I was trying to figure out how to layout this story… and I decided to do it with photos.
But first, here are links to the incredible SkyDog Sanctuary. Website. Facebook.
For those of you who may be just tuning in, I had the good fortune to be able to release my three mustangs, (The ‘Stang Gang – Remi, Rojo and Sam), onto SkyDog’s 9500 acres Wild Mustang sanctuary. Remi, Rojo and Sam had been with me for 8 years. They were all from different wild bands, but they became tight as glue at my Grass Valley ranch. When we moved to Paso Robles last year, our new property was not set up for horses – much less wild horses – and my mustangs were miserable. So, I pleaded with SkyDog to take my three wild ones, and much to my surprise, our wish was granted. Now they are free, again, and happy.
The day after their release at SkyDog Sanctuary.
MY VISIT – 11 MONTHS LATER!
This visit was the (almost) year anniversary of Rojo, Remi and Sam’s release to SkyDog (linked here).
The first outer gate to Skydog… ! After a long car ride to the airport, 2 planes and another long rental car ride to here, it was a sight for sore eyes!
The view inside the gates. All lovely ranch land. The iconic Skydog rock is straight ahead.
REMI AND ROJO!
Skydog had kept Remi, Rojo, Sam and their band in a 50 acre pasture, so that I would have a better chance of finding them during my visit – which was very nice of them… And, once I entered the designated (gorgeous) 50 acre pasture, I called and Remi came right over. It was as if no time had passed… just like old girlfriends. I was filled with emotion. I love her and miss her but was thrilled that she lives here and is free.
My camera had run out of battery, so a Horse and Man friend was taking photos for me (Thank you!). Remi came right over and started smelling my hair. Foxy nearby.
And then she yawned several times… a release of some sort. I’d like to think she was happy and relieved to see me again… dunno. She liked my hair, for sure.
Then it was time to bond with Rojo… He was standing close enough, but at a distance. He clearly knew it was me… but he was standing on the periphery.
Here Rojo gave me a kiss and all was good again! That is Foxy, harassing the camera lady! Incredible Wrangler Jon the Kindheart is with Remi. His pup is nearby.
That’s my boy!!
And then they all wanted love… Rojo, Remi and Foxy. Look how shiny and healthy they are! Thank you, Skydog Sanctuary!
But where was Sam?… She was up in the trees. I know she heard me, but she was being very shy. So, I went to her.
SLIGHT INTERMISSION… Sam.
At this point, I had an apple – so I ventured up into the trees to commune with Sam. She watched me arrive and just stood there.
Interestingly, Rojo and Remi came up too, but none of the others. Not even Foxy! And even more interestingly… I had an apple, yet Rojo and Remi didn’t harass me for it. They kept their distance. I couldn’t believe they gave us space!
I was able to sit on the ground and give Sam the time to come over and eat the entire apple, bit by bit, with me. She smelled my hair and rubbed her face on my cheek. I drunk her in.
There were no photos, but I will never forget those moments. So sweet.
SOME OF THE OTHERS! – and I’ll come back to the ‘Stang Gang…
I wanted to see some of the other horses up at Skydog – and I needed to get my phone that was charging in the barn – so we left these guys for the time being. Here are shots of others…
Do you remember Swayze? He was our Bucket Fund for March, 2017. He was incredibly skinny with Cancer? Well, look at him now!
This was Swayze when he arrived at Skydog.
Do you remember Read? He had a halter embedded in his face? He is fat and happy now!
This is Read at the feedlot when Skydog rescued him.
Now Swayze and Read are best of friends – and both VERY healthy! The Drop in the Bucket Fund helped both of these horses. Thank you! It is so rewarding to see them like this – happy, healthy and free!
These are more healthy horses… so friendly and happy! (Read and Swayze in the background.)
This was the Mama and Baby pasture. I didn’t get my camera out fast enough here … I missed a few of the babies! We were in the gator, zooming around because I had very little time – and the ranch is HUGE.
I love this shot of the buckskin…! Hey, Whatcha doin’?! All the horses at Skydog were at peace and healthy.
This is the most gorgeous Zedonk! He is in a 50 acre paddock with his best friend, the mini hinny.
This is the mini hinny (so adorable!). I’m sorry that I took this photo through the fencing of the 50 acre paddock… but we were in a gator and moving fairly quickly… I had only about an hour left and we had so much to do and see!
WONDER WRANGLER JON AND I LET THE ‘STANG GANG OUT onto the 9500 acres!
Jon asked if I wanted to watch my horses be let out onto the 9500 acres… SURE! So we raced back up to the 50 acre pasture where they were, and opened the gates! It took a bit of convincing, but once they realized that we were letting them back out, they took off!
Sam and Remi were the last to be coaxed out of the 50 acre pasture… We had to use grain! They didn’t get it that we were setting them free onto the 9500 acres.
Here they are, running down the aisle while we follow them in the gator! They knew where they were headed now! Remi is in front, Sam is following. I think the buckskin in the rear is Montana. The rest of the herd is already far ahead – Rojo included.
Eventually, they were so far ahead of us, we lost sight of them… but finally we saw their backs down by the river… they are the little brown clump just left of middle here.
As we got closer…Rojo in the center, Remi to his left and Sam next to Remi. All totally free.
Wrangler Jon, the kindheart (he was so good with all of the horses!), he thought they might need food to stick around for photos, but they didn’t… That is Rojo on the left and Remi with Jon.
I sat on the ground and they all came over, even Sam!
And they settled right next to me, like we were having an afternoon nosh together… Rojo, Remi and Sam.
Remi asked if I might have another apple…? She is sweaty from running!
Even Sam came in for another sniff.
I love this photo of Remi. She’s smiling.
And then it was time to leave. Bittersweet. But as I mounted the gator to race back to my rental car to race back to the airport (I had stayed longer than I should have… of course), I swung around out the back and saw Remi, looking beautiful next to the huge rock of Skydog. Oh how lucky we are… so very lucky. Thank you, Clare.
I DOUBT THERE IS A HUMAN MORE GRATEFUL TO SKYDOG SANCTUARY THAN ME. HEART IN MY HANDS, CLARE, HEART IN MY HANDS.
