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Post by Shar on Sept 9, 2009 22:05:12 GMT -5
Okay- this time no pictures of my horses, no talking about adventures... This time it is just a huge thank you... Thanks again for meeting with me today. I just know that you will find the perfect homes for each and every one of your incredible horses. I am still just in awe of Dude and how far he has come. You are such an amazing woman... just cannot believe how much of yourself you give to this wonderful organization... although to you, I am sure it's not an organization- it's your life. I can't even tell you how much you inspire me to take my dreams and make them reality. The horse therapy barn seems so out of reach, yet step by step it is becoming my reality. Seeing what you have done to make this world of disappointment and heartache... people losing homes, having to sell everything they love, including their horses... into a hope that things will turn out okay... better than okay for their horses, and give people peace of mind that they are taken care of... also rescuing those who don't have owners, or have owners who are abusive, neglectful, and just plain should be locked up for life... You are inspiring to everyone you meet, and just talking to you inspires others who feel like they just can't do anything to make life better. Thank you for everything you do for each and every horse, and for every person who comes into your life looking for a horse or to help, and comes away with something they would never have imagined... the feeling that they too can inspire and help make changes for those who cannot speak. Thank you. Attachments:
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Post by SandyG on Sept 10, 2009 8:36:05 GMT -5
Oh, my..... I came on the bulletin board to talk about Country Jam and garage sale preparations and glads trying to bloom and I find you, Shari, on the bb with a message that has taken me totally by surprise.
You are correct. This is my life. And I give to these horses gladly. They inspire and support me when I seem unable to find a Human that understands. I just need to look in the pastures to find my strength. They are such remarkable teachers.
And you, my dear, are a teacher, too! To accept so many that others won't even go near. To work with them and find a way to make them acceptable to their owners. To give these horses lessons while not using abuse but instead instilling pride and dignity in the animal. You are part horse yourself, my dear. A teacher all on your own.
How sneaky you are with that camera of yours, too! I thought those were pics of the Appaloosa Mare....huh! Next time I'll at least pose a bit!!!
Thanks for the visit last night. And yes, Dude is awesome, isn't he? Spectacular specimen! This one I am proud of! He is quite the Easter Resurrection...
See you soon - and thanks, Shari, for the kind words. You bolstered me today, young lady!
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Post by Shar on Sept 10, 2009 11:30:03 GMT -5
lol- I told you my mom was a horse photographer, my camera is never far from my side- she always said the best pics are those that are unexpected... I was just taking pictures of the Appaloosa mare... then I saw this picture and saw the caring caress and your body language and face towards the horse, and thought that this is exactly what this place is all about... It's your natural way with the horse, without knowing I was capturing it. That's why I love it. =)
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Post by SandyG on Sept 11, 2009 7:59:13 GMT -5
Poor Ole' Man Cole - He literally got lost in the fog last night. I was up and in the pastures with him more than once. He would call and, of course, no one would call back to him so he would trot a bit and then call again. When I heard the pitch of his calls go up, I would go out and find him and then bring him to another horse. He wasn't calm enough to stand and listen to find them - starting to panic. Bless his old heart. I can understand it - afraid to be alone and no one responding. Bless his ancient old heart!
But that meant I got to experience this night fog first hand and man, that stuff is thick! And wet. I was wet like it had been raining on me each time I came back into the house. Weird stuff....hangs about three feet off the ground. And thick!
And then this morning, for the second morning in a row, an enormous bald eagle came and perched in the big poplar trees out by the Memory Bed of DukeDuke. Huge. Just sitting there. Would tip his head and look down at me as I stood there looking up at him. Thinking of American Indian folklore and the beauty in that bird. Then as gracefully as any ballerina, he lifts himself up and moves to another tree to look for breakfast. Breath taking.
Have a good day, everyone. And tell someone that you love them today.
P.S. I just wrote today's date and realized that 8 years ago we were all holding our hearts as we watched the Twin Towers collapse and the jet slam into the earth in Pennsylvania. May those left without loved ones continue to heal as time passes. And may we never forget the rescue workers who died doing what they do - rescuing Humans in trouble.
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Post by tracy1 on Sept 13, 2009 13:05:19 GMT -5
Sandy and I were talking about the great number of horses in need of homes, and the following song started to germinate in my head, from the Beatles' (specifically Sir Paul McCartney's) song, When I'm 64:
When I get older, losing my teeth,
Many years away.
Will you still be giving me the care I need,
Clean bedding and fresh, good hay?
If I got injured so you couldn’t ride
Would you close your door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm twenty-four?
You'll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I’ll still be with you.
I could be handy, mowing the lawn,
Providing fresh compost.
I can teach the children all about love
Let me show them what they need to know.
I might have arthritis, be sore in the back,
Be too old to show or breed
But I can still love you, if you’ll still let me,
And not be overcome with greed.
Letting me nuzzle, brushing my mane,
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm twenty-four?
Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating points of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
It’s my life you might be throwing away
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Say you’re mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm twenty-four?
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Post by SandyG on Sept 24, 2009 12:53:22 GMT -5
Ta-Dah!!! Drum roll, please!
It is time for the Annual Volunteer Walk-Thru's. We have many who have expressed interest in becoming a volunteer and many of the "old herd" who have expressed interest in branching out in their services. To all of you, 'Thank You' from me and The Herd.
So here are the dates - take your pick and attend one (or more if you find you just can't get enough!!!). However, attendance at one of the meetings is mandatory for any volunteer - old or new:
Saturday, October 10th, starting at 1pm
Tuesday, October 13th, starting at 6pm
Wednesday, October 21st, starting at 6pm
All meetings will be held at the Menomonie Public Library. For directions, please use Mapquest or whatever is your liking and get to this address: 600 Wolske Bay Road in Menomonie, WI 54751
Bring your own munchies or better yet, munchies to share. We will review a few "gotta know's" and then talk about the role of the volunteer at Refuge Farms and where your energies are needed the most.
I look forward to these sessions - very little is planned. Most of it will be your questions and our discussion. Thanks! And see you at the library!!!
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Post by SandyG on Sept 27, 2009 20:49:03 GMT -5
Just had to be outside this afternoon - in the sunshine and the wind and the cooler temperatures. I loved it!
And then tonight as I was feeding Laddee, I looked out of the barn door and there were double rainbows. Double ones! The inner one was a full one of vibrant colors. The top one was almost full and not quite so vibrant, but still absolutely beautiful. What a treat to see them!
Dude spent the entire afternoon out in the yard on his line. And then he went to the corral for the night. Hope he hasn't blown over the fence out there!
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Post by SandyG on Sept 29, 2009 10:23:03 GMT -5
The phone call came in at 9:40am. A 5 year old Appaloosa gelding, blind in the left eye, was scheduled to be put down at 10am. There had been a death in the family and the uncle said the horse had to go. The niece said it was unjust and so she called Refuge Farms.
The owner had stopped paying board and so the vet had been called. I made five telephone calls and had two offers to take him. I called the party back and said, "Stop! We've got homes for him." But the horse was gone. The vet had been on time and the horse was cooperative. Dear Lord.
Is this a sampling of what is to come?
And why do we cry for a horse we don't even know the name of?
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Post by jetmech on Sept 29, 2009 10:41:43 GMT -5
We cry for the innocent that are at the mercy of the uncaring, the cold hearts, the indifference, and the concern of money being more important than the life of the innocent. It does not say much for much of humanity that has lost sight of what life is about and that every living is a Blessing to be cared for and treated with care. I feel sorry for the family of the uncle that seems to have lost the ability to have this caring empathy.
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Post by Shar on Sept 29, 2009 16:55:15 GMT -5
Hi Sandy- I have been thinking about that horse all day today too... people are just so willing to cut their losses and "get rid" of anything that is a "problem". I just keep thinking if I just had my phone on me (I was in the barn when you called) that this poor gelding could have been saved. Anytime you need a foster home, we are more than willing to help out. People can be so cruel and heartless... =(
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Post by SandyG on Sept 29, 2009 23:36:23 GMT -5
This young horse has been in my thoughts during the entire day, as well.
What causes me pause this evening is this: Where was my faith? Why did I not say 'Stop!' on the first call? Why did I feel the need to check out the options before I saved the life? Where has my faith gone? Had I moved on instinct, his life would have been spared. I have much regret tonight as I go up to bed.....
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Post by Shar on Sept 30, 2009 19:17:08 GMT -5
Sandy- I definetly agree with Julie- you have saved so many horses, and created such an amazing life for each and every one of them... I have seen the same regret with my parents when they had to turn down a foster child when their house was full, and then something happened with the foster child where it was placed, and my mom always thought she could have prevented it... You can't save them all. No matter how hard you try... and Honestly, if they were any kind of horse owners- they would have given you the chance, and the 20 minutes that it took would have been more than enough. They were giving you a timeline on a life- and I really believe that the uncle may not have had any intention of rehoming that horse... regardless what the niece wanted. You did your best.
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Post by SandyG on Oct 2, 2009 7:04:23 GMT -5
Cold and wet and windy last night. So at 11pm I went out and checked to make sure everyone was okay and not stuck outside because of water in front of the doors or whatever. They all seemed fine but PONY! seemed like he was looking for a place to stand.
So, I opened the gate to the end stall and made sure both chains were latched. When I checked before I went to bed, they were all contently standing inside out of the cold rain.
Overnight, PONY! somehow managed to herd his women into the stall in the barn - Gracie, Appaloosa Mare, and Blaise. They are all standing on the south end of the stall with PONY! standing across the stall making a gate out of himself. Laddee is standing at the entrance to the stall wondering why all of her friends are so far away. And PONY! stands guard to insure the wolves and bears and other predators don't go after his women. Or he's just being selfish . . . .Ya, that's more like PONY! He's just being selfish with his women.
Men! You gotta love 'em!
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Post by SandyG on Oct 3, 2009 6:59:03 GMT -5
Colleen B. is leading our Cheesecake Sale again this year. She does a great job and has amazing attention to the little details. Thank you, Colleen! Here is her message about the program:
Cheesecake Sale Fundraiser! Attention Refuge Farms Volunteers - we need you!
We are having our second annual Cheesecake Sale and are asking all our volunteers to sell these to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers! Remember all profits are going to the horses for Refuge Farms – a great cause!
These award-winning, gourmet, baked-from-scratch cheesecakes are made locally by Dairyland Delights in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Each 7-inch, 20 oz cheesecake sells for $10 each and is available in these flavors:
Turtle
New York
Raspberry Swirl
Pumpkin Crème
Smores (!! ;D)
Chocolate Mint (!! ;D ;D)
SELLING:
If you want to help us by selling, please email Sandy at THE FARM (RefugeFarms@hotmail.com). Include your name and telephone number. She will email you an order form and a poster and you can get started!
We will sell until Monday November 16th. ALL orders must be dropped off to Sandy at THE FARM by that date. All orders must be prepaid - in cash (or checks written out to “Refuge Farms”). Any orders not paid for will not be ordered.
PICK-UP:
Cheesecakes will be delivered frozen. All orders will be brought to the Applebees’ Breakfast in Menomonie on Saturday, December 5th and distributed to all order-takers after the breakfast is done (roughly 11 am). If you are planning to sell, you must be able to pick up at this time and location!
Remember, we need everyone’s help to make this a success, so please join us! Last year’s sale made over $1,100 for THE FARM - this year, let’s see if we can beat that!
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Post by SandyG on Oct 5, 2009 10:49:18 GMT -5
Waiting to give the ground every possible second to dry out before I move round bales out to the pastures. They are still picking grass but already dependent upon the round bales for that feeling of fullness in their tummies.
Took Laddee out into the west lawn for some pictures last night. She found the fresh grass and voila! I now know how to get the lawn mowed! That girl can graze, let me tell you!
I keep waiting for a warm day to finish planting in the Memory Beds...guess I need to stop waiting and start doing, eh??
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