I am absolutely bawling as I write this…
Yesterday (linked here), I told you that Sam, Rojo and Remi – The Mustang Gang – had an amazing opportunity – Freedom on 9000 acres in Oregon at SkyDog Sanctuary.
I know they are not thriving here and the window for sending them was very short. So, based on a wing and a prayer that we will raise the funds necessary for transportation, I pulled the trigger and had Valley View Rescue and Hauling pick up Sam, Remi and Rojo today – to start the journey to Oregon.
But, I knew I couldn’t handle this loss of my very good friends… unless I drove up there, too, and watched them be released. I wanted to make sure that they were settled, that they knew they were free and that they knew I hadn’t abandoned them. I wanted them to see me in their new home and I knew I needed to see them in their new home. I needed to make peace with this decision. I wanted to feel the Sanctuary myself.
Click here if you can help with transportation costs – we have 2 more days to raise the funds! All donations are 100% tax deductible. Thank you. This means so much to me, personally.
So I asked Hubby if I could use his tiny, gas miser car to make the 13 hour road trip – one way. He saw my face and knew he had to surrender his vehicle.
And we are off!
HERE IS A PHOTOJOURNAL OF THE LOADING PROCESS
Yesterday, I told Remi and Rojo that Sam was coming back and that I thought they would all be able to go to a better place – many acres to run free again!
Rojo listened intently as I told him of the journey ahead.
Remi was upset that I was speaking to Rojo first.
Hubby and I put up panels to make a smaller catch pen. As you can see, this is the pitch of the pastures. This is why – and other reasons – that this new location is not like Grass Valley – the lack of trees, the slippery clay footing when it rains, the sand when it isn’t raining… no flat surface to work or groom them… We were under the gun and I didn’t think it through – I didn’t understand about this type of land.
The trailer arrived and both Remi and Rojo perked up when they heard Sam holler.
Valley View Ranch (King City) are excellent haulers of wild horses. Here is Marlene, creating a chute.
Remi and Rojo knew what was coming…
We put a halter on Remi and she loaded right up. We expected Rojo to follow, but he didn’t.
Rojo, taking one last look around…
With an apple bribe, Rojo was in. You can see the clay stuck to him from yesterday’s rain storm. The ground was a slippery slope.
Sam was in the first stall, anticipating…
This is Remi, wanting comfort. This is when I started crying. I love them all so much, but Remi really trusted me. She was my girl.
And there they go. Off to a wonderful, much better life. I was absolutely beside myself with sadness as they left. I knew I had to meet them there on the other end. I wanted them to know I was there and I wanted to know they were safe.
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, PERSONALLY, TO ME. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE A 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION, I WOULD BE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL.
Please, if you can help the HORSE AND MAN FOUNDATION send these three friends to their forever Sanctuary in Oregon, WE HAVE TWO DAYS LEFT (before they get there…) to raise funds for this transportation ($2400)! All donations are 100% tax deductible!
Click HERE to give a 100% tax deductible donation!
