These horses aren't really pets, but I respect the work that is being done at the PProud Spirit Horse Sanctuary so much that I kind of insisted that Melanie Sue Bowles send us some photos.
There are no words for the pictures and the work being done there. I simply can't imagine being responsible for so many critters. I can barely keep up with my humans and two dogs! The picture of the dogs lining the sofa will stick with me forever!
Oh, wow. I've never really been around horses (though I love them), but I follow a couple of horse sanctuaries on Facebook. Their pictures never fail to delight me when I see them cross my feed.
In love with these pictures--all of them. One of my dreams is to work or volunteer at an animal sanctuary. There's a sanctuary out in Utah that I supported for a while (for financial reasons, I've had to temporarily stop), but I'd love to be able to travel out there and volunteer for a few days--or, you know, a lifetime. I respect people who care for these animals so much... They have such open hearts.
While I was looking over the Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary pictures, I was thinking, how did I not know Melanie Sue Bowles was involved in this sort of work? Did I somehow miss this in one of her comments?
This is truly incredible work. Some of the pictures on the site are hard to look at, but like with the heartbreaking ASPCA and Humane Society commercials, the comfort is in knowing what these animals endured is over with. They now know kindness, and life as it should be. One of the stories about Ol' Pal was one of the most gut wrenching. Your tribute to Ranger made me go all teary eyed.
Thank God for people like you, Melanie. It takes someone with guts, and a strong heart to do what you're doing. And importantly, the way you write about these horses, dogs and other animals completes their journey, giving their backstory, and how they've adapted to PSHS.
This was a perfect post to put up for Sunday, QOTKU!
Horses aren't pets?! Please don't tell my mare Melody, who turns 27 next week. I love all of these pictures—but the smiling spotted pig with crossed-legs is absolutely wonderful.
Oh...! What fun. Our little family. Thank you, Ms. Janet, for including us in the month long "Gone To The Dogs" blog. I'm honored.
Becky: Horses absolutely ARE pets. What Janet means is that these horses aren't our personal pets, they're rescued horses living at our sanctuary.
Donnaeve: Thank you for taking a look at our website, and thank you for your kind words.
Susan: I hope you "LIKE" our FB page. Although we deal with some of the worst of mankind (people who abuse/starve horses) my posts from the sanctuary are almost always uplifting, positive, and fun. And you might enjoy reading my 3 books about all the animals who have found their way to us (I hope this shameless promotion is okay?)
Thank you, everyone, for your kindness! Janet, once again, thank you. As a nonprofit, exposure is imperative. To get a "shout-out" from you is truly meaningful. Smiling over here!
The only break in my childhood dream of being a writer was between 3rd and 4th grade, when I was convinced I would be a veterinarian. I devoured James Heriott's All Things Great and Small and imagined living on a great, beautiful animal sanctuary. Like this, basically.
Melanie Sue Bowles, these are wonderful photos and what beautiful work you do!
Melanie: Is your FB page linked to essential oils? I want to make sure I have the right one. (I also use EOs, by the way! They're wonderful and are amazing for my dog who has car anxiety--not from my driving, I swear!)
Nothing breaks my heart more than injustice to the innocent, especially animals. But nothing fuels me forward in creating change and making a difference for them, either.
I always think of the parable of the people on the beach, watching a man throw starfish back into the ocean. "There are too many starfish," one of them exclaims. "What difference will it make?" The man throws another starfish out to sea. "It made a difference to that one," he says
I think all we could want is to be able to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem. Because what might seem small to us is huge to someone else. Bless you, truly, for all the work you do.
Ah what a wonderful post for Sunday. Melanie, what great work you and Jim are doing. I have so much respect for you. It drives me nuts when animals are abused.
I had three step fathers who had mean streaks toward animals. It's pretty hard not to wish horrible things on their souls.
Horses really can be pets. When we foaled out mares, we immediately start handling the babies so they know from the beginning not to fear people. Don would set a five gallon bucket in the pen with a mare and baby and just sit there on his little stool. The babies would wander over to check him out and he'd scratch them all over. They got to where they looked forward to him coming in the pen.
One colt, Buddy, used to back up and sit on his lap to be scratched just like a big dog. I said, "That's all well and good until you have a 1,200 pound horse trying to sit in your lap."
Out in the big pen, the horses would form a circle around a person, butts in so they could be scratched. It was disconcerting for someone who didn't know the horses to be surrounded by a ring of horse butts.
My whole entire life I wanted a horse (and a dog). I have the fortune to be given a smattering of riding lessons over the years, so I was able to interact with horses, at least. They're some of my favorite animals.
Now pigs, I've never made acquaintance with. Those ones sure have personality!
Horses are my favourite. And pigs! I was just telling my husband yesterday that if we ever get a farm I want a pet pig. Maybe not a house pig, but definitely not dinner.
What wonderful work you do, and it's amazing to see someone taking an interest in creatures that are so frequently ill-treated. Thank you for sharing these lovely photos!
Julie I can't stop picturing a ring of horse butts. That was a great story, as usual.
Melanie, reading your website breaks my heart and heals it at the same time. As others have said, so much respect and gratitude for the work you do.
What a fierce expression on that cat. I could easily believe it's the only cat in the house. And those dogs! It's like a photo shoot for Southern Living, the Canine Edition. Thank you for sharing all this with us.
I agree with Donna-- seeing all these critters, I'm learning things about our commenters that I never knew. (I still want to know who belongs to the dogs on the 4th. Pax and River. What a fantastic pic that is.)
Hi All... I really and truly am overwhelmed by your kindness (but not surprised). Thank you! We've been in a bit of overload the last few weeks here at the sanctuary, your thoughtful input is uplifting, and in many ways, calming.
Julie Weathers: HA! On the butts. I know all about that. We have many members of our equine family who turn their butts to the nearest human for a good scratch. You know they're serious when they lift their tail.
Colin: How incredibly thoughtful of you to bring up my page on amazon. Wow. Thank you. Just so everyone knows... proceeds from book sales help us continue our work here :-)
kdjames: We have two cats. Basil and Sunny. They live in perfect harmony with our dogs. Basil is the sweetest kitty on the planet. But that's Sunny in the photo. And he is the Devil's spawn. Pure evil. Reach out to gently pet him and you'll pull back a bloody hand. When he struts through the house, the dogs part like the Red Sea.
Hugs to you all... What a terrific group! (Thanks again Janet)
Melanie Sue Bowles, what a beautiful mission. I love how you describe why you do it. Walk among them. And I love how you describe the devil spawn cat. With all those terriers he has to keep his ground.
34 comments:
Awesome photos! Love that cat and the piggies look so sweet.
What great photos! Love the one with the dogs asleep, and the horses. And the cat. And pigs. Never mine, I love them all.
There are no words for the pictures and the work being done there. I simply can't imagine being responsible for so many critters. I can barely keep up with my humans and two dogs! The picture of the dogs lining the sofa will stick with me forever!
The horses are so elegant, but, oh, the pigs!
Oh, wow. I've never really been around horses (though I love them), but I follow a couple of horse sanctuaries on Facebook. Their pictures never fail to delight me when I see them cross my feed.
In love with these pictures--all of them. One of my dreams is to work or volunteer at an animal sanctuary. There's a sanctuary out in Utah that I supported for a while (for financial reasons, I've had to temporarily stop), but I'd love to be able to travel out there and volunteer for a few days--or, you know, a lifetime. I respect people who care for these animals so much... They have such open hearts.
Thanks for sharing, Melanie!
While I was looking over the Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary pictures, I was thinking, how did I not know Melanie Sue Bowles was involved in this sort of work? Did I somehow miss this in one of her comments?
This is truly incredible work. Some of the pictures on the site are hard to look at, but like with the heartbreaking ASPCA and Humane Society commercials, the comfort is in knowing what these animals endured is over with. They now know kindness, and life as it should be. One of the stories about Ol' Pal was one of the most gut wrenching. Your tribute to Ranger made me go all teary eyed.
Thank God for people like you, Melanie. It takes someone with guts, and a strong heart to do what you're doing. And importantly, the way you write about these horses, dogs and other animals completes their journey, giving their backstory, and how they've adapted to PSHS.
This was a perfect post to put up for Sunday, QOTKU!
Horses aren't pets?! Please don't tell my mare Melody, who turns 27 next week. I love all of these pictures—but the smiling spotted pig with crossed-legs is absolutely wonderful.
Wow. Such contentment in this photos.
And in my brief skim, (need to get to the day job), such work of the heart is given here.
Happy as a pig on clean sheets? I thought the old saw was happy as a pig in something else that started with S.
Congratulations Melanie Sue. No one will be able to top this haul. At least I hope so. This makes me feel like an animal curmudgeon enough.
Oh...! What fun. Our little family. Thank you, Ms. Janet, for including us in the month long "Gone To The Dogs" blog. I'm honored.
Becky: Horses absolutely ARE pets. What Janet means is that these horses aren't our personal pets, they're rescued horses living at our sanctuary.
Donnaeve: Thank you for taking a look at our website, and thank you for your kind words.
Susan: I hope you "LIKE" our FB page. Although we deal with some of the worst of mankind (people who abuse/starve horses) my posts from the sanctuary are almost always uplifting, positive, and fun. And you might enjoy reading my 3 books about all the animals who have found their way to us (I hope this shameless promotion is okay?)
Thank you, everyone, for your kindness! Janet, once again, thank you. As a nonprofit, exposure is imperative. To get a "shout-out" from you is truly meaningful. Smiling over here!
Love all the animals! I wouldn't cross that cat, though...
The only break in my childhood dream of being a writer was between 3rd and 4th grade, when I was convinced I would be a veterinarian. I devoured James Heriott's All Things Great and Small and imagined living on a great, beautiful animal sanctuary. Like this, basically.
Melanie Sue Bowles, these are wonderful photos and what beautiful work you do!
Melanie: Is your FB page linked to essential oils? I want to make sure I have the right one. (I also use EOs, by the way! They're wonderful and are amazing for my dog who has car anxiety--not from my driving, I swear!)
Nothing breaks my heart more than injustice to the innocent, especially animals. But nothing fuels me forward in creating change and making a difference for them, either.
I always think of the parable of the people on the beach, watching a man throw starfish back into the ocean. "There are too many starfish," one of them exclaims. "What difference will it make?" The man throws another starfish out to sea. "It made a difference to that one," he says
I think all we could want is to be able to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem. Because what might seem small to us is huge to someone else. Bless you, truly, for all the work you do.
Ah what a wonderful post for Sunday. Melanie, what great work you and Jim are doing. I have so much respect for you. It drives me nuts when animals are abused.
I had three step fathers who had mean streaks toward animals. It's pretty hard not to wish horrible things on their souls.
Horses really can be pets. When we foaled out mares, we immediately start handling the babies so they know from the beginning not to fear people. Don would set a five gallon bucket in the pen with a mare and baby and just sit there on his little stool. The babies would wander over to check him out and he'd scratch them all over. They got to where they looked forward to him coming in the pen.
One colt, Buddy, used to back up and sit on his lap to be scratched just like a big dog. I said, "That's all well and good until you have a 1,200 pound horse trying to sit in your lap."
Out in the big pen, the horses would form a circle around a person, butts in so they could be scratched. It was disconcerting for someone who didn't know the horses to be surrounded by a ring of horse butts.
Love the crossed legs on the piggy!
Oh how lovely!
My whole entire life I wanted a horse (and a dog). I have the fortune to be given a smattering of riding lessons over the years, so I was able to interact with horses, at least. They're some of my favorite animals.
Now pigs, I've never made acquaintance with. Those ones sure have personality!
Horses are my favourite. And pigs! I was just telling my husband yesterday that if we ever get a farm I want a pet pig. Maybe not a house pig, but definitely not dinner.
Thanks for posting these -- I'll be grinning all day long. Looks like animal paradise!
These are all amazing. I am loving all the animals and how they serve our little Reef.
You're doing wonderful work, Melanie.
Those animas sure look happy to be where they are.
The dogs asleep on the couch looks like a greeting card waiting to happen. Not sure what the caption would be, but I'd buy it! Adorable.
Love the pigs, too. Spots! And daintily crossed ankles!
Melanie Sue Bowles: Salute!
Melanie
What wonderful work you do, and it's amazing to see someone taking an interest in creatures that are so frequently ill-treated. Thank you for sharing these lovely photos!
Julie I can't stop picturing a ring of horse butts. That was a great story, as usual.
Wow! I couldn't imagine caring for all those animals (and varieties of animals), but I'm glad someone can. Hats off to you, Melanie. :)
Here's a direct link to Melanie's Amazon Page so you can check out her books.
Wow! Great photos! Thanks for doing this important work, Melanie.
Melanie, reading your website breaks my heart and heals it at the same time. As others have said, so much respect and gratitude for the work you do.
What a fierce expression on that cat. I could easily believe it's the only cat in the house. And those dogs! It's like a photo shoot for Southern Living, the Canine Edition. Thank you for sharing all this with us.
I agree with Donna-- seeing all these critters, I'm learning things about our commenters that I never knew. (I still want to know who belongs to the dogs on the 4th. Pax and River. What a fantastic pic that is.)
I want that lounge suite (I assume it comes with dogs?). Love the photos and the work that is done to give them a safe and loving home.
Wow, that's amazing. Thanks Melanie for your work, and thank you Janet for posting!
Hi All... I really and truly am overwhelmed by your kindness (but not surprised). Thank you! We've been in a bit of overload the last few weeks here at the sanctuary, your thoughtful input is uplifting, and in many ways, calming.
Julie Weathers: HA! On the butts. I know all about that. We have many members of our equine family who turn their butts to the nearest human for a good scratch. You know they're serious when they lift their tail.
Colin: How incredibly thoughtful of you to bring up my page on amazon. Wow. Thank you. Just so everyone knows... proceeds from book sales help us continue our work here :-)
kdjames: We have two cats. Basil and Sunny. They live in perfect harmony with our dogs. Basil is the sweetest kitty on the planet. But that's Sunny in the photo. And he is the Devil's spawn. Pure evil. Reach out to gently pet him and you'll pull back a bloody hand. When he struts through the house, the dogs part like the Red Sea.
Hugs to you all... What a terrific group! (Thanks again Janet)
Love the posted pictures and the ones at Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary pages.
I'l forward the Proud Spirit link to friends.
i like to take pictures but haven't taken any in a year. Your pictures sinpire me to get back out there soon.
Melanie Sue Bowles, what a beautiful mission. I love how you describe why you do it. Walk among them. And I love how you describe the devil spawn cat. With all those terriers he has to keep his ground.
Claire - I agree, the dogs on the couch would make a great greeting card.
I imagine Melanie Sue would be able to fill a whole calendar with amazing photos. (Another fundraising option maybe?)
I love the pic of all those horses in that lush green paddock. They must be very happy.
WOW!
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