JL board member's quilt for the horses.

[Hrsecrzy1]

From across the country, members of an on-line horse training discussion group have rallied together in cyberspace to support Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR), an organization operating on the east coast. After following the story of a severely neglected horse rescued by DEFHR, several members of the John Lyons Discussion Board decided we wanted to do our part to help out. Each of the contributing members created an individualized, artistic cloth square, which Maeve DeHetre of Hudson, Florida, hand sewed together to create a beautiful quilt. Slated to be signed by John Lyons himself, the quilt will be raffled off in Sept. All proceeds will be donated to the DEFHR to help them in their mission to rescue and rehabilitate horses in need.

Kneeds Kisses: The Inspiration for the Quilt
Since early 2002, John Lyons has made available an on-line discussion board for those wanting to learn about his Conditioned Response training method and a general place to hang out and make friends. There are currently over 1800 members from all over the world, including France, Spain and Korea. On a daily basis, we swap horse-training experiences, trials and accomplishments. We support one another both in the training of horses and in our everyday living.

On November 3rd, 2003, I found that I really needed the support the Discussion Board community could provide. As a volunteer for the Days End Farm Horse Rescue, I was invited along on a rescue of two severely neglected horses that were living in small stalls within an old, run-down chicken shed. Later named "Kneeds Kisses" and "JoJo," the pair of Standardbreds were starved and near death, barely able to walk. Their hooves overgrown and curled to the point that they were cutting into the front of their legs. The scene was enough to cause me an emotional let-down the following day, and it was on the John Lyons board that I shared my experience and the plight of these horses.

This great group of people surrounded me with encouragement. For the months that followed Kisses rescue, I kept the board community updated on her progress. We all rejoiced when she was able to walk on her own, and we prayed as she fought an infection. However, in August 2004 the five year old Standardbred mare was laid to rest. The damage done to her feet irreversible, it was determined that nothing more could be done.

We were all willing her to recover, so the news of her passing hit us hard. However, the discussion members rallied. Even though we weren’t able to save Kneeds Kisses, we wanted to raise money for DEFHR to help horses in need like her. One member, in the midst of her own troubles, came up with a way.

Maeve Comes Up With an Idea:
While we were mourning Kisses passing, Florida residents were dealing with the devastation brought on by mother nature. The impact of those storms will be felt for years to come. Amidst hurricane Charley, John Lyons Discussion Board member, Maeve, sat in her family room stitching a quilt in an attempt to calm her frayed nerves. Outside the wind was howling, trying to claw its way into her horses, that were boarded up in their newly finished barn. As she thought on the safety of her beloved horses, her thoughts took her to Days End Farm, 900 miles north. Maeve had been following Kneeds Kisses story through my regular postings.

"I was sitting here during Hurricane Charley and working on one of my quilts," says Maeve. "I was thinking about the horses (what else during a hurricane?). In addition, that leads to thinking about Kisses, who had just passed away. I was also thinking about what we could do as a John Lyons group to raise money for DEFHR. Since I was working on a quilt, I thought that would be a great way for everyone to join in. A real, first of its kind, on-line quilting bee! "

She took the idea to the board, whose quick enthusiasm had enough quilt squares committed to make a queen-sized quilt. The theme was "horses," but contributors were not limited to it and each person had creative license. Kelly Dittmar of WI offered to provide the backing and batting and Maeve volunteered to assemble the quilt, a job that ultimately took 120 hours of hand-dying fabrics and hand-stitched assembly.

Contributors to the Quilt
It may surprise you to learn that the contributing quilters were not all women. Gary LaBelle and his wife, Laury Grant of PA, submitted several squares. One of them is a tribute to Gary’s s father-in-law with his cattle brand, 7HL, burned into the seat of pair of Wrangler jeans. Some squares contain pictures of people s horses; others have hand drawn and painted art. Each square has its own individual story and each contributor has signed the back of their square, making the personal touches complete. Dubbed by Kathy Schwartz of DEFHR as the "Kisses quilt" it is complete with a photo square featuring Kisses with her best friend, Bubba, who passed away with her.

Raffling the Quilt
Though the quilt is now complete and ready to raffle, the story does not end there. John Lyons himself heard of the quilt his discussion board members have created personally signed it at the Virginia Equine Extravaganza on April 23rd, 2005 in Richmond, VA. He wrote:

"To everyone at Days End from all of us who care. Best wishes. May God bless you and your families and horses always.

John and Jody Lyons
Zip and all the horses you help."


The quilt is being raffled to benefit Days End. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The drawing will be held on Sept. 24th, 2005 and you need not be present to win. Again, all proceeds from this raffle will go to Day s End Farm Horse Rescue to continue to fund the work they do to rescue and rehabilitate horses in need.

[Hrsecrzy1]

http://64.119.185.222/dboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=25

[Speckles]

bump.

reading about Kisses made me cry all over again. If you haven't bought tickets yet, please do!

[Hrsecrzy1]

Her first day of the rest of her life....

[Hrsecrzy1]

Our hearts were breaking for her...remember?

[Hrsecrzy1]

Anne can testify to the weight of her feet. A horrible burden. :(

[Mary R]

Crzy, I'm due for a donation again. Where do we send the money for the tickets? I'm mail challenged and can't seem to locate my last mailing from Day's End.

[Hrsecrzy1]

the tiny, 40 yr old pony whose sole purpose in life seems to be to take care of Kisses. Even when she was fighting an infection in the bone in her foot (remember that?), he stood over her as she lay in pain. He never left her side...

[Hrsecrzy1]

We thought we were going to loose her to the infection. Everyone was preparing for the worst. My son, who NEVER comes to rescue, asked to see her. This picture is precious to me.

[MaryS]

you're making me cry Crazy!!! :(

Poor, poor Kisses!!! :( :mad:

[Hrsecrzy1]

Everyone walking into the rescue met Kisses. She was in the first stall, with a window to the rest of the world.

[Hrsecrzy1]

She became a horse again. Got to experience a herd (of two ;) ), was able to feel the sun on her back and never knew hunger ever again. She experienced a loving relationship with people and bonded to her foster parents, the man himself battling a disease that will eventually take his life. They understood her like no other. But the one thing we weren't able to give her was freedom from pain.

These were the last two pictures I took of Kisses, in July of last year. Two weeks later, after taking a turn for the worse and Bubba's body shutting down, they were laid to rest together.

[Hrsecrzy1]

Her story lives on...and will continue to do so as long as Days End is around.

Rest in peace, sweet Kisses.

[Tripledeuce]

Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're not supposed to make a grown man cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please list the mailing address,,,so Jan and I can send a donation.

Terry

[horse 2 many bucks]

i was new to the board just this year so i did not know of all this. i have never seen a horse with such horrible feet. and hope i never have to again. i sat here crying while reading and looking at the pictures. but i also know there are people out there who do treat animals so bad you'd like to do the same to them. even though i am going though a hard time plese give me an address and i will make some kind of donation. it may be small but i want to help.

[Mary R]

Crzy...too sad all over again...I will get that in next week!

[(un)stablemom]

Please post address. I am new this year too, and am honored to know of people who do this. That poor horse. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for all you do, and for giving Kisses love in her life.

[KellyJean]

I too need to know where I can get my tickets... I lost the website a while ago... or should I just mail someone a check??? I can't remember!

Kelly

[Hrsecrzy1]

It was hard posting those pictures again. I must have five files of photos and going through them, deciding which ones to post, had my emotions full-throttle again, too! This summer is the one-year anniversary of her death and I'm so saddened by that. I remember this board pulling together in prayer for her, willing her to make it. It really was "our" loss when she died.

And then the quilt...have I told you all lately how beautiful it is? Kathy (DE president) is head-over-heals in love with it. She wants it for the rescue...to be displayed on a wall in the *new* office, attached to the *new* barn. So, here's the deal; she's put out a plea to people to donate to Days End by purchasing tickets, even if they are not interested in the quilt. If they win, they can "donate" the quilt back to DE and receive tax credit for the value of the quilt (the total money raised in the raffle). So any of you out there who, 1. Would like to have the quilt that honors Kisses and Bubba...and our board members, BUY YOUR TICKETS SOON! 2. If you're not interested in having the quilt but would like to support DE or help them keep the quilt, BUY YOUR TICKETS SOON! :D

Okay, for the details: This website has the on-line donation link for you to purchase tickets. I personally check the dontations and record any/all tickets being sold on-line. The email you receive in confirmation will be from me (providing you leave your email address on the form). http://capoziogallery.com/defhr/[

If you want to send a check, send it to Days End Farm Horse Rescue at: 15856 Frederick Rd. P.O., Box 309, Lisbon, MD 21765 Be sure to make a note that you are purchasing quilt raffle tickets.

The drawing will be in Sept. and I can't tell you how much I'd like it to go to a member of this board. If not, I want it donated back to DE. Truthfully, not many tickets have been sold, much to everyone's dismay. Your chances of winning are pretty good at this point, so don't delay.

Okay, one more picture of our dear Kisses. Remember this wonderful moment? Maeve's bridle raised over $750 from this board ALONE! Jackie was the lucky winner and Kisses was such a big help. :D

[spotteddrafter]

Crzy -- I think of Kisses at the most unexpected times...usually during a quiet moment on the trails with Jetta. Thanks for reposting her story....

[horse 2 many bucks]

the check is in the mail (really) if i win i will donate it back so it can be hung on the wall

[Val]

Thanks for the touching reminder, Crzy girl! The online link was very easy to donate through.
Val

[MeasureMe]

Well, you have brought tears to my eyes. My memory had blurred, but your pics broght everything back.

Yes, poor Kisses' hooves were very heavy. I just couldn't believe, as I held them in my hands, that anyone could so neglect a horse.

I am so glad that Kisses was able to have some wonderful days at Days End.

Bless you all at Days End for the care you give to these poor, neglected and abused animals.

[Babe]

DeEtte

Thanks for reposting the story about Kisses and Jojo... (what is the rest of Jojo's story, BTW?)

I was worried that with the new board that their story would be forgotten... I should have known better... :o

I know i have said it before and I will say it again... thanks for what you do. You are my hero.

Char

[Angie]

The pics of her hooves always makes my stomach turn, and I cry every time I think of what she went through because of some $#%#$% person !!

DeEtte, all the tickets I've gotten are sold, I just need to get the stubs and $$ in to you !!

I'm hoping the second (seemingly forgotten) quilt will get finished up for Kathy at some point ~ I always kinda feel bad for the people that worked just as hard on those squares as the ones that went into this 'famous' quilt :o And I know we'd all love for her to have it, personally.

God bless you, and Allan and Kathy, and ALL at DE, for what you do for 'God's favorite animals' :D

[Dee]

OMG Crzy................















I have to go buy MORE tickets now..................

[Maeve]

I'm hoping the second (seemingly forgotten) quilt will get finished up for Kathy at some point ~ I always kinda feel bad for the people that worked just as hard on those squares as the ones that went into this 'famous' quilt :o And I know we'd all love for her to have it, personally.


Oh .... it's NOT forgotten! It's sitting here waiting for ONE more square ... and that is completely my fault. Life has been a b**** for 6 months now. I just have to mail the picture to Carrie to finish her square ... but I lost her address in the board transition. Carrie .. if you are listening, I need your address. All of the squares that are here have the sashing attached, are quilted and ready to assemble. I am hoping to have it done before I leave for Michigan ... and am hoping even more that my life settles down to a dull roar before too long!
Love and Light,
Maeve, Isis and Scratches!

[Angie]

Oh Maeve, I wasn't fussing at you, I promise ! I hope it didn't come across that way... God knows you have done SOOOOO much ~ your hand dyed fabrics were stunning framework, and your meshing all the different squares together into that one quilt were what made it the masterpiece that it is !

If there is something more I can do to bring that second one to fruition, let me know, ok ?? I can relate to the wild schedule all too well ! :)

[Hrsecrzy1]

Maeve, all of us understand, as best we can, that you've been under tremendous stress. The most important part of our project was completed and is now up for raffle. Thanks a million for all your hard work...and everyone elses! I'm with Kathy, if it doesn't go to a board member, I want to see it hanging on DE's office wall for all to see.

[Hrsecrzy1]

(what is the rest of Jojo's story, BTW?)



Well, Char, Jo Jo's story continues on a sad note and it's hard to share. :(

The years of isolation and confinement, lack of human interaction and being a frustrated stallion, has left Jo Jo with a huge chip on his shoulder.

He has become the horse to beware of in the field. Several times he's been pulled from the pasture and put in a paddock because of charging, biting or kicking a volunteer. It's to the point now where he'll try to attack you from the other side of a stall/paddock. His foster mom is the only one who can calm him and big men can muscle him into behaving but Jo Jo is not happy.

His soundness issues keep him from being able to be round penned and unfortunately to work up close to him is to risk being hurt. He's not very big in body but he is in heart and if he's grumpy, you gotta watch out.

Here's the last picture I took of him last summer when was, not so angry. (But notice he was sporting the red tag even then!)

It's sad....

[Hrsecrzy1]

Ugh, sorry, I forgot that was when he had a icky nose. Here's a better one of him.

[Hrsecrzy1]

Here's what Joey's front-right foot carried for four years. It's the reason he'll be a pasture horse for the rest of his life.

[Hrsecrzy1]

One more (sorry if these pictures are hard to look at). But it gives you some reference point on Kisses' feet. It's Anne holding them when she was here last fall. (Miss you, Anne.)

(Gosh, I have loads more pictures...do you want me to keep posting them?)

[spotteddrafter]

Crzy -- I for one would never tire of seeing your pictures. Post away!

[Khayels_Mom]

Crzy, reliving this all over again. So sad. :( Thanks for posting the link.

[Hrsecrzy1]

Crzy -- I for one would never tire of seeing your pictures. Post away!

Allllrighty then! :D

Here's the unveiling of the quilt. Anne (Measure Me) was able to be there for the big event. That's Allen and Kathy on the right.

[Hrsecrzy1]

Kathy thinks this quilt is pretty special.

[Hrsecrzy1]

Maeve was so sweet. She put a label on the quilt, dedicating it to Days End from the board. Kathy's reading it here...

[Hrsecrzy1]

Everyone's squares are so beautiful and FUN to look at. I wish all of you could see it for yourself. It's like a good book and great art all in one...hard to put down and hard to stop staring at it. :D Did I mention that you guys ROCK?

[Hrsecrzy1]

And....did I mention how much Kathy loves this quilt? It's under lock and key at the office right now. Anyone who wants to see it, she takes it out with great pride to show. It'll be hard for her to part with it.

It will be on display at DE's Spring Open House on Saturday, June 25th. I'll get pictures for the board.

[gmajody]

Hrsecrzy1,
After reading out JoJo, I immediatly thought about a lady here in town that works with 'badly behaving' horses. I sent her the links to Days End Farm and your note about his behavior and asked her if she ever goes out that way. This is her response.

Dear Jody:
I am on my way to Pennsylvania and New York right now. In fact I used to go to Maryland often and I do have racing clients coming up from Maryland to my lecture on Tuesday June 14th evening in Pennsylvania.. I knew the girls that started Days End Farm many years ago and donated time and essences to them when they first started. Don't know who is working their and if it is the same person or not. Yes, the story does sound like a case for behavior theapy and essences. If you want to let them know about the lecture on horse-human behavior I am doing they can contact Grace Morgan or Amy at 610 847-8711 or e-mail at cmara001@aol.com[. I will not have time to go to Maryland as I am traveling on to Vermont an upstate NY for another clinic afterwards. But the lecture might be all they need to give them ideas how to work with this horse. Horse "happy essences" and adaptation help too.
Look forward to seeing you and Chip again soon.
MAry Ann

Her name is Mary Ann Simonds and her web site is "http://www.mystichorse.com/index.htm".
I have taken several classes from her and have had one private lesson with her and she is marvelous. She is every bit as good as any of the other horse people (John excepted) except that she just has never promoted herself. If there is anyway that you or anyone up there can attend one of her classes, I know that you wouldn't be dissapointed. This is the page that tells about Mary Ann and her education and qualifications. She is quite impressive."http://www.mystichorse.com/maryann.htm" She has a story about dealing with an expensive warmblood, I think, that was out to kill everyone. She was the last stop before they put him down. She did wonders for him. That is why I thought of her when I read JoJo's story.
Good luck.

Jody

[Tripledeuce]

BUMP,,,,,,,,,,,,,BUMP,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,BUMP!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Terry

[Angie]

Good idea, Terry !! = )

Now that time is running out to sell raffle tickets, I've been quite busy, lol.

Matter of fact, DeEtte ~ I need some more !!
Do you still have my address, or shall I PM it to you ?

[Hrsecrzy1]

Per Appy's request. The story of Kisses and the quilt. (OH and let's not forget our beloved Bubba!)

[Chic]

Bump! Bump

[Maeve]

WOW, Chic! That was a blast from the past!!!! THANKS for bringing that one up again!!!! Those were some good times on this board. I miss them!
Love and Light,
Maeve

[Chic]

I know it... made me cry all over again. But honestly, it's a story that can't be told too often and raises awareness about rescues and the need for support every time.

[Hrsecrzy1]

I can't believe so much time has gone by! Not a week passes where Kisses' story is not being shared: her hooves are held as physical reminders of the depths of humanity's cruelness and her story, her life, touches people of all generations.

She will never...ever be forgotten.

[Carrie]

As I'm sitting here reading this again, the tears are falling. Poor Kisses and Jojo and brave little Bubba. It seems like only yesterday we all came together to do this. It was so much fun and thanks to Maeve, it turned out gorgeous. It's nice to see our square with Brianna and Image's picture on it. Those were the good times, huh guys? I would love to do another quilt but know that it is a huge undertaking for the organizer and whoever does the final assembly. It is so hard to imagine so many horses suffering when ours are all tucked up warm and dry in their stalls tonight. If only all the horses had half the love that we on this board give to ours.
Thanks Crzy for all you do.
Carrie

[Chic]

Crzy, If you've got the time I'd love to hear about some DE rescues.

[Speckles]

The story of Kisses and JoJo and Kisses beloved little donkey Bubba goes back quite a ways in the history of this board. It seems to me it was on the "original" board, which was lost in an upgrade.

We have all seen horses rescued from horrifying conditions and in need of intensive care and much love to bring them back to some semblance of normalcy. However, I think nearly all of us who were here for the saga of Kisses and JoJo will agree it was probably the worst example of animal cruelty you could imagine. Both horses were young and kept in a chicken coop for years. Their hooves were so overgrown they turned back on themselves in a nearly complete circle and had to be removed surgically, and they were without doubt a "1" on the condition scale.

Perhaps Crzy can find a few minutes to recap the story and re-post the pictures of Kisses hooves and the appalling conditions those two horses were living in. Most of us still cry (I know I do, 'cause I am now) when we think about what happened.

I prefer to keep my charitable dollars local, as unfortunately there's abuse no matter where you look. But the story of Kisses and JoJo and Day's End convinced me that DEFHR is the premiere rescue, and I have been proud to support it.

[a z 2]

So where is the quilt?

[Hrsecrzy1]

The quilt was won off from Ebay from a Days End volunteer who had seen JoJo and Kisses personally, learned about the quilt and saw it on display at Days End's holiday party and heard that it was going up for auction from the winners of the raffle.

Whew!

[setterlover]

Awwwwww....how awful and wonderful at once. This was before my JL experiences, and I never knew. This board is the best.....I'll read on to the next thread.:p