Honoring These Angels
The following is from All About Equine Rescue:
As we count down to 2024, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses this year and every year.
2023 was a difficult year at AAE, especially the month of May; too many of our friends earned their wings. Any time we experience loss of our four-legged friends, it’s difficult, as it is for most. But when we lose four truly beloved animals in such a short time, it’s an immense challenge to our hearts. Fortunately, we’re surrounded by an army of love, and we all get through it, together.
Today we’re remembering our sweet souls who crossed the Rainbow Bridge this year. We are forever grateful for the special memories they’ve given us.
ANGELS
Our sweet Velcro was with us when it all began, and she got to make the move to Pilot Hill to bless the new barn. She adapted incredibly well, and really seemd to enjoy her new digs. In March, her lil’ body traveled as far as it could before reaching the end of it’s journey. Velcro was 21. Velcro loved everyone, and everyone loved her. She was soft, cuddly, and oh, so sweet. She earned her name because of her clingy nature, and it fit her so well, it stuck. She loved to be held on your shoulder, and she’d sit there and purr all day, if you’d let her. Rest easy sweet girl, you were the best kitty ever!
Oh Loretta, Loretta! Loretta was a very elderly donk that came to us from an abandonment situation. Her owner left her with caretakers that were unfamiliar with donkey care and needs. She was in very poor condition when she arrived. Loretta left us as we slept one night in March, after a vet visit the day before. Loretta’s red mane, long ears, and sweet nature won the hearts of everyone that met her. We loved you, ol’ girl!
Gabby, our Warrior, lost her battle with recurrent hoof infections in May when the infection penetrated her joint capsule. Gabby came to us after long term neglect. Her body was spent, but her spirit was very alive. She overcame multiple issues, only to be defeated by a hoof abscess. Abscesses came and went, but the last one was different. Though we fought right along with her, and did everything we could, nothing we could have done would have given her a pain free life once the infection penetrated her joint. If ever a horse has left hoofprints on our hearts, Gabby’s are some of the deepest. We miss you, sweet girl. You will be remembered forever!
Oliver o’ Oliver (photo at intake)! Oliver crossed over in May after an acute illness that was never determined. Oliver was a senior pig (no clue how old). He came to us from a distressed sanctuary that was being evicted. He and his buddy had nowhere to go. This cantankerous ol’ guy weaved his way into many of our horse-lover’s hearts (but not a few), making some new pig-lovers. He was here to let everyone know not all pigs are mean, not all pigs are smelly, not all pigs like to live in wallows, and so much more. This lil’ guy is missed every day!
Lil’ Mr. Dusty was one of the cutest lil’ minis, ever! He left us in May after a severe bout of colitis. He came to AAE several years ago to be part of our youth and outreach teams. Unfortunately, because of Covid, then our move, the mini team got lots of love and R&R. Dusty was a favorite with new volunteers and our long-timers, as well. The Farm just isn’t the same without you, Dusty. We miss you!
Mi Amigo, Mi Amor, many would say. Amigo crossed the Rainbow Bridge in May, as well, after a very difficult colic. He was 34. Amigo came to AAE emaciated and in dire condition from an extreme neglect situation. Though some doubted he would survive, he perservered and blessed AAE and all of our volunteers with his gentle and friendly spirit. He was patient, he was kind, and he just loved to be with people, whether in a stall, the arena, or out in pasture. He taught most of our new volunteers how to be safe around horses and what a well mannered horse was. He was so loved! Thank you for five fabulous years, Amigo, you’re missed more than you’ll ever know.
Elvis, we hardly got to know you! Elvis passed in June while at the hospital the second morning after castration surgery; he was a crypt orchid (only one descended testicle). Results of his necropsy were inconclusive, but cause of death was a suspected air embolism. Elvis was a magically stunning 17 year old Gypsy Vanner stallion that came to AAE after his elderly owner passed. He had these beautiful blue eyes that you could feel staring into your soul. He was simply a big, beautiful guy, inside and out. We had so much more we wanted to learn about him, and so much more love to give him, but his mom must have needed him more and called him home. We’ll remember you forever, blue eyes! ‘Til we meet again, may God bless you. Adios, Elvis.
Sadly, Joey wasn’t with us long, either. He’d only been with us a couple weeks, when he had a four-day battle with an impaction colic he wasn’t able to work through. He was an older mini stallion (~27) and part of a group of five minis that came to us after a death in his family. We collectively called them Friends. Joey was definitely the coolest, sweetest, lil’ stud muffin, and he definitely had that “What you doin'” look when interacting. This lil’ dude is missed by his fellow friends, and he’s missed by all of our volunteers that were enamored as they were getting to know him. Run free, Joey!
Miss Maisy was one of our most easy-going and drama free mares in the big herd. We lost her to a strangulating lipoma. Maisy came to us when facing euthanasia due to a recurrent respiratory infection. She battled through it, and she was a model patient for the myriad of drugs she was on (injections and oral meds) multiple times a day for weeks. You wouldn’t know she was a mare if you didn’t already. She was in the pasture, quiet in stall, quiet in a paddock, and quiet in the herd. She was simply lovely, lovely mare, and she was loved by so many volunteers. There’s definitely an empty spot in our hearts without you here, Maisy. Miss you so much!
As we wind down the year, our goal is to raise at least $35,000 this holiday season to jump start our funding for the new year and make sure 2024 is merry & bright for horses-in-need.
Like you, we have felt the pressure of the changing economy. Hay, fuel, supplies, and other care costs have increased substantially. The effects are compounded for nonprofits across the country, as many of us have seen a decrease in overall donations. Rising costs and fewer donations are stretching us thin, impacting our ability to serve the number of horses we typically serve. We’ll scale back as we need. We need your support more than ever.
On average, it costs about $8 per horse each day for feed and health care for the horses at AAE. Expenses add up quickly when caring for 50+/- horses and other animals, including costs for basic care, diagnostics, treatments, medications, surgery, and emergency care, when needed.
We know your lives have been impacted, too, we’re all in this together. If you’re able, please consider making a year end donation to support this life-saving work and make it possible to help more horses-in-need.
Expenses can add up quickly, but your donations can, too! If every one of our followers made a $5 donation, we could surpass our goal by thousands.
You can help make similar stories to share next year by donating today. Any amount is very much appreciated, and it makes a big difference for the horses.
Ways to Give This Holiday Season
(1) Set up a bill pay with your bank for a one-time (or recurring) donation
(2) Mail a check to:
All About Equine Animal Rescue
2201 Francisco Drive #140-174
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
(3) Drop off your donation at:
AAE Used Tack Store
4050 Durock Road #6
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(4) Donate online using a credit card, Venmo, or PayPal by clicking hereor any of the red “Donate” buttons
(5) Text HOPE4HORSES to 53-555
(6) Venmo your donation to @allaboutequine
A New Way to Give
A New Way to GiveStart your own fundraiser on behalf of AAE! Then ask friends and family to donate as a gift for your birthday, Christmas, or just because, and help the horses of AAE! Click here to get started. If you have any questions, please email mccall@allaboutequine.org
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes really do make a difference and make all of this work possible!
Thanks for your gracious and continued support of AAE!