Lost a year long battle,,,,,,,

[Frankie]

This morning I found out myself, and a few others who have been trying to help, lost a very long, gruelling year battle to save a horse.

The situation this horse was in was nothing short of rediculous. Attorneys, proper authorities were all involved, and have been since the beginning. It is amazing how red tape can tie your hands so tight!

The one good thing that has come of it, is local authorities are now fighting for tougher laws, and are already in the works of adding county laws, to the state laws that are in place.

The reason we lost the battle, money. Found out this morning the horse had been sold for the asking price, well beyond what we could do. Did not get CMHR involved as it would have taken their entire bank account, and more, to get the horse out. Since we had local authorities involved, we were doing ALL we could do legally. The more people inquired about this horse, the higher the price went.

We do not know of the buyer, would not give us that information. We had someone else acting as a buyer, but were dragging their feet, and for a reason, so the horse was sold elsewhere. Our only hope, is this buyer has more knowledge and will give this horse the care they need.

I also saw on the board this morning the information about the raffle, and I would like to personally ask you to participate. Because I do not want to see CMHR lose a battle, due to money.

Thanks Lisa so much.

 

[fourhorses]

Oh Carolyn, I am so sorry. I know exactly how you feel. After paying hundreds & hundreds of dollars on FOIA requests I was sickened by what I received and thought I would give up BUT I have been working with a gal at the Animal Legal Defense Fund and she gave me a "pep talk" via e-mail that I will share......

It brings me comfort in an uncomfortable world and I hope it does the same for you.

Dear Kristie,

I hope your horse is on the mend, so nice to hear of someone attending to their animal's medical needs!

I hope your despair is lifting, there truly are so many reasons to feel hopeless. And yet, we do what little we can do because at a certain point, doing nothing is not an option.

This is an excerpt from an animal law lawyer's message to a group of volunteers who were exhausted from months of work on a puppy mill case:

"...You probably understand that in my career as an animal lawyer I regularly have to face the heart of darkness in the bodies of humans who abuse animals -- honestly, I go up against abusers on a scale that make ** look like a speck in the ocean of abuse. And I have to stand by and watch the horror. And, like the volunteers you describe, I often want to run away and give up. And then I remember that if I do that I will leave my defenseless friends without a voice at all, truly left in the hands of those who would mistreat them. I think about that, and I swallow my tears and my pride and I act in a civil manner and I stand my ground and speak my peace for the animals, in the face of laughter and horror. I fight through my desperate pain and emotions. I do what I can to save my friends. And -- and this is key here -- I usually LOSE -- because I am fighting a system far from my arguments. Yes, in most cases, the abusers win..."

A bittersweet pep talk to be sure, but you are not alone in your frustrations and there is no simple remedy. Take care of yourself and distance yourself when you know you need to. You often have to let go, even when you are absolutely right. Here's what's crucial: you have to forgive yourself for that. The animals do, just as you would if you were hanging off a cliff and your determined savior finally had to let you slip. The good news is that there are so many ways to be compassionate, and sometimes what didn't work 3 years ago will work today. Or not. Seek a community, keep asking the questions, enjoy small victories. Your sister's neighbor went outside of his comfort zone and trimmed Ringo's hooves on the sly. That's amazing, you made that happen. A blink of kindness and relief in that horse's ignorant environment - he never would've gotten it without your effort. I much look forward to your horse photos, you raise the bar every time you give them the best you can. Your vet sees it, your farrier sees it, your neighbors see it, your horses see it.

Anyway, while you are confronting cruelty, remember to dwell on all the beauty in your world.

Sincerely,

Lisa G. ALDF

[email protected] wrote:

Hi Lisa,

It's been about a month since I last talked to you. I received your package and thanks so much for the info!

I've had a sick horse and she has taken priority over everything so I'm a little behind on some things. I also was about to chuck everything and give up because there are days when it seems like nothing is going to change and too many people just don't care. Honestly, that ACO I've been concerned about it Michigan is a cop and no matter what I do or what evidence I present the animals, horses in particular here, will lose and will always lose as they have in the past.

I'm in the process of shaking those negative thoughts written above and getting back to work on this. If I don't then nothing will ever change will it??!! No one has seen little Ringo in several weeks so with his past condition we all think it's pretty safe to say he is no longer on this earth but we will never know for sure. That also was a little depressing and had a huge impact on my mood. When you can't save one that needs compassionate vet care then you tend question your abilities.

I also owe you pictures of my horses! My miniature horses are looking like mini yaks!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and don't worry.....you'll be getting another package from me in a couple weeks with more info and reports!

Take care,

Kristie

 

[Marty]

So sorry Carolyn.

In Florida, I was a county agent for 4 counties and I could impound horses through our organization there. I have kept a portfolio of my work that I would love to post online someday with pictures and newspapers that would knock your socks off. The laws were in place, and enforced and many horses won their battle. Ironically, the very first horse I impounded I named "Hillbilly." Who knew? But as with many organzations like this, after 4 years, it went broke and crashed.

It's very dishearting though to know that seems like every other place, there are no laws, and if there are, no one wants to enforce them. The buck gets passed too many times and no one will take responsibility. Sad, sad, sad. I do know that public awareness does help and calling out the media when possible helps tremendously.

Try not to feel too badly Carolyn. You tried your very best for a long time where others would have dropped the ball.

 

[Dona]

The e-mailed "pep talk" that Kristie posted is very true Carolyn. You do all you can do....and then when that's not enough, you need to "let go" & not blame yourself. You can't save the world....but trying to save one at a time, whether you are successful or not...is to be commended, regardless of how disheartening it may end. Kristie knows that all too well....she has been fighting for one little Mini for a very long time now, & spending an enormous amount of money to help him, with very little success.

Yet....she continues to try.

I love her for that....but it's so emotionally draining for her. It's sad to see all her efforts & emotional imput result in disappointment. But as the e-mail said....for every abuse case you know of...there are thousands more. And just by setting an example of how to properly care for & love your animals every day, you are helping more than you know.