I just thought I would just start this topic concerning Liz's post for those that want to discuss it. I could go on and on about horse abuse. I saw a lot of it when I was working for the polo people.

Thanks, Chip. I'm still upset about what I saw at that stable the other evening. I talked to the guy from Animal Control for awhile. He said Animal Control had been to that place before, the last time about a year ago. It certainly wasn't the WORST neglect I'd ever seen, but there were WAY too many horses with ribs/pelvic bones sticking out, plus the other things I mentioned.

I rescued horses for awhile--mostly aged, unwanted horses that would have been sold at auction or sent to a rental string. I took them in and gave them loving hospice care till they died or had to be put down. My ranch was called "Trails End Ranch"--my logo was the Remington "End of the Trail" Indian rider.

It's so heartbreaking to see that kind of thing. Todd and I are such animal lovers. I can't even imagine what type of person one must be to abuse such gentle creatures.

We always get our dogs from the local rescue groups. I wish we could do more. Liz - as hard as it was on you, you've been able to make such a difference. There are going to be a lot of horses waiting for you "over the rainbow bridge".

Kathy

Oh, Kathy, don't even MENTION that "Rainbow Bridge"--just thinking about that makes me tear up. It's so wierd, but animal abuse upsets me more than anything else in this world----and I WORK for Child Protective Services.....when I saw those horses, with their bones sticking out, I felt such deep sorrow in my heart.

Part of the reason I stopped rescuing horses was not just the financial drain (although veterinary care cost me a fortune) but the emotional drain, when their time came and I had to put them down. The time that they spent in hospice care with me, I grew to love each one of them. It broke my heart when it was time to say "goodbye" but it also made me happy that I was able to give them a good home to live out the last years of their lives.....

Thanks for your kind words. Honestly, it RUINS my whole day when I'm driving around and see a loose dog running on a dangerous street. I have picked up so many or called animal control for so many, and if I stopped for every one, I'd never EVER arrive at any destination. There I am driving down the street, looking in my rear view mirror, screaming inside for the dog not to run in front of the oncoming truck.....then, I spend the whole day feeling sad that I didn't stop....

Liz,

The rainbow bridge has been close to my heart lately. We lost one of our "babies" to cancer a few weeks ago. I smile and cry through the story on the website almost daily. I read an interview that Roy Horn did some months after he left the hospital. He died on the operating table. When the interviewer asked if he remembered anything, he said "All my beloved animals were waiting for me."

The helplessness of it all...I often feel that way with the rescued dogs we adopt. We can help so few, yet so many need us. I try to focus on making lives better two at a time. (We live in a townhouse with a condo association. Two pets per house maximum.) :(

I think you'd recognize my trunk. It's the one with the slip lead leash and dog food/treats. Like you, Todd and I try to help wherever possible. Thankfully, we don't encounter anything like the number of dogs running in the street that you have. We might see a loose dog once every other month or so.

Try not to beat yourself up when you can't stop. Few people will ever make as big a difference as you have in so many lives. With all the horror stories you see on the news, it really renews my faith in human nature to know that there are also people like you out there, giving everything they can to make a difference. God Bless You for all you do.

Kathy

I've been bringing home stray dogs as far back as I can remember. It always feels good when you find one, nurse it to health, find it a home and go back and visit to see it happy. My Gizmo is one who was found on the street. Somehow those rescues know that they are special and they are needy too. The people who let their dogs and cats out and are careless with them really anger me. I was with a friend, all dressed up for a business luncheon and I found one just walking slowly down the street. Filthy. A little Shitzu. Very overweight, Opened the door and he hopped in. Called the number on the tag and the number was bad - there was a second tag with a different number and I left a message. now I am going to be late. What to do? Took it to a Vet office and explained the situation. They would call Animal Control so it would get back home. The owner called me a few hours later MAD!!!! I was the one who should have been mad. I should have left her dog she said, but the dog was heading towards a freeway!, like I could really do that. She just had a baby and did not know how the dog got out. She was mad because she now had to go get the dog. They should have some sort of license to allow people to own a dog. I still can't get over the fact that she was mad I took her dog to the vet's near her house. My friend thought we should take it to her store until after our business meeting and then deal with it later She'd have had to drive 25-30 miles to have claimed the dog. Or if Animal Control got it, it would have cost her about $100. to claim him. Some people don't get it.

Kathy (Kathleen)--We DO have to just be glad that we can help the ones we help. Every one we do help will have a better life. It just makes me so sad to drive by a loose dog that I know is going to get hit by a car. Or to see a stay who is clearly neglected or homeless. And thank you again for your words of encouragement....I DO think that animal lovers have special hearts....

Kathy (Chat Kat)----you two have to differentiate your names, LOL---little Gizmo is SO precious. I loved that picture on the Brunch thread. I'm like you---I get really mad at people who don't get it!!!! I once called Animal Control on a neighbor's dog who had gotten out of the yard (not the first time he'd done that, as there was a gap in the fence the neighbor never fixed). I tried to catch him to keep him in my yard for the day, but he wouldn't let me get near him. Rather than just let him run away or get hit by a car, I called Animal Control to get him off the street so he'd be safe for the day. The neighbor was annoyed b/c she had to pay to get him out of there, and she told me I should have just left him out.....go figure....if MY dog ever got out, I'd WANT someone to call Animal Control!!!!! I thought I was doing her a good turn.

Liz - No good deed goes unpunnished. Sadly.

'Aint it the truth, Robert!!!!

I always took care of my dogs and horses like they were family. I just find what goes on sometimes is just the greatest example of cruelty that humans can do.

Yeah, Chip---to me my animals ARE family, and nothing less. I have my one old mare boarded with really good friends in Norco, where they love her as much as I do. They call me up with funny stories about her (she's quite a character), and I go see her, too. (She's too old to ride). After what I saw at that stable, I feel so grateful that she's in a "family" environment.

Liz, I'm just now catching up on this thread. I know what an effort it takes to rescue and care for any animal, let alone animals as large as horses. The challenges are enormous. I think people who do and have done rescues have an extra little halo. As a lifelong horse lover, I'm glad there are people like you in this world!

Thanks, Priscilla. It did take a toll on me. It was hard to have to put them down when the time came. The only one I didn't have to ever put down was a younger horse I rescued--I was able to adopt him out to a loving home. He was a younger thoroughbred, originally out of Jack Klugman's stable. Not a good runner, he'd found his way to a police mounted unit. Believe it or not, the cop who owned him neglected and abused him. (The cop tried to say that the horse was ill, etc., but neither I nor my vet believed that story). He was so weak, he could barely walk and his bones stuck out everywhere. (The cop said he was a cribber and couldn't keep weight on). Within a month of living with me, he started gaining weight, and within three months, he was sleek, bulked up, full of sass and would run like the wind around my arena area. The before and after pix are astounding. I found another cop (a really WONDERFUL guy) who was "into" thoroughbreds and had a beautiful family horse property in Palos Verdes. He took the horse and has him to this day. I get reports every now and then and they're both doing great. The guy's kids are riding him now....now THAT's a happy story!!!!