In Memoriam

While time will fade, these hoofprints, the ones left on your heart, will never disappear.

Adeline

Adeline passed away quietly and peacefully. It was not unexpected as she had been losing weight all winter. Liver cancer is the most probable cause, but we chose not to put her through the stress of a biopsy because we knew her time had come. Addie was one of the very first mares we rescued from a livestock auction in California. In her late twenties, she’d been flipped by a trader with other horses, who had clearly been abused. Her body was covered with scrapes and scars that are the telltale signs of being tortured as a tripping horse. It is no wonder she was as terrified of humans as she was in the beginning. She spent a long time recovering in Malibu with Anselm, who was rescued around the same time, and handled daily to help her lose her fear of humans. Then they both moved to Oregon, where she started out in a large pen with Anselm and mini-mules, Bonnie and Clyde, before running free for many happy years with several mustang herds. When Addie started losing weight, we brought her in to a pen with some hard keepers. This is where she met and bonded with the Red Desert elder, Gandalf. Even his terrible arthritis could not deter him from roaming a hillside to graze, sun, and nap with the mare he adored. They both found love late in life and it means so much to us that they had that sweet time together. Sweet Adeline got to the point where she would extend her nose when asked to "bump, Addie". She’d do it over and over just to hear the words "good girl, Addie" and visibly shared our delight in the connection. One last time, bump, Addie… good girl… you are such a good girl. Rest in peace, Sweet Adeline.

#skydogadeline

BADGER

This sweet pea has been in our hearts ever since we received a photograph of a 30-year-old mustang standing in the same kill pen when we were on our visit to Dorothy Kansas. She had so much white on her face from age that we named her Badger. It was the first time I had ever seen a BLM brand beginning with an 8 because, according to her brand, she was born in 1989. Sadly, no one wants a senior horse, so we said, “Yes!” We did everything we could to accommodate and bring her to Skydog. Someone mentioned to us that the day we had scheduled to pick up Badger was the feast day of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals. We felt that was very fitting indeed and the final sign that this was the right decision. We loaded Badger, along with other rescues, and brought them to to the Oregon ranch, where. She lived out her final years in comfort, wild and free, surrounded by friends. She was treated with all the kindness, love, and respect due a venerable old dame right up to her final moments on this earth. No regrets other than we wish we could have given her many more gentle years of retirement.

#skydogbadger

BarklEy

Barkley, my darling best friend, was with me when Skydog was just an idea being worked out in my mind. It's impossible to describe a soul as good as his, or a heart so big. But I can tell you that Skydog would never have manifested to rescue as many lives as we have without his strength, company, and boundless enthusiasm for everything. Barkley was a co-founder of the sanctuary, ranch manager extraordinaire, greeter of unicorns, and the kindest soul l ever knew. The first Dodo video made about us featured Barkley, which helped Skydog grow and save so many more animals. I have the gift of so many beautiful memories of him: How people's faces lit up when they saw him. How incredibly good he was with new foals, staying utterly still to let them come and sniff him. His joy at getting donkeys to chase him, he could always out run them. Waking up in the night and reaching out to stroke his soft face. The sound of his ears flapping to tell me he wanted to go out. His companionship on hauls. He was the keeper of hidden treasure - there isn’t a volunteer or member of staff, who have not had their work gloves buried by Barkley. He was a muse at my feet as I wrote the coffee table book about Skydog Families. He personally welcomed most every new rescue and made them feel safe and loved. He showed them by example that they had nothing to fear from the humans in their new home. He was my bridge to the wild ones, telling them not to be scared anymore and draw near. Everybody loved Barkley. Diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of cancer, he was given two weeks to live, but he and God gave me an extra six months of time with him. I am thankful for every precious minute. He went so so peacefully, as he did everything in his beautiful life. If only people could be as good as he was. He taught me the meaning of unconditional love. For him, there was no other kind. He was the best dog, friend, companion ever and I know the time will come when we will meet again. Until then, his spirit and light will be with me every day. I love you forever, Barkley.

#skydogbarkley

Barnaby

Barnaby was originally from Beatty’s Butte, Oregon. He was rounded up, adopted, and worked nearly to death. As happens often with Amish work horses, once he’d been drained of his health and strength, he was discarded in a killpen for the last bit of money that could be wrung out of his suffering. We saved him in 2022 with two other terribly emaciated Amish horses, Bella and Chester. When they were released from quarantine, Chester was taken to Malibu for the extra care he needed. Barnaby and Bella came to Oregon, his homeland.Barnaby had endured 30 years of abuse and neglect with little, if any, love or care. His intake exam with Dr. Findlay documented old facial fractures, skin disease, lumps, bumps, and three different brands on his beautiful body. He barely had a tail remaining. He was one more overlooked, old, brown, worn-out, hard-worked, once-wild horse, who represents so much of where our hearts lie for these horses. Barnaby was very tired when he arrived, but still willing to follow and obey the human at his side. So docile, mild, obedient, and giving of himself to a stranger he did not yet know, but trusted. He was truly a kind and gentle soul. Even so, his wild side surfaced when he greeted Monte and Sarge with the traditional stallion rituals of introduction. The stomps, snorts, squeals, and romps of these senior boys were a delight to witness. Nutritious soft mashes helped Barnaby put on weight and a beautiful cascading tail grew back in. We threw ourselves into assuring him every day that he was safe, worthy, important, loved, and respected. He soon learned that he was free to express his opinion without being punished for it. Though Oregon born, Barnaby needed to winter in Malibu. He adored the California sunshine and the way the warmth penetrated into his bones. He felt so safe, he’d lie down to take long naps in the hot sand. He slept so deeply that we sometimes had to check to be sure he was OK. His ears twitched and he snored while he was dreaming. When Bella joined him, she never left his side. He came through his ordeal with wisdom and pride. He seemed to relish and understand his change in circumstances. As always with senior rescues, we only wish we’d had more time to show him how gentle and sweet life can be to make up for everything he’d been denied. On 1 June 2024, we had to part with our darling Barnaby at the Malibu ranch. Unsteady on his feet, he had difficulty walking. We were baffled by his symptoms and Dr. Merle came immediately. X-rays revealed he had somehow broken his neck in the night. His chronic arthritis meant his bones were frail from a lifetime of hard work. The fact that he was standing, eating and walking at all can only be attributed to his being mustang strong and one of the most stoic horses we have ever known. Barnaby was loved by staff and volunteers, who were there to stroke him, give him treats, surround him with love, fill him with the sense of how much he meant to us as he left this world. Chester passed away earlier, so Bella is the last of this group. She took the loss very hard. We have been helping her grieve for her best friend and will do everything to support her in moving on to the next chapter of her life with us. Barnaby we miss your quiet strength every day at the ranch. You were beautiful and your life mattered. We are honored to have had that precious time to make you feel well and happy, to show you that not all people are cruel.

#skydogbarnaby

Braveheart

Braveheart left us all too soon. We wanted him to enjoy a long life at Skydog to make up for the years with a heartless owner. Originally from New Mexico, he was deemed dangerous, unrideable, and unadoptable, so this beautiful mustang was left to stand. Just stand. For years. He was held in a tiny pipe corral in Arizona with little room for movement and sometimes very little food. He stood day after day without shade or shelter in all weather, where sweltering summer temps rose to 120F. Children on the property thought it was fun to torment him daily, startling him by tipping his water trough over to make him jump. This left him standing in wet sand, which caused thrush infections in his hooves. He was so lonely. Without a companion, it is hard to imagine how he got through one miserable day after another. Then, a Christmas miracle happened. An incredible woman fought to get him out of that hell hole and our wonderful donors helped us bring him to Skydog. When he first arrived, he was jumpy and frightened of everything. Making fast friends with Ripley helped calm his fears. We restored his health and removed all traces of his past, which included changing his name to Braveheart. When we released him and Ripley onto hundreds of acres with a herd of new friends, Rip held back, but Braveheart met them with his neck arched and head held high. He took off running over the hill with the entire herd around him. Then looped back to encourage Ripley to join them. Not having a coat for an Oregon winter, he did not object to blankets during cold snaps. For two years, he got to be the wild horse he was born to be. He had a brave heart, a good heart, a kind heart, but sadly not a strong heart. This is what took him from us with unexpected suddenness. We noticed he was losing weight and had swelling in his belly. We brought him to the barn to be checked by Dr. Findlay from Bend Equine. He was running a high temperature, and his belly was full of fluid. When his internal organs began to shut down, there was nothing more we could do other than bring his suffering to a compassionate end. I was at his side to assure him he was loved and respected. When they have suffered such cruelty for so long it is even harder to lose them before their time. My only comfort comes from knowing we were able to make him completely happy during his few precious years at Skydog. It is hard to part with you, Braveheart, when there is so much more we want to give you, but in a new way, your spirit is free.

#skydogbraveheart

Cassidy

To know him was to love him and we could not have loved Cassidy any more deeply or completely. I have never heard Janelle cry before, but they say that grief is directly linked to how much you loved and we all truly loved him. A mini-hinny, his mother was a miniature donkey and his father a miniature horse. His spirit was indomitable and we knew this from the first moment we met him. We were rescuing Love in Waco, Texas, our first mustang from a kill pen. I was told there was room in a box stall on the trailer for a small extra one. I went through the photos on the site and there was Cassidy looking lost in a pen full of larger animals. He arrived at Skydog on a giant semi truck. The hauler put down the ramp, put up handrails, and lay down burlap. Then he went back and appeared with Cassidy, who took off, nearly dragging him down the ramp. He was wearing the little halter I bought for him, blue with seahorses on it, as cute as he was intelligent and confident. Minis are always a lot of personality in a very small package, but Cassidy was one of a kind. He was small, but he had a heart as big as the mountains he eventually lived in. At first, he was turned out with the donkey herd, but one day he slipped under the fence and made the walk to join the mustangs. He never looked back. Buddy brought him on as his Lieutenant and he clearly believed that all the mares were his. When we observed other horses standing watch over him while he rested, we knew that they considered him one of their own. Twice we brought him in to be safer, but he ran the fencelines crying for his herd. When you went out for any reason, he would always be right there asking for a cookie - and walking away in displeasure if there wasn't one. Cassidy was a mini-hinny who identified as a mustang and we gave him the freedom to live the way he wanted to live. He wouldn't want us to mourn his passing as he lived every single second of his life to the fullest. He enjoyed every moment being the wild mustang he believed himself to be. He made so many people happy. With those little legs, he kept pace with a galloping herd of wild horses, touching our hearts, challenging our minds, and sending our spirits soaring. He inspired us to be the best, to dream big and then make those dreams happen. When we hear the sound of rolling thunder, we look up at the sky, knowing the heavenly mustang herd is running. Cassidy is right there in the middle with the best of them. There will never be a day we don't miss him, but every tear will go hand in hand with a smile.

#skydogcassidy

Chester

Chester was one of three Amish work horses that we rescued from a killpen in 2022. They were elderly horses, walking skeletons, their health and strength drained from them. When they finished quarantine, we brought Chester to the Malibu ranch for the extra attention we knew he would need. On his four day haul with Marlene Dodge, she observed that he bonded with a thoroughbred heading to another destination. Every time they stopped to rest and Macally was led off the trailer before him, Chester became terribly distressed. We worked it out for Macally to stay with him for a little while to help him calm down and settle in to his new home. Chester was noble, stoic, and gentle. He was so positive during his time here. He watched over the babies he shared a pen with at night. His eyes lit up when he saw me walking down the drive with breakfast. He greeted me with a nicker and droopy lip. He dove into his sloppy mashes with the gusto of horse who has been starved and dumped in a killpen. He treated every moment a gift and he took it with an open heart and gratitude, even after his pain and hardships in the hands of other humans. The neglect and hard work he was forced to do for so long took a heavy toll. It was touch and go from the beginning with him. Chester’s lungs were so scarred, he sometimes had difficulty breathing in the heat. A nebulizer and inhalers were needed for his asthma to keep the air passages open. We sent him to the best equine hospital for intensive lung care and cleared up his pneumonia, but nothing could reverse the decades of damage that had been inflicted on his body. Just a couple of months after he arrived at Skydog, Chester left us. Like the gentleman he always was, he let us know he was tired of struggling. He nibbled on green grass near the barn and enjoyed baby carrots while we waited for the vet to arrive. He was surrounded by his friends and felt our love as he made his passage. Chester came so close to meeting his end without enjoying some golden days with love and kindness at the end of his long and hard-working life. We are grateful for every moment that he got to trot around the ranch in the company of those who respected him. We treasure every session of gentle scratches and caresses. We are mindful of the fact that seeing his starved face and body in the killpen led to saving Barnaby, Bella, Freya, Zsazsa, Woody, Ziggy, and Bonbon, as well. An orange sunrise painted the sky on Chester’s last morning reminding us all that his twilight was full of a warm, golden light that we carry with us as on we go. Rest in sweet peace, my gentle friend.

#skydogchester

Firecracker

Firecracker was rescued from a starvation situation after his elderly owner died. A wonderful, local rescue in Bend, @3sistersequinerefuge, saved him, trimmed his feet, and put weight back over his jutting bones. Restored to health at age 34, he needed a good retirement and we were only too happy to give it to him. Firecracker never really clicked with the equine residents in Oregon because he loved to be with people. We felt he would be happier in Malibu, where there were so many volunteers and visitors to love - and love on him. He relished his soft, nutritious mashes. He loved the ocean views and breezes. The Southern California heat sank in deep to warm his old bones. Just when we thought he had absolutely everything he could want, he found a donkey family with Frankie and her son, Johnnie. Many hearts were broken when he left us. We will miss his loving presence forever; his velvety coat, gazing into those gentle eyes, dark pools of love and kindness. Firecracker’s energy will always be felt at Malibu, where the equine-human connection is especially strong.

#skydogfirecracker

Gandalf

Our beautiful beloved Gandalf has left us and now rests in peace. Gandalf was one of four Wyoming seniors we went back for at Cañon City BLM, after rescuing Blue Zeus and his family. We had utterly fallen in love with these old Wyoming boys and wanted to give more of them a chance at a soft landing. Gandalf was my first choice when I saw his massively arthritic knees and skinny self. He wasn’t strong enough to go out with the boys he came with - Joker, King and Frost Moon so he lived a quiet retirement life and loved the mares surrounding him, especially Adeline his last golden girl. Gandalf was born in 1997 according to his brand and he did remind me of a wizened old stallion who had seen the best a wild life could give a horse. I hope he has offspring still running free in Arapahoe Creek Wyoming. Tonight we say a prayer for him and goodbye old boy, you were the best of the best and you’ll have such special friends to meet you in heaven and we will all miss you terribly.

#skydoggandalf

GRace

Oh sweet Grace. This beautiful older wild mare came to us after the Warm Springs roundup. She had her baby, Sunshine, with her but Grace was so thin and weak she couldn’t nurse her baby. So we took them both immediately and within days, with good food and nutrition and calm Sunshine started nursing again and Grace steadily put on weight. After a lifetime on the range having a baby every year for 24 years aged her for sure. She spent her final years here with us until she passed of old age as Winter arrived. She had lost her baby, Sunshine, to a rare virus and she had left us while in the care of Bend Equine who tried everything to save her. Grace never got over her final loss but passed peacefully and amongst her equine friends. She was a warrior, a magnificent mare who lives on in our hearts with her daughter Sunshine. We will never forget them and always strive to continue on with giving horses the best care possible and always make sure they’re as big, healthy, and happy with their families.

#skydoggrace

GRaham Cracker

We first saw old Graham Cracker in a kill pen in Oklahoma. A trader was on his back forcing him to trot, despite his terribly swollen, arthritic joints. We so looked forward to giving him a new life in Malibu “senior assisted living” with nothing asked of him, soft bedding, fresh water, warm sand, dry shelter, a blanket against the cold, and all the kindness in the world. When he stepped off the trailer with Pony Boy, Clare started to cry so hard that she had to stop recording. The vulnerability of this gentle soul who had no control over his fate. The obedience of a long-suffering mule, whose age and pain were never a consideration for those who wore him down. The way he looked around with fearful eyes, wondering what was in store for him with no expectation of kindness. It’s a background he shared with many of the equines we rescue, but something about docile Graham Cracker really hit hard.The tallest resident at the Malibu ranch, he had a slow, looming presence that reminded Clare of Lurch in the Adams Family. He loved to nap in the shade of the pepper trees. And eat - he loved to eat. A quiet, gentle giant, he had his quirks, like no sense of boundaries or spatial awareness. He’d move right through your personal space to come up right behind you - or down on top of you - hoping for a scratch or a cookie, things we doubt he’d ever known before he came here. We wish he could have spent more gentle years with us, but a life of hard labor took its toll. He began to slow down, stopped showing interest in food. His arthritis bothered him more and more. It got to the point where he told us with his eyes that he was tired and ready to go. He laid down one last time surrounded by people who loved him, kissing his face and stroking his neck as the soothing music of a sound bowl sent him on his way. Once again, we are weeping for Graham Cracker, but they’re tears of joy for the sweet time we had with him. We miss him with all our hearts.

#skydoggrahamcracker

Jackson

Jackson I am heartbroken to say our boy didn’t make it. I can only think that he and his buddy, Cassidy, wanted to run together again, and he left to be with him. Jackson is an unbearable loss to suffer as he was such a very special horse. He and Lisa Marie were the very first horses we rescued as Skydog, how can he be gone? Jackson was huge, but a gentle giant. He never failed to come over to meet a new human and always came to find me when I was out there. He would spot me through a herd of horses and come over to give the best hugs and nuzzles. Everyone who met Jackson fell in love and when people would go out to see Phoenix or the ballerinas, it was Jackson they talked about when they returned, breathlessly asking who the huge black horse was. “Jackson,” I would say. “That is Jackson and he’s the best.” Our board member Rachel Hunter had a glorious love affair with him and it’s so hard to believe I won’t hear her ask after him every time we speak. Goodbye my darling friend - you inspired us to keep saving and grow Skydog to be bigger and bigger. We’re all going to miss you so badly.

#skydogjackson

KODA

Koda was adored by all who knew him and didn’t know him. From the day that he stepped out of the trailer in Malibu with his long glossy black tail and sweet disposition he was a favorite. Koda had suffered a devastating injury before he came to us, when he jumped the fence and then got stuck on it overnight. His humans did an incredible job of healing him and then asked for him to have sanctuary with us so he could be a wild horse again. He loved his food more than any horse I’ve ever known. He would make us laugh as he would run the entire length of the airstrip chasing the hay cart, wanting to be the first to breakfast. I cannot think of a horse who enjoyed every second of every minute of every day during the years he was at Skydog. He was a horse who loved being wild but also loved people.

#skydogkoda

Lep

Lep was a Warm Springs horse who had been rounded up pretty young and taken on as a saddle horse for one of the wranglers at the BLM Corrals Wendy Rickman. He was older, losing weight, not doing well on pasture when we said yes to retiring him at Skydog. We fattened him up and he stayed in a smaller pen to gain weight and friends. He had been a caretaker of orphan foals and injured horses and was a wise and gentle soul. He was so loved by us and adored people and being groomed and petted and the occasional treat. He didn’t have many teeth left and wasn’t that strong but he rallied for a good year before it was time for him to leave this world. After all the hard work he put in and all that he saw and bore witness too while at the corrals he was absolutely the most deserving mustang to get to come and enjoy the good life and caring for his final months. Lep was special and a very good boy. We are honored to have been able to have let him be spoiled and doted on until his final day- giving him the best time as he transitioned into his next life. He was so good and happy to the very end. We’ll miss you, Lep.

#skydoglep

LIONHEART

Our beloved Lionheart passed away surrounded by his human friends and our very kind vet who put him peacefully to sleep. Lionheart was a horse like no other ever will be. He came to us with a huge club foot caused by his nearly severing it in the wild. Thankfully the BLM asked us to take him rather than he be killed. He went lame a and upon close examination it was found there was a severe infection deep inside that had eaten into the bone and joint. He had a very poor prognosis for recovery from surgery and the amount of infected bone that would need to be removed would leave him in severe pain. We who loved him explored every single possible option for him but on many vets advice we did the right and kindest thing. Lionheart was magnificent and there will never be a mustang like him. He was just glorious and he had been gentled by Janelle for regular trims for his foot and she had an extremely close bond with him, so this is extra hard for her. He had just over a year with us and most of that was spent free with his friends and mostly his best friend Charlie who also had lameness issues, so our heart goes out to Charlie too. We have buddied him up with Cosmo for now to help him get over losing his friend. I am so happy for Lionheart that he spent six years wild and free, and then got one more year learning to feel no fear of humans and run with a herd. This has been such a hard year for us in losing some of our most beloved wild boys but also such joy in being able to rescue so many including two families. I know a lot of people loved and cared for Lionheart as they do all of our horses but boy this horse was such a testament to the absolute strength and perseverance of a wild horse suffering an injury such as he had and to continue is a bravery and feat deserving of a medal in my eyes. Plus he was the kindest most noble of any horse you could hope to meet. Never forgotten and always in our hearts ♥️

#skydoglionheart

Louisa

Louisa was known to all of us as the horse we saved on Christmas eve with her golden friend Star. This beautiful mare was standing in a kill pen up to her knees in mud scared and confused about where she was. It was heartbreaking and we fundraised to save her and get her to Skydog Malibu. She loved her new life and friends and she got well enough to go to Skydog Oregon a few months after we rescued her. She joined Sheldon’s herd with Lady Jade and Sweetpea who she had become great friends with in Malibu. She had a long good life with us and ran with her herd until she was found not feeling well one day. We took her to Bend Equine but sadly she passed away suddenly of either liver failure (as her friend Star also did) or a severe and sudden colic. The good both mares did in raising awareness for the passing of the SAFE Act is immeasurable and both will always be remembered. We cannot help thinking that they both passed for the same reason as they had come from the same place. It is hard to imagine what these horses go through before they arrive with us that contributes to their earlier deaths. The stress alone must be so hard on them all. We mourn Louisa and Star but forever have Skye as a beautiful reminder of them both. Rest In Peace beautiful Louisa.

#skydoglouisa

Neptune

It was with an utterly broken heart that I broke the news that our beloved Neptune passed away in September 2024. Our little Chincoteague pony was so special to me personally, having grown up reading Marguerite Henry's books about Misty of Chincoteague. I fantasized about running away to the magical island covered with wild ponies. When the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, which manages the herd, reached out to us about taking Neptune, I didn't hesitate to say yes. They captured Neptune, even though he had a band of mares, because he was infertile. They removed him, hoping to find him a great home, but this wild boy had other ideas about domestication. They looked for a sanctuary with a chute and experience in handling and caring for wild horses. We had everything to give him the best chance of a happy life in a totally new habitat. Neptune traveled to Oregon and blew us all away with his indomitable spirit. He sailed through his first winter with flying colors, growing the fluffiest coat to keep him warm. He was a fixture at his gate, along with his best friends Sinatra and Tank. They’d all figured out that if they waited there, they would get first dibs at the hay cart. He took to touching the ground with his nose to ask for cookies to be tossed over to him on the ground. His pony belly grew full and round. Then I noticed he was losing weight and we brought him in to find out what was going on. I'm not sure we have ever spent more time or effort fighting to keep an equine with us. The crew drew blood every day and delivered it to the hospital for tests to see if there were any improvements. He received many plasma infusions. We tried every antibiotic. He rallied a few times, but when he continued to drop weight, we feared it was most likely cancer. Every night that I was in Oregon, I sat with him in the barn and read to him from the books about Assateague Island, hoping to share memories of the his home. We still don't know why he passed away and the vet is going to conduct further tests, but now his spirit is free. I imagine him returning to his coastal home and the sturdy herd that has lived there fore centuries. I picture him grazing on his favorite dune and marsh grasses, and drinking fresh water from ponds. I hear waves breaking and see his mane billowing in ocean breezes as he watches over his mares. Rest in peace, beautiful island boy. You were nothing less than a dream come true.

RAIN

Never in my entire life have we ever met a kinder, better and more decent gentleman of a horse. He was the most beautiful of beings on the outside but an even sweeter and more beautiful soul. We were all devastated and we did every possible thing to help save his life because we wanted so badly for him not to leave us, but he is no longer in any pain and has gone back to the earth on which he was born to run. We can only believe that God looked down and needed the best horse on earth and took him home for the angels to ride. One year ago he walked into our lives and hearts and today he was gone but will never be forgotten. The pain we all feel is a sign of how much we loved him and what a tribute to him that we all grieve his loss this deeply. His Spirit is free.

#skydograin

RENEGADE

Our hearts were shattered into a million pieces when Renegade passed away. We believe this belloved boy colicked and in rolling injured himself on old sage brush puncturing his skin. This was without a doubt the most terrible, tragic and traumatic thing that we have ever been through. There aren’t words to describe our devastation from all of us who loved this incredible wild horse. We do everything in our power to keep these horses safe including capping every t-post, limbing trees, walking pastures to make sure there is nothing that could injure them. But sadly there are some things that are impossible to protect against. Renegade died wild and free and he was the happiest horse ever to get that gift back. Run free Renegade. We miss you more than anything 💔

#skydogrenegade

RHYS

Rhys was an early save and one of our favorite horses ever to come to Skydog. From the very beginning, we noticed he had some strange mannerisms and weird gaits. Over the years he was with us, his facial paralysis worsened and he found it hard to eat much except soft food. We brought him down from Oregon to the warmth of Southern California so he could live on the sand and flat arenas of the ranch. He was diagnosed with EPM: a neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It’s caused by a microbe, Sarcocystis neurona, that is commonly found in opossum, which can be transmitted when horses come in contact with infected feces. EPM mimics other neurological diseases and the symptoms - everything from lameness to seizures - can come and go. As things grew progressively worse, we tried different medications, some of which improve things for a while, but in the end, we knew it was time to let Rhys go. I stood with him as he passed as I have done with so many of the horses in our care. It is the hardest part of this job but we have never let a horse go alone and I am truly grateful to staff who have been part of this difficult rite of passage. We honored Rhys with a memorialplaque in quiet, shady place in Malibu, under his favorite pepper tree.

#skydogrhys

ROOSTER

Rooster was a 21-year-old mustang from Book Cliffs, Colorado, whom we rescued from a kill pen in Oklahoma. Rounded up as a baby, he worked his whole life. Then when he needed humans the most, when he lost his vision, they failed him beyond words. The utter cruelty of dumping a blind horse into a kill pen is monstrous. His right eye had been stitched closed by the owner, likely to conceal the damage before sending him to auction. He had no sight in the left eye. He was frantically calling out for a familiar horse, but we learned he had arrived alone. The thought of the terror he must have felt without a friend to guide him in a strange and hostile place where he sensed the suffering of other animals utterly shattered my heart. We always want our rescues to have a companion, so we saved a starved and injured mare, Eden. She needed our help, but could also help Rooster.

We sent them to quarantine at the same vet hospital. A friend of ours in Oklahoma, Loretta, went to check on them. She broke into tears when she saw the physical condition of these sweet and gentle beings. Rooster had looked so sad and forlorn when he was alone, but after Eden arrived, he lifted his head. His ears started to swivel with interest. For proper quarantine, they couldn’t be in the same stall, but they could hear, smell, and talk to one another. They formed a bond.

As soon as Eden was well and strong enough to travel, we decided to bring them to Oregon. His eye surgery would be done by our excellent vets at Bend Equine with Janelle personally handling his post-op care at Skydog. An incredible, sensitive hauler, Steve, drove them directly to the clinic. He told us that Rooster turned in the trailer and put his head over the divider to rest on Eden the whole trip. Steve’s kindness, Eden’s sweetness, and Rooster’s trust as they were guided out of the trailer will always stay with me. Rooster would go anywhere with his Eden and she wanted to be there for him. We could hardly wait for them to begin a happy new chapter at Skydog.

Rooster didn’t make it. It was only after the surgeon opened up his eye that we learned of the extensive cancer that had eaten into the socket and through to his sinus. There was nothing they could do to help him except let him go to sleep in peace to end his pain. It felt as though all the color drained out of the world when we got this news. Janelle and I drove to the clinic in gloomy silence.

Rooster’s story did not end there. Because of him, Eden was saved. She came to Skydog, where we channeled our sorrow for him into loving and restoring her to vibrant health. We placed her with Cruiser’s family, where she immediately took to his foal, Tupelo Honey - who just happens to be blind in one eye. The nurturing, protective nature that Rooster depended upon makes her a perfect doting auntie. Without Rooster, there would be no Eden. I only looked at the kill pen pages to find a friend for him. Eden is Rooster’s final gift to us. The love, security, excellent care, and family she will know for rest of her days is our gift to him.

#skydogrooster

STANLEY

Oh, Stanley, our old boy- one of the oldest taken in by Skydog at 32 years. To remember when we saved him with his overgrown feet and him barely able to walk around without pain. It was an utter delight to see him being such a scamp, and enjoying his final days in peace and with friends. I remember that morning when we were saving Stanley at 32 years old in a kill pen, I saw a video of Boots hobbling around on his Aladdin feet and said - “we’ll take him too”. Stanley cried so much when he was led out to load we put him back. He stuffered enough loss and got to be with his best friend, Boots. Boots is still processing the loss, as we all are here. It never gets any easier, in fact: each loss is always felt, but we also like to look on the upside here. The best being that despite going through so much for so long, we were able to gift Stanley the most peaceful final days, and we thank Stanley so much for his trust and letting us care for him. Goodbye Buddy, we’ll miss you and promise to always give another look and a second chance to any horse.

#skydogstanley

STAR

Star was not a mustang. She just so happened to be standing behind one when we fundraised for Louisa on Christmas Eve 2019. So many people asked us to take the golden horse in the background that we stepped up and got her too. She came to Skydog Malibu and had her baby at Alamo Pintado as she had some complications, but her beautiful daughter Skye was healthy and such an angel and it was the happiest of endings so we thought. Sadly only a few months into Skye’s raising, Star started dropping so much weight that we knew something was wrong. We weaned baby Skye to give Star more strength but sadly she succumbed to Liver Cancer. We were devastated to lose her with her baby so small but we knew we had to end her life as she was having trouble getting back up after laying down. Skye was adopted by our miracle save Dream and she became such a helicopter mom to Skye that she was never alone or out of Dream’s sight. Skye now lives in Phoenix’s herd and is best friends with Hope and dates Scout and Jack Sparrow depending on her mood and the day of the week. We know Star is shining down on her and is so proud of the filly she has become. Rest In Peace our beautiful Star.

#skydogstar

STORM

Storm was very vocal and whined a lot - but in a good way. Looking out for two blind mares, he was letting them know where he was or directing them. He was always the sweetest boy and will be missed so much by his small, tight circle. He formed a loving bond with Clare, who started watching over Dani California and Rosa to help them get around. They are a closely bonded little herd, whom Clare chose through the fence to be her friends. Storm and Rosa were rescued from the Woolsey Fire after their ranch burned down. The wonderful lady, who cared for them for 15 years, has been to visit them, but has no property left for them to live on. They were such a happy band and Storm enjoyed his final days, not only finding peace, but being of service to others who needed him. We aim to give rescues not only a second chance at life, but a new outlook. Storm simply turned his life around and became the best, most giving being he could be until the very end. Goodbye, sweet boy.

#skydogstorm

SUNSHINE

Sunshine came in with her mother, Grace, after the Warm Springs roundup in Oregon. She was weak and unable to nurse from her mother, who was also thin. We brought them home and fed them. Sunshine quickly grew tall and strong and was everyone’s favorite girl. She was raised with Goliath’s herd, where Bodhi was her best friend. She ran the hills. It was always easy to spot her in the herd with her glowing coat and face. She never had a sick day in her life. Then one day, we saw her standing away from the herd and just knew something was wrong. We had the vet look at her in the field and her vitals were all dangerously high. We took her to Bend Equine, where they fought for days to save her life, but she didn’t survive. She had contracted a rare virus and we had to let her go. After her passing, Grace never fully recovered and was put to sleep shortly after. Mother and daughter were reunited in the spirit herd in the sky. We are grateful we were able to give them a couple of years of good wild living before they left us.

#skydogsunshine

Swayze

Our darling Swayze left us and flew to heaven on his gossamer angel wings. Swayze was the horse with a hundred lives. We rescued him from Fabrizius, Colorado kill pen six years ago and he went down in the trailer on the way to Oregon. The vet in Laramie, WY told us he should be euthanized as he wasn’t worth the effort, but we asked him to rehydrate him and clear him for travel. Swayze arrived with strangles and almost didn’t make it through because he was so sick. He had minor cancer and while with us had 2 surgeries for melanomas on his tail. But for 6 years he ran the hills and was happy, well, and pain-free. Our beloved Swayze died a mustang after a long and wonderful life with us. We celebrate his life and mourn his passing to another dimension where he will watch over us. To Swayze’s most special girl @ariellekebbel thank you for all the love you gave him and to everyone else who met him and cared for him - he’s with the angels now and we will forever miss his unicorn beauty at Skydog.

#skydogswayze

Vegas

Vegas was in her thirties and died in her sleep peacefully. All night her best friend Read stood over her body and in the morning he came to get us to show us where she was. Vegas was one of the first horses we rescued at Skydog and although she wasn’t featured often she lived right next to Clare’s house, so her sweet face would greet her every morning nickering softly to say hello and ask for a carrot. She had slowed down so much that last time the vet was here she said she didn’t have long. And so she left us and her dear friend Read. Vegas had her last years with us happy and healthy and running the hills and she was a good old girl who had lived a hard life before she was rescued. Farewell Vegas - we will miss your greeting every day. Be free forever now.

#skydogvegas