Horse Clinic Recap

Posted on May 3, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

Juan Vendrell of TC Ranch Ventures joined forces with True Blue Animal Rescue to hold a horse clinic for people that wanted to further their knowledge in horse training. The focus on Juan’s training is to take the horse’s instincts and make them work for you.

The Saturday was overcast with a cool breeze which made the day easier for those that attended Juan’s class. The range of skilled horse men and women went from low experience to those that have had horses all their lives. The horses themselves included those that had not been formally trained at all, to those that just needed to learn more (much like their owners). The first horse handled by Juan on this day was a TBAR horse named Indy who hadn’t had much training yet. Indy is not a fan of even being touched, but after only a few purposeful minutes in the ring Juan was able to touch him. This amazed pretty much everyone in attendance. Just watching Juan work with Indy was a learning experience for those of us in the crowd.

Juan gave a small lecture on his training style but he also stressed that not all horses are the same. There is not one foolproof way to get a horse to do something. He stressed that the handlers have to clearly communicate to their steed what they are asking the horse to do. According to Mr. Vendrell, the horse wants to do what they are asked and if they fail to execute tasks or exercises, it is always the human’s fault.

After the lecture came the fun part. When registering, people had the option of auditing the class or bringing a horse to work with. If you brought a horse to work with the day would be a bit longer for you! It was explained that when we ask a horse to do something we do so by using a part of their body. A horse owner should be able to tell a horse to move using any part of their body. The day of the clinic we mostly focused on using the shoulders and head of the horse.

For me personally I can say it was super exciting working with our True Blue sponsor horse, Athena. I have never had my own horse and the only horse I had contact with as a child was a wonderful Welsh pony, that was neck-reigned, that I took care of after school for one blissful year before her owners noticed that I played with the pony more than her kids did and it was sold off. Still one year with a pony hardly goes a long way, and it was so long ago. Poor Juan had to show me basic things, like how to swing a lead line, put on a halter and not to allow Athena to get too close to me. But he was kind about my lack of knowledge!

The exercises we did that day with our horses were basic and hard at the same time. Not to mention they really can make you dizzy. I asked Juan for a tip on keeping the dizziness at bay and he said to focus on only one part of your horse when you are asking them to run around you in a circle. So I picked Athena’s shoulder since that was the body part I was asking her to move with. It did help but being so new I was also trying to watch my feet, my hands and then watch Athena. So I got pretty dizzy, but with more practice this issue for me should go away. Especially when I get my hands working better.

If people had trouble with an exercise given to them Juan had time to go to that person and give them more tips and pointers. I myself asked a ton of questions to make sure I had a handle on what he had told us. Naturally, since a few of the horses were visitors and were meeting new horses, it was hard to get the attention of a few of them. Juan would have to work with the horses himself to get them to settle down, but he also shared the tip that we had to make sure that the horse was paying attention to us and was standing in the right position; not too close, with their heads up and looking at you.

True Blue Animal Rescue provided a lunch of BBQ sandwiches, chips, and drinks. Guests even had their pick of dessert. As everyone sat down and ate, people were excited about what they had learned so far. In between exercises people shared tips and encouraged everyone on their work. Being with other animal lovers made the class feel comfortable. The exercises in the afternoon built off of those that had been taught in the morning. They asked more of the handler’s lead lines, while the horses were still being asked to turn. Attending the class was beneficial to anyone that was there, whether you had a horse with you or were just auditing.

If you missed this clinic, don’t worry, because another one is in the works for the fall. Thank you again to True Blue Animal Rescue and Juan Vendrell!

What is Rescue Work Like?

Posted on April 22, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

What is it like working with rescue animals?

I gather it is a little like working with people that have also been abused, neglected or even abandoned. You can see that they have things on their mind and troubles in their hearts. I think the thing that hurts the worst while being at T-bar is meeting the dogs that no longer want any human contact with people. After the rescue of Summer, the neglected and abused dog, I have seen first-hand how dogs can go through so much and still trust humans.

To see dogs that just have no interest in people is gut wrenching because it makes me wonder what happened to them that they gave up on those things that walk on just two legs. When meeting animals at T-bar I confess that some I feel closer too than others. It’s hard to explain. When I first met Seven, the rescue horse, he had just come back from Juan’s and Melanie was working with him in the barn. Melanie said he was a bit rough around the edges and didn’t really like to meet people. But when it was time to take his picture he nuzzled me gently and posed for me as if on cue. Melanie beamed at me and was glad that Seven trusted me, but the feeling really went both ways. Often I meet an animal at T-bar and I feel like I know them already, as if perhaps we met before in passing. Those animals I often drift to when I visit and chat with them, since they all are such great listeners.

When they are adopted out or find a new foster home it is always a little sad, but you have to be better than that, and think that they will be happier with more one and one attention. I think that is what keeps me going back and bonding still with animals that I know could be adopted tomorrow. Sometimes an animal will zero in on you. I have to say that it is an honor when they decided that you are worth the time of day. Certainly I feel like a million bucks when a shy creature decides that I am trustworthy.

What is rescue work like? It will change your view on things. I confess that I have at times passed a field of horses and looked at them closely to make sure they were not starving, once on a roadtrip I saw donkeys in a small field and there were also three new babies and my first thought was, “I hope they plan to keep those donkeys.” My next thought was, “Is that land big enough for so many?” Only my last thoughts were that the babies were adorable. This could do with the fact that donkeys are always dumped on my Aunt Karen’s land! Being the person she is she has them fixed and keeps them as pets. But really she is up to eight donkeys now and she didn’t have to buy them!

What is rescue work like? Like any cause close to your heart, if you are not careful it can devour you. Instead of seeing beauty or being light hearted you can start to go negative. I have worked hard to not let that happen to me. I let the victories stay in my heart and head and let the cases that I just couldn’t get to go. If you do not take care of yourself first you cannot take care of anyone else. It’s just a simple fact. We are only human. We require rest, food and love to keep going. Sure there are tons of sad stories and photos all over the place. But you cannot bask in them day in and out. You have to remember that even if you only save one dog it means everything to that little guy. You cannot beat yourself up about the five others that you were unable to get to. You have to have faith that someone else stepped in because it does happen. Don’t think all of the problems are just on your shoulders because there are so many wonderful people just like you, who are trying to fix things.

What is rescue work like? So rewarding. Seeing an animal come in bad shape and then watching them slowly recover is awesome. You cheer them on in your mind as they gain weight, start to trust people or just heal from abuse. The best moment in your minds recorded history of time in their life is when they find a forever home that fits them and their needs. For some animals it is a long wait, while others find their match right away. But the day feels no different no matter how long of a wait it has been. It’s like watching a touched down when a family smiles a knowing smile at an animal and has that same feeling I get while at T-bar. “I know you.” And they take them home.

How can I help I live in an apartment? I cannot foster. I do not have the finances to help.
If you cannot help with money then please know just sharing and commenting on the T-bar Facebook page is a huge help. It gets the word out and helps gain T-bar views, which in turn helps the animals get exposure. It may seem small but it makes a difference. If you cannot foster, a donation of any size can help. Yes one dollar helps, because it was a dollar we did not have before. A lot of small donations go so far in the animals lives. Never think your donation is not enough.

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as this one please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering, fostering, or adopting. Donations go directly toward care, feed, and veterinary care of the rescued animals and every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Save a life: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!

Chance’s Rescue

Posted on April 10, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

*Warning* Post contains photos and descriptions of a graphic nature that may be disturbing to some (especially younger) viewers and readers*

On April fourth, in Caldwell, Texas, an injured dog wandered up to the Komar family’s property. On close inspection they saw the dog was seriously injured by a gunshot to the head. Despite being shot, the dog wanted their help and rather than look the other way, the Komar family stepped in to lend a helping hand. Sadly the family was not allowed to keep the dog themselves due to living on rented property. First, they tried calling law enforcement but were told that the dog would most likely die. Upset and not getting the help they needed, they began to call other rescue groups. A few turned them away but at last they found help with True Blue Animal Rescue.

Jacqueline Komar, or Jackie, didn’t bat an eye when she was asked if she could drive to Dr. Lee Panko’s office on a Sunday in Brenham, Texas. There, with two of her children, Destiny and Gabrielle, Jackie brought in the wounded Catahoula. Jackie lifted the dog on the examination table and her, the kids, and Melanie and Dale watched as Dr. Panko began his exam. The dog’s eye was the first thing Dr. Panko probed at and the top of the dog’s head was next. As Dr. Panko did his examination, the family that had cared for him for three days asked tons of questions. The vet answered them all as they came, letting the kids know the dog was one to one and a half year’s old, and that he wasn’t chipped or fixed. As Dr. Panko spoke he checked the dog’s sinuses, reflexes, skin condition, and hearing; all were found to be sound. After Dale found out the Komar family had not already named the dog, T-bar members decided to name him Chance.

While doing the examination, Jackie informed the vet that when the dog panted Chance had an odor about him. Leaning closer, Dr. Panko agreed and said the smell was from the massive infection the dog had from the wound he’d suffered. By the skin that was trying to grow back over the wound Dr. Panko guessed that Chance had been shot only three or four days before, meaning the dog had, thankfully, found the Komar family almost right after being shot.

The dog had a ring around its neck that was made by a collar that had been on long enough to wear down the fur; a few months. Also his tail had been cropped too short leaving him nothing, not even a nub. Chance’s gums were a pale pink, rather than a healthy deeper color, which Dr. Panko suggested was due to blood loss and malnutrition. The wound on his side was thought to be ringworm but Dr. Panko said that it was not, but a scab covering an old wound. Dr. Panko believed the gun shot went through an eye and came out the back of Chance’s head. The vet decided that removing the damaged eye would be better for Chance in the long run because if it healed on its own the scar tissue would be painful for the dog.

All during his examination Chance was quiet and calm, even with seven people huddled around him in a tiny room. Destiny wanted Chance to have a toy that she had bought all by herself before her family had to say goodbye to him. The Komar’s wished they could keep Chance but were relieved that True Blue Animal Rescue and Melanie DeAeth, had stepped in for the dog and his care. Once in T-bar care Chance was treated to new toys and treats by the Snook school children and also an interview by KBTX!

Chance has a long road to recovery but thanks to so many people being touched by the battle this little guy has gone through his emergency care visit has been paid for. He still has his eye removal operation coming up. His T-bar status is listed as in Rehab, but will be listed for adoption as soon as he is well. People have asked if he will be a special needs dog after his horrific injury but Dr. Panko sees no long lasting health issues once Chance has his eye taken care of.

If you would like to help T-bar with Chance’s bills or just want to make a donation to True Blue Animal Rescue please use the donation button. No matter how big or small your donation it makes all the difference to animals in need. If you want up-to-date news on Chance he now has his own Facebook page. Chance’s second Chance.

*UPDATE* Enough funds have been raised to cover Chance’s vet bills! Thank you for the outpouring of generosity for this beautiful creature!

Pet Appreciation Week

Posted on April 8, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

From the first of April to the fifth of May 2014 it’s National Pet Month! The goal of this time is to make the public aware of the benefits of owning a pet and the contribution pets can make to society on a whole. Let’s face it folks, when you get your first pet you never really know what is in store for your life. Some of us get that great dog that is low key and sweet, basically an angel in disguise. Others get a cat that meows non-stop at all hours of the night, only to snooze happily by day as you stare at them in wonder with your second cup of coffee.

For people who are pet owners or “animal people” you have already learned that you are a part of another group of people. You are a part of a select group that has learned that a dog is not just a dog nor is a horse just a horse (of course). When you get a pet what you are really getting are life lessons in a cute package because believe me, when you meet another “animal person” the stories you will share will make you laugh and recall your own instance with a pet either from your youth or one you are currently blessed with. On the whole, the things they teach you can be basic or complex, but one lesson they teach you is how much something, that everyone else calls just an “animal,” can own such a large piece of your heart.

I have had the pleasure of meeting animals briefly that have made huge impacts in my life and my outlooks. As a child I was an adamant cat person. Dogs were silly things that slobbered on me as far as I knew, and then I got my first dog…

How hard can it be to take care of a dog? Boy what a silly question. I am sure many dog owners smiled at that question. But the best lesson Logan Marie taught me was that dogs love you unconditonally. They are always happy to see you. Logan was one of those rare perfect dogs. If I had not gotten her first, I doubt I would be the person I am today. That may sound like I am being dramatic but the truth is, she taught me that life without a dog is like the sky without the sun. If I didn’t have Logan I would have never gotten my second dog, Lucia, and I would never have come to volunteer at T-bar. Nor would I be the doggie foster mom I am today. It’s funny how one simple act like getting your first dog can cause so many other things to happen. Some teachers have four legs.

Animals can also teach us how to overcome something. For me that was a lesson I really needed to learn after coming back into work after a year of being horribly sick and in and out of hospitals. Once well, I had been given labels that now were added to who I was. Illness labels I did not want and I felt almost ashamed of and then I met Jasmine. Jasmine is a beautiful horse at T-bar that is blind, at best she may be able to see shadows. Even so when I first took her picture and met her, she moved around so well that I had no clue she could not see. I snapped away thinking she was just another pretty face and then Melanie explained to me that she was nearly sightless. I was breathless. Since horses are easily spooked at times I did a double take at the calm creature that was tilting her head to the side with, what looked like, a grin on her face. She moved around, she was alive and she was happy. I went home that night and took her example to heart. I wasn’t going to be sad about my new labels anymore. I was going to embrace them and move on! Thank you Jasmine for being my inspiration. Jasmine is also used at Kid Camps at T-bar to show kids that being different doesn’t have to slow you down. They meet her first and pet her, and only after are they told of her condition. All the kids react the same way I did when I was told.

I confess that being a cat person as a child made me think I knew everything about cats. And then I picked up a stray off the side of the road. Jason and I had friends that had lost their cat and we thought we found him. We had not. Instead we found our new cat, Lucky. We tried to find him a home because our other cat Sarah wasn’t thrilled he was around. But anyone that wanted him wanted to place him outside which would not work because he is crossed eyed. Lucky surprised me because he wasn’t a cat at all but a dog in cat’s clothing. He came when called just once, he went out with the dogs and came back in when they were done playing outside. His personality didn’t match his looks at all and I made the choice to keep him when I was asked by a possible adoptor if he had blue eyes. She didn’t want a cat with blue eyes! I looked down at him with the phone in my hand and watched him snuggle between Logan and our dog Lucia. He sighed so contently I didn’t have the heart to rip him from his pack. Who knew a cat could be a dog?

After already owning four dogs I figured I knew it all. You would think Lucky would have taken me down a peg but hey I was younger then. I got Jack after Logan passed away. It wasn’t an easy decision but Lucia was grieving worse than even I was, so I adopted Jack. He is the first male dog I have ever had and holy cow what a ride. As with Logan and Lucia and our other dog Chloe, I put Jack in a crate, taught him how to walk and tried so hard to get him used to people but for reasons I cannot explain he hated being around people. He was afraid of everybody. He still is to this day. I look at him puzzled at times wondering where I went wrong only to come to the conclusion that not all dogs are the same, some are going to test you. The only other person Jack likes, besides Jason, my husband, is my mother and it took her a year, and boy was she patient! I even took Jack to the shop I was working in at the time so he could get used to people. I took him to gatherings and nothing helped. I have concluded that Jack lives with a lot of fear. I do know that even though things are more challenging with Jack I love him dearly and I am thankful that he has taught me that love knows no bounds and not every dog is going to be the same. I am sure we have all had that one pet that just makes us shake our heads as we think about them. For me that is Jack, and like you and your pet, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When I met Oliver and Julian I was covering the revamp of K’s Mutt Hut. I asked to see Oliver, who at the time was laying down on his bed. He had a huge doggy smile on his face. When Kathryn, the owner of the Mutt Hut, opened his cage I was shocked that he was, well, different. He had no front legs. None the less he hopped up and down excited to meet a new friend. She suggested we take “them” to the grass. I had no idea who the other one was. Once outside I saw Julian, who also did not have any front legs. I was nothing short of amazed. Both dogs moved about on their chests with happy faces. So many new people to meet! They didn’t care that they were different, they didn’t care about how hard little tasks were for them and they certainly didn’t look sad! As Oliver bumped his way to me with that doggy grin I felt like all my worries were pointless. Oliver and Julian were in the moment and it was a great one. To share that with them is definitely something I will not forget anytime soon. Life is great, so smile is what they both seemed to be telling me.

When people rattle off reasons why they love their bird, donkey or cat I am sure they sometimes forget to think of the lessons that each one has given them, because as animal people we take these lessons to heart. They become a part of who we are. Perhaps that is why when we meet another horse person or cat lady we can fall into instant understanding because we have all had THAT experience. That doesn’t mean that having a pet makes you an “animal person.” Not by a long shot. You have to earn that by watching your pet, listening to their lessons and actually growing from what they have passed on to you. So that you, in turn, can pass it on to others.

We hope this post will inspire you to share your Pet Appreciation this week! If you or anyone you know are in need of a new pet to fill your heart with love, please look at our adoptable cats, dogs, and horses/donkeys! They are sure to enhance your life!

Feature Foster: Olivia and Patrick

Posted on March 30, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

I didn’t make the decision to become foster Mom to a TBAR foster dog lightly. I had been thinking and praying about it for some time now. While my dogs are a wonderful pack, I do have a corgi mix that seems to live with a lot of fear. But when Melanie informed me that T-bar was taking in two puppies that had been found on the side of the road starving I felt the pull grow. What sealed the deal was a picture of the two puppies side by side looking very thin and scared. Since My corgi mix is mostly scared of anything bigger than him I figured a puppy would be easy for him to get used to.

Our foster dog Patrick came into T-bar care on St. Patrick’s Day, hence his name. I could not help but notice his long legs and soulful eyes when Melanie and Teresa came by with him. Thankfully T-bar provided a crate for me to use for him. His ribs were showing and so were his hip bones. Knowing my dogs, I was right about their reaction to the newcomer. Lucia, my oldest, wanted to check on him non-stop, Chloe our middle dog, could have cared less (Patrick could be a new chair for all she noticed), and of course Jack, the corgi mix, was the biggest hurtle.

Patrick made it clear that his experience on the streets had given him encounters with bigger dogs already. Jack growled once and Patrick bowed his little head and hunched his shoulders. The puppy was going into a submissive stance to try and let Jack know things are ok. This dance has been repeated a lot in just our first week with Patrick, through no fault of the new arrival. Jack has trust issues and Patrick is responding very well. He gives Jack space, he knows not to try and play with Jack unless Jack invites him, which has so far only happened once.

Patrick picked up crate training pretty fast and had only one accident in the house which was mostly my fault because I stopped watching him when a friend came over for a visit. Since I work from home I have my dogs on a set schedule. Having three other dogs to model his behavior after has made things pretty smooth for us in adding Patrick into our pack. If Patrick were an over-eager dog, or insistent on jumping on Jack or our cats this would have required more work on our part. Thankfully Patrick seems to be one of those dogs that is Heaven-sent. He already knows to nap on a dog bed, or sit there and play. If I catch him chewing on something I firmly tell him no and then make sure to give him a toy that is okay to chew on. He is still a pup and is teething. All puppies like to chew but, it is up to those watching them to teach them the do and don’ts of what they can chew on. So far he has left shoes and socks that my cute husband leaves around untouched (which is more than I can say for Lucia, who loves socks).

It’s an honor to train Patrick and house him for T-bar. Many people have asked me questions about him so I will try and answer them now.

How is he with cats? Like all puppies Patrick wants to play. We have only had to get after him twice about the cats and his “chasing” efforts were fainthearted. He took two bouncy steps and then stopped.

Is he hyper? He is a puppy and has the desire to interaction and love. We make it a point to not pet him when he jumps on us, but to show affection when he is being calm or laying down chewing on a toy. This helps him not feel the need to jump on us seeking attention and love. Since he is a puppy I put time aside to run around with him outside and get him to move. Even so, he is a pretty low-energy dog. As I write this he is blissfully snoring on his favorite blue dog bed.

Does he bark a lot? He is not much of a barker. For now other dogs barking scare him a little. But this is a huge improvement from when we first got him. Dogs would bark and he would whine and want inside. He is getting braver day by day.

Is he good with kids? I always want people to understand that kids are high energy beings. They are young and they want to run, play and make noise. That will have an effect on any dog’s behavior, especially a puppy. Patrick is a gentle dog so if a family with kids wants to adopt him he will be safe, but always keep in mind it is up to you and your kids to help a dog remain calm and happy.

Fostering Patrick is something I am so excited to be doing and when a family comes along for him and he has a forever home I know that the amount of pride and happiness I will feel will be huge. Helping an animal get healthy and then find a forever home that fits him will give me joy beyond words. For now though, I am enjoying this new ride. Patrick has been so sweet that I am already thinking about doing fostering again! But I have to ask my corgi mix first!

We hope this story has inspired you to join in our wonderful group of TBAR Foster Homes. TBAR is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal rescue made up of only foster homes. We have no public funding for a central shelter location, so every person that can take in just one foster animal is a big help to our mission of saving lives. Read about fostering, or write to us at [email protected] to find out more!

Dog Rescue: Summer

Posted on March 18, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

*WARNING: SOME PICTURES BELOW ARE OF A GRAPHIC NATURE AND MAY BE UNSETTLING FOR SOME VIEWERS*

On March 8, 2014, True Blue Animal Rescue was asked to step in and take custody of a dog in Somerville, Texas. T-bar founders Dale and Melanie DeAeth were accompanied by Somerville police to respond to reports that a dog was being severely neglected. Thankfully the dog, later named Summer, was not completely emaciated since a kindly neighbor had been attempting to give the dog food.

On approaching the house they saw that the dog was living in a fenced off area that was about four by three feet, and surrounded by debris. Before going into the cage Melanie and Dale looked Summer over and decided she was most likely a Staffordshire Terrier mix, but the dog was friendly and extremely happy to see people. Summer was not wearing a collar, so Dale made a makeshift one so that he could get her to the car safely.

While waiting on Melanie and the Somerville police officer, Chris Ruttrell, to exchange paper work, Dale DeAeth spoke calmingly to Summer. Summer loved the attention and responded with kisses. Summer twice attempted to make the jump into the DeAeth’s vehicle, but was too weak to make it inside. So Dale picked Summer up and placed her in a kennel to transport her back to T-bar.

Once at the T-bar rescue center, Melanie gave Summer a treat with worming medicine inside. The dog began rolling in the green grass and Dale held her on the leash waiting for Melanie to get more medicine. While waiting Dale notice she had sores on her rump from being forced to be in a sitting position almost non-stop. She also has a cyst or some other type of growth on her hip and cuts on her front legs. Next Melanie gave Summer a shot for Distemper, Parvo and Lepto before leading Summer to her new home near the other T-bar dogs.

Summer settled into her new home nicely and was treated to a new toy along with her new dog house and fresh food and water.

**Update on Summer. March the 11 Dr. Lee Panko of the Brenham Veterinary Hospital came out to T-bar to give shots to a few horses and dogs. Dr. Panko also gave Summer a check-up and took some blood samples. Summer tested positive for heart worms and he noted that she is heart worm heavy. He also pointed out that Summer was missing most of her teeth and he believed it was because she was gnawing at anything she could reach trying to get nutrients to survive. Since Summer is close to five years old these teeth will not grow back. Aside from her malnutrition, Summer’s biggest hurdle is the heart worms. Treatment will be expensive, but her case is so bad that her other surgeries will need to wait until the heart worms are taken care of. If you would like to donate to Summer’s rehab please click on the “Donate” button. Your donation, no matter what size, can make a difference in her life.

March Horse Rescue

Posted on March 11, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

True Blue Animal Rescue officers, Dale and Melanie DeAeth, preformed a rescue in Brenham, Texas on March 2, 2014. Two horses that were classified as strays were placed under T-bar care and had to be transported by Dale and Melanie.

The morning started off in the low seventies, but once reaching the location of the animals the temperature had dropped almost twenty degrees in less than half an hour. The rescuers worked in frigid weather with the horses, which are believed to be mustangs. Stray horse cases mean walking up to a horse that could have had very little human interaction in the past. Melanie DeAeath spoke calmly to the pair of horses as the temperature dropped. She made sure the animals heard her voice before she stepped into the pen where they were being held.

The two horses appeared to be mother and daughter and wanted to remain close together. Thankfully the older of the two horses already had a halter placed on her, while the younger one did not want any one near her. After observing the two for a while Dale and Melanie decided it would be easier to lead out the mother on a lead line and see if the youngster would follow. The younger horse was very nervous and Melanie knew she would not be able to touch her.

At this point in the rescue the skies opened up and the cold grew even worse. Leading the mother horse out Melanie and Dale cautioned Jason and I to back up because if the horses decided to flee we needed to be safe. The mother came out and thought about running, but seemed to slip on the now slippery ground. Her daughter came out, and also attempted to run but slid and changed her mind. Both stood for a few moments while Melanie and Dale put themselves between the horses and their option to run. Arms wide, the T-bar couple slowly walked toward the horses and forced the horses, just using their bodies, up the ramp to the trailer. The youngest paused, unsure about going inside. Dale simply clapped his hands at the little female horse and she finished her way into the trailer.

All during the trip back to True Blue Animal Rescue the rain got harder and the weather got windy. To help the horses adjust to their new setting, they were placed in a separate area away from the other T-bar animals. This would also help the current horse residents get used to the new ones. Both horses were somewhat thin, with protruding hips and bald spots, which suggest malnutrition. Dale made sure that they got some hay right away as they got settled in. The horses were then given the names Jessi, for the mother horse, and Starlet, for the daughter, due to a small white spot on her forehead.

Thanks to T-bar the horses now have people to keep them safe and work with them. Their training and rehabilitation will start with having them getting used to humans and seeing the vet. To follow the progress of Jessi and Starlet, keep watching the T-bar site or like them on Facebook. Look for them at True Blue Animal Rescue.

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as this one please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering, fostering, or adopting. Donations go directly toward care, feed, and veterinary care of the rescued animals and every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Save a life: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!

Friday Fluff: Pyrenees Dogs

Posted on February 28, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

This past February True Blue Animal Rescue was asked to assist 4Paws Farm, a rescue center located in Hempstead, Texas, who was helping place sixteen Pyrenees dogs whose owner had passed away. Placing that many dogs at once would be hard on any rescue group and that is why networking with other rescue centers is so important. Thankfully the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society took seven of these lovely dogs and Golden Retriever Acres Senior Sanctuary took the female Golden Retriever in the group and the senior Pyrenees dog as well. True Blue Animal Rescue was asked to help place six dogs and the last senior female went to Betty Neblett who does private rescue.

Two of the beautiful dogs that Tbar was helping with were adopted out almost right away to an approved Tbar family. The remaining four were transferred to Tbar and vetted while they waited patiently for their new homes in New Jersey where the Eleventh Hour Rescue found adopters for them. While these dogs wait for their transport they are being worked with on socialization and being taught to walk on a leash. Now when their big three day trip to New Jersey comes and it is time to meet their new families they will be ready for them!

Thanks to the tremendous team effort of Nancy Stoorza of 4 Paws Rescue, Della Lindquist with the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, Rhonda Blaschke and Kelly Gasser of Eleventh Hour Rescue and T-bar, these dogs have a second chance at a happy home life! We also want to congratulate the Miron family on their newest family members from adopting two of these lovely dogs in need. Remember if you or a loved one has a dog that needs to find a new home, never offer the dog for free, contact a rescue center for help finding them a quality new home. Adoptive homes are checked out by rescue groups and this will insure a safe new home life and environment for them, and the rescue can help you network your animal while you maintain them as a “foster home”.

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as these please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering fostering or adopting. Every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Save a life: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!

*Edit and Update*
From Facebook:

Brenda Standefer Brady: I just read the blog. It was Great Pyrenees Rescue Society that went to the farm and took 6 dogs (not Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue). We loaded them in my 4-runner. Very happy to say they are all in NW in forever homes.

Read about the transport and adoption of Delia and Porthos here!

Dog Care Day

Posted on February 20, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

February 16th was a day that True Blue Animal Rescue put aside for Volunteers to visit and contribute to dog care. While being housed at our T-bar foster homes and waiting for their forever homes the dogs receive the best of care possible, including getting their medicine. While a spoon full of sugar may go a long way for kids, the dogs seem to love wet food more.

True Blue Animal Rescue founder and president Melanie gives the dogs their heart worm medicine and flea protection with a nice serving of wet food and love. Since her foster home houses more than 30 dogs at a time (including dogs that will never be fit for adoption) giving medicine out is a bit of a job. One of the important aspects of this job is making sure the dogs eat their food up and don’t leave anything behind. The medicine is costly but thanks to donations from our loyal supporters and regular fundraisers, T-bar is able to give the dogs the care they need.

Keeping the dogs up to date on their medicine makes the adoption process smoother for families ready to take a dog home with them. Thanks to the hard work of T-bar volunteers the adoptive families taking in a True Blue Animal Rescue dog can be secure in the knowledge that their dog has been under great care. The Volunteer staff may have helped make medicine passing out go faster, but as we watched them we remembered that everyday Melanie and Dale do feeding times all on their own. This made us appreciate all the hard work that is put into the daily care even more!

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as these please consider donating to TBAR, Volunteering fostering or adopting. Every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Save a life: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!