Horse Rescue and Retirement...

My family LOVES animals. Did I say we love animals? I mean we REALLY do. If we could afford to buy a farm , we would. And, we would happily tend to the animals daily - feeding, brushing, loving, nurturing, you name it - that would be fine!

This morning while I was cooking breakfast my husband was watching TV. He found this dog show a few weeks ago that is aimed toward kids. He loves it...watches it every Saturday, now. (Of course, he's a big kid so that works!) Anyway, after the dog show went off, he left and left the TV on - a big no,no in our house as it wastes electricity. But, I'll forgive him this once because a little while later Jack Hanna's Into the Wild show came on.

I don't know about you, but I haven't seen this show in years. I did enjoy it the few times that I saw it back then. That Jack is a funny guy when he's chasing animals. But, today the show was different. Jack wasn't chasing animals, he was helping feed animal on a farm. Not just any old farm, a horse rescue farm.

The farm is called Mill Creek Farm - Retirement Home for Horses, Inc. What a wonderful place! This couple, Mary and Peter Gregory, of retirement age themselves (I think the man was 79 at filming!) purchased hundreds of acres of land outside of Naples, FL. They take in horse that have worked, in some capacity or another, all their lives and allow the horses a nice place to "retire". The farm also provides a separate paddock for blind horses (apparently, Appaloosa's are prone to blindness as they age) and a burial ground called "Field of Dreams" as a final resting place.

The Gregory's provide a home for these animals to prevent them from being destroyed, as most owners would do when the horse is no longer deemed useful. Of the horses Jack showed us, some had been abused by their previous owners by starvation, improper grooming habits (trimming of hooves), or improper care after injuries. Others had been put out to pasture after years of police, forestry, or circus work. The remainder had been participants in riding programs and one had been saved from the "animal dumping grounds", also known as the Everglades.

Can you believe that horse owners in Florida will take their horses out to the Everglades and tie them to trees for alligator feed because they don't want to pay to properly dispose of the animal???? Outrageous!

During the filming of the show, a man showed up with a trunk load of fresh fruits and veggies for the horses. He stated that he had been coming daily for 8 years with the same load - a case of bananas, a case of apples or pears, and a 50 pound bag of carrots. Jack's wife introduced us to a family that has adopted a horse, a miniature pony and a burro. The family travels regularly from Germany to visit and groom their adoptive animals! That's commitment!

Jack Hanna stated that he and his wife had found this jewel of a farm over 12 years ago on a trip to the Naples area. They have been sponsoring horses ever since. Jack said that you can sponsor one horse, which offsets the costs of feeding, grooming and veterinary expenses, for $40 a month. The website states that the average cost for one horse per year is about $2100 (and they had a lot!)

If you are interested in more information on this wonderful organization click on their link above or here for their donation information page:

http://www.millcreekfarm.org/help.htm

(The horses pictured are from the Mill Creek Farm website. The first is Collier, an Arabian, from the Parker Ranger Service. The second is Denim, a Quarterhorse, from the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Florida - poor swayback fellow...)

In a sea of e-mail this one hits home...

I am thankful:

For the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight, because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing the dishes, because it means their at home, not on the streets.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work, because that means I'm out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because that means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me at church who sings off key, because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been able to work.

For the alarm that goes off early in the morning, because it means I'm alive.

For the crazy people I work with, BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

For too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

This list was in an e-mail I recently received from two good friends. It made me stop and think a moment. Some days, it's as if every little thing annoys me. I strive to find the best in situations (hey, one of my favorite movies is Pollyanna!) but sometimes it's not easy.

I'm glad someone sent me this e-mail as it will help keep me focused on the good things in my life. Although I will add one more thing that I'm so grateful for - My relationship with God, for without it none of these other things would have any meaning!

Blessings and God's peace to you and yours...

Thought for the day...

"Miracles are all around you. You just need to open yourself to receive them."

by M J Ryan, author of the Happiness Makeover

I used to keep this quote posted by my desk at work. The thought is simplistic, yet profound. How many times have you missed something because you closed yourself off?

Personally, I think I missed out on half of my teen years because I was waiting for something really fabulous to happen. What I failed to realize is that miracles were happening all around me. I was just too caught up in fancy and flashy to notice. I thought miracles came with fireworks and thunderous applause. The truth is that miracles come quietly, in the depth of night, on the whisper of the wind, they sneak up and catch you unawares...but only if you're open to receive them...

In this new year make a conscious decision to witness things like a child - everything fresh and new. You'll be amazed at what you find!

Here's a link for M.J.'s website, if you're interested. She has some great books on gratitude, as well. -

http://www.mj-ryan.com/

And a link to recieve her daily inspirational e-mails -

http://www.happinessmakeover.com/signup2.html