Animal Abuse Title

There are many types of animal abuse. Some are caused with awareness and wisdom, while other cases are caused by lack of knowledge. Negligence, greed, lack of responsibility, abandonment, or even inaccurate information may cause abuse. Mental or physical, whatever the cause, the animal is the one who suffers.

I have personally witnessed two abusive situations involving horses which my family, or myself own. In these cases, we have had to pick up the pieces.

Have you ever had to gain the confidence of a dog, which has been abandoned? Many of these canines never fully get over the fact they were abandoned, even after being adopted into loving, caring homes. How would you feel if your family turned their backs on you? Many people do know how that feels and so do many of our canine companions.

AJ and Liisa
General Alarm was owned by my oldest sister. This horse was abused while leased out to a Pony Club instructor! I do not believe the abuse was completely intentional, but I feel the person who leased him was still very much at fault. I do feel the person involved should have reacted sooner when she witnessed the commencement of the problem, not when she was called on it.

This is General Alarm's story.


Keno
Parlay Dancer is a horse I acquired from a home which meant well but unfortunately much of their information was erroneous. Some of the data they received was from people who claimed they were experienced horsemen, but in actual fact, they are what some people term as "instant experts - add water and stir".

This is Parlay Dancer's story.


Lacy winking
Lacy is a breed with an undesirable reputation. Unfortunately, these reputations are acquired through people's abuse towards these animals. Rottweiler's were originally bred as a herding dog. Today the Rottweiler loves to be a companion to their human families and will protect them faithfully. Lacy is no exception. Is that a wink Lacy?
Lacy was acquired through the Prince George SPCA, and although she had resided there for a long time, they continued their efforts to find a home for her. She had won everyone's heart, including mine.

This is Lacy's story.


Buffy
Buffy really does not meet the criteria for a rescue but because her situation could be like so many other horse's, she was added here. Buffy is a Registered Quarter Horse born on Wishon Ranch, which had misfortune to go blind.

This is Buffy's story.


In these cases, and many more, it is our equine and canine companions who suffer, yet they still love us without judgement, and will continue to serve us.



This section of the site is dedicated to General Alarm, a courageous Thoroughbred who fought gallantly for his life,
and lost in the end, a battle caused by human negligence.


General Alarm during happier times

In Memory of AJ

There was a time when a grey Thoroughbred horse,
Boldly flew over many a cross-country course.
But a day comes by when all must leave
While others are left to shed tears and grieve.

Now AJ dwells in God's own lands
With meandering brooks and gentle winds,
Running with his buddies long since gone,
Grazing lush pastures amidst the wild bird song.

AJ's legacy, which he lovingly leaves behind,
Forever in the ties that bind,
Lies in the hearts and minds of all he loved,
He now shares his freedom with the snow white dove.

© Susan McDonald


I wrote this poem when AJ finally succumbed to his battle with life on November 13, 2001. AJ will always be remembered for his great accomplishments in life, as well his battle for his life. To this day I still find I can shed a tear for this courageous Thoroughbred.

Rest in Peace General Alarm!


I'll lend you for a little while
My grandest foal, he said.
For you to love while he's alive
And mourn for when he's dead.

It may be one or twenty years,
or days or months, you see.
But will you, till I take him back
Take care of him for me?

Don't cry for the horses
that life has set free
A million white horses forever to be.

Look up into heaven
You'll see them above
The horses we lost
The horses we loved.

Do you hear that soft nicker
Close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses
Love the ones that are here.

author unknown

A Horse's Prayer

Feed me, water and care for me,
and when the day's work is done,
provide me with a shelter,
a clean dry stall large enough
for me to lie down in comfort.
Talk to me, your voice often means
as much to me as the reins.
Pet me sometime that I may serve you
more gladly and learn to love you.
Shoe me properly that I may serve you in comfort.
Never strike, beat, or kick me when I don't understand what you want,
but give me a chance to understand you.
And finally oh master,
when my youthful strength is gone,
do not turn me out to starve or freeze,
or sell me to some cruel owner
to be slowly tortured or stoned to death,
but do thou, my master,
take my life in the kindest way, and
your God will reward you here and hereafter.
You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this
in the name of Him who was born in a stable...
Amen...

Author Unknown

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Created on February 10, 2004
Most recent update June 28, 2006

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