Why We Do What We Do
[teaser]The following is a post by the Save Your Ass Long Ears Rescue.[/teaser]
We have a new mule at the rescue, who I have named Sage. When she came in the week before Christmas I was told that “she is extremely shy and won’t come up to you.” The first time I went to see her after she arrived she did not want me close, so I just stood and talked to her for a few minutes. I gave her my “this is now, and that was then” speech, tossed an apple on the ground for her, and left.
Over my next few visits with her she let me touch her, but was pretty tentative. I didn’t push it, just scritched her withers and told her she was loved.
Over the weekend, I went to see her, shedding blade in hand. I just stood and talked to her for a few minutes, then reached out and she didn’t move away. I started brushing her with the shedding blade and talking to her. I took her by the halter and looked her in the eyes and told her she was safe now and she didn’t have to worry anymore. She lowered her head and sighed…she let a huge breath out as if she had been holding her breath for a very long time. I just started crying — crying for all the animals who won’t be safe, for the loss of my mom, for all sorts of pent up stuff I’ve been holding onto, for the fact that this one mule at least is now safe, and that she trusts me. I just hugged her neck and cried and cried and cried… and she just stood there with her head low, leaning into me ever so slightly.
But wow….MULE MAGIC.
I’m sharing this with you because interactions like this are so powerful and meaningful to us. It’s been a tough fall and winter so far for me. I found myself wondering why I got involved with rescuing donkeys and mules; and with just the lowering of her head and a sigh, Sage helped me put everything back into perspective.
Saving animals and providing a better life for them is what we do. We are only able to do this because of the amazing generosity of people like you. Please know how grateful we are to you for your ongoing support.
Please help us help them. We can’t do it without you.
You still have time to donate and get the tax credit for 2013. Won’t you please send a donation, large or small, to help us help animals like Sage?
Wishing you all a healthy, happy New Year.
Ann and the herd
