Heaven Help Us Animal Refuge
Sharing Jesus Love Through The Hearts of Animals
Meet Our Refuge Angels..........
Meet Our Refuge Angels..........
You Never know who your going to meet here at Heaven Help Us. We receive inquires often for animals in need of refuge. Some seeking refuge for a short amount of time, while others need a life long place to call home.
The decision on whether an animal is temporary or permanent is carefully evaluated over time and ALWAYS in the best interest of the animal!
In 2016 after a 3 year battle with the bank, we lost our home.
As of right now we are rebuilding & getting things back up and going.
We are working on raising funds so we can build "Heavenly Homes" for the animals.
This page is dedicated to the "Angels"..that find refuge here.
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ISAAC
ISAAC
Isaac God Gave Me You
Isaac is my special needs monkey-boy. He was born with many serious genetic issues to to a facility that was inbreeding. Long story short...Isaac's was diganosed by many vets, that he would never surv...
Isaac God Gave Me You
Isaac is my special needs monkey-boy. He was born with many serious genetic issues to to a facility that was inbreeding. Long story short...Isaac's was diganosed by many vets, that he would never surv...
know Isaac?
If not...you can read his whole story and
see many pictures on this site.
know Isaac?
If not...you can read his whole story and
see many pictures on this site.
Issac is my inspiration For Heaven Help Us!
Issac is my inspiration For Heaven Help Us!
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HANNAH
HANNAH
Our Little Black Handed Spider girl. She came to us from Texas at 3 months old. She has been so great for Isaac.
She is 7 months old now (as of 10/2011) & Getting more precious everyday. She and Isaac are a very important part of our forever family!
Our Little Black Handed Spider girl. She came to us from Texas at 3 months old. She has been so great for Isaac.
She is 7 months old now (as of 10/2011) & Getting more precious everyday. She and Isaac are a very important part of our forever family!
Im 2 yrs old now & growing fast!
UPDATE: 4/2014
UPDATE: 4/2014
We had high hopes that Hannah would be part of our forever family.
As I said in the beginning of this page, Choices are made over time and ALWAYS in the best interest of the animal.
Sometimes it means stepping on what I feel is best for me
and choosing what I feel is best for them :(
We hit some difficult times here at the refuge and had to re evaluate many things for the animals as well as ourselves.
Although we love Hannah very much, we had to look at the present & future circumstances, and what would be best for her and the other animals she shared her life with.
Long story short, Hannah went to live with a good friend Sherry Goyette at her pristine facility 3 hrs away in West Palm beach Fl.
We receive regular updates on Hannah.
She has adjusted Very well and has a big sister Spider Monkey of her own Kind to play with.
Spider Monkeys Get VERY big, VERY strong and require a Huge cage with lots of room to swing and play.
Hannah is happy and doing great.
Her new playmate just so happens to be the very first Spider Monkey I ever bottle raised.
In just a short trip, I can go visit anytime, so that makes me feel better!
We sure do miss her and always will! She will always hold a special place in our heart.
Will be posting update pictures soon!
We had high hopes that Hannah would be part of our forever family.
As I said in the beginning of this page, Choices are made over time and ALWAYS in the best interest of the animal.
Sometimes it means stepping on what I feel is best for me
and choosing what I feel is best for them :(
We hit some difficult times here at the refuge and had to re evaluate many things for the animals as well as ourselves.
Although we love Hannah very much, we had to look at the present & future circumstances, and what would be best for her and the other animals she shared her life with.
Long story short, Hannah went to live with a good friend Sherry Goyette at her pristine facility 3 hrs away in West Palm beach Fl.
We receive regular updates on Hannah.
She has adjusted Very well and has a big sister Spider Monkey of her own Kind to play with.
Spider Monkeys Get VERY big, VERY strong and require a Huge cage with lots of room to swing and play.
Hannah is happy and doing great.
Her new playmate just so happens to be the very first Spider Monkey I ever bottle raised.
In just a short trip, I can go visit anytime, so that makes me feel better!
We sure do miss her and always will! She will always hold a special place in our heart.
Will be posting update pictures soon!
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Ted (Teddy Bear)
Ted (Teddy Bear)
Ted is our handsome 1/2 Shire & 1/2 Percheron cross boy. He is 18.2 hands tall (72.8") & believed to be 12 yrs old.
He was headed to slaughter from Camelot auction in NJ & rescued just in the nik of time.
Upon calling Camelot, I was informed he was gone. I assumed the worse.
Long story short...after days of scanning horse sites & rescues in hopes of maybe finding he was out there and maybe by chance had not been sent for slaughter...We found him at "Florida Draft Horse Rescue"! How awesome was that! He & another draft "bill" were saved and brought to the draft rescue where they would be quarantined & soon adopted.
Ecstatic, I made the 3 hr drive up to meet ted for the 1st time. He looked at me with those deep-dark-brown eyes
& It was Love at first sight!! A few boo-boos, needing
some weight..but a heart of gold. He walked right up
and nestled his head in my hands.
At that moment...he became part of my life.
A several weeks went by, Ted had passed his quarantine
with flying colors. Vet said with some weight, and time he would be just fine.
It appeared Ted had spent his life as a hard working plow horse.
He had no clue what love, grooming or treats were.
he was now ready to come home & find out!
Excited, the next 3 hr trip north,
was with a trailer to bring ted home.
Skeptical at 1st...but loaded like a champ! Finally,
off we went, headed towards home.
Ted found his way into my heart & a new family. He we are still working through a few minor issues...but he is a special boy...and has learned how yummy treats are & how much he loves being brushed. He is the most gentle & sweet boy ever. He loves everyone & continues to progress.
Ted Recently picked up a Part time seasonal & volunteer position, showing the "Special Olympic Athletes" a good time Feb 2012-May 2012. Way to go Teddy!
Update Jan 2013
Teddy is now Living with his new mom Debbie and her family.
He FINALLY let them trim his feet :)
He will soon be in training to work on the Lee County Mounted Team, For the Lee County Sheriff's Dept!
Missin this big guy, took a big piece of my heart with him,
but he has a wonderful life!
I Love Happy Endings!!
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SAMMIE (Samson) & KOWBOY
SAMMIE (Samson) & KOWBOY
Sammie a 6 year old Clydesdale gelding & Kowboy a 6 year old Paint horse gelding found refuge here.
These 2 boys came together from a wonderful couple who took them out of harms way with the intention of finding them a better life.
They are great boys that bring us tons of joy. Sammie helps me in church events and birthday parties & in return helps support the refuge.
These guys have brought many smiles to many faces and hearts.
Samson Has his Own Face Book Page now :)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Samson-The-Clydesdale/1439011073013361
UPDATE 2019
UPDATE 2019
"There Goes my Life"...
Those are the lyrics that ran through my mind (from one of my favorite Kenny Chesney songs) as I watched the trailer roll Away with my Sammy in it
Samson is headed for his new Happily- Ever- After in NE Ohio. That boy has been such a huge chunk of my life in so many ways for a long time!! Saying "He will be missed" is an understatement!
Couldn't sleep last night, knots in my stomach on & off for 2 weeks as the decision became real, and tears streaming down my face as I watched the trailer pull away.
Sometimes the right choices, doing the right thing, doing what's best..All can be so hard and unbelievably painful!!
This was all the above!!As most who know me and knew sam, also know that sam was NOT just any horse!! He is truly a special boy!Sammy put a smile on every face he met! Even those who were afraid of horses or a little intimidated..lol
He was many things to many people..He helped athletes in Special Olympics shine,
he helped show kids of all ages at camp a wonderful time,
he escorted many on a comfortable trail ride,
he took a few young ladies through their first real horse ventures, first horse shows and onto being owned by their own horses.
He help heal many troubled & at risk teens & youth.
He helped many build confidence
& self esteem.
He provided therapy to many struggling with illness and disabilities.
He was an amazing "Party favor" at SO many Birthday parties.
He helped many organizations & groups fundraise with his"Clyde Rides".
He was our Refuge mascot & helped support the other animals & programs by offering "Clyde Rides" at local community festivals and events.Sam helped grant wishes of several people's "Bucket List"
His size and beauty drew people in & helped us educate about the world of horses, animals and how therapeutic & life saving they truly are ❤
He was often a big soft shoulder to cry on a healing hugger, and one of the best ways to take your mind off everything.
Sam definitely has a unique personality!
He definitely leaves an imprint on everyone he meets.
I could go on forever as all the memories, images and emotions flow through me..
How can you not love something so much, that has done everything you've ever asked!?!?
SOOO..THE REASON SAMMY LEFT..,
was a very long, struggling , back & forth, emotional, hard & hurtful decision!!The summers here are miserable for sam!! Although there are other factors behind my decision, this was the breaking point.
Draft horses are not really designed for this type of climate. They thrive in cool temperatures.
Although some bred and born here, have adapted over time, others never do. Especially in Southwest Florida.The heat isn't so much the factor as it is the humidity. And many horses I find that come from up north to live here end up struggling with the weather, and allergies to so many things here.
People can give fancy names to the issues horses suffer here,
but the bottom line is the grass sucks & has no nutrients, AND many of the horses that come here end up being allergic to most of the grasses and even the Florida oak trees.
There's no real winter to kill off bugs,
and standing water with the high heat in the summer months, makes it like one giant petri dish!
And this entire area where I live floods really bad every summer.
Even more so over the last 5-6 years.During the summer when the rainy season kicks in, Sammy ends up struggling with breathing, drops weight, loses all of his Feathering, and a few times has developed bacterial infections from the stagnant water.
A LOT of horses here develop what some call Summer itch, which nine times out of ten ends up being an allergy to something here, and majority of the time is due to an allergic reaction to the saliva of the noseeums.
So long story short, I decided it was time for Samson to leave Florida!
Time for him to be somewhere on real grass, enjoying milder weather, and enjoying life as he. Sooo deserves.
It has been an extremely difficult decision obviously, and it took a lot of prayer, thinking logically (not emotionally), to make the decision and find who I felt was the right person.Sometime tomorrow, Sammy will arrive at his new home in Ohio, and meat his new friends, and his new mom.
He will be grazing on 23 Acres, and spending the rest of his life doing light trail riding, being loved on and spoiled.His new mom lost her Clydesdale mare 2 months ago to cancer.
So once again, Sammy will be helping heal someone's heart. ❤ And the fact that he's doing that, and going to live a happy life, does my heart good.He is already missed beyound words!
I will be posting happy updates.I know there are things I missed and more I wanted to say, but right now my heart hurts and I just need time to process all this... I will ALWAYS love you Bam Bam!!
Bitter Sweet Baby Boy!
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Seqouia
Seqouia
Seqouia is our lil 1.5 yr old, Dun Mustang Filly.
She came from a wild horse round up in dec 2010, from Faloon Nevada.
Seqouia is our lil 1.5 yr old, Dun Mustang Filly.
She came from a wild horse round up in dec 2010, from Faloon Nevada.
Wild Horse Rescue Center in Mims Florida, along with 3 other rescues worked to save the lives of over 100 wild mustangs that were headed for a brutal death.
Wild Horse Rescue Center in Mims Florida, along with 3 other rescues worked to save the lives of over 100 wild mustangs that were headed for a brutal death.
These horses are a big part of our heritage & deserve their land, but as do many animal species, that is being ripped away from them.
These horses are a big part of our heritage & deserve their land, but as do many animal species, that is being ripped away from them.
Seqouia traveled from Nevada, to Missouri, to California, to here.
She was scared to death of humans when she came here as a 5-6 month old baby.
Seqouia traveled from Nevada, to Missouri, to California, to here.
She was scared to death of humans when she came here as a 5-6 month old baby.
With time, love, & patience, She has made awesome & steady progress.
With time, love, & patience, She has made awesome & steady progress.
She is such a sweet and loving girl. She still has her moments of uncertainty around new people...but she gets better everyday. She loves attention and being brushed.
She is growing to be a sweet, very intelligent and gorgeous girl =)
She is such a sweet and loving girl. She still has her moments of uncertainty around new people...but she gets better everyday. She loves attention and being brushed.
She is growing to be a sweet, very intelligent and gorgeous girl =)
R.I.P (Run In Paradise) Seqouia
R.I.P (Run In Paradise) Seqouia
October 2010 - September 2, 2012
October 2010 - September 2, 2012
A video in her memory..
A video in her memory..
Memory of my beautiful Mustang Filly.."Seqouia"
In Memory of My amazing Mustang Filly. She was taken so abruptly & so young.I love her and miss her so much. Words can't begin to express....Seqouia was My Mustang filly. She came frm a huge round...
Memory of my beautiful Mustang Filly.."Seqouia"
In Memory of My amazing Mustang Filly. She was taken so abruptly & so young.I love her and miss her so much. Words can't begin to express....Seqouia was My Mustang filly. She came frm a huge round...
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"GTO"
"GTO"
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GTO is our lil 28" tall Mini Horse.
He is 4 years old and full of himself. Don't let his pint size fool you! He thinks he's the biggest guy in the field.
We adopted him from a young lady who went into the military.
He definatley steals the heart of everyone he meets.
He loves attention, and doesn't take no for an answer.
We just love him to pieces!
Update:
Update:
GTO's Update below with Buddy & Boomer
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"George"
Is a Sulcatta Tortoise. He was found being kicked around like a ball by some kids, then brought to us.
We are not sure of his age, except that he is very young.
Probably 2-4 yrs old.
George is doing great and not shy at all.
He loves having his head rubbed!
His favorite things are warm soak-baths & eating.
He will grow to be very big and live a long time!
They are the 2nd largest Tortoise, Average 75 -125lbs!
We just love him!
Update
George Found his forever Home with a nice family who had been looking for a long time for a tortoise to love.
They had been very dedicated in researching all they could about being owned by a tortoise and were 100% ready for the commitment.
After meeting them, some careful thought and evaluation..
We decided this was in the best interest for George and his new family.
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"Angel"
is our Congo African Gray. She is 16 yrs old now & has been with me since she was 3 wks old. She will always be here
"Angel"
is our Congo African Gray. She is 16 yrs old now & has been with me since she was 3 wks old. She will always be here
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"Valentyne" know as "Val"around here...
is a 12 yr old female Greenwing Macaw.
Her stunning color & size...along with her unique personality are quite an attraction!
She has always been momma's girl & will always be a big part of my life. BUT...
Life had become complicated and demanding with the juggling life & the refuge. Val was not getting the one on one attention she craves and deserves.
"Valentyne" know as "Val"around here...
is a 12 yr old female Greenwing Macaw.
Her stunning color & size...along with her unique personality are quite an attraction!
She has always been momma's girl & will always be a big part of my life. BUT...
Life had become complicated and demanding with the juggling life & the refuge. Val was not getting the one on one attention she craves and deserves.
So after many sleepless nights, and selfless soul searching, Val is now living with her new & amazing forever family in Indiana!!
This is a picture of her enjoying her first day, on her new play stand, in her new home! Very Excited to see & share new updates as we get them. Love u Val..<3
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"Peaches"
is an 11 yr old special needs Moluccan Cockatoo.
We are not sure what the cause of his issues are...but we are going to work on finding out.
He can't open or extend his wings and his beak grows crooked. This makes eating and perching a challenge and self grooming almost impossible. This has also caused his weight and nutritional needs to be an issue. He is a sweet-sweet boy! We have high hopes!
UPDATE:
Peaches found a New Life!
He now resides in his forever-home in Clearwater Fl.
w/ Jamie Mitchell at
"Tortoise Den of NorthFlorida"
Peaches has under-went lots of trimming, preening, assessment,& is passing with flying colors!
He is eating on his own now, balancing on one foot, dancing & singing! Hes a new Bird!!
We are not sure what the cause of his issues are...but we are going to work on finding out.
He can't open or extend his wings and his beak grows crooked. This makes eating and perching a challenge and self grooming almost impossible. This has also caused his weight and nutritional needs to be an issue. He is a sweet-sweet boy! We have high hopes!
UPDATE:
Peaches found a New Life!
He now resides in his forever-home in Clearwater Fl.
w/ Jamie Mitchell at
"Tortoise Den of NorthFlorida"
Peaches has under-went lots of trimming, preening, assessment,& is passing with flying colors!
He is eating on his own now, balancing on one foot, dancing & singing! Hes a new Bird!!
Peaches has a job now too!
He spoils "Special Needs" people all day long & boy does he love his job!
That's a good thing, cause they all love him too!!
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"Elmo & Zoey"
are a pair of Eclectus that came to live with us when their family was forced to place them.
Elmo (the green male) loves to say his name and is starting to grow is feathers in. We just tell him if he wants to sit around in his Underwear..that's just fine.
Zoey (the red female) is very nosy & likes to hear herself scream...lol
They are doing wonderful and have found their FOREVER home here in their big Aviary.
Peaches has a job now too!
He spoils "Special Needs" people all day long & boy does he love his job!
That's a good thing, cause they all love him too!!
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"Elmo & Zoey"
are a pair of Eclectus that came to live with us when their family was forced to place them.
Elmo (the green male) loves to say his name and is starting to grow is feathers in. We just tell him if he wants to sit around in his Underwear..that's just fine.
Zoey (the red female) is very nosy & likes to hear herself scream...lol
They are doing wonderful and have found their FOREVER home here in their big Aviary.
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"Hooper" (June 2012)
"Hooper" (June 2012)
Hooper is a 6 yr old male, Congo African Gray Parrot.
His human daddy, at his 4th home, passed away a few weeks ago.
Hooper was very bonded to his daddy and after his loss, became very sad and plucked all his feathers out.
He became more depressed and long story short,
he is now one of our precious angels here at the refuge.
He has only been here a little over a week (as of 6-11-12)
and has adjusted very well. He is eating great, starting to let his feathers grow back and is talking, laughing and making silly noises up a storm.
We think Hooper will be a perm resident here at the refuge, & not because I have a soft spot for grays either....lol
Hooper seems to love attention and his head rubbed once you gain his trust. We are hoping in the future he will be one of the animals that will attend events & tell his story.
We will update in a few weeks to see his progress =)
UPDATE
Hooper was doing okay, but still appeared lonely.
Hooper was not craving human attentions, but that of another bird.
We tried him with a few birds here at the refuge & he was still out of sorts.
We ended up placing hooper with a friend who had a bird the same age and specie as hooper.
Within a few weeks he bounced back and was a happy new boy!
Hooper is thriving in his new family with his new roommate.
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"Zha- Zah" (jaja)
"Zha- Zah" (jaja)
Zha-Zah is a 7 yr old, believed to be female, Timneh African Gray Parrot.
We don't know allot about her story, except that she was a pet at one time, and tried as a breeder.
Her last home took her with the intention of finding her a mate, but she was so sweet they didn't want her in a breeding situation, but rather a pet home. Changes is life, left them with no time or place for her...so, she became a perm resident here at Heaven Help US!
She is very territorial of her cage and can be quite nippy at times, but that's ok...we love her just the same.
She had some plucking issues when she first came & from time to time she still does. Tha'ts ok...we tell her if she wants to hang out in her undies..that's just fine!
She has quite the vocabulary, a large selection of noises and hysterical laughs! She is def live entertainment =)
Zha-Zah is a 7 yr old, believed to be female, Timneh African Gray Parrot.
We don't know allot about her story, except that she was a pet at one time, and tried as a breeder.
Her last home took her with the intention of finding her a mate, but she was so sweet they didn't want her in a breeding situation, but rather a pet home. Changes is life, left them with no time or place for her...so, she became a perm resident here at Heaven Help US!
She is very territorial of her cage and can be quite nippy at times, but that's ok...we love her just the same.
She had some plucking issues when she first came & from time to time she still does. Tha'ts ok...we tell her if she wants to hang out in her undies..that's just fine!
She has quite the vocabulary, a large selection of noises and hysterical laughs! She is def live entertainment =)
Update 12/2013
Zha-zha went back to live with the only person she ever really Loved! Her Teenage boy, "Madison"
Even though she appeared to be thriving here, at times I felt as though something was missing. I called the previous family only to find out that they were in a position to take her back, and had been missing her dearly.
She is not only back with her "Madison" but living in his bedroom where she always wanted to be!
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"Lydia" (6-8-12)
"Lydia" (6-8-12)
Lydia is a young female Prairie dog. She looks to be about 2-3 months old. She was seized by the local police dept after a call came in that she was being abused. The sad part is the pet store in which she was purchased, sold her to a local homeless person who was not able to care for her, sold her a cage way to small, nor did she hold permits to have her.
Investigation is being done to see if the store is even permitted to sell these type of exotics.
Lydia was pretty shook up for the first day, but after her arrival here she settled in immediately. What a love-bug she is. You cant get the cage door half open before she leaps into your arms. She loves being snuggled, and scratched. Seems very comfortable with all the other critters too..
Lydia is a young female Prairie dog. She looks to be about 2-3 months old. She was seized by the local police dept after a call came in that she was being abused. The sad part is the pet store in which she was purchased, sold her to a local homeless person who was not able to care for her, sold her a cage way to small, nor did she hold permits to have her.
Investigation is being done to see if the store is even permitted to sell these type of exotics.
Lydia was pretty shook up for the first day, but after her arrival here she settled in immediately. What a love-bug she is. You cant get the cage door half open before she leaps into your arms. She loves being snuggled, and scratched. Seems very comfortable with all the other critters too..
Update 1-29-13
Lydia found a new forever family!! Lydia now lives a very spoiled life with her new sister Prairie dog, and her momma Isabel.
Worked out wonderfully!!
Isabel was the first person I have met in years that was truly educated and devoted to the care that prairie dogs really need.
In fact probably over qualified...lol
I have never met such an amazing family or living situation for these unique little critters. Another great thing, is they live local and we can keep in touch.
love Happy Endings!
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"Lance" (April 2012)
"Lance" (April 2012)
Lance is a 2 1/2 yr old Percheron cross gelding. He was a PMU baby, that was brought here from Canada along with a group of rescued draft Horses when he was only about 2 weeks old. We know his mom was a big gray Percheron Mare. Not sure what type of horse his daddy was.
Lance's mom was killed by lightning shortly after his arrival to Florida. A young lady that cared for the horses, took Lance under her wing. She loved him and spent as much time with him as possible.
Long story short, unfortunate circumstances left his mommy struggling to afford his up-keep & finding time to spend with him. So a few short weeks ago, Lance came to live here at the refuge. He is still a little thin, but is shedding out, gaining weight, been wormed and soon getting his feet trimmed.
Lance is a 2 1/2 yr old Percheron cross gelding. He was a PMU baby, that was brought here from Canada along with a group of rescued draft Horses when he was only about 2 weeks old. We know his mom was a big gray Percheron Mare. Not sure what type of horse his daddy was.
Lance's mom was killed by lightning shortly after his arrival to Florida. A young lady that cared for the horses, took Lance under her wing. She loved him and spent as much time with him as possible.
Long story short, unfortunate circumstances left his mommy struggling to afford his up-keep & finding time to spend with him. So a few short weeks ago, Lance came to live here at the refuge. He is still a little thin, but is shedding out, gaining weight, been wormed and soon getting his feet trimmed.
He was shunned a little by the herd here at first, but has settled in quite well. I give a lot of credit to lance's mom!!
This was an extremely tuff decision and gesture for her. Her love shines through his amazing personality & trusting attitude. He is an amazing horse! We still keep in close contact and send frequent pictures and updates.
He was shunned a little by the herd here at first, but has settled in quite well. I give a lot of credit to lance's mom!!
This was an extremely tuff decision and gesture for her. Her love shines through his amazing personality & trusting attitude. He is an amazing horse! We still keep in close contact and send frequent pictures and updates.
6/21/12
Lance is growing more handsome everyday~~
6/21/12
Lance is growing more handsome everyday~~
