Blessed

Some days a common phrase around the ranch is “I hate people.”  Those are the bad days.  The days when Angela finds a pup like Sawyer, “The Padlock Puppy,” the days when you hear about a mama dog being dumped on a rural highway with her puppies in a bag beside her, or when someone finally surrenders a dog because they really don’t know what to do with an embedded collar.  Sometimes we just shake our heads and say through anger or tears, “I hate people.”

On those days our friends, supporters, donors, and volunteers make an immeasurable difference, and I’m reminded the good people outweigh the bad, careless, ignorant, and just plain cruel.

This week a professional dog trainer, Deb, visited the Ranch and volunteered her services.  Our horse trainer, Jan Burnham volunteered her extra energy and time.  And yesterday was volunteer day.  Jamie and Sue arrived with bags of apples and carrots and gave not only the horses extra attention, but their pens, catching up on maintenance (beyond mucking) that the three girls on the ranch don’t always have the time for.  This is when I am reminded most people are good.

Last week we raised all the money needed for Rudy’s surgery and can’t thank all of you enough or express the difference your gift of giving made in the company of many prayers and so much love. 

General care and feeding on the Ranch runs us a $1000.00 a month, so extras like Dancer’s special medicine for the Cushing’s, Rudy’s surgery, or even Rasta’s 7 pups, rescued in August, stretch our resources.  Sometimes it’s scary.  In 2009, when we started this venture it was rough financially, even more so emotionally.  2010 didn’t let up, but sheer perseverance helped us get by.  2011 has delivered us to a new phase here at Rasta’s.  It’s not easy to ask for help, but we’ve learned it’s not for us, but the animals and there’s a world of people out there who want to help make a positive difference.

All of you make a difference in Rasta’s world.  You’ve made it possible for us to grow with your donations, you’ve sent love and prayers, and I am certain that has provided much of the healing and the good and promising energy that is flowing for the ranch right now. 

We have volunteers!  We have professionals offering their valuable services.  We have you and that’s pretty neat.  Sometimes it’s hard, but friends and family can make all the difference.  Today, Rasta’s has a family beyond the animals that reside here and the caretakers of the ranch.  We have a growing family of friends from almost all 50 of the United States, a friend in Finland, France, and Great Brittan and well wishes from many places in the world.  A gathering of good people believing in a common cause, the health and well being of animals.  We are blessed to have you and send our thanks and very best to you and yours.

Your help makes it possible to do what we’re doing advocating, caring for, and providing for those in need of a rescue. 

Thank you,

From the spirit of Rasta, the Guardian Ru, Maggie-May, Sam, Chloe, Savannah, Pirate, Bella, Sadie, Scarlet, Dancer, Duffy, Sgt. Pepper, Moon, Lily the Goat, Rain, Tigger, Red, Rasta’s 7, and the three girls on the Ranch.