Donna M. Jackson wrote the story in this month’s Muse about Paco the Taco — the baby horse (a foal, that is) born with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, aka “dummy foal syndrome.” She said she’d pop onto the blog now and then for a visit. Any questions for Donna? This is the place.
Donna’s an accomplished nonfiction writer, publishing books including “ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room,” “Hero Dogs,” “The Bug Scientists,” and “In Your Face: The Facts about Your Features.” Maybe she can answer Sphinx’s Queenie J.’s question about philtrums?
Patience, Please
This site is under reconstruction and will look strange for a while. We regret the inconvenience.
It was my question. About the philtrums. If she wrote a book about facial features, I suppose Ms. Jackson would be intimately acquainted with all the current philtrum research.
Ah, you wrote the “Paco The Taco” story. The scales have fallen from my eyes. My SS teacher’s horse had a foal yesterday.
One of my friends used “The Bug Scientists” for a report. It was very good.
My favorite nonfiction science writers are Milton Meltzer and Farley Mowat. Does Studs Terkel count? Why do all these people have such funny names? Besides Ms. Jackson, of course. Hmm…
‘ello…
I sadly have no questions for you now…but i might think of something…
Anyhoo welcome to the insanity. Have some virtual choklit. And a pie in the face. (In case you’re wondering, yes, that is our traditional method of greeting people. BANANA CREAM POWER!!!!!
)
OOps, sorry about that Queenie J! I knew I should’ve checked who asked that question instead of relying on my very bad memory.
I’ve been musing about the philtrum question quite a bit since you asked about them. I have learned some thngs about how they come to be but I still don’t know if they have an actual use. Not everything does! Maybe Ms. Jackson knows.
Hi Queenie J . . . Studs Terkel counts as a master of social science nonfiction writing! As for funny names, my name was much funnier before I married a “Jackson.”
Didn’t see your question about philtrums, but I do recall something fun I read in a “face reading” book that said people with short philtrums like to be flattered, and people with long philtrums are suspicious types! Never really tested that one out . . .
Thanks Ebeth . . . sounds — and tastes — good!
What are philtrums?
Here’s a nice definition/description from Daniel McNeill in his book, THE FACE:
“The philtrum is the shallow vale between the nose and upper lip. It rarely attracts attention on its own, but where its two ridges touch the mouth, the lip rises to meet them. In between, it dips slightly. The philtrum thus fathers the graceful notch in the upper lip.”
(In other words, it’s the groove between the nose and the mouth. )
Unfortunately, that’s as much space devoted to the philtrum I can find in this fascinating 374-page book.
I liked the story about little Paco. They should’ve kept that his name. It has a nice ring to it. Paco Taco. Paco Taco. Paco the Taco. Paco the Taco.
Taco with a crunchy corn shell, crispy fresh lettuce, steaming seasoned beef, and smooth creamy cheese. Drat, I’m all hungry now. And it is 10:00 pm.
paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco paco taco…
Welcome to the blog, Ms. Jackson.
374 is nothing.
Thanks Antepenultimate Mer! I’m with you . . . I liked “Paco the Taco,” but can understand why they changed his named to “Reysin Cain.” I’ve heard that he’s still as feisty as ever and now living in Texas.
Anyone considering the veterinary field — ER vet or otherwise?
Hello, Donna, but be warned. The insanity level on here is off the charts. My sister would like to be a vet, but she’s not a Muser, so she’s not on here. (Although she did read “Paco the Taco.”) I thnk that Paco should dress up as a taco this Halloween.
The insanity level in this joint is too high for comfort. We have lots of Muser variety (insane, sane, normal, supernatural, mild, medium, hot, big, small, little, green, blue, red, royal, plebeian, proletarian, etc.) and we tend to rant, quote and rave a lot.
Gotcha . . . thanks for the warnings.
As for Paco dressing as a taco, he may be more burrito-sized these days!
Yay Paco!!! And yay vet peoples!!!
I’ve been wondering: was it hard to convince the vets to let you hang around in the emergency room?
And another thing I’ve been wondering: is it like the TV show ER?
Look out, Mrs. Jackson, pie coming through. That one was a bluberry. This is a stray probably-true fact having to do with horses: the higher the fur swirl on a horse’s forehed, the more intelligent and skittish it will be. The lower the swirl, the stupider and bolder it will be. Kind of a trade-off, I guess. Terrified and intelligent or stupid and sturdy? The article was great, Mrs. Jackson. I plan on reading your book. Yea for Paco! Yeah, they should have kept his name. Reysin Cain. Sounds like the name of a suspense novel. Has anyone read Animals in Translation by…um….someone? Okay so it’s a bit, erm, graphic on the topic of artificial insemination, but very interesting none the less.
Actually, they were very accommodating. I had full access to the Emergency and Critical Care Unit, as well as the hospital.
On the first day I arrived, I met Shelley — an 11-month old border collie mix who had been hit by a car and suffered injuries to both of her hips and thighs. I was immediately drawn to her, because she looked so scared and sweet. (She also reminded me of my first dog, Sasha, who had to have one of her legs amputated when she was young.)
Shelley was scheduled for surgery that day, and I asked the vets if I could watch them at work and take a few digital photos. They immediately agreed and gave me some scrubs.
I watched the nurses and students prep Shelley for surgery –putting her under an anesthetic, inserting IV tubes for fluids, hooking her up with probes to monitor her vital signs, and shaving the lower half of her body.
I didn’t stay for the whole surgery — which lasted about 5 hours — but I was there when she was wheeled back to the critical care unit.
It was such a rush . . . and that was the first day!
As for whether it’s like the TV show ER — I’d say it is, and it isn’t. When things are quiet and the vets and nurses are monitoring patients and filling out paperwork, it’s pretty sedate.
But, as soon as an emergency patient arrives, it’s much like a human hospital in that the ER team gathers around the patient to quickly assess and stabilize the animal. Everyone knows his/her role and moves efficiently — it’s truly a collaborative effort.
And, as with any emergency, keeping the patient alive is the first priority. ER vets identify and address life-threatening issues first, then work to diagnose and treat other issues later.
Glad you liked the story, yesterday’s_kinked_moose! Interesting about the fur swirl . . .
Temple Grandin is the author of Animals in Translation, which I recently purchased, but haven’t read yet. She also happens to work at Colorado State University.
I hope Shelley pulls through.
Shelley’s story is one that I included in the book . . . don’t want to give away the ending, but it’s a good one. : )
oh c’mon, we’re not that crazy! hold on, there’s some choklit!
*runs screaming crazily after unsuspecting innocent bystander with large choklit bar*
*devours all choklit*
I’m so glad you’re actually talking to us! unlike some people *coughwamcough* Speaking of which, do you happen to want a short and rather silly nickname that we make up and call you just because you happen to be a froody adult, or would such a thing give offense?
Go for it Em!
what? no, that job is generally delegated to sundry clever persons with nothing better to do, (such as two day’s worth of math hw) and are more creative besides. we could try ble though… Dack? no, too long. maybe Dac… where’s Ebeth?
a very, /very/ random question. What breed is he anyways? 0_0
Yay Paco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How old is he now?
gtg bye
12 Queen J. : Which one am I? And please don’t say normal. “Dack” is too long? That’s coming from someone with a two-letter name. Not that I have any better ideas.
Don Quixote?
PacoW (Paco Writer)?
FAW? Froody(and/or Flamablamablous) Animal Writer?
*gasp* PAW! Erm…Popular Animal Writer?
How about PAW?
Hi . . . “Paco” is a quarter horse, or cutting horse — one trained to round up cattle. He’ll turn two on March 27, 2006.
PAW sounds PURR-fect to me . . .
PAW sounds fine.
PAW Dack sounds fine to me, if anyone cares.
Moose, you’re a Relatively Sane Animal-Named Muser.
I have a parakeet. Which doesn’t count. It has this swingy toy, and today it hit the toy, which came back and knocked it off the perch. I laughed so hard…it’s a fabulous bird, but it really likes sitting on people’s shoulders quietly, then suddenly chirping in the ear, then flying off and laughing from a safe distance. Birdy-laugh, if you were wondering.
Thanks gueen J. Ebeth: have you read Don Quixote? I was wondering whether i should read that. Should I?
What about me? What category am I in?
Yes and yes.
It takes a while to get through. It’s pretty slow reading. But it’s worth it.
Hilariously funny.
What category am I?
Maybe you should just make one of those quiz thingys for everybody to take…
*thingies
mutt rides a half quater horse sometimes. he’s really old and stuborn and stuff. he’s also a bit of a brat. xD 0_0
Interesting to note the varying personalities of animals, isn’t it?
yes. although Nugget’s used for begginer lessons a lot, so he’s got it stuck in his head he can pretty much do whatever he likes. plus he’s a retired competition horse of somesort or another, so he’s a more advanced than what he’s being used for.
Maybe he’s frustrated by his lackluster life . . .
maybe. xD
MontgomeryGurl: Classic Wholesome Muser
Ebeth: Slightly Insane and Slightly Hyper Bibliophile Muser
Kokopelli #2: Lowercase Casual-Spelling Personal Input Muser
Antepenultimate Mer: Learned Geekish Oddsquare Muser
How’s that for a start?
*clapclap* beautiful! hit me right on the head with a hammer.
*thinks*
Ow! Hey! *grabs hammer and chases after queen j, screaming random nonsense and a short explanation of what was going to happen when she caught up*
Queen j: HEY! I never hit you with a hammer!
Ebeth: Then why did my head hurt?
Queen j: Your words were your undoing.
Ebeth: Very deep. But my head still hurts.
Queen j: It was BOB!!!
Bob: Um…*runs*
Ebeth:AAAAH! *chases after Bob*
Ebeth and Bob are doomed to a lifelong fruitless chase, much like that of Crraw and Pwt. The world in general returns to it’s normal level of insanity. Thus it is proven that when Ebeth has a story to write, she will resort to any method of procrastination which presents itself.
what about me??
Kokopelli #2: Lowercase Casual-Spelling Personal Input Muser
And mutt also happens to be the choreographer for “Le Fools.” Me and bunch of friends are doing what we call “Le Fools” for the talent show. Mutt gets to dance around like Michael Flately.
sounds fun
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope he has a great b-day!!!
I think that it’s good that vet science has gotten good enough these days to help animals like Paco pull trough disorders like dummy foal syndrome. Thanks for writing the article Donna!
Thanks “Terror” . . . it really is amazing to see all the specialists that work at vet hospitals these days. They have neurologists, oncologists, dermatologists, opthalmologists — you name it.
One of the growing fields is for cardiologists, who perform heart bypass surgeries and implant pacemakers in animals. In fact, Lance Armstrong brought one of his puppies to Colorado State University’s vet hospital to have heart surgery last September.
What’s an oncologist Is it the doctoron call?
That would make sense, wouldn’t it! But actually an oncologist is a doctor who takes care of people or animals with cancer.
how do you pronounce the name of the didease?!!!
oh yes, thanks for writing that article. it is usually assumed, however, that i am in awe of anyone that writes for muse, and i automatically think they’re wonderfully awesome.
oh dear, i think i might be a lowercase-speller.
i meant disease. oops!
Hi leftoversteak . . . I take it you mean “hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy!”
Let’s try this: hi-pox-sic is-scheme-ic en-seff-al-lop-pathy
Does that help??
Thanks Em — I’m in awe of you and your fellow musers!
hmm…yessss…*mutters* hypoxic-ischemic encephalopaty…hi-pox-sic is-scheme-ic en-seff-al-lop-pathy…excellent….
Ok i’m off to go tell the first person who comes by that they have hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and watch their blank stare.
whee! Confusing people is fun!
That’s going to be the story of my life: “It was BOB!!!”
Ebeth: What was?
Me: It was BOB!!!
Ebeth: What is it?
Me: Hello? It was Bob! I think we’ve covered this.
Ebeth: Oh, yeah. Right.
I love your article about Paco! I thought it was such a sweet little story. It is so cool how everyone cared so much about Paco.
The only pets I have are two hermit crabs and a lot of koi fish. Yay. I also used to have two chickens, a turtle, a mouse and a cat, but they all either died or ran away. (Amazingly enough, the turtle was the one that ran away)
The AHHH! aka AHHH!: The Muser with the split personalities: either she’s normal or she’s not. SImple concept. (And she loves writing in third-person)
Thanks AHHH . . . I’m so glad you enjoyed Paco’s story! Sounds like you’ve had plenty of experience with pets of all kinds.
Wow, if you have trouble with animals, try goats! Whoof! Some of them weigh as much as 150 pounds!!
hi donna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have a miniture collie (shetland sheepdog) and she is soooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!! she tore a tendon in her leg last year and had at least 4 casts and one splint before it was fixed… what would i be Queenie J?
HI Donna,
I have 14 horses and most of them have been born on the farm!!! I know how it feels to be really scared to not know weather they are going to live or not.
Hi Kricket . . . wow, what a tough year for your dog! I hope all is well with her now and that she stays healthy. Give her a hug for me!
Hi Musegal, I hear you . . . along with all the joy that comes with watching a new life enter this world, there’s always a risk that something could go wrong.
That’s why it’s so wonderful to know there are people out there who care deeply for animals and know what to do in those critical few moments that can make the difference between life and death.
I want to be an author one day. Maybe even for Muse. So tell me your secret. What happens behind the scenes? What happens when it goes through the editors?
my doggie says hi and that her name is pixie…
i am sooooooooooooo bored… someone talk to me!!!!!!!!!
Hi AHHH! . . . actually, Paco’s story is an excerpt from my new book called ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room. If you go to Amazon.com, they have a few other excerpts from it.
So no real secret for the MUSE story . . . but I can tell you in general that it’s always a good policy as a writer to turn in your best work — and that would be a story that’s compelling from beginning to end! It’s also important to collect a few strong photos/images to complement the piece, especially if you’re writing for a magazine.
Much luck to you in your writing career!
Hi Kricket, my doggies — Sophie and Shadow — say “hi” to your dog Pixie.
my doggies- argus and cyclopes- say ” greetings, mortals,” to sophie, shadow, and pixie.
my doggies- argus and cyclopes- say ” greetings, mortals,” to sophie, shadow, and pixie. i also say “greetings, mortals,” but i say it to you.
Challenge: i am also someone else in here. guess who?
(71)I am the monster?
Pixie would like to know if Donna’s doggies would like to arrange a virtual playdate…
Sure . . . what would that look like??
no idea….
ewwww… my dog just coughed up something nasty on the floor!!!! ICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aww… virtual doggie play date. that would be just you pretending. like : *sophie, shadow and pixie have a vitual play date and have lots of fun*
*sigh* i wish i had a dog.
i have one real cute fluffy awesome doggie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also i have 3 nintendogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Em you can adopt a virtual puppy!!! and virtually train it on this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pick a name and a type of dog and i’ll virtually send it to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whoo! Jump back!! Kiss myself!! (kisses right bicep) Oh yeah!! (kisses left bicep) (flexes biceps) Uhh!!
Ahhh . . . gotcha. Thanks Em!
OK so my Sophie, who’s a 130-pound Great Pyrenees, and my dog Shadow, who’s a 50-pound black Lab mix, have assumed the play bow — they’ve got their heads and front legs lowered, and their tails and butts are in the air. Both are smiling at Pixie and awaiting her first move!
Jadestone, the song is “I am the Walrus-Coo coo catchoo!” I didn’t make it up. There you have it. Go ask Paul McCartney. And while you’re at it, get him to explain the White Albums, Ram, and so forth.
YAY! That is a cool song. Mainly because it’s totally incomprehensible and random. WOOHOO!!!
sittin on a cornflake
doo doo doo doo doo
waitin for the van to come
doo doo doo doooo
corporation t-shirt
stupid bloody tuesday
man, you’ve been a naughty boy
you let your face grow long
I am the eggman
woooooo
they are the eggmen
woooooo
i am the walrus
coo coo catchoo
And on. I won’t type the whole lyrics out (much as i would love to) because i must now go read ZORRO! wheeeeee. Oh yes and eat a cookie! A cool cookie! A trader joe’s cookie! With a toucan!!! WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
my doggie is probably half the size of Shadow. she’s only like 27 or so pounds!!!!
Then she’ll run them ragged!! (which will be good, because they need to keep exercising!)
I don’t have a dog cuz my mom’s allergic
but if i can make a virtual dog i’ll join ur virtual playdate… 
*walks in for a moment leading a huge lump of cheese and a hot pink bunny she’s saving for GAPA for a moment* connemaras pwn. wheeee. deal with it. 0_0
Join the fun Ebeth! Please tell us a little bit about your virtual dog . . .
My virtual dog is named EVD. Ebeth’s Virtual Dog. Very imaginative. *glares at others until they agree that the name is very imaginative* People, stop lying. EVD is a mutt. medium size-not huge but not teeny. All black. Friendly, energetic. EVD talks through me. EVD says woof. See?
run pixie run!!! here’s a virtual soccer ball.
Sophie and Shadow are on Pixie’s tail — so to speak — chasing after the virtual soccer ball. But wait . . . out of nowhere comes a virtual Frisbee . . . Shadow becomes distracted and virtually lunges to the right to catch it . . . Go Shadow!!
Where’s EVD?
oh there goes Shadow lunging for the frisbee!!! but wait… here comes EVD also lunging for the frisbee!!! Pixie and Sophie are still running after that soccer ball neck and neck!!! who will get the frisbee? who will get the soccer ball? tune in next time for the next virtual update!!!
lol
EVD is running for the frisbee…she’s almost right on top of shadow…but then she sees a squirrell! EVD loves squirrells. She chases after the squirrell instead, leaving shadow to make a spectacular catch of the frisbee. The squirrell scurries up a tree, while EVD runs around the base, barking at it.
Shadow grips the Frisbee between his teeth . . . tail-wagging, he looks for acknowledgment of his athletic prowess . . . but wait, here comes EVD out of nowhere, grabbing the other end of the orange disc and initiating a tug-of-war!
Sophie, meanwhile, dashes toward the tree and barks at the squirrel who taunts her with every scuttle among the branches. Looks like Pixie’s caught up with the soccer ball. Now what??!!
And meanwhile, in the trees, Queenie aims her slingshot at a furry animal bounding into a large tree, then realizes there’s no point and goes off to find something more interesting to do. Meanwhile, PAW and Ebeth continue the Canine Saga That Made Every Museblogger Except P. and E. Throw Up.
Quoth the cynic.
Ouch!! That hurt . . .
Jadestone will have a virtual dog too! His name is, um, Ice and he is a siberian huskey. Is that how u spell it? Anyway, he is grey and white with blue eyes.
I ♥ huskies! EVD runs over to Ice, wagging her tail and sniffing Ice for some unknown, doggy reason.
EVD also growls at Queen J. Queen J looks supremely bored and walks away. EVD shakes her head and resumes sniffing Ice. Ebeth thinks Queen j wouldn’t be so disgusted if she would join in.
Ice sniffs EVD. He says hi in Dog. Presents group with a red rubber ball as a gift.
Pixie rolls the soccer ball over to the group and assumes playing position. says hi to ice in doggie language. Kricket throws the ball for the dogs. they run after the ball!!! who will get there first!!!
wow there are 5 doggies now!!! even if 2 are virtual!!!
Pah. Sniff. Ping!
Ebeth: EVD says ow.
Me: Bullseye! Or Virtual Dog’s, really.
PAW: You’re nice.
Me: Being nice is overrated.
evil little twerp. (no offense Queenie J.)
Ice is happy. He has control of the ball now, even if he doesnt know what to do with it.
Ice forgets the ball. He growls, having spotted a movement in the corner of his eye. He turns around and snaps at it! Ouch! He yelps, feeling somthing bite his tail. He lets go of the strange thing and spins around, searching for his atacker untill he is so dizzy he flops down onto the grass. Poor Ice. He really just doesnt understand.
Sophie and Shadow dash over to Ice to welcome him. Soon EVD and Pixie join in the sniffing fest . . . tails wagging, they’re ready for another round. But who’ll break out of the pack . . .
Hello it’s me again!!! I’m here to annoence a new addition to our farm!!!! His name is Paco (after my old jumping horse) and he was born March 10th at 2:07 in the morning, also my filly is expecting!!!
Bye!!!
Congratulations musegal . . . Paco’s a lucky foal!!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but last night my horse that I have had since I have been old enough ride died. Indians Pride was 13 years old, and we found out that she had cancer, yesterday. It was attacked her heart, lungs and brain. So we thought that it would be the most humane thing to do was to put her down. So in her legacy we named one of our barns, Indians Pride. Also we had a poem about her made and engraved on wood and put on her stall.
I’m very sorry to hear about your horse, Musegal. Could you show us the poem?
Hi Musegal, I’m so sorry to hear about Indians Pride — it’s clear from your posting that you loved her deeply. I know it hurts right now, but in time, all those good memories you have growing up with her will elicit smiles from your heart once again. Take care . . . Donna
Yes I can.
Through good times and bad you’ve always been there
Even though I was mad, I had a sholder to lean on
When I happy, I had many laving embraces from you
And when I cried I had you to hold me threw
Indians Pride I will always be with you!!!
This poem was made by my sister, my mom and dad, and I.