Great Pet Net

Molly is a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana, USA . She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.

But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn’t seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didn’t overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there. (more…)

Alexis Ells at the Equine Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates, and retrains injured performance horses that can no longer compete. See the video here: Healing Horses

From the time she was a small child, Alexis Ells remembers rescuing injured animals and bringing them home for care.

“Healing has always been innate to me,” says Ells. “It’s been a calling, a passion. I was one of those blessed people who always knew what she wanted to do.”

By continuing to follow this innate passion, Ells is fulfilling her life’s dream as the founder of the Equine Sanctuary, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and retrains injured performance horses that can no longer compete.

Located in Ojai, California, the sanctuary accommodates horses that usually require extensive veterinary care and are at high risk of being euthanized. Through their work, Ells and her team of volunteers have improved—and often saved—the lives of thousands of animals. Most horses are healed and adopted by families and go on to lead long, productive lives. Those that require ongoing care remain as goodwill ambassadors in the sanctuary’s educational and therapeutic program for children and adults.

Lena is a blind horse living at Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary. She has found a very creative way to signal that she has finished her meal and is ready to be untied. Click here to read the whole story and to find out why she has to be tied up at dinner time.

Here’s a compilation of the great pet pictures sent to us by friends.
Music: Mozart Piano Concerto In D, K 107/1 - Allegro

The Arabians at Bound for Glory farm feeling frisky.

My friend Karen Clegg sent this photo of her two-day old Arabian colt Mimi enjoying her first time outside. Karen and her husband Steve are breeders and own Bound for Glory Arabians in Bowdon, GA.

Horse reflection by Koen from EarthShots.org

Photo titled Circle Of Life by Nailbender on Flickr.