Wednesday, August 27, 2008

"You Complete Me!" Katie Finds Her Forever Family

ONCE UPON A TIME there was a horse named Katie. She was born in 1999 in the state of Washington and became a Thoroughbred racehorse named "Di's Debutante." Katie was exquisitely beautiful, but her beauty did not win races. She ran too slow, and was retired to a breeding farm, where she had three beautiful foals. Katie was friendly, and liked being a mother.

Katie's happy times ended one day, when the breeding farm sold her. She eventually wound up living in someone's back yard. They did not understand horses, and often forgot to put out hay. There was junk everywhere. Katie and her two horse companions grew thinner and thinner. Eventually, the people stopped feeding them at all.

Time went on, and Katie grew desperate. There was no feed. She ate tree bark and her own manure. She was no longer the beautiful debutante of her racing days. Katie grew depressed. Eventually, one of her companions died. The people did not care.

One bleak winter day, when she had nearly lost hope, Katie had a dream. In her dream, white trucks pulled up, and people got out. She heard voices speaking urgently. A gentle hand slipped a halter on her; a quiet voice told her she was safe now. Katie did not want to wake up from this dream.

Suddenly, Katie did wake up. She was being led toward a trailer, where she and her companion, Jack, were loaded up. Katie felt hope for the first time in a long time. She was taken to a beautiful farm. A tall young man with a kind face looked her over and gave instructions for her care.

For the next four months, Katie slowly became a princess again. The young man (a horse doctor, she surmised) visited her often. She and Jack gained weight and wore warm blankets. They roamed a large pasture with friends, eating grass and their fill of hay.

Katie felt happy again, yet something was missing.

One day, her foster mother came to her and said: "You are healed now, Katie. Soon you will go to a farm where they will find out about your training."

Katie soon found herself in a trailer again, heading north toward a small, quiet farm. She liked it there and settled in well. She liked the food lady, who always seemed surrounded by dogs and children. The food lady let Katie show her all the things she knew --- how to take a bath, how to be fly sprayed, how to go into a trailer, and how to be ridden. The food lady got on Katie's back and together, they learned more about riding. Katie liked this.

Time went by, and Katie was happy. She loved people, and dogs, and other horses. She loved going places in the trailer. She loved the food lady, who made sure she always had food. She loved the children, and even the chickens.

Katie was happy, but something was still missing.

One day, the food lady came to Katie and said: "Katie, it's time for us to look for your very own home now. You will go to a home where you will always be cherished and protected, where you will never be sold, and you will never feel hungry or desperate again." Katie thought this sounded like a good idea. She had heard about horses having their own person. She thought this sounded very nice.

Not long after, a lady from Colorado saw Katie's photo on the internet, while she was reading about another horse the food lady was helping: Argus. The nice Colorado lady emailed the food lady, and they began to talk. They talked and talked. They talked to the horse doctor, too. And then the food lady talked to the Colorado lady's vet, and riding coach, and horse friends. And then they talked some more. After that, it was decided that the Colorado lady would come to California to meet Katie.

The Colorado lady and her adventurous husband drove and drove, all the way from Colorado to California. She was so excited! She had known the first time she saw Katie's picture, that something was special about Katie. When she met Katie she knew: this was her horse. She spent five days playing with Katie and riding her in California.


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting





Katie soon discovered that she had figured out what had been missing: her very own person. She snuggled into the Colorado lady's arms and listened to stories of all the good times that lay ahead. "My very own person," Katie thought happily to herself. Katie, at long last, was now complete.


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting




Katie with her new parents, Robyn and Mike of Colorado. Katie will join the family's horse Dalton and her canine sister, Taya (who also traveled from Colorado to meet Katie). Besides being wonderful people with a tremendous sense of compassion and responsibility, Robyn and Mike are long-time horse owners who view Katie as a member of their family. Look for Robyn and Katie in a hunter/jumper show in 2009!!

Many thanks go to the hardworking Dr. Grant Miller and the many volunteers of the Sonoma CHANGE Program for making Katie's happy ending possible.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

26 comments:

hope4more said...

YEAH KATIE!!!!!!!! I am so glad she has found a home and person. She looks so happy and I am sure you feel good about the match too. What a great story. I am sure you will continue to create many more.

Anonymous said...

I just saw on the Change website that Argus was adopted. Is it true???

Unknown said...

Oh how wonderful!!
I couldn't be happier for the dear girl!
She deserves all the love in the world, and she'll have it!
She looks very pleased!
What a great thing to happen to a great horse!

Jmerrr said...

Yeah for Katie! Good-luck to her and her knew owners!

Anonymous said...

YAY!!!!!

Second best news I got today!!!
*my younger sister is pregnant with her first baby! I am going to be an Aunt!!!*

Anonymous said...

Is it true??
Has Argus found a forever home as well?

Katie said...

>>>>>I just saw on the Change website that Argus was adopted. Is it true???<<<<

Tune in next week!

Katie

Anonymous said...

That's a wonderful story. I can only hope that the good you do for horses comes back to you over and over.

Never Say Never Greyhounds said...

Yay for Katie and her new parents!

I wish Dr. Grant was my vet... he's a cutie :-).

Jen

Anonymous said...

Great news for Katie!! Congratulations Robyn, enjoy your beautiful girl. They already look to be a good team.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Katie, on your new home!

Anonymous said...

I simply say 'God bless you' -- for the care and concern you've shown for Katie, and for Argus, and for every other animal for whom you've opened your heart and your farm. God bless you for caring. God bless you for the time and effort you put into healing these creatures who need you so much. God bless you for the huge heart you open to these creatures of His. Just, simply, God bless you, and thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Anonymous said...

As I read the CHANGE website stories, I realize that there is so much equine neglect. Everyone should keep their eyes and mouths open when they see these poor defenseless animals neglected. I lost a friend (dont want them anymore anyways) becuz I opened my mouth. Their horses ribs and hips showing, their horses were in little 20 x20 paddock with no cover from sun/snow/rain. but my words made change come to their horses, becuz I wouldn't shut up. Connecticut has little equine protection laws, so my mouth became law. they now have large paddocks with stalls and plenty of food! This economy is hurting our animal companions and we need to be on guard and be their voice! If you cant speak to the owners, tell someone else who will. Good luck to Katie and her new home.
Patti C. connecticut

Anonymous said...

As I read the CHANGE website stories, I realize that there is so much equine neglect. Everyone should keep their eyes and mouths open when they see these poor defenseless animals neglected. I lost a friend (dont want them anymore anyways) becuz I opened my mouth. Their horses ribs and hips showing, their horses were in little 20 x20 paddock with no cover from sun/snow/rain. but my words made change come to their horses, becuz I wouldn't shut up. Connecticut has little equine protection laws, so my mouth became law. they now have large paddocks with stalls and plenty of food! This economy is hurting our animal companions and we need to be on guard and be their voice! If you cant speak to the owners, tell someone else who will. Good luck to Katie and her new home.
Patti C. connecticut

Unknown said...

That was a wonderful story, and very well told. I got all teary eyed just thinking about it.

You know, if you could get an illustrator, it would me a good picture book.

Poneez said...

There are still happy endings! Congrats to Katie, her new family and to you for making it possible.

ChicagoGrrrl said...

omg. you just kill me. thank you jesus for you. thank you. thank you. thank you.

Anonymous said...

What a great story and happy ending,
congrats!
Michelle and Jasper

buckpony said...

Oh my gosh, you just made me cry SO HARD!!!! I am so happy for Katie, her new family, and for you. You are an angel. Thank you fo all you do for these horses.

Schnitzie said...

I was already a blubbering wreck at Katie's fairy tale ending. This entry by itself could be easily transformed into a children's book. I rejoice in her having finally found her own family.

Now I hear that Argus is getting adopted? *Holds heart* Oh. My. Gawd. Ecstatic joy does no justice to the feeling this gives me. I am transported...and Argus will be truly transported!

I cannot wait to hear more about Argus' new family. I don't think there is a luckier family in all of horsedom. Of course, Argus' following will need to know that Argus will have plenty of friends, like Ridge and Odie, who will be there to show him the ropes.

This is stunning news. I am blubbering like a baby...

Dearest, Katie -- God bless you for the amazing work you do with these abused, forgotten horses. You are the living embodiment of grace. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful, what a lovely story!! You all are just fabulous! Congrats to the new mum of beautiful Ms. Katie. :) So sweet.

BTW Katie (argies mum not the horse, lol) about that award... Geesh I should have been here sooner. But it's called the Arte Y Pico award. Basically someone has to award you with it. The award is given to those who show creativity in whatever form. In this case; writing. Now there are some rules to follow and here they are.. ;)
___
1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you think deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4. The award-winner and the one who has given the prize must show the link of the “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

__

Since I awarded You & Your blog, you have to award 5 other blogs (like it says above). Like this..
http://inkeq.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/arte-y-pico-award-x2/

SO - Congrats to "From Hell To Heaven: Saving Argus" on recieving The "Arte Y Pico" award for honoring us with beautiful writing and opening your hearts to horses and readers alike!!!

"The blog of a grey Thoroughbred named Argus, who was rescued by a special lady with a huge heart. Her writing is beautiful, her approach of documenting Argus is exceptional and it’s always a treat to read the latest un-foldings at Watermark Farms and with Argus. It will quickly become one of your favorite horse blogs."

My best,
Keri

Anonymous said...

http://inkeq.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/arte_y_pico_award.jpg

The award itself :).

Anonymous said...

Katie & Katie!!!
Wonderful news, the beautiful Katie has her forever home, and you Katie, have a beautiful heart. My heart is smiling, and then Argus, well now. my heart is singing, through tears of happiness for all of you. You have guided us through the progress of "From Hell To Heaven: Saving Argus" I am just so happy! I look forward to hearing more about Katie and her new family, and of course, all of the details to come about Argus and his new family!

God Bless all that you do, and Dr. Grant, all of those at Change.

Doe

PaintedPromise said...

oh happy happy tears!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Blessings abound! I am overwhelmed by people like you Katie! All of your children and critters are lucky to have you! And to Argus, my prayers are with him and his new family!

Anonymous said...

Hi, long-time lurker, first time commenter. Does anyone know if Dr. Miller is single? He's quite fetching and I was just wondering.....
=)