Feature Friday -Giving Thanks to Our Fur Family Members-

Howdy Folks,

As we approach Thanksgiving Day and our minds, and tummies, focus on great food, gatherings, friends and family. And of course giving thanks. It's wholly appropriate to include in our thoughts and deeds our animal family members. We all have those special horses, dogs and cats. Some have crossed the rainbow bridge, but we can, and should, still send the sweet thought of gratitude for how they touched, and perhaps changed our lives. Made us wiser, kinder, better.

Kessy, Miss Kitty and Tigger join me each morning for Coffee Clutch.

Our equine, dog and cat family members are ever there for us. A shoulder to cry on and lean on as we travel life's trails together. Cats, while some folks find them aloof, are the very best for snuggling and purring. Cats do tremendous work soothing shut-ins, and folks who don't get very many visitors. Our cats, Tigger and Miss Kitty are the source of countless warm laps, and just as many chuckles.

Dogs offer unconditional love, companionship, protection and even make the best trail riding buddies. Our little throw away, Saturday is one of the best trail buddies I've ever had. Our dear Sweetness, who crossed the rainbow bridge this summer, was the best ever. She even taught herself to help horses through scary times on the trail. She taught a few horses to load, too. She was part of our lives, rides and hearts for a too short ten years. We miss her. Dogs all over the world lend a helping hand to folks.

Dear Sweetness - she loved Christmas too and opening her presents.

Be sure to be extra thankful for your horse. What would we be without them? They teach us to fly. They help us navigate rough patches in our lives. They enrich us, make us laugh, think, and grow. They listen to our problems. They help us celebrate our joys and victories. They heal hearts all over the world. They mend bodies too. My Kessy understands the demands of my body. She knows I ride so I can walk. If you follow my Coffee Clutch blog you know how she understands my limitations, and how she compensates for them. She is the most in-tune horse I've ever had the honor and pleasure of calling my partner. And we are together by accident. Or are we?

Kessy, Saturday and me just foolin' around.

There are organizations all over the world offering help to humanity by way of horses, dogs and cats. Why not say a special thanks to your fur family member by selecting one of those organizations you like best and sending a donation in the name of your horse, dog or cat. That would be a "Thank You" heard around the world.

Gitty Up

Dutch Henry

Feature Friday - Teresa Paradis- Live and Let Live Farm Rescue -"Carrots For The Horses."

 Howdy Folks,

Since I'm here this weekend doing my, "Therapy For Therapy Horses" clinics I thought it appropriate for Theresa and Live & Let Live Farm Rescue be our Feature Friday today. How better to tell the tale of how this wonderful woman came to create the largest shelter, rescue, and sanctuary in NH and all the good that is done there, than to share here the story I wrote for Trail Blazer. "Carrots For The Horses" was published in the July 2012 issue of Trail Blazer. 

 "Carrots For The Horses."

Just outside Chichester NH there are 70 acres of peace, love, healing and restarting for animals great and small who have, through no fault of their own, lost their homes, families and loved ones. This place is called, "Live and Let Live Farm Rescue (LLLF)." Teresa Paradis founded LLLF in 1997 with the love and support of her husband, Jerry, daughter Heather, and 5 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats and a parrot she had already rescued. The only way to tell the story of LLLF and the healing that happens there is to let you know, who is Teresa Paradis, and perhaps just a bit about the journey that brought her here.

Teresa getting love ...

Teresa, coming from a troubled childhood herself, always looked to animals for her own healing, love and support. Her first recollection of how deeply animals can care for us was her little beagle, Tippy. Twice as a young girl Tippy intervened when Teresa's safety was threatened. Once when a pack of free running dogs came charging at her, Tippy, a tiny dog with a huge heart, disregarded his own safety and plowed right into the pack. Teeth gnashing and barking fiercely he drove the dogs away. Another time, as Teresa was walking alone a man stopped his car and tried to harm her. Tippy attacked with the viciousness of a dog three times his size and the man sped away. Teresa knew it was that love and connection between her heart and Tippy's spirit that forged the foundation within her to somehow, someday, find a way to help as many animals in need as possible.

Mooney trimming the grass at the entrance

As a young girl she lived within walking distance of a horse farm that raised and trained Thoroughbred race horses. She had always been drawn to horses, even though she never knew any. From a distance she loved and watched the beautiful horses graze, prance and play. She hatched a plan to do babysitting and use that money to buy a bag of carrots for the horses. 

Only one problem stood in her way. She had no way of getting the carrots to the horses. She decided she would sneak to the farm's mailbox and put the carrots inside with a note, "Carrots for the Horses." Her system worked flawlessly. For weeks she would sneak to the mailbox and tuck a bag of carrots inside, and then sit at her favorite vantage spot and watch the horses.

One day as she approached the mailbox she was startled by a man's voice. "Are you the young lady who's been leaving carrots for the horses?" Sheepishly Teresa whispered she was. The man replied, "I'm Morris Vallee, would you like to give your carrots to the horses in person?"

For the next few years Teresa lived a young girl's dream. She had a series of fun jobs that allowed her to live within the horses' spirit. Morris was a kind and gentle man who had a special way with horses. Because of his gentle ways, his horses often did well in the races, and lived a happy life on the farm. Through him Teresa learned a happy and good side of the racing industry. His teachings helped Teresa learn to love horses even more. Too soon, while traveling, Morris died in a truck accident. The farm soon closed.

Teresa found work at Suffolk Downs Race Track in East  Boston MA as a groom, walker and handy person. What a very different world this proved to be than the peaceful, wonderful world with her old friend Morris. It was while working there that Teresa was introduced to the other side of the racing industry. It was while working there that she realized that one day she would work at a rescue. She just knew she had to be a part of helping horses in a big way.

Rehabilitation can sometimes require a little song

Time and life marched on; Teresa married, raised a family, and divorced. "Life has its ups and downs and nobody knows what crooked roads bring us to the fields we settle on." Teresa said. 

Teresa and Jerry knew each other for years, but each had their own lives. Then one day Teresa got word Jerry was very ill. Teresa had already been rescuing horses and other animals and it was that inner spirit that reached out and told her to go to Jerry. Through the illness and healing they formed a bond that would mold them together each filling a void in the other.

Jerry had the land, Teresa had 5 rescued horses and a passion. Together they set out to save, heal and restart precious lives.

Jerry does most of the construction and road building, yes the road building. One of the beauties of LLLF is the way Teresa and Jerry uses the land and nature to help heal the broken lives of horses, ponies, dogs, cats, goats, pigs, chickens, parrots and any animal who needs help. The farm is laid out along a wonderful meandering trail through the sheltering trees. 

Paddocks along the winding way ... This is the corner of Sanctuary & Rescue

Along the trail Jerry built a series of spacious corrals each with run-ins that are home to 2 or 3 horses. Plenty of room to run, plenty to eat, a place of shelter, and an abundance of loving care and attention provided by the farm's several hundred volunteers.

Puppies getting baths after arriving at LLLF

The entire farm embraces visitors with the feeling of love, care and security. It's part of the healing magic of LLLF. Just walking the tour along the dirt road through the trees by the horse paddocks makes a person feel welcome and happy. That's exactly the feeling Teresa set out to create with the park like layout of the dirt road system on the farm.

 

Socializing PMU babies - The offspring of mares from Pregant Mare Urine Farms - 2 years ago LLLF rescued 104 "Premerians" ... 40 were pregnant mares ...

You see at LLLF they not only heal animal's hearts and lives, but people too. With no formal program, in fact nothing at LLLF is formal, everything is relaxed and free. There are many human hearts healed here too. Not only the hearts of the adopters, but many of the volunteers who care for the horses and other animals come for healing, too.

Early on Teresa recognized that many of the volunteers came from broken homes or were far too often victims of domestic violence, or other forms of life changing stress and challenges. 

She also noticed how these volunteers began to heal as they did some of the hundreds of things that needed to be done each day to care for the horses. She began to set up loose guidelines, and she structures the teams and chores to allow each volunteer to receive the most healing that they might need as well. Each volunteer is allowed to proceed with their duties at their own pace, providing the time and atmosphere for them to absorb the healing that even an abandon and neglected horse can give the human heart.

While all the necessary veterinarian care is provided without hesitation, the farm practices natural and holistic approach to healing and care. All horses are barefoot and hooves well trimmed. On a regular basis clinicians are brought in to teach volunteers and adopters basic natural horsemanship skills. Patty Sanborn, a Quantumbio feedback specialist comes by weekly, and as often as needed, to administer care for horses and other animals as they recover from their ordeal. Because of their excellent care LLLF has an excellent recovery rate for the horses and other animals they rescue, but the few who can never be adopted can live out their lives in happiness and peace in the LLLF sanctuary.

Since 2002, when they became a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit, they have rescued and found forever loving homes for 50-60 horses a year with a 95% success rate. How do they do that?

Teresa has a program that is very unique and highly successful.  She says she is not trying to just adopt out horses, but matching horses to the right people for forever homes. She lets the horses choose. The first step to adoption at LLLF is, "Sponsorship." An adopter signs up for 30 days as a horse's sponsor, which places the horse on hold, while the adopter visits and gets to know the horse, and the horse can bond with the adopter. During this time Teresa participates in the visits and activities and monitors the progress. If all goes well at the end of the sponsorship the adopter may take the horse home, or sign up for another 30 days. If she feels it is not quite the best fit, Teresa will suggest another horse or, as often happens, another horse may choose this human, and the "Sponsorship," will start again with a new horse.

LLLF has several more programs to help horses and other animals. One of those is their, "Outreach Feedbank Program." This program is designed to keep horses and other pets in their loving homes if their owners come upon temporary hard times. LLLF can provide hay, feed, limited veterinarian care and other support to those people who might come upon such hardships as layoffs, illness or other conditions that may otherwise force them to give up loved pets or horses. It is in the, "Help Thy Neighbor," spirit that Teresa and the volunteers work in an outreach manner to keep as many horses and pets and their loving families together, and prevent once cherished horses from a one way ticket to the auction barn.

Each Sunday afternoon the enchanted roads and trails are opened to the public for guided tours for folks to feel the love and meet volunteers and visit the horses. As the visitors stroll along the guides introduce each horse to the visitors. They stop at each of the 28 paddocks and enjoy the moment. It is often during these visits that new friendships that last a lifetime begin. 

And many folks feel the tug on their hearts to become part of the loving family of volunteers who help re-start lives.

LLLF is run entirely by volunteers and survives on your generous donations.

To learn more about LLLF and their programs Visit their website, (HERE) 

Please join them on Facebook (HERE) 

And if you visit, please take carrots for the horses.

Gitty Up,

Dutch Henry

Powder says, "Thank You."

"Feature Friday – Sweetness- We'll Miss You"

Howdy Folks,

A dozen years ago she came bouncing up our lane, tail wagging, eyes shining and her heart looking for love. I was immediately smitten. My first words to her were, "Hello Sweetness!" I found out later that day she'd been hanging around a neighbor's house for a while, he had tried to find her owner, could not and did not want to keep her. Ravishin' Robbie was away for the day so I had time to settle her in, clean and shine her up,  then add my own pleading eyes to Sweetness' at just the right moment when Robbie came home. Of course Robbie melted and Sweetness joined our family. We did continue to try to find her owners thinking no one could abandon such a wonderful spirit, to no avail. Our Veterinarian thought Sweetness was about three at the time.

Sweetness took to Robbie right away and they became best friends in about 5 seconds. She was never far from Robbie and, unless trail riding with me, she could be found on Stripped Chair in the office with Robbie. For years she served as Robbie's sounding board.

Sweetness loved opening her Christmas presents

Sweetness was the most adventurous of all our dogs, ready to dive into any endeavor with her wagging tail and gleaming eyes, full of spirit and eagerness. She loved going away, and she went with us on our Competitive Trail Riding and other horsey adventures. She loved trail riding and logged thousands of miles trotting along, never straying. There were even a few times she kept us out of harm's way on the trail.

I remember a time when Robbie and I were riding alone in a new place, she on Mr. Dix and me on Diablo. We came upon an old car in the woods and Diablo was having no part of it. All at once Sweetness trotted around us and that scary old car, stopped and looked back at Diablo, danced a little while staring at Diablo and, catching me off guard, Diablo walked on right up to Sweetness. As soon as we all passed the car, Sweetness fell in behind Robbie and Mr. Dix. It was an amazing thing to experience. And she's done that exact thing on other occasions.

She and Tigger were best of friends too, romping about, laying in the sun together. Often they could be seen grooming each other. We would laugh when we saw them heading down the trail to explore together. A bit like Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.

Sweetness was a pretty good watch dog too, especially when it came to Robbie. Having our office in our home it was common to have sales people, customers and other folks drop in. If Sweetness was not sure about them, she never barked or growled, but would position herself firmly between Robbie and whomever she didn't quite trust.

She gave up trail riding a few years ago, not long after we moved to Virginia, but continued to be Robbie's devoted office pal and Tigger's best friend. And my Sweetness.

Yesterday Sweetness went to Heaven ... and for all the years of her love, trust and support we knew she should be this week's Feature Friday. Feature Friday is devoted to "People & Horses Helping Horses & People" and over the years Sweetness has helped many horses get comfortable with trail riding. She helped Robbie with that too, not to mention the hours of office help. She helped me too, to embrace sweetness. Everyone who met Sweetness always said, "She's so sweet." I know she's in heaven helping others now too. But we will miss her.

Sweetness loved joining us for Coffee Clutch with Kessy & the gang

Thank you for picking us when you were looking for a new home, Sweetness. ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday- Dr. Glen Dupree – For The Animals"

Howdy Folks,

I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Glenn Dupree, Tuesday for my column "Holistic Horse Heroes" coming up in the July issue of "Natural Horse Magazine." Dr. Dupree is one of the country's foremost authorities on Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine. I was so moved by his thoughts, insights and ideas about true health and healthy living that I couldn't wait for the magazine story to come out, so I figured I'd do a Feature Friday about him.

"I'm committed to teaching the Homeopathic way of living, healing and empowering our animals, and ourselves," Dr. Dupree said. The mission statement for his practice, "For The Animals" is, "We are dedicated to the art and science of classical homeopathy and its application in veterinary medicine."

As a boy growing up on a small family farm in Louisiana, Dr. Dupree learned early the harmony in life necessary for healthy living, for animals and humans. He graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982 and opened his own practice in 1983. As the years went by and he kept seeing the same animals and treating them for the same problems, and worse problems as they aged, he yearned for a better way to help them.

Being a true healer Dr. Dupree began to search for alternative ways to promote good health. His search led him to Dr. Richard Pitcairn and his Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy. 1995 and '96 are what Dr. Dupree calls his "Jekyll and Hyde" years when he practiced conventional veterinary medicine in the daytime and studied under Dr. Pitcairn at night. Dr. Dupree was certified by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy in 1996. He continued to seek education in the holistic and homeopathic way, even moved for to PA 3 years to work with a totally homeopathic practice. When he moved back to his own practice in Louisiana he gradually made the transition toward a totally holistic approach to animal care.

In 2004, Dr. Dupree completely discarded the conventional veterinary philosophy, and his practice "For The Animals" became totally homeopathic and holistic. His practice began to branch out and through lectures, seminars and writings for many notable publications. Dr. Dupree introduced thousands of people and animals to the homeopathic ways.

His book "Homeopathy In Organic Livestock" is a how-to for those seeking a healthier way.

Visit his website  http://www.homeopathyfortheanimals.com/ to change your life ...You'll find pages of information ready to print and you can make you're own handbook on homeopathic and holistic living and caring for your pets and horses. Dr. Dupree would love for you to always have that information.

I just got word that Dr. Dupree is having some health issues. If after looking at his website you want more information or to talk with someone about homeopathy for your animals please contact Lisa Ross-Williams, publisher of Natural Horse Magazine. She can be reached at lisa@naturalhorsetalk.com

Link to Natural Horse Magazine  http://www.naturalhorse.com/

Dr. Dupree has been a true champion of bringing homeopathy to so many, and that's a wonderful thing.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Feature Friday-Mary Ann Kennedy, "Singing to Help"

Howdy Folks,

There are people who travel life's path with a song in their heart and on their lips, all the while trying to help others who may not have a voice of their own. Mary Ann Kennedy is one of those people. Mary Ann's life has been filled with music, her whole life. She remembers a childhood filled with song. "I come from a very musical family. That's where I got my gift." Horses and all animals have always been part of her spirit, too. "I'm so grateful to have been born with the love of music and animals."

In 1978 Mary Ann struck out on her own moving to Nashville. She spent the next twenty years writing and performing the music she loves, earning two Grammy nominations, and producing a number of hit singles. "I had the honor of getting to know and work with wonderful people like, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Emmylou Harris and many more of the finest people in Music City."

Tragedy touched her life in 2000 when within a few days of each other she lost her beloved horse Tonka, whom she'd bred and raised, and Choy, her little pug. In an effort to manage her grief she picked up her guitar and started singing about it. It was at that time she wrote, "The Trail Less Traveled." Driven by the way these events had so deeply touched her spirit and urging from her friends, Mary Ann embarked on a new journey. She started writing songs about the animal loves and angels in our lives. Since that moment Mary Ann has been creating songs that touch, comfort and inspire horse and animal lovers young and old. She celebrates in song and lyric our animal friends hoofed and pawed. "My hope is that hearing this music will inspire healing, joy and celebration of life."

Her first CD, "The Trail Less Traveled" and its title song, introduced many to the growing popularity of natural horsemanship. It was while attending a Ray Hunt Clinic in 1999 that Mary Ann realized that while she had been handling and riding horses her entire life, she did not understand horses very much at all. "It was the way Ray told us when he pointed to a massive oak, 'If that tree was a horse, he knew two leaves,' that made me realize just how much we could all learn from these true horsemen and women." Mary Ann told herself one day she would write a song for that moment and Ray Hunt.

She devoted herself to learning all she could about honoring the horse by learning their language and quickly became a major advocate for conscious natural horsemanship, natural horse keeping and barefoot trimming. "What we are trying to achieve is compensation for domestication." Mary Ann said.

Her second CD, "Hoofbeats, Heartbeats and Wings," celebrates everything from Palominos to Jack Russells, the fun to be found in cleaning stalls and making hay and "Spirit Horses." It also celebrates in song two people who have helped shape her own, and thousands of other lives. For Linda Parelli she wrote, "When You Carry Me." And for Pat Parelli, "Green On Green."

"Rhythm Of The Ride" was her third CD and in song teaches us, "The Language Of Love" and how our horses can leave "Hoofprints on our Hearts." She also declares she is a, "Horse Addict," and in "Tennessee" she celebrates the natural movement of the Tennessee Walking Horse. Another of Mary Ann's causes it to promote soundness in Tennessee Walkers and she asks that if you believe in this, join the marvelous organization, Friends Of Sound Horses (FOSH) and help the cause.

As a lifelong advocate for those among us who have no voice of their own she had assembled a large family of horses, dogs and cats who needed loving care and homes. She realized there was a limit to how many she could take in and she had reached it. But there would be no limit on her efforts to help those who are in the trenches every day running the rescues, the shelters and the therapeutic riding centers. She actively supports a horse rescue in Tennessee, Horse Haven of Tennessee and other local animal shelters. Her fourth CD, "Who Saved Who," is a theme album for loving a rescued animal.

Each year Mary Ann donates her time to perform at numerous fund raising events and concerts to help raise much needed money for them to operate. She also donates generous portions of her proceeds to horse and animal charities, and has given hundreds of her CDs to charity auctions, and sent hundreds more to therapeutic riding centers around the world.

Her fifth CD, "This Love Of Horses". … If you love horses, this is your music! Hurry and order it! Recorded acoustically Mary Ann's passion shines through. The songs are intimate and stirring. "I wanted these songs to be all about the message." Mary Ann said. There are fun songs like, "Cowboy Girl" and "Get Up and Go." "Big Love" tells of the deep and powerful love in a horse or dog's heart, no matter their size. For Pat Parelli, "Slow and Right, (beats fast and wrong)."…

For the gentle man who started Mary Ann on the journey to understand horses, and to help others understand horses through her music, Ray Hunt, she recorded "Two Leaves," a powerful, inspirational and touching song ... "All these years later, when I wrote and sang this song, I could see Ray pointing to that big oak and saying, 'If that tree was a horse, I know two leaves.' ... This song is for you, Ray. Thank you. We miss you."

Mary Ann lives her life caring and giving help to those who need help. She is actively involved in many organizations that do so much to help others. She is devoted to helping those who have discovered or want to discover the natural way, the listening way. She lives the life and leads by example. On her web site she has a page listing the links of others who can help folks learn to honor the horse and all animals. To learn more about Mary Ann Kennedy and to order her music go to www.maryannkennedy.com .

Mary Ann's motto is, "Making the world a better place for the horses and animals we love." Her songs help to guide us ... Her CDs will make great Christmas gifts!

Gitty Up
Dutch Henry