Six Horses Saved From Slaughter

As her sister Heidi noted, Lisa would have been full of enthusiasm and excitement over saving the Six Horses.  Lisa left this world far too early.  We celebrate having known Lisa for the time she was with us. Though of little comfort, she will remain forever youthful. As it is, Lisa is now with us in spirit as we continue on this magical journey to protect and care for the Six.  In the photos above, a young Lisa is seen with her beloved palomino mare Blossom. Lisa and Blossom are surely reunited now, in another more peaceful world.

Belle passed away on February 9th, 2008.  Belle was a stray kitten taken in by Beth Naser. She was originally found by a volunteer of the Manchester Animal Shelter in New Hampshire. She had leukemia, which made her almost unadoptable. Beth, who works as a volunteer at the Animal Shelter, had taken home two other cats with feline leukemia, Valentine and Scarlet (now deceased, and Belle's predecessor).  Belle was a small cat, and also quite timid. She enjoyed her time alone, and preferred minimal handling.  Despite her size, she had a big heart and she lived on her own terms. Valentine became her beau and best friend.     

It is not easy to care for cats with leukemia.  They are fragile.  When they get a cold, it can kill them.  They must be isolated from all other cats and live entirely indoors.  They require frequent veterinary exams to assess current health status.  They do not live long.  It is a considerable challenge to care for such fragile cats.  It takes a caring soul to adopt them.  The brevity of their lives can break one's heart.  Yet they are here, and they deserve a chance.  Beth gave Belle and Scarlet that chance, and they lived while they could, and lived well. Belle and Scarlet both enjoyed their cat toys, drinking from their water fountain, roughhousing with Valentine, and a wonderful quality of life. 

Belle is missed by her friend Valentine, who continues to thrive. Indeed, Belle is dearly missed and mourned by her entire family.  She was here.  She was loved.

Editor's Note:  Deb O'Donnell's devotion to her horse Playboy over many many years is the kind of care that we should all strive for if we choose to own a horse.  Full responsibility for a horse over a long lifetime takes great love and a strong sense of responsibility.  Deb set the bar high in how she cared for Playboy.  In this world where innocent horses are sold and slaughtered daily by those uncaring, the story of Deb O'Donnell and Playboy stands heads above most. We are honored to tell their story here on the Six Horses site.

THE LIFE OF PLAYBOY, A HORSE WELL LOVED    By Deb O'Donnell

I got Playboy when I was 10 and living in Londonderry NH. My entire teen years were spent riding, ináH,( he was my 4H project), and having a great time. I remember when I was 12 I got a job at a local horse farm mucking stalls after school for 30 cents a stall. I brought home 15.00 a week and that paid for Playboys food. Weekends were just one long trail ride. I used to go out on the power lines and just go forever. Lots of times I had no idea where I was because I had taken so many side trails. I would just let Playboy have his head, and he never failed to get me home safely.

In seventh grade, I took Playboy to school one day and he was my class project. I saw my teacher a few years back, for the first time in 30 years and he still remembered that project. Playboy was my entire life when I was a kid, and he definitely shaped me into the adult I am today. He was the one constant in my life for many years and I will so miss that.

 

The photo above was taken when I was 12 at a local fun show. He was such a pretty boy.

 

He traveled around a lot in those years and lived in many places with me along the way. He has lived in the New Hampshire towns of Gilmanton Iron Works, Gilford, Glen, Derry, Londonderry and his final 15 years were spent at Birch Meadow Farm in Candia, NH. He was always very patient with me, especially when I was a kid and didn't always do the right thing. My parents really couldn't afford riding lessons for me, so I would just go along with a friend of mine who was taking lessons, and just watch and listen. I would then go home and practice on Playboy and I know I messed up a lot, but he was always a loyal and loving mount. My most favorite day ever, was the day that Playboy and I beat my lesson taking friend in an equitation class!!!!

 

My husband Jim has been around 30 Years and he has always been 100% supportive  of my relationship with Playboy. He knew from the get go that we came as a set, and he knew that as we moved around in our lives Playboy being settled and in a good place was always our first priority over where we would be living.  He also knew that when money was tight, when we were younger, Playboy's needs came before ours. I am very fortunate to have Jim in my life, and over the years he has grown to love Playboy as much as I have. He was also by Playboy's and my side that morning when Playboy crossed The Bridge.

 

Playboy and I had so many wonderful adventures in our years together. Even as he started to wind down in his life, just being with him in his stall or on cross ties brushing him, was my favorite place to be. No matter how bad of a day I was having, being with him just brought me peace and put life into perspective. Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

When Playboy was younger, he almost always was the paddock boss. In his later years that definitely changed, and his final companions where 2 burros and a goat, and he was perfectly content with that. The Rousseaus, his caretakers for the last 15 years of his life, spend their whole lives keeping their animals content, and they considered him one of their own. They would always tell me "Deb, we know Playboy is your horse, but he really is ours" That statement  always made me smile, because I know they loved him, and would always do what was in his best interest. They went out of their way to Doctor him, cook for him (he got a boiled potato and carrots every evening) evening treats of shredded carrots, mashed apples, red or black licorice, and on Sundays his beloved hot bran mash with lots of molasses.  Mrs Rousseau gave him a hug every evening before she went into the house. They would go so far in his last few days to make sure his paddock was plowed out with their tractor before they would put him out. They wanted to make his footing was  as sure as possible. He couldn't possibly have had better "grandparents". 

 

It is amazing how big a part of my life he was. I can hardly remember my life without him.  Mr and Mrs Rousseau gave me a video that they had been making all those years. They have on tape our first day at the barn and they added to it throughout the years. I think it was the best, most surprising thing I have ever received in my life. They loved him as much as I did, and we were all there while he took his last breath. We all worried about him in his last few weeks, and now that worry is gone, but it is replaced with an incredible sadness and sense of loss. Playboy was my amazing journey, and no matter how much I hurt right now, I wouldn't have missed a day of it for anything.

 

- Deb O'Donnell, January 2008