Hi Friends................
I didn't sleep well last night - I kept waking up in the middle
of the night and my stomach was in knots and hurting. During
the course of my life I could guage what was happening in my
emotional life or spiritual life by how much my stomach hurts
or aches. My stomach seems to be a guage of what is to come
or an indicator that I need to take care of something that is
currently going on that is unhealthy for my state of mind and
heart. Each time I woke up with the ache I had two things on
my mind - one of the foster children in care in a local agency
that I used to provide respite for, and the conversation that
I had with a local horse breeder and dealer last evening.
You see, we are on a mad hunt now for three horses that were
sold by an adopter in Viola, Wisconsin. Sadly, the horses's
names are William Lee, Sunset Rondezvous, and Sporty Bunny.
They were sold in cold blood, knowingly and consciously by their
adopters. Their comment to their neighbor was, "just let
Sue try and hold us accountable for this", laughing about
it. We are searching the local countryside and have placed ads
in papers. My conversation with the local dealer was part of
my search.........but it turned out he had never seen the three
horses I was asking about. As we spoke, I mentioned the Sauk
County rescue. He had actually sold the man who had abused and
neglected the horses the blind Standardbred mare two years ago.
He said the check bounced and he laughed. He realized this man
would probably not take care of his horses. I mentioned to him
that I had received a call from the Hillsboro area from the
man accused of abuse and neglect's brother. He had taken 11
of the 17 horses to his father's farm (also his farm) the day
after we had been there to try and save some of the horses.
He told me we had until the end of the week to come and pick
up May, the blind Standardbred mare that was starving that night
of the rescue attempt in the vast, barren pasture. He doesn't
want her any more, and the kill buyers don't want her either.
Turns out that several of the 11 we were unable to save were
taken to a sale in Richland Center last Saturday. He couldn't
stay at the sale, so dumped them there. They were bought by
kill buyers for $25 - $50 each. Imagine - Paint babies, Quarter
horse babies - going for that kind of money because of no coggins.
The dealer told me he saw a beautiful Thoroughbred in the kill
pen as well. They were scheduled to be shipped to slaughter
in De Kalb, Illinois yesterday, but were never picked up. So,
from Saturday until this morning, the poor horses stood in a
pen with little to no food and water, waiting for their final
ride. They didn't go yesterday because we heard De Kalb has
a back log of horses going to slaughter - around 100 a day currently
being run through the chutes. How does this make me feel? Helpless?
Angry? Wondering how God can stand having His world go on this
way day after day? I want to run to Richland Center and scoop
up those babies and the other horses that are there waiting!
Just now I had a light bulb go on, and rushed to the phone.
I called the dealer and got the number for Equity Livestock.
I wanted to do right by those horses in the kill pen! I called
but got the machine, but called yet another number. An unfeeling,
matter-of-fact gal answered the phone and I gave her my story-
about how Sauk County had authorized us to pick up the horses
that were in the kill pen and I felt accountable to help them
and how I didn't sleep last night thinking about this... as
I rambled on she put me off by saying they were in the pen last
night, but didn't know if they were there now. I continued my
emotional ramble, and she put me off yet again to ask a man
in the background if the horses were still in the back. She
came back on the line, and I heard the words I didn't want to
hear, "I'm sorry ma'am... the horses are gone". Now
I am sobbing as I write this, knowing that soon those horses
will be forced through a bloody, slippery shoot and await their
slaughter. What could I have done differently? What can stop
it? I am so sorry... I realize my own limitations and have heard
the dol darn words before, "Susan, you can't save them
all... Susan, calm down... Susan, it was meant to be and there
was nothing you could do about it, nothing you could do about
it, nothing you could do about it... " None of this makes
me feel any better. At all.
My fear is that the horses that were sold by a cold-hearted
adopter may end up in the same situation unless we find them.
We are on our way to court - to hold these people accountable
and to demand return of the horses or information leading to
their recovery. In the meantime, I will continue to drive the
countryside looking at Amish farms for them, as I am fairly
sure that is where they ended up. Please pray that they be found.
We need a miracle. And, we need to put these people who did
this to the three horses behind bars. Since we can't do that,
we can make an example of them, and prosecute them to the highest
extent of the law. It is my solemn promise to do this.
Also, do you even realize the amount of time we spend tracking
horses, making sure they are safe and accounted for? It is very
time-consuming and expensive for our organization. Perhaps there
should be even more screening during adoptions to ensure peoples'
honesty, integrity, and faithfulness. People can look great
on paper. We need more character references!!!! Do you know
the amount of people who take advantage of a charity? Recently
we received an adoption fee of 75 cents for a horse. Yes, 75
cents. You see, the horse's adoption fee was $350, but the woman
could justify in her mind why she should only send us a few
measley pennies. What a joke! Do you think she will be monitored
from this day forward, followed, hounded, to make sure the horse
she got from us is safe? You bet! Do you think she will EVER
be eligible for another horse adoption? Not on your life! Do
you realize how many people a year write us bad checks for adoption
fees? We get two families per year, on the average. Credible?
Honest? Conscientious? None of the above, yet they checked out
as good candidates for adoption on our application. So... ideas
for how to improve our sceening process are welcomed!
We want to turn this into a GOOD report, so I want to thank
Barb Edwards in Michigan for her donation of Weight Builder
supplement for Precious KC and the baby rescue named Mercy.
Lynette Laska, as always - bless your heart for the supplement
and bales of shavings which are always welcome! $100 donated
by Kathy at Tractor Supply Company as part of a fund raiser
she did with her "Curd Mobile" - we love ya! $50 from
Helayne K., Wendy C. for the supplement for Precious, Elizabeth
of La Crosse for the donation of feed bins for our barn, and
Joanne of La Crosse/De Soto for her donation of three Rubbermaid
garbage cans for feed! We love you - you all make such a difference
in the lives of these horses! Gayle donated a pair of airline
tickets for a raffle we plan to do by next spring, and Elizabeth
in Tennessee we love ya for sending monies for the horses at
ASAP. I will continue to post as many public thank you's as
I can as my memory serves me. If I forget anyone, don't be shy
- let me know!
We had a great time meeting old and new friends at the truck
stop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota about 10 days ago. Joan Dixon
who adopted Star Duster came to say "hello" face to
face, and Janel came to pick up her new babies Incredible Buddy
and Katura. It was a beautiful sunny day and a sunny visit with
all. South Dakota is beginning to catch on to Standardbred fever!
We hope to be in Rapid City in January for the stock show to
promote the breed if we can gather the funds. Wish us luck.
Plans are under way for the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison in
April. Write me if you are interested in demonstrating with
us.
My daugher just finished her lead role in the musical "Annie"
so we were busy with that all weekend long. She was perfect
for the part, but of course I am partial! It was a real hit
and her play director ranted and raved about Cherie. It is always
good to go to school and hear GREAT things about your kids,
isn't it? Jordan also got praises for being a good kid - he
isn't a straight "A" student, but the teachers love
him and that is important. Zachary is in second grade and his
teacher reported that he is at the top of his class academically.
Craig said he never thought he would have a scholar for a child!
Zach is outgoing socially, but hates getting up in front of
the class and hates being in the "spotlight". Rachel,
our Kindergartner, is a social butterfly! So............enough
said. I am so thankful for my wonderful children and my faithful
husband - so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
Enclosed are a few pictures of Mojabe and Arne and I. I hardly
ever get pictures of myself on the site - these are special
because I think they show the love I feel for Arne as well as
all the other horses who come here. All are so very special
and there is a divine plan for each and every one of them. I
also want to acknowledge that without our foster families there
would be no ASAP. Kim, Linda, Cre, and Lynn, Tim and Mike all
in Minnesota - there would be a lot of horses with no homes
if it were not for you! Carmen, you too! Thanks so much for
giving all you have to the horses in need. Kim L., Pam N., Deb
T., Shawn and Kristi in Wisconsin - you are precious and vital
and we thank you for extending your hearts and homes for the
horses you care for. Oh, I cannot forget Sue Larson who has
Gemini Raider either! We need to have a Christmas party - when
and where? Give me ideas for a get-together!
Day camps run every Saturday with many new volunteers and many
kids coming to learn, work, and ride. Thanks to a parent for
donating $20 two Saturdays ago for having her little ones down
and giving them a ride. We don't always say it, but we need
donations for our time and energy, and it is much appreciated.
Also thanks to
JO ANN MARX OF LA
CROSSE - DONATED $150 TOWARDS DT'S HOSPITAL VET BILL, WHICH
TOTALLED $590
STACEY CHRISTIANSEN OF IOWA - DONATED PAT PARELLI LEVEL 1 PACK!
TRACEY WALKER OF SHERMAN, ILLINOIS - DONATED $100 FOR HORSES
AT
ASAP!!
Until Next Week!
Susan
