Miracle Ann fought leg cancer for a short time. She came to Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland as a severe abuse & neglect case. She learned to trust people again. She crossed over Rainbow's Bridge in the arms of Genea Stoops after leg cancer was found and it took over her body in a short time. Miracle Ann will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We love Miracle Ann, until we meet again, wait for us sweet angel. [perma link]

Sophia Lynn came to us as an Owner Surrender when she was just a year old. Her Owners thought she was to big and to much work. Sophia was kept on a chain the first year of her life by her Owners and this should never happen to any dog. She also had a eye infection that was not taken care of that required extensive surgery to correct.

Sophia Lynn turned out to be one of the sweetest dogs you have ever wanted to meet after she was healed inside and out. She loved everyone! Sophia Lynn was adopted but her adoptive home did not work out and she was returned to us with a week. ... read more

Missy crossed over Rainbow's Bridge peacefully 03/28/09. Missy arrived at the rescue February 22, 2008. Missy was never able to be with the other dogs as she was just to old and sore from her prior abuse so she was kept inside the house. Missy was just over (11) years old when she crossed over Rainbow's Bridge.

We want to thank Sara from Glenwood, IA for being Missy's Guardian Angel Monthly Sponsor. Sara's monthly donation helped cover the cost of the medication Missy was on. Below are a few pictures of Missy and her story. ... read more

We have lost an incredible horse this morning at Hooves & Paws Rescue. Fever fought right to the end but was just not strong enough to make it. His body was just to weak. Our Fever crossed over Rainbow's Bridge in our arms Christmas Morning at 8:00 a.m. We were all together watching the snow fall and when he took his last breath. We held him tight and told him how much he was loved and how proud we were of him for trying so hard. We told him it was okay to go as his body was tired.

He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. ... read more

We were informed that beautiful Hoss who was adopted from Hooves & Paws Rescue has crossed over Rainbow's Bridge. He was an Owner surrender and was adopted to Harold & Beth in Iowa. He was very loved and spoiled by Harold, Beth and their family but his body gave out due to old age. Hoss will be greatly missed but never forgotten. He was a happy and sweet boy who brought smiles to everyone who met him. Rest In Peace Sweet Hoss. [perma link]

Friday October 1, 2010 at 9:30 am we lost an incredible Saint Bernard that many of you knew and loved He attended all of our events and warmed many hearts. He loved everyone! He always made us laugh and smile. He came into our life at Hooves & Paws Rescue when he needed a family to love him & care for him. His passing was very unexpected and he will be missed more than words can ever say. Rest In Peace our sweet angel Bubba. You were a true Gentle Giant. Please wait for us, until we meet again. You were a beautiful boy inside and out. ... read more

Our Sweet Old Man Gordie has crossed over Rainbow's Bridge after spending almost three years with us at Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland. Thursday, December 16, 2010 Gordie laid down very peacefully next to the barn and never got up. He could not raise his head and was very weak.We knew it was time to let him go. He was one of the sweetest old horses, always ready to greet us and he would call out to us when he seen us. He knew how much he was loved as we always gave him a hug & kiss each time he came to see us. ... read more

This gentle gelding was one of the 35+ horses that was removed during the seizure in Carroll County, IA. He had the chance to learn about love and trust with Harold & Beth in Iowa who foster many horses of ours. Sadly shortly after he was removed from his previous Owner he became very ill and we were unable to save him. He crossed over Rainbow's Bridge but he will always be remembered and we are very happy he passed knowing he was loved. [perma link]

Madison Ann was saved from a life of Dog Fighting. She spent the last two years of her life as a forever resident at Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland. She was spoiled, pampered and very loved. One day her legs stopped working and she was unable to walk. She passed away peacefully in our arms knowing that someone loved her. That is all she had ever asked for in her life. Until we meet again RIP sweet girl. You were very special to us and we will miss you [perma link]

Sweet Ellie passed away and will be missed greatly by all her knew her. She was loved by many people. She touched so many hearts. Sweet Ellie passed away very peacefully while she slept in her area of the barn. RIP sweet Ellie girl. Until we meet again. [perma link]

We are very sad to share with everyone that Josiah has crossed over Rainbow's Bridge. His time with Harold & Beth was short. But while he was in his new home he learned about love, lots of good food and tons of kisses. He was a sweet horse who came to us as many do unloved and unwanted. But we are thankful he knew peace in his life before passing with his adoptive family. That is so important after having a tough start in life. Until we meet again Josiah, RIP angel. [perma link]

Jessie, our great old man Appaloosa crossed over Rainbow’s Bridge. Both Bill & I were with Jessie in his last moments. He passed very peacefully while we were holding him and talking to him. He was truly a very sweet and beautiful old man and we loved him with all of our hearts. He will be greatly missed. RIP sweet Jessie. Do what you love most. Find a big field to graze in where your days are filled with sunshine and tall grass. Big kisses and gentle hugs to you Jessie until we meet again. ... read more

Today was a very sad day at Hooves & Paws Rescue. When we went for our morning feedings down to our horses we found "Chuck" had passed away. Chuck will be greatly missed because of his gentle nature and the many lives he touched. Chuck was donated to Hooves & Paws Rescue in 2007 by a very nice family who knew we were looking for a gentle riding horse to give lessons on. He gave rides to many young children and adults who were just learning to ride. He was so incredible and gentle and he was the best broke horse we have ever owned. ... read more

Update - Little MayBelle crossed over Rainbow's Bridge peacefully in our arms. She was almost 38 years old. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her especially her good buddy Goober. Until we met again, watch over us and Goober.

Little MayBelle arrived at the rescue 09/20/08. It was just over an hour trip back to the rescue from where she was. She got right into the trailer when we loaded her. When we arrived at the rescue she got out and took a look around. The first horses she saw (on the other side of a fence of course) was Papa River, Mama Joy and Baby Walter. ... read more

An angel flew over the Hooves & Paws Rescue and called a very special little mini horse to Rainbow's Bridge. Little Willie's time with us was to short. But the time we had with him was truly amazing. He taught us about love and how precious each day is. His favorite thing to do was to lay in the sunshine and have his hay all around him so he could munch whenever he wanted to. We fought for him until the end. But one day his little legs finally gave out. He crossed over Rainbow's Bridge in the arms of Bill & Genea Stoops. ... read more

Jamie has crossed over Rainbow's Bridge. Jamie was one of the sweetest dogs ever. Jamie arrived along with a litter of puppies that was found on the Highway in Glenwood, IA during a heat wave. She was a wonderful Mommy and devoted to her puppies. Along the way all of her puppies were adopted to wonderful homes. Jamie made friends with everyone she met. All of the rescued dogs, kitties & horses loved her. But she preferred to spend her days with the horses watching them and running with them in the fields. ... read more

We are very sad to report that Baby has passed away. She will be missed by many who knew her. RIP beautiful Baby. You were very loved. Baby was a beautiful (2) year old Buckskin Mare. She was one of the 35 horses taken during the 2010 Seizure in Carroll, Iowa. [perma link]

Erma has crossed over Rainbow's Bridge. She started to have severe seizures due to a head injury after being hit by a truck running as a stray. Erma was very special and we cared for her until she passed away shortly after her injury. RIP Erma. Although your time with us was short we loved you so much. Until we meet again. [perma link]

Sophia came in as an Owner Surrender. Her life was full of abuse, neglect and folks that just did not want her. She ended up being removed from a neglectful situation in Nebraska by another Shelter. Then she was adopted out of that Shelter and she went to another family that did not care for her and did not provide for her. When we were called to take her out of this situation she was very underweight and had a severe ear infection that had not been treated for many years. We had to have surgery on her ear within 24 hours of her arrival. ... read more

UPDATE - We are very sad to share that Fast Freddie Crossed Over Rainbow's Bridge. Fast Freddie will be greatly missed. Read his story below.

Meet Fast Freddie. Fast Freddie was one of three puppies at the age of (5) weeks old that was abandoned in a box outside a dumpster on March 3, 2008. We have had Fast Freddie to our Vet on several occasions and our Vet feels that he is not adoptable due to fear and behavior issues. Our Vet also feels he was very abused in some way in the first (5) weeks of his life which has caused him to have ongoing fear & behavior issues. ... read more

We are very sad to share that Frank crossed over Rainbow Bridge. He passed peacefully in the arms of his adoptive Dad Greg who Frank loved so very much. Frank was very loved and will be missed by all who knew him. He was a really special guy. Until we all meet again Frank, watch over those who loved you. [perma link]