us of the generosity and support that surrounds us, even in our darkest hour.

There’s absolutely no way we could thank each and every individual that has stepped up for us in our recent time of need… from messages of encouragement to meals that were dropped off to monetary donations, and, of course … ALL of the work that went into the fundraiser last weekend…. We are left without words.

It seems that our community always knows just when we need help the most. And that happened yesterday when Becky stopped by with her kids to drop off some donations. Huge shout out to Luxemburg-Casco Intermediate School for choosing The Wish as their recent “jeans day” donation recipient. This is the second year we were chosen as a nonprofit recipient, and we couldn’t be more thankful for their donation! The animals were also super excited about Becky‘s additional donation of treats and sweet feed for everyone! 

We are working hard to catch up on all messages we’ve received in the past week, but it will definitely take some time. We hope you all understand that we are doing our best to show our gratitude and keep everyone up to date. But… we’re just over here tired andd staring down a looooong list of to-do’s!

On the brighter side… Cookie is finally feeling good enough to have moved back out to the barn with her friends. That meant today we spent cleaning our attached garage in an effort to make it not smell like a sick pony hasn’t lived in there for an entire week! 🤦🏼‍♀️

So, that’s it for today….

☮️🩵The Wish 🩵☮️

03/12/2025

A certain handsome someone got their hair did today at The Magic Wand Pet Groomery! He maaaaaay have been a bit much to handle, but Heather did a wonderful job with him. Annnnd… he smells AMAZING. (Waaaaay better than Farmer Dave!)

Just a chance meeting after she was double shipped her Chewy order and found us as a recommended nonprofit rescue to donate their extra cat food and litter to.

Did I mention that we love our community?

Welcome old man Bruce ☘️

03/10/2025

We are definitely still reeling from an extremely tiresome day yesterday. Farmer Dave is not feeling much better, and we’re both pretty exhausted from all that has transpired the last few days.

However, with the outpouring of love and support that we have received in the past two days, we wanted to be sure we first (and foremost) provided an update on our sweet Cookie.

Her appointment yesterday confirmed that her liver is not functioning as it should. In fact, her numbers were so high, they did not register on the charts. Their only recommendation was to try a day of fluids to see if it would help flush her liver and offer her a reset of sorts. We decided it was best to leave her at the clinic to receive IV fluids and bring her home afterward to monitor her.

To be honest…. Last night, we had lost most hope of seeing a recovery. She couldn’t get up by herself, wasn’t all that interested in food/water and hadn’t been passing urine/fecal matter.

However, this morning brought about an entirely different story. Not only was she able to get up on her own several times, but she also opted to spend some time outside this afternoon as well. Cookie has not been very mobile in the past several days, so to see her have a desire to be outside and walking around was a HUGE step.

She is tucked back into our garage this evening, so we can continue to monitor her closely. We can rest easier tonight as she is happily munching away on her pail of grain and bucket of fresh hay.

We continue to be realistic in knowing that we can’t predict the long-term outcome of her prognosis, but for today, we CAN celebrate the huge improvements we were able to witness and the beautiful day she was able to experience.

Our plan is to take her back for more intervenous fluids tomorrow in hopes that it will continue to improve her overall health and well being.

And that’s all we have for today… just this beautiful update and the request to keep those prayers coming.

** We DEFINITELY can’t wait to share our recap from the soup cookoff yesterday. WHAT. A. DAY. Looking back, it doesn’t even seem real… so, THANK YOU for everyone who had any part in helping us through these recent challenges. We just love y’all so… very… much.

More to come, from …

☮️🩵The Wish 🩵☮️

03/08/2025

We need your help this morning, friends .

Cookie made it through the night, but she seems to be getting worse. We were in the barn with her until after midnight and after consulting with several of our vets and resources, we decided the best course of action was to get her into an emergency appointment this morning in Reedsville.

We are both running on just over five hours of sleep, and to be honest, poor Farmer Dave is not only sick but having some significant back and leg issues. To make things more challenging, our trailer had a flat tire that we needed to fix and our transmission is having issues on our truck.

Not dumping this on y’all as a way of complaining… but more so, as an ask for your support, positive vibes and prayers today. Now, more than ever… we need them.

If Cookie is referred to the UW, today’s SOUP ... Der, It Is! - RESCHEDULED! will be more important than ever. We hope you’ll consider joining us…

☮️🩵The Wish🩵☮️

03/08/2025

📸 I snapped this photo the other night …

At first glance, I was frustrated and embarrassed at the fact that the majority of the lights had burnt out on our back patio, and we had not taken the time to replace them.

But then, it dawned on me that maybe instead of focusing on those that were burnt out, I should be proud of those that were still shining brightly.

With our biggest fundraiser coming up tomorrow, this reminder really hit home.

It’s easy for social media to make our lives seem so positive and perfect, but we all know that the behind-the-scenes struggles and challenges are real. This week we have dealt with working long hours, sick animals, terrible weather and viruses that are tearing us all down.

So, tomorrow may bring some tired looking eyes, but we known y’all will understand that it’s just a part of this beautiful life we get to live. And underneath it all, there’s still a few bulbs that burn bright! 

** Real life behind the scenes … Farmer Dave (who is terribly sick and won’t be at the event tomorrow) is on his way to Tractor Supply to get meds for Cookie who’s not doing well. His phone battery won’t charge and the gas light is on! And I’m at home …. Finishing last minute details for the event tomorrow, feeding the dogs and figuring out what to make for dinner. And … sharing with y’all on social media cause we’re lucky enough to have supporters who not only listen, but care. Send prayers, friends… we’ll see ya in the AM.

03/04/2025

As much as we'd like to say that the winter season is our "downtime", behind-the-scenes work never stops here at The Wish!

With that being said, we are SO EXCITED to announce the start of one of our most amazing enhancements for The Wish this summer. Each year, we host over two dozen tours for local schools/businesses/organizations, with nearly 80% of them including individuals that are differently abled. Although the terrain of the farm is fairly flat and easy to navigate, we currently do not offer ADA compliant restrooms (given our home has stairs at each entrance).

So... when I saw this adorable little "barn" on FB Marketplace, the lightbulb sparked on in full force and the brainstorming began! Fast forward a few short months, and what was once a "someday" is now a "game on"! In addition to having the building, a talented contractor donating their time and talent, a generous donation from Jim's Johns for the actual bathroom holding tank ...

Hooray For Hollywood chose THE WISH as a recipient this year and has gifted us the funds to complete the bathroom project in full! When we applied, we were hopeful that if chosen, this grant could help fund the project. We had NO idea they would opt to donate enough to complete the bathroom in entirety!

Each enhancement here at The Wish is exciting; that goes without question. But... this one is something very, very special. We are so thankful to be a resource for so many community organizations, and now, thanks to the support of Hooray for Hollywood, we are able to offer even more conveniences and peace of mind to our visitors each year! What this group does for our Kewaunee County community is nothing short of amazing. Truly... amazing. Being a "transplant" to the area, we are in awe of the support and generosity of this community. We couldn't be more thankful to call this our home.

And, with that being said (through some definite teary eyes), we CANNOT wait to share the progress of this project with y'all! Now, more than ever ... EVERYONE is welcome at The Wish! 🥹

03/03/2025

These two over here like… “Barn hair; don’t stare!”

And I’m over here like… “Must be nice; haven’t had my hair done since July.”

Guess the question here is… do I take styling tips from Chad or Ted???

Jury’s still out on that one, friends… 🤔