Last night was an emotional ride. Benji and I were invited to speak at The Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s annual fund raiser: The Mane Event. At the end of the presentation I attempted to demonstrate to the supporters of the ARL how important they are to the League’s work of saving animals; how their support is actually making a difference. Not only saving but changing lives… of people (mine and Kathleen’s) as well as animals. Our Mouse was the subject.
Mouse on the far outside
Two years ago, nine-month-old Mouse was among 14 horses rescued by the ARL from just horrendous, deplorable conditions near Des Moines. Mouse was one of four chosen to make a trip to Monty Robert’s farm in Solvang, California to receive a bit of behavior modification so they would all be more adoptable.
Mouse was barely nine months old, skin and bones, with awful feet, matted mane and tail, vacant eyes… and she was terrified of humans.
The first time she was maneuvered into the trailer-loading pen she jumped the fence. It ultimately took six big men to wrestle her into the trailer to travel west.
Two days after Mouse’s arrival my step-son Dylan and I arrived with two of our horses to monitor a week-long seminar with Monty. On the second day Monty took Mouse into a small – but very tall – corral and in thirty minutes was using her as a podium.
And I was in love. I snapped a cell-phone photo and sent it off to Kathleen.
“We don’t need another horse!” she responded. The tone was emphatic, finality dripping from every word.
“But, Sweetie…” I sniveled into the phone, “this one’s had so many problems. She needs us.”
“We already have six horses.”
“But we don’t have a baby.
“She’s a baby???”
There was a long moment of silence.
“Wipe that smile off your face,” she said.
Kathleen knows me too well. I zoomed in on Mouse’s feet and snapped another picture and sent it quickly. She said it’s the last time I will ever leave home with only two horses in a three-horse trailer. And I was off to call Carol Griglione at the ARL.
And come home with us she did.
I told all this to the supporters of The Animal Rescue League last night… and then showed them the video linked below: Mouse – two years later – all made possible by their support. The ovation was overwhelming. “You are part of a love story involving many,” I said. “Without you, the supporters of the ARL, this would’ve never happened to Mouse… or to me and Kathleen… or to the hundreds and hundreds of other animals rescued and adopted out by the amazing folks at the Animal Rescue League. I thank you so very much.”
Click the photo below to watch the video.
It was a splendid evening indeed. Many thanks Carol, Dan, Tom, Julie and everyone in Des Moines.
Joe
Hey Joe,
What a great video. Mouse is certainly a miracle horse and is very lucky to have such a wonderful home with you and Kathleen. It was really a treat to meet you and Benji in Des Moines. Hope to have you back again next year!
Regards,
Cheryl
Such a Beautiful horse!! And such a wonderful video, it made my day. Thank you so much for sharing.
Joe,
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with you (and Benji, too!) at the Rescue League! What a treat for me, and a great story to tell my wife. I also want to congratulate you on the Tennessee home – what a beautiful country home full of Southern charm. Thank you for the recommendation, I will soon be ordering the Pete Ramey DVDs. Best wishes for an uneventful move for the horses, not to mention you and the family!
Thanks for the comment Kathy. You would be amazed if you knew how little time I spend with Mouse. She gets most of her work at morning and evening feeds. We make a game of it. She’s only been in that arena maybe three times in her life. It is ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP…and TRUST. Our relationship is exquisite. She trusts me implicitly, Therefore she will do what I ask her to do. That little walk up the step is the first time ever that she had done that. There’s a blog coming soon on this subject. don’t train ANYthing until the relationship is right.
Joe
Joe, thank you for such an awe-inspiring evening. I’m glad you ran out of books at the book-signing and I hope to find a copy in an area bookstore! Tina
I love it!
I feel that most animal owners are capable of taking in at least one rescue – heck, my mother-in-law just proved that even a woman who has never had a pet can take in a rescue and be very happy with her new companion. She rescued a mini poodle that was abandoned at a boarding facility.
More importantly, however, is this lesson: never take a trailer half-empty ANYWHERE, because you find a reason to fill it!
My beautiful 21-year-old retiree, Bounce It, is living proof of that. No I didn’t need an old barren broodmare, but I had space on the trailer. . . and she was looking for a new home. . . :)
The blog world affords an amazing opportunity to share these stories, and get the message out about rescuing horses. I definitely love this one! Thank you Joe!
Thanks for my “horse fix” this morning. I just watched the video of Mouse. I can see why she had to come home with you! She’s a lucky girl.
Joe you fell in love with that sweet face, and you knew she also had a sweet heart. Horses are so good for our souls.
Such a beautiful animal, and such a testament to how full of love they are and that all they need is an environment to show us!
Making a difference even one animal at a time is better than never to have experienced the difference they bring into our lives. Kinda like garth brooks song “the dance”!
thanks for sharing,
Debbie
Jo
The amazing thing is that story of Mouse and your family touches the heart of people around the world.
Hana. Auckland, New Zealand
Wow I want that too. I know I gotta work for it and I need to make the time…….stuff happens: work, travel(to see grandchild), gardening, canning. I don’t know where you find the time. But it certainly inspires………too bad it’s dark and now I’ll have to wait for another day. Thanks for sharing.
For those of you who might be wondering if this was the first time I said “we don’t need another horse” the answer is a definitive NO. I’m guessing it won’t be the last ;)
You should have warned me to have a box of tissues nearby. What a BEAUTIFUL video!!! Mouse absolutely shows TRUE JOY. And bond between Joe and Mouse…unmistakable. What a beautiful few moments you shared with me.