| Field of Dreams Horse Rescue and Adoption |
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| Happy Birthday Orlando!! |
| Miracles Happen Meet Orlando by Addie Stras It was January 24th, 2008. The weather was brutally cold - temperatures were well below zero. Each breath we took seemed to linger frozen in the air. Our fingers and toes were numb making even the smallest task more difficult. On this night the barn definitely held the challenge of endurance, And ~ this was the night we would welcome our new guest. We received a call earlier in the day asking if we were interested in an old donkey that was no longer needed. He was tired and frail ~ struggling with the demands of every day life. His owners felt his ability had become questionable and therefore his job was complete. The insensitivity of their words clearly expressed their thoughts. "He's old and weak - he keeps falling. We've had to help him get up for the past two days. If you want him, come and get him or otherwise he'll probably freeze to death overnight." The wind chill registered -30 and they gave no thought of allowing him to rest in the barn. To them he had become more work than he was worth. But to us, there was no doubt in our minds that Field of Dreams would be his next home. We did, however, need to address several obstacles that stood in the way of his arrival. Needing transportation, phone calls were made. Without hesitation, we were generously offered the help we were in need of. Chipping away the ice that surrounded their trailer, the kindness of the couple continued by transporting our anticipated guest to his new surroundings. We were then faced with stall space. As once heard long ago, "There is no room in the inn". Thoughts and ideas were immediately put in motion, and inventiveness secured the location. Combining the outside gate, floor fan and golf cart his residence would now be adjacent to Rio's stall. He had arrived. The barn door opened and we got our first glimpse. Before us stood a donkey with unbelievably long ears ~ glistening from the ice that covered his entire body. He slowly shuffled down the aisle oblivious to his surroundings. As he approached, with his head hung low and the light gone from his eyes, it was apparent that he had given up on life. But little did this old fellow know that his life was about to begin ~ that this day held for him a new beginning - a time of "rebirth". He was immediately wrapped in the comfort of towels to melt the ice, and at the same time wrapped in the comfort of love to begin healing his spirit. We were aware that the donkey had obviously witnessed life's indifference's, it's not always fair - it tests your strengths and your ability to handle it. But he met those demands each day with pride and courage and we were hopeful that these qualities would again help him through this night. That night turned into morning, and then that morning into days with months and years to follow. We knew that the strength he had found within himself in those frigid hours would be warmly shared with each of us for many days and nights to come. For the past two years we have been given the gift of Orlando, our strong willed, sometimes mischievous, but always lovable donkey. We have learned through his experience and also by his daily example the importance of never giving up. And at times we ask ourselves ~ who rescued who. ___________________________________ Today we celebrate Orlando and his 44 years of life. Happy Birthday, our special friend. |