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Memorial Page
CYNTHIA SEELSTER
February 25, 1995 - July 23, 2020
Sadly "Dallas" passed away from old age complications before she could find a retirement home to live out her days. She was surrounded by love from her long time caretakers. She will be extremely missed and we are sorry we couldn't find you a family of your own sweet girl!
PANTIUM
January 30, 1995 - April 22, 2021
We learned of the sad news that one of our adopted horses crossed the rainbow bridge. Sweet Pantium, better known by his barn family as Romeo, was rescued in deplorable conditions back at Christmas - alongside his longtime pasture partner Timmy.
Both boys were cared for above and beyond by their foster mom, and subsequently adopted by one of his foster moms friends and boarders. Both of these amazing individuals have fought daily to ensure Romeo and Timmy had all they needed, and continue to fight for Timmy and his needs as he moves on without his friend.
Romeo laid down for his afternoon nap yesterday and passed away peacefully in his sleep. He felt no pain, did not struggle, and chose to pass on his own terms. It's clear that he was happy, so well loved, and content to lay down and let go of his worries.
His adoptive mom must now move forward to help Timmy continue to battle his laminitis, as well as cover the costs associated with the burial of Romeo.
"My troubles are all over, and I am at home." ~ Anna Sewell
DREAM THAT DREAM
March 24, 2011 - August 17, 2021
Our hearts go out to the adopter of Dream (renamed "Clover" after her adoption) as she sadly crossed the rainbow bridge due to inoperable colic. Clover spent only a few short months with her adopter, but during that time she had the chance to grow and learn how to be a wonderful riding partner.
We send our heartfelt condolences to all of those that knew this wonderful, yet opinionated mare - her previous owners who sent her to us so she could find a "job" instead of simply being a pasture puff, her foster mom who worked diligently with her to bring her along even though they didn't always see eye to eye, and to her adopter's barn family who loved Clover like their own each and every day.
"Our animal friends teach us more than we could have expected and love us more than we could have hoped…
that’s why we miss them more than we could have imagined."
MID LIFE
March 3, 2003 - November 19, 2021
They say that sometimes horses come into your life for a reason. Sometimes, we get a chance to have years with them. And sometimes, we just get a mere few short months.
Today, we all said goodbye to MID LIFE. Affectionately known as “Ben“ by his foster home, and then “Danny“ by his adoptive family - Mid Life was one of the Standardbreds we pulled in the spring from the kill pen. YOUR donation dollars saved his life, he was your horse as much as he was anyones.
This pint sized 18 year old gelding had a modest race career here in Ontario, Canada and then disappeared for many years, presumably as a buggy horse. He turned up in the Pennsylvania dealer lot back in January, the one that ships directly to the Quebec slaughter plant. He had an oozing infectious wound on his face and suffering from months, if not years, of neglect.
Coming back home to the province where he spent his young years, this sweet boy healed and flourished under the daily care of his wonderful foster mom Beth. His story and his gentle demeanour caught the eye of so many - but ultimately, Mid Life got the chance to give back when he was adopted by Melissa, who runs therapy and lesson programs with Youth.
Mid Life finally had his chance to be loved by young boys and girls (and adults) without a worry in the world. Sadly, his past neglect caught up to him this fall and his body began to fail. We are so grateful to Melissa for making the decision to let him go cross the rainbow bridge before his body shut down and he was in too much pain.
He touched so many souls in just the few short months he was part of our New Start family. His story, his personality - he will live on in our memories. Our thoughts are with his adoptive family, and to his foster family too.
Mid Life got to know love. His life was saved because he deserved the chance to know kindness. We only wish it was longer but we take solace in knowing that he is completely pain free now.
Rest In Peace Danny boy.
“While time will fade the hoof prints, the ones left on our heart will never disappear.
Daylon Marauder
April 11, 2003 - April 18, 2022
Our beautiful Dyllon sadly left us after what we can only assume was due to a complication from colic. He went downhill extremely quick - from eating and drinking, to 2 hours later laying down and being uninterested in standing at all because of pain. Our vet agreed it wasn’t a normal colic response, as he was still passing manure as normal and all other vitals were normal - except he was in extreme pain. It was determined that he had flipped his intestine and it was sitting on his pelvis and a nerve, causing the extreme pain he was in. Immediately, my decision was I couldn’t see him suffer any longer. There were some options to try but it would prolong his suffering and the vet said the outcome was still likely going to be grim. The likelihood was, by the time he showed symptoms, the intestine had already flipped. Potentially it was a freak accident in a roll and had nothing to do with colic at all, but I didn’t request an autopsy so we can only assume. It was clear the intestine was displaced, that was the end result.
Dyllon worked hard his entire life, it broke my heart to make the call and I’m forever grateful for my best friend and my barn partner at my side who agreed immediately with my choice. He needed us to be his voice, and I looked him in the eye - he was tired. That made the hardest thing I’ve ever had to say, just a little bit easier. It was best for Dyl.
Dyllon was so close to his forever family. He had appointments booked this weekend, and more applications had come in for him. He was the centrepiece of our barn because he carried himself with a presence that captured everyone’s attention when they walked in.
When he arrived, he was so scared of everything and all of the changes in his life. Each and every day he grew more confident in himself and watching him grow was a highlight for our team. He went from being afraid to even have someone sit on his back, to completing his first trail ride just a few days before his passing.
He would stand for hours in cross ties for attention, and his extreme love of bananas would make everyone’s day when he begged for them.
It breaks my heart that this sweet horse who worked so hard his entire life, had such a short “retirement”. But he was loved, he was cared for and knew kindness. I wish every moment I could go back in time and somehow protect him, but all I can do is find solace that he never has to work again or suffer pain for another.
We can take it from here Dyllon, you’ve done your miles ❤️
“For in my mind, all memories are alive. And in my heart your image is deeply etched, and for as long as I am aware of myself, I will remember you."
Moonlit Tori
March 30, 2002 - June 3, 2022
From the moment she stepped off the trailer almost a year ago, there was something in her mannerism that told us, she was “home” and that was that. She claimed our family as hers, and even though we pushed hard for her to find an adoptive home, she never had a single viewing in all the time she was here. She was right, this was home and we were her people.
I wish I could turn back the hands of time and changed the universe so that she never knew hardship or pain. Tori was a fighter and a work horse every day of her life. She did everything with full steam ahead, and put all of her weight and thought process behind it. She was brave, she was independent, and she could never fail to make you chuckle with her “granny with a shotgun” mentality.
We couldn’t fix what time and her previous neglect had already broken. But we could give her love, make her as comfortable as we could, and be there to make the ultimate kindest decision for her. I’ll quote a post that was shared with me just last night - “letting our beloved go in love when it is time, is our highest duty. It is not an easy duty - and it may cost us dearly - but it is our highest duty. We were chosen as guardian because we will carry out this duty from a space of love. No matter how many hands they passed through before they came to us, the universe anointed us with this responsibility.”
I feel that today. My heart is hurting but my head knows that this was the kindest decision that could be made for our beloved Tori. The barn will never be the same without her, and I’m sure I’ll shed many tears over the coming weeks because she has been such a part of our family. Her memory will live on, her personality and spunk will never be forgotten, and we will continue to help others in her memory.
Fly high, fast and pain free my beautiful girl. I know that Dyllon met you at the rainbow bridge to welcome you to the greenest pastures you have ever seen. Forever and always my dear Tori. ♥️
“In my dreams, I'll always see you soar above the sky. In my heart, there will always be a place for you for all my life”