Darkest Hour

I knew on July 27th 1995, that one day I would have to say goodbye to the puppy that has brought so much joy into my life. This morning at 8:26 I did just that. I can not express the pain that I am feeling right now. I just want to run down stairs and look at you one last time on your blue pillow with those big brown eyes, black body and white eye brows and mug. You were such as blessing to me. You got me through some of the toughest times in my life and enjoyed the good times with me as well. You were my protector as we went on travels to land the perfect job as a cop. You seem to be very selective of the women that I dated and you would always remind me that you loved me more then any of them. The day you met your new human mommy was I know one of the highlites of your life. You were eager to meet your new members of our family when the boys were born. For a few months now I knew that you were ready to go home. You would struggle just to get to your feet and climbing up the steps soon became out of the question. I spent most of the summer sleeping on the couch just so you knew I was still there.

We planed to take you to the vet this morning at 8:30 to make all the pain go away forever. I asked the Lord to just take you because I knew what was going to happen. Minutes before mom got home you, still on your big blue pillow, took your last breath with me standing beside you. I told you to go and find mommys friend Tracey, she would be easy to find in heaven, she would be the one making Jesus laugh.

Bailey, I love you so much and my heart is broken but I also want to thank you for all that you did. I Love You and Miss You So Much.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Darkest Hour

Bud Update

What has been now three days since the situation with Bud our horse and his colic episode? I am happy to say that God came through and spared his life. I don't know what we did to help him but somewhere between walking him and feeding him fruit, he seems to have made a full recovery. Thanks to those who said some prayers, it is really appreciated. Goodnight...

Caught a break?????

They say that God works in strange ways and yea I agree, even though I never fully understand what it is that He is trying to get through to me. This afternoon Deb let me know that our one horse Bud was kicking at his side and was continually rolling over and over and was sweating beyond the norm for a horse. As the day went on the horse only got worse. Deb researched books and I cut corners and went to the web. Buds got colic. When I think of colic I think of Poncho our horse that died from it 2 years ago. For the main part of the evening I made him get up and walk and walk and walk and ......

At one point when he laid down again I gently placed my hands on his side and prayed. Not a deep religious prayer, not a prayer to raise mountains, just a simple God, do me a favor and don't take this one, Not yet. I don't want to get ahead of myself and say a miracle has happened but as of an hour ago he's doing alot better. He hasn't laid down, he's eating and seems to be doing better. Hopefully the next update will be for the good but like I said don't want to get too far ahead. Please say a prayer for Bud this evening.

FireBall July 31, 2008

You were born of Tabs two years ago and became one of my favorite cats. I loved the way you would roll on your back and wait for me to pick you up. We would sit together on the porch swing and you would purr a song to me. On occasion you would leave for a few days on a hunt, always to come home to let me know you were ok. This morning before the sun had rose and the rain came down I saw your lifeless body laying in the road. I ran to you but you were already gone. As I lifted your body and carried you, you let out your last breath. I held you like I did yesterday knowing that someday I will be able to hold you again....

July Pictures

July Update

This is my third attempt at trying to get a new post up. Ok, what did I just write and then lose. Busy busy busy, bla bla bla. Kittens born, busy busy busy.
Were preparing for a hard winter this year so we just had 100 bails of hay delivered. Bla Bla Bla
Oh yea, hay. As I just said we had 100 bails of hay delivered not to mention the few other trips we have made to pick up hay. It is depressing when you have to spend an arm and a leg to purchase hay from other people when we own over 40 acres and most of it is perfectly good hay. Why don't we cut our own you ask? No tractor. We are one of the few people that live out in the sticks, have all this land and not own a tractor. We have looked into getting one but like most, we don't have $16,000+ laying around. Hey just found a quater $15,999.75 (almost there) :)
Hope all is well to the readers.
Matthew

July Update

So much fun...

Leave it to me to pick the hottest day of the year to assemble the team to go out and go and dig post holes for the new horse area. Not to mention that I believe that our land sits right on the largest setting of Kentucky lime stone known to man. All in all, it was great....who am I kidding, it was hell. But this is what it is all about. You leave the comfort and you go out and you take on a trial. I guess that can really go for anything. Just the other day when I was at work someone made a comment about me being a vegetarian. This other person looked at me in complete dis-belief and horror and asked "why would you want to do that to yourself?" My reply, why would I not? Most people that read this blog know what the animals go through and the conditions of slaughter so there is no need for those details right now but this is what I mean about getting out of the comfort zone. My beautiful wife, my wonderful children have made it their passion to go against the grain of society. They make a stand daily. We gave up the "comfort" of eating meat to tell society we don't have to live by what all others feel is the normal. Stepping off my soap box......

Here are some pics from yesterdays adventure,

Many many thanks to our best friends Noe and Tonya for their support and work with the sanctuary.

06-01-08

Hello all,

Yes, we are still here and busy as ever. Busy in a good way though. The past few months have been sad at time and better in others. Simon our first "Last Roads" rescue died the other day from natural causes. The night before he was perched up on a table with a blanket and I said goodnight to him, the next morning he he died in his sleep. Two months ago we were, I guess you can say blessed with two baby goats. Strangely the mother rejected one of them so Deb, the kids and I took her in as our own "kid". She has been bottle fed and is doing great. We named her Willow and has become a warm welcome to our animal kingdom.