Molly the Wonder Horse: Still Inspiring Millions

While the amazing tale about Molly, the wonder horse, is not "breaking news", I am always deeply moved and touched every time I read about her.

She's inspired millions of people who have virtually "met her" on the Internet. And as animal lovers continue to circulate her story via email, they can't help but share a deep sense of awe and compassion for this beautiful and courageous speckled gray pony.

Abandoned in southern Louisiana by her owners after Hurricane Katrina struck their area, Molly survived for weeks on her own prior to rescuers moving her to a farm for abandoned animals. But shortly after her arrival at the farm, she was attacked and severely injured by a frightened, displaced dog. The wound to her right front leg became seriously infected and her veterinarian took her to LSU to see what could be done to help her.

As you can imagine, LSU staff were overwhelmed with needy animals, but when veterinary surgeon, Dr. Rustin Moore, met Molly, he was "smitten" with her personality, and impressed by how willing she was to be handled. Since she had carefully and cleverly managed her injury by not putting too much weight on her "good" leg, he could tell that Molly was a smart pony, with a strong will to survive.

To save Molly from being euthanized, Dr. Moore amputated her leg below the knee and, after being fitted with a temporary prosthetic limb, Molly was miraculously given a chance to walk again.

In talking about Molly's awareness of her difficult circumstances, and her will to survive, Dr. Moore said, "This was the right horse and the right owner" 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."

Dr. Moore added that having a committed and compliant owner, willing to provide the extra daily care that Molly will need for her lifetime, will contribute enormously to Molly's full recovery and rehabilitation.

Molly's vet, Allison Barca, DVM knows just how much this prosthetic means to Molly, who has been given a whole new life.

When Molly wants the prosthetic, she lets her owner know by coming over and lifting her little limb. She also alerts her owner to when she wants it removed. Molly, the feisty little pony, sometimes even gets away from Dr. Barca. She laughingly said, "It can be pretty bad when you can't catch a three-legged horse."

Dr. Barca, in summing up Molly's triumph over adversity said, "She's not back to normal, but she's going to be better. To me she could be a symbol for New Orleans itself."

But what I find most compelling about the change in Molly's life is her new "job" as a volunteer. Accompanying rescue farm owner, Kay, Molly visits two shelters, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals to inspire residents and giving them hope. Dr. Moore said, "It's obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life. She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others."

A smiley face is embossed in Molly's most recent prosthesis so now she can leave a smiley hoof print wherever she goes.

What are your thoughts about this story? Share them by leaving a comment.

Photo credit: Flickr user Just chaos