(LuvShack Ranch, September 2009)  We just returned from a few weeks away, I was so excited to get out to Wes' and see my Belle, as well as go to LSR and see all of my pals there.

If I have known that was waiting for me at LSR, believe me, I would have stayed in bed!!  Joey and Dannielle went on a few rescues while we were away.  One of them was in Buckeye where 7 horses were simply not being fed.

One of the horses, a 10-year old mare, we name Velvet, was at least 400 - 500 pounds UNDER WEIGHT.  I am not kidding, I saw her with my own eyes, and you will see her pictures here ... it is not a sight you will soon forget ... the other three horses were equally bad off ... Scarlet - "As God is my witness, I'll never go hungry again" is being fostered and the other two chestnut mares, Dolly and Shirley are at Wes'.  They are all at least 250 pounds under weight .  Velvet coliced all night, and Joey was up with her until 2:30 am.

Joey spent most of the day of the 25th, talking with the Dept. of Agriculture and the Sheriffs' offices.  She was not going to rest until someone agreed to come and see how cruelly these horses had been treated.  Velvet fough the fight until the Agriculture people came and saw her.  They are going to pursue this case and hopefully prosecute and send these "human scum" to jail.  Velvet was humanely put down the evening of the 25th.  I know, with all my heart, that her spirit is free and that she dances with the horses who waited at the Rainbow Bridge for her.

Steve Bodinet of Channel 3TV did a video with Joey on the situation.  It is a tough video to watch.  It will upset you, be prepared to cry and to get angry, but it is worth the watch on www.azfamily.com.

Well ... If the tale above wasn't awful enough, wait until you hear the rest of the story!  Joey and Dannielle also went to Glendale on the 23rd where there were 5 horses the owner had simply ignored for months.  The "owner" was not home.

One, a sorrel, was as thin as Velvet, but her poor legs were all swollen.  The other, a gray, was also terribly thin, and her teeth had ground down due to constant cribbing.  Joey returned that evening to catch the "owner" and question him about them.  He agreed to let Joey take the two mares, but he wanted to keep the other 3 horses.  They were "living" in urine soaked stalls and their hooves are a mess.  Their lack of food is causing their very rapid deterioration.

Well, Joey told the "owner" she would return on Wednesday to pick up the two mares ... little did she know she would have Steve Bodinet with her!  Joey appeard on the news that night (see video link above).  Her interview was shocking to say the least.  Hopefully it made people aware of the help that is available for needy horses.  We name the mare with swollen legs, Alex.  She was humanely put down on Thursday ... right after I arrived on the scene ... Great way to end a wonderful vacation!