A Memorial For Pretty Bird: For Terry

Pretty Bird, one of Terry's canaries, crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge Sunday  morning. A very special little bird, who lived with a deformity, Terry gave him her love and he would sing back to her with songs of his love flowing to her, whenever she would enter the room. He loved the special music that Terry had recorded of her favorite songs, and when he heard his favorite one, he would sing his heart out.

Pretty Bird is now a Rainbow Bridge resident. He is now free from any physical constraints, healed and perfect. He will be missed deeply, but Terry knows that he is happy, joining all the other birds that will greet him with welcome.

Rest sweet Pretty Bird.

Tags: Pet Loss, OurBelovedAngels

Tara Needs Your Help: Angel Acres Rescue/Update

Update: 6/26: Tara has recovered completely, and is now in her new loving home. We are so pleased to share this!

 

Tara, a three year-old Thoroughbred mare who was rescued and who has been placed in a  forever home is in need of help finanacially. Colic has brought her to her knees. She is now hospitalized fighting for her life. Her veterinary bills are huge and every penny that folks can raise will be used to help defray the cost of her care. Jo Deibel of Angel Acres is raising funds. Please help them out. It will make your heart sing to do this.

Donations also may be made through paypal through the www.saveahorsenow.com

Thank you so much,

Jo Singer

Please open your hearts and your pocketbooks and help this horse. Donations may be made to:
Jo Deibel
President/Director
Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc.
www.saveahorsenow.com
www.saveahorsenow.org
PO Box 62
Glenville, PA 17329
Phone: 717-965-7901
Fax: 866-892-5069

Tags: Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue Inc, Animal Hubbub, Ourbelovedangels

Action Alert!TEXAS SENATE SNEAKS HORSE SLAUGHTER O.K. ONTO BILL

When H.B. 2476 and S.B. 1742, bills that would have repealed the state’s 58-year ban on horse slaughter for human consumption, failed to pass last week, one Texas legislator took matters into his own hands. Without any debate, Senator Glenn Hegar inserted an amendment into S.B. 911—a bill regarding the duties and regulations of the Texas Animal Health Commission—that will sidestep the law that currently makes this form of horse slaughter illegal. Unfortunately, the Senate approved the bill, and it is now in the House.

A 2003 poll showed that 72 percent of Texas voters oppose horse slaughter for human consumption, and 77 percent would vote against any member of the legislature who supported a repeal of the existing horse slaughter ban. “Texas has a good, strong law against slaughter that reflects the attitudes of its citizens,” says Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO. “We must not let a measure unacceptable to the majority of Texans become legalized and legitimized in this covert manner.”

Even if the amended S.B. 911 fails to pass, proponents of horse slaughter will continue their attempts to alter unrelated bills in order to legalize it. The ASPCA, as well as other animal protection groups, veterinarians and horse industry organizations and leaders, are calling for both chambers of the Texas legislature to reject any amendment to any bill that will overturn the ban on horse slaughter for human consumption. If you live in Texas and would like to help, please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center. 

HB 2476/SB 1742—Repealing Ban of Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption

Sponsor(s):  Rep. Sid Miller, Senator Chris Harris
ASPCA Position:  Oppose

Action:  Email the provided letter to your state legislators, asking them to be aware of and oppose the horse slaughter industry’s agenda.

Update, 5/16/07: Fortunately, the bills featured on this page, HB 2476/SB 1742, did not succeed. The bad news is that proponents of horse slaughter now realize that they cannot legalize it in Texas through normal legislative channels, so they have reverted to a backup strategy: attempting to amend other legitimate legislation as it works its way through the legislative process.

During a late-night Senate vote, S.B. 911 (a bill on the duties and regulations of the Texas Animal Health Commission) was quietly amended, without debate, to legalize horse slaughter for human consumption in Texas. The bill passed the Senate, and now awaits a full House vote.

Even if this backhanded tactic fails, proponents of horse slaughter will continue to amend unrelated legislation in an effort to legalize what 72 percent of Texans oppose.

Please take action by sending the letter below to the Senate, lieutenant governor, and your representative today! Tell them to look out for and oppose any amendment to any bill that would overturn Texas’s 58-year ban on horse slaughter for human consumption.

If you would like to also send a letter through the mail, the mailing address for all senators in Austin is:

P.O. Box 12068

Austin, Texas 78711-2066

Tags: Ban Horse Slaughter, Animal Hubbub

Claremont Riding Academy Closes: An Manhattan Icon Gone

While this journal is devoted for prayers and support for critically injured or sick animals, and memorials for those who have gone to the Rainbow Bridge, I was deeply saddened to learn that Claremont Riding Academy, in Manhattan, had closed its doors forever.

As a young girl, I learned to ride at Claremont. My free time was spent hanging out at the barn, "working" for rides and lessons. I met some amazing folks there, and got to know some fabulous horses who taught me so much about them.

I received this notice this morning and wanted to share it here.  I was so pleased to learn that all the horses have been lovingly placed. I would expect nothing else from  Claremont owners and staff.

Claremont also had a Therapeutic Horseback Riding program for the handicapped at their facility. It is sad that the program had to close as well.

So please bear with me for posting this entry here, but this is a great personal loss to me, to learn about the  sad ending of a 115 year- old iconic tradition in New York City.

Paul Novograd, the owner, wrote this very touching article below: I am publishing it on my journal loving memory of Claremont Riding Academy.

It is with great regret we announce the closing of Claremont’s lesson and park rides, a 115 year old tradition.  Claremont has brought so much pleasure to riders over the years, and meant so much to so many people, it is truly heartbreaking to have to bring it to an end. 

Since the City condemned the property in 1961 as part of the 20-square-block West Side Urban Renewal Area, we have faced an increasingly difficult struggle to keep it going.  We fought to have the property listed on the National Register of Historic Sites to stave off the wrecker’s ball, and then to have it designated an official New York City Landmark.  We lived as month-to-month tenants for 37 years, sadly watching the building crumble around us, until we were finally successful in regaining title to the building in 1998, and only after fending off a baldly cynical attempt to give it to a political supporter of the Mayor at the time.

We spent over $2 million in a painstaking historic restoration - a source of great pride to us -- incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars of increased costs in debt service, real estate taxes, and property insurance.  We tried to cover these increased costs by leasing the vacant upper floors that used to house the carriages, and by creating an agency to broker animals for appearances in the media. 

But nothing we did was able to overcome the double whammy of the increased costs we had incurred, and the degradation of the Central Park Bridle Paths.  The magnificent Bridle Paths, whose deep cinder surface was once lovingly tended, was allowed to erode down to its bedrock sub-strata, making it impossible to canter or keep horses sound.  
Formerly restricted to horses only, the public was now allowed to stroll, jog, push their strollers, walk their dogs, throw Frisbees and so on all over the Bridle Path, making what had once been a beautiful experience more like a fearful running of the gauntlet.

Understandably, ridership declined. 


So sadly, after going deeper and deeper into debt to sustain these wonderful horses of ours, and to keep this remarkable establishment going with all the pleasure it brought to so many people, we finally had to admit that what we were doing was unsustainable

Our remarkable horses are all going to good homes.  Some are being retired to green pastures after many years of hard work. Some are being sold to their loving riders.  Some are being donated to the equestrian program at Yale University.  And most will move down to Potomac Horse Center, a wonderful 60 acre facility with three indoor arenas (no poles there) that we operate. Hopefully you’ll be able to pay them a visit.  For those of you that want a souvenir of Claremont, we have ordered some more T-shirts, and are taking orders at the desk. You may reach us by calling  (212) 724-5100.

Yes, it has been a struggle, but it has also been immensely satisfying to sustain these magnificent animals and to make the pleasures of riding and the camaraderie of this unique institution available to you.   Thank you for the opportunity, thank youfor your thanks and appreciation, and thank you for all the wonderful memories that we have shared.

Paul Novograd, Owner

Mr. Novograd continues his Equine Business at Potomic Riding Center, in Maryland, which has a wide variety of services for horse owners and enthusiasts.

Tags: Claremont Riding Academy, Horses, AnimalHubbub, Potomic Riding Center

Memorial For Le Samurai - Hunter Jumper Grand Prix Horse

photo by: KristiKGC

I was very saddened to learn this morning that the talented and beautiful Dressage and Eventing horse, Le Samurai, was euthanized following a tragic accident during the Rolex Grand Prix.

Hunter Jumper News: Statement from the Broussard Family, Owners of Le Samurai

My heart goes out to his owners, the Broussard family, and his rider, Amy Tryon. The hunter-jumper community has, indeed, suffered a great loss of a
magnificent horse.

Rest peacefully, Sparky. You are greatly missed.

Memorial for Tia: For Her Family and Her Friend, Susie

Susie is a lady that had a great love for Tia, a beautiful Pug dog that now resides at the Rainbow Bridge. Susie wrote this memorial for her: We all express our sadness and our prayers for healing of your hearts. Rest well, Tia.

 

"Tia was a good girl.  She was very much loved by her mom & dad. And Tia,
loved them too! 

Tia was 12 years old when she went over the Rainbow Bridge. Tia loved you to rub her back with your foot! She loved to play with her Tennis ball. She was a very special dog. A piece of pie crust was a treat for her. She was very friendly and would snore when she was sleeping.

She especially loved her Mom, Sue Welsh. She loved her Dad too,Jerry Welsh.

Tia will be greatly missed by everyone.  At this time, no other can
replace her.

Her companion canine, Jingles, is also grieving. We also pray for Jingles. Life is so short, and we all the time we had with her.

I loved her so very much! 

Susie."

Memorial For Kia: For Beverly

It is with great sadness that I post this memorial for Kia and her fur mom, Beverly. Kia is healthy and happy again at the Rainbow Bridge, and being welcomed by all the residents. Kia, you are missed deeply by your family.

Beverly wrote:

"I would like to thank everyone for their prayers for our precious angel Kia.  She passed away yesterday and our hearts are very heavy.  She will be a forever loved and missed terribly.  Her death was a peaceful one for her.  She will always live on within us in our memories.  She was our special pet (just like another person in the family).