#TBT Throwback Thursday: Before and after Of Dusty. Dusty was born into rescue when her mother was seized due to abuse. Here she is in her adopted home. Thanks to AJ Greer for helping get her started under Saddle!
Tag Archives: TBAR
ABLE Field Trip May 2014
On May 9th 2014 True Blue Animal Rescue had some visitors from Alton Elementary School. Second grade classes were invited to T-bar as a field trip to learn more about animal care and rescue. While the forecast called for a lot of rain the skies mercifully held off hours after the kids left.
While on their tour of True Blue Animal Rescue the kids learned about dog and horse care. Melanie DeAeth made sure to explain to kids the difference between a healthy animal and one that is in need of care or even food. Having kids at T-bar is one of the core missions of the rescue group because as a teacher Melanie understands that education is the key to stopping animal abuse and neglect towards animals. Teaching kids how to help animals that may need help is a lesson close to the T-bar founder’s heart. The children saw the steps to helping animals, which were to tell an adult or call T-bar for help. The kids were then read a story about a horse that is in need only to be saved by one brave little girl.
Once the lesson on how to help animals was covered the kids got to meet a few of the T-bar camp horses. First to say hello to the kids was Jasmine. Jasmine is a horse that can no longer see due to being hit by lightning. Melanie let the kids observe the horse before letting them know she was blind. As always the children were in awe of her condition and how beautiful Jasmine is. Not to mention they had the joy of feeding her some treats! The next camp horse to make an appearance was Noel. Volunteer Teresa Gaskamp told the children that Noel was a horse that was rescued around Christmas time and that was why she was named Noel! The kids not only have Noel treats but also learned how to brush a horse. Each taking a turn and learning the safe places to stand near a horse and how to hold the brush against the animal.
After the grooming the kids had craft time, making Rhythm Beads. Melanie explained to the kids that the beads were a Native American tool used to keep the horses calm. The string of beads had tiny bells that would jungle as the horses walked. Rhythm was believed by the Indians to keep evil spirits and misfortune away, but are still used today used because the sound of the bells helps a horse keep a good pace. As they made their craft each Alton student got once piece of candy but the fun was not over just yet.
Dale DeAeth took the kids on a hay ride around the True Blue Animal Rescue farm showing them the sights while they had fun bouncing along. After the ride Dale took the kids to meet the horses that are kept in the large pasture since the herd had come up to the fence to see what was going on. He pointed out to the kids each horse and told them their names. By the time the day was over the thunder and rain started as the last group of kids boarded the bus back to the school.
Days when children come out to learn and see about the animals of T-bar are special days to the volunteers. Teaching kids that it is ok to care about animals and each other is a life lesson that Melanie and the rest of the staff hope they will carry in their hearts and minds for years to come.
If you are interested in bringing a group to TBAR to learn about the importance of animal care and compassion, you can contact [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349. Please also remember that we have our Summer ABLE Read-to-Ride program now accepting registration if you would like to bring a child or two out for a 30-minute ride or experience this July! Click here for the poster.
*Update* The Alton field trip kids sent Thank You cards to TBAR and have expressed how much they loved meeting the animals and learning at TBAR!
Pet of the Week: Indy
Do you love horses? I know I love horses. This week we have a great horse for you to consider. We have a beautiful Bay Thoroughbred gelding. He would be perfect for anyone who is interested in finding a horse they can learn with.Indy is one of 57 badly neglected horses awarded to T-Bar by a Hopkins County judge. Indy is now at a healthy weightand ready to find his forever home. So if you are looking for a horse to have for whatever job you want him to do. Or just as a companion for your horse you have now or for you, please consider Indy. He is sweet and beautiful and waiting for his forever home.
T-BAR is a 501(c)3 nonprofit no-kill animal rescue. Save a life and adopt instead of buying a pet.. If you are looking for or would like more information on Indy, or another animal you see, please call 936-878-2349 or email, [email protected] to make an appointment – click here to learn about the adoption or foster program guidelines and download an application. Fill it out and send it back (email or regular mail) and once you are on file as an approved adopter or foster home, you can meet any animal you want and take them home for a sleepover – try out. Please remember to have all your pets spayed and neutered. It is the right thing to do.
Foster Feature: Clint
This week we have another Foster feature from Linda and James!
“We are a TBAR foster home.”
Achilles was renamed Clint when he came to our home. He only stayed a few weeks. During that time, James taught him not to jump up on people during meet and greet. Spending just a little time to teach Clint to calmly meet people made a difference in getting him adopted. Clint loved to go for rides and he was a great foster dog.
Linda and James Taylor—June 2010
Thank you, Linda and James, for opening your homes and hearts to an animal in need! If this story has inspired you or anyone you know to become a foster family to a TBAR animal, please read the information on our foster page and then email [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349
TBAR founder awarded 2014 Jefferson Award
True Blue Animal Rescue founder, Melanie DeAeth, was awarded one of four local 2014 Jefferson Awards this past Tuesday (May 13). Melanie has spent the last 10 years in TBAR saving animals, leading volunteers, and educating the next generation to have compassion for animals.
According to the Jefferson Award website:
Founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, the Jefferson Awards is America’s highest honor for public service, a “Nobel Prize for public service”. We are one of the largest multipliers of volunteerism in the country – with youth in communities and in workplaces. Over 41 years, we have recognized a “Who’s Who” of American change-makers and more than 50,000 unsung heroes in grassroots communities. We accomplish that through a network of more than 110 Media Partners reaching into 30 million households.
Starting six years ago, we began to transform into one of the nation’s largest multipliers of volunteerism. Our goal is to Build a Culture of Service. We achieve that in three ways – in communities through our Media Partners, in workplaces with Champions, and with young Americans through Students In Action, our Lead360 Challenge and GlobeChangers.
You can watch the full awards broadcast by clicking HERE
- Crystal Galny, Jerry Gritter, Carol Wagner, Melanie DeAeth, Jason James, John Gilbert
- Dale and Melanie with Joanne and Charles Buck who are long time members and supporters and foster home.
- Large Group Pic of supporters and foster homes: Heather Beran, Colton DeAeth, Candace DeAeth, Dale DeAeth, Melanie DeAeth, Olivia Moore, Jason Moore, Mike Pulkkinen, Tammy Pulkkinen
- Melanie with Sandy, who nominated her for this award!
We would like to extend Melanie a huge “THANK YOU” for all the animals that owe their happy life to her, and for all the children she is on a mission to educate. We would also like to encourage others to follow Melanie’s lead and volunteer with animals and children to help build a better future. If you are interested in volunteering with TBAR, please email us at [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349. The world NEEDS great people to volunteer so we can continue to do great things!
Read-to-Ride 2014: Register Now!
Announcing our 2014 ABLE Kids Camp schedule!
Animals Bridge Love and Education (ABLE) is an educational camp for school field trips, church groups, scout troops and foster and adoptive family groups to come out, learn about our rescue animals and get a chance to interact with them.
ABLE IS PLEASED TO OFFER OUR “READ-TO-RIDE” PROGRAM AGAIN THIS JULY!
Read-to-Ride is a 30-minute guided educational horse experience that includes brushing, saddling, and riding a TBAR ABLE horse.
Time slots are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in July, from 9am-12pm. Participants must preregister by noon the day before their visit. Registration available at: http://read2ride.eventbrite.com or by calling (936) 878-2349 (payment due on the date of riding, not at registration).
Cost is $10 for 1/2 hour of horse time, $20 for a riding lesson, or free for children ages 6-10 who bring in a completed “Read-to-Ride” Ticket (only one ticket redeemable per child per summer).
Due to animal wellness and personal safety there is a 250lb weight limit. Riding is in the arena only. Download the Read-to-Ride Flyer with ticket here.
You can begin your registration below by picking a date and time!
TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue, and the Animals Bridge Love and Education (ABLE) program is a community outreach initiative with a focus on prevention through education. For more info call (936) 878-2349 or email [email protected]
Happy Mother’s Day!
TBAR would like to say Happy Mother’s Day to all those that care for others, fur-babies or otherwise! We hope you have a special day!
TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. Consider donating today to honor a mother you love, and we will list them on our website!
Success Stories: Annie
Who would have thought this beautiful girl could ever live a life unloved and alone? Sadly, that is the life Annie was living before coming to True Blue Animal Rescue. We are so grateful, each and every day, for the fosters who open their homes up to an animal when TBAR receives a report of abuse or neglect. TBAR’s “True Fosters” don’t just provide food, love and shelter for these animals; we are lucky enough to have wonderful foster families who see animals in need and step up without being asked. This is the case for this lucky little Red Tick Coon Hound. Julee, a TBAR True Foster, saw a plea that was sent out by a Smith County volunteer desperately searching for a foster home for this emaciated little girl.
Annie was hours away from being destroyed at the Smith County shelter due to her poor health and a lack of space in the shelter. Julee contacted TBAR because the shelter would only release her if a 501c3 animal rescue was willing to “tag” and “pull” her from the shelter. TBAR officers worked with the shelter employees to receive approval to pull Annie. Once pulled from the shelter, Annie would need to hitch a ride to her new foster home.
TBAR arranged Annie’s overnight transport back to Brenham so that she could get to a vet for medical care. One of True Blue’s loyal volunteers, Ellen, stepped up to transport Annie from Rusk, TX to a temporary foster home for an overnight stay so that she could make it to her TBAR foster home the next day. Once Annie made it to Brenham, she received the needed medical attention so that she could begin her recovery and journey to find her forever home. What our sweet Annie didn’t know was that she had already captured the heart of one of the several people involved in her rescue!
Annie’s road to recovery was extended when she was diagnosed with heartworms and had to receive treatment before being spayed and available for adoption. Thankfully, she lucked out and had a very dedicated and loving foster home for her recovery period with Julee. Dogs in Texas who are not receiving monthly heartworm preventative are extremely susceptible to becoming infested with heartworms, which is fatal if left untreated. It’s not a matter of “IF” – it’s a matter of “WHEN”.
Annie’s recovery went as smoothly as we could hope and she was finally ready to find her forever home, but it seems her forever home had already found her! Ellen, the volunteer who picked Annie up from the shelter, decided that Annie had already made a home in her heart and that it was time to finally give Annie her forever home that she has long deserved.
Annie will never again know a life without a home, food or love thanks to the networking efforts of Smith County shelter volunteers and compassionate True Blue Animal Rescue volunteers who stepped up for a skinny, sick little dog in need. A rescue organization could not ask for better supporters and we are so thankful to all of our volunteers for their hard work. So much of the work volunteers do everyday goes unseen or unrecognized, but Annie’s story is proof of the dedication shown by TBAR volunteers and she shows her appreciation everyday with the love she shares with her forever family!
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. Rescue a pet: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!
Be Kind to Animals Week 2014
I would venture to guess that everyone reading this is kind to animals.
We all love pictures of cute animals, happy tail photos of adopted animals, and the warm fuzzies that come with happy endings.
As members of an animal rescue, we all see bad things happen to animals, but it is the happy side of rescue keeps us going. Let us spread the word far and wide about animal welfare!
I did some research and the American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to encourage compassion toward animals. During this week they encourage everyone to be more than compassionate. Let us ask ourselves how we can influence more good outcomes? How can we spread more warm fuzzies and make more animals feel loved?
Here are a few tips from the American Humane Association:
• Report any suspected animal abuse or neglect to animal control in your county
• Commit to adopting your next pet from an animal shelter
• Donate to or volunteer at your local animal shelter or for a local rescue group
• Spay or neuter your pets and encourage friends and family to do the same
• Spend quality time with your pet
• Make sure your pet has an ID tag or microchip
• Drive cautiously through areas populated by wild animals such as deer
• Plant flowers in your yard that will attract butterflies or hummingbirds
• Speak out in your community about the importance of respecting animals
TBAR Volunteers invite you to choose one of the above activities or come up with one of your own to celebrate “Be Kind to Animals” week.
We also invite everyone to make a donation to True Blue Animal Rescue, and then post a special message on our Facebook page. You can use this message to honor the memory of a beloved pet. Tell us what special thing you will do this week to honor that pet’s memory in conjunction with Be Kind to Animals Week. Please keep all comments family appropriate.
Here, let me get us started:
In memory of Zach, the cocker spaniel who passed over the rainbow bridge way to early in his life. His short life touched many hearts. In his memory, I will donate $20 to TBAR.
Pet of the Week: Patrick
Patrick was found on the streets of Bellville with his buddy, Roxie. These two were starving, homeless and in need of veterinary care. True Blue Animal Rescue took them into their foster program and sent them straight to the vet to for a full exam, deworming and vaccinations. Patrick is thriving in his foster home with his dog and cat siblings. He loves to chew his toys while laying in his doggie bed or running around the yard playing with his doggie friend, Jack.
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 the 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.
Patrick picked up crate training pretty fast. If Patrick were an over-eager dog, or insistent on jumping on Jack or the cats, adding him to the foster’s pack would have required more work on their 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 you are interested in adopting Patrick, please email [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349 for more information.