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I love horses and I have always loved horses. My favorite part is it’s just you and the horse, no one there to judge you, the wind in your hair. Almost all horses can be sweet and gentle all they need is a loving owner. They are worth all the hard work and effort. If you have never rode a horse, or never been around them, trust me, you are missing out.

My first horse was when I lived in Idaho at age 11-12.  His name was Jack and he was a Tennessee Walker.  We went on cattle drives and rode in the mountains together.  Every day after school I would ride him, for hours at a time.  Then we had to move to Iowa, and sell our horses. I had moved several times before this, but this was by far the worst.

When we finally got settled it was in a house with 8 acres and a barn.  So, I knew we would have horses sooner or later.  About a half a year later one of my mom’s friends bought a horse she couldn’t handle and gave him to us.  His name is Rush he is a Thoroughbred/Arabian.  I didn’t ride him much because he spooked a lot, and when he did it was very bad.  Then 4 months later we got Kirby.  He was a very stubborn Palomino.  I rode and worked with him every day.  He got better but he was always stubborn.

Then we met Bill and Genea, and volunteered frequently. Then became close friends.  About a year later Genea, called about working with a horse donated to the rescue for a special program she offers.  He is a beautiful Red Roan, with a lot of personality. Genea thought of using him for special needs children, but they weren’t ready yet so she asked me to take care of him, ride him daily, and train him. When they are ready A.J. will be too. At first moving out here was awful, but knowing Bill and Genea and helping at the horse rescue has made it worthwhile.

-Morgan Scott

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Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a
day like this before. But, the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Rainbow Bridge to watch.
 
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Rainbow Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over The Rainbow Bridge.
 
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying
on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
 
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.
 
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only
the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."
 
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge
could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
 
"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of the animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
 
"What happened?" asked the first animal. "That was a rescuer." replied the second. "The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work.  They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge."
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If Not For You

 

I would have died that day if not for you

I would have given up on life if not for your kind eyes

I would have used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands. 
I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care.

 

Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted, skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it, beds to sleep on, someone to love me, to show me I deserve love just because I exist.

 

Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands.  Your big heart saved me.  You saved me from terror of the pound soothing away the memories of my old life.

 

You taught me what it means to be loved.  I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.  I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair-why you do it.

 

When there is no money, no more room, no more homes you open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a little tighter, make just a little more room to save one more like me.

 

I tell you with gratitude and love that shines in my eyes in the best way I know how reminding you why you go on trying.  I am the reason.

 

The dogs before me are the reason as are the ones who come after.  Our lives would have been wasted, our love never given.  We would die if not for you.

Author Unknown