02 December 2011
Santa Delivers Christmas Joy Early to NetPosse Volunteer!
By Angela Kirby (original story published December 2008)
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: Be sure to see the links at the bottom of the page for other horses stolen from children and therapy programs, and be sure to check out the link for Beer Run - a horse Michelle is searching for now - updated 12/2/2011 ~ A. Kirby)
Stolen Horse International has grown over the last decade due to the dedication of volunteers in the United States and across the world. Whether or not they have ever experienced the heartache of searching for a horse due to theft, a bad sale or for any other reason, they reach out on a daily basis to those who have.
This decade-old, nonprofit organization exists to educate horse owners regarding equine-related theft and also assist in the recovery of stolen and missing horses. However, despite the thousands of professionals and everyday horse people NetPosse reaches every year, none of us is immune to equine-related theft and none of us can protect ourselves 100 percent from losing a horse. And unfortunately, there are times a loss hits close to home.
When our volunteers experience this unexpected situation and have a missing horse, they are thrown into a world that they had once not fully understood. Many horse enthusiasts who frequent Internet groups receive NetPosse.com [Idaho] Alerts posted by these same volunteers.
Michelle Gordon is one of those NetPosse volunteers who spends hours each week networking on behalf of the stolen and missing horses. Her story is one we hear frequently at SHI headquarters involving what we call "civil theft" - where horses are missing in bad agreements with board barns, family members, trainers, and the like. And while Michelle isn't alone, she really can count her blessings this Christmas season.
Below is Michelle's story in her own words, but it really didn't start in the summer of 2008. In fact, this story has more twists and turns than Santa guiding his reindeer and sleigh through the rooftops on Christmas Eve.
One of the horses featured in Michelle's story is a registered quarter horse affectionately known as Tue. He first appeared on NetPosse's Web site in October 2002 when he was stolen with his dam. While the horses were recovered, Tue went on shortly thereafter to unfortunate circumstances from which he had to be rescued. Five years ago, he was Michelle's Christmas present from her loving husband. Now, he and his buddy Digger are home again … just in time for the holidays.
How the Grinch Tried to Steal Christmas
as told by Michelle Gordon through good friend, Katrina Brown
My story begins in late summer of 2008. Although we think of the dark winter months as bleak, it was during this time that my family's life seemed the bleakest.
I was busy with my daily routines of working with my own horses: personal, foster, and rescue placements. Any of you who have worked in rescue know what a time-consuming job it is. The responsibilities are endless. As my life was going along busier than ever, my grandfather passed away, and then a few weeks later my husband's grandmother died.
Life was very overwhelming, but we had not been dealt the last card yet. You know, the card that sends all the others tumbling down. When my husband's father suffered a severe stroke, I knew then I could not handle everything and give it all the attention it deserved. I had to make decisions that, for me, were heart-wrenching.
After much soul-searching, I began emailing private contacts in an effort to place two of our personal horses. I was always clear to anyone who inquired that I wanted them back if the person's situation ever changed.
A woman, whom I had come to know through a rescue and who had come recommended, contacted me about my horses. I disclosed everything I could about the horses' dispositions, training levels and possible quirks. She seemed genuinely happy to include my daughter's pony, Digger, in her lesson program, and to use Tue, my beloved companion, as her own personal horse.
During several conversations and before I delivered the horses to her property, we discussed at length how much these horses meant to my family. If the time came she could not use them for her personal or professional needs, she promised she would contact me. At that point, I would bring them home. Under no circumstances were the horses to be sold. Since she fostered for a rescue, I trusted she understood the terms of my letting her take the horses.
Though she did pay $200 for Digger, it was mostly so Tyra could buy a new saddle she'd had her eye on. She even promised my daughter that Digger would have a forever home, and Tyra was free to visit whenever she liked.
It was my full intention to have her sign a contract, but the demands of life just swept time away from me. Several weeks later, just when I thought life was getting back on track, I contacted her about another matter.
While I had her on the phone, I asked how the horses were doing. Of course, I expected a positive response since I hadn't heard any differently from her prior to that conversation. I still can hardly stomach the words she spoke. After hesitating briefly, she stated, "I had to sell them."
My heart sank; I barely knew how to respond. Shock quickly turned to sadness but then anger surged forward. How could she have done this? We had an agreement that brokered no misunderstanding. This woman I had entrusted with my horses had SOLD them! I truly felt she had taken advantage of me during a very vulnerable time in my life. How would I tell my little girl I didn't know where her pony was? I knew of other people's sorrow when forwarding the NetPosse alerts. I never thought I would personally know it myself. My worst nightmares were becoming reality.
After many tears, I contacted my friends at Stolen Horse International. They quickly agreed to help me find our horses. I filed a missing horse report and sent pictures. Angela created a webpage and flyer for Tue and Digger then sent out an alert in a matter of hours. She and Debi rallied around me, giving me hope and encouragement. At the time, I convinced myself I would be content to know they were in a good home and being loved. But I was more than happy to buy them back if whoever had them wanted to sell.
All I Want for Christmas
Thus began the weeks, which turned into months, of wondering where my boys could be. The agony felt endless, while I tried to throw myself into the life that had once been so overwhelming. Now the smallest task took the greatest effort.
With the support of my family and equine friends, I was determined to find our horses. For weeks, we posted flyers and contacted message boards and friends. I wanted nothing more than to have the boys home in time for Christmas. I couldn't fathom my little girl's heart breaking on Christmas morning as she asked me when her pony was coming home.
You see, Christmas was an important time mark for us in our search. My husband had given Tue to me in 2003 as a present, and we had given Digger to Tyra two years later for Christmas. It just wouldn't be the happy occasion it should be without the boys in the barn.
The first week of December pretty much snuck up on me. Still nothing on the horses, and I was feeling disheartened. I often caught myself singing, "All I want for Christmas is my two boys home …" Silly, I know, but it kept the hope alive that just maybe we were due for a Christmas miracle.
And though I wasn't truly expecting it, on December 13th, our miracle occurred - and in the "nick" of time!
I'll be Home for Christmas!
The NetPosse flyer was spotted in a western store. The customer immediately recognized Digger, and the information on the flyer struck a funny chord. This person immediately checked out the details and made the proper phone calls. That Friday evening, December 12th, I received the much-anticipated call that Tyra's pony was safe … but more than that, we could bring him home!
It was very reassuring to experience this family's honesty after we had suffered the other woman's broken covenant. But my miracle was only half accomplished. Where was Tue? Digger's new owner reassured me that they could help locate my horse.
In less than a day, a chain of events unfolded and renewed my faith in humanity. Tue had also been found, as the buyers of our horses were friends. Both of our boys were coming home … and in time for Christmas!
A single mother and her teenage son had purchased Tue, and they graciously brought him home to us that Saturday. She had taken good care of him but said that he was just too much horse for her and the 13-year-old. They had only been riding for a year, and they had been misled by the woman who'd originally taken the horses that he was a good mount for a beginner, among other things.
This family was incredibly glad that Tue found his way back home, but this recovery was a win-win situation. First, I was able to repay the lady for Tue so that she could find a more suitable horse for her son. And now they will be spending some time at my place and with their trainer to learn more about how to care for and ride horses.
I was so happy to see Tue again! He got out of the trailer and looked around, took a deep breath and then let out a big cry to his herd. They all answered back to tell him, "Welcome home, brother!"
I buried my face into his neck and took a deep breath myself. He curled his head over my shoulder and literally pulled me into him. We stood there for a few seconds not moving at all; it was like time just stood still for that moment. Tue then nudged me as if to say, "Okay, Mom, come on, take me to my pasture and herd."
When he was let loose, Tue made a beeline for Smokey (that's his girlfriend) and immediately re-established his role as "king of the hill." My heart was full of joy as I watched him reunite with his family!
The next day, Sunday, we went to pick up Digger from the family who had purchased him. They were wonderful to us; welcoming us with open arms and hearts and making us feel right at home.
They led us in to the barn and there stood Digger - just as cute and well taken care of as the day he left us. Tyra immediately darted into Digger's stall. The gentle gelding curled his head around her as she stood at his side and nuzzled right into her chest.
After a few minutes of loving, she jumped right up on him. The two played around in the barn aisle for quite a while. Tyra was also quick to make friends with the youngest of the daughters, who is her age. The newfound friends doubled up and rode around on the little girl's other horse. Picking up Digger was a celebratory reunion with our horse and our newest friends - who made the transition so comfortable.
This all happened just in the "nick" of time because both families were ready to give up on my horses and send them to auction as soon as possible. Tue and Digger need advanced riders, and the seller had never told them any of this. This person scammed my family out of two horses at a time when we were very vulnerable. She then broke a verbal agreement by selling them. But her unscrupulous dealings didn't end there. She put an 8-year-old little girl and a 13-year-old boy in harm's way by selling them horses she knew were too much for them to handle - just to make a buck!
We are counting every blessing and thanking the Lord for answering our prayers to bring the boys safely back home to us. This is the greatest Christmas present ever! I mean, how many people can say they were giving their Christmas presents twice? Again, our barn and my workload are full, but so are our hearts!
My family and I want to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped, no matter what you did! We hope that your Christmas is as merry as ours!
I'll Have a Blue Christmas Without You
While Michelle's family has experienced its miracle, there are still many heart-broken children because all they want for Christmas is their horse home. The thing is YOU can be that miracle. It only takes one person to forward an email or post a flyer that could lead to the recovery of a horse … and make a child's Christmas wish come true!
Please help bring these horses home:
Mandy - Stolen from Okotoks, ALB (Canada)
Midnight - Stolen from Collin County, TX
Foxy - Stolen from Little Valley, NY
Sonny & Sassy Stolen from Henry County, VA
Lacey- Stolen from Cannon County, TN
Ty - Stolen from Lancaster County, OH
Flashy - Stolen from Orange County, TX
Abbey - Stolen from Sedgwick County, KS RECOVERED!
Warrior - Stolen from Tuscarawas County, OH
Pixie - Stolen from Maricopa County, AZ RECOVERED!
Missy- Stolen from Lea County, NM
Blue - Stolen from Iredell County, SC RECOVERED!
Dipper- Stolen from Clay County, IN
Kismet - Stolen from Cheshire (UK)
Diana - Stolen from San Berdino County, CA
Valentino - Stolen from Newton County, GA
Lacey - Stolen from Cannon County, TN
Be sure to check out the other stolen and missing horses not mentioned to help bring them home!
Another NetPosse Christmas Story: http://www.netposse.com/admin/news.asp?id=449
Learn more about NetPosse Volunteers Michelle Gordon & Angela Kirby HERE
Angela Kirby
Stolen Horse International, Inc.
stolenhorse@netposse.com
www.NetPosse.com
© 2008 - All Rights Reserved. This article is not to be reproduced in part or in whole without written permission from Angela Kirby or SHI.
