Shetland pony

"Merrylegs" is a particular animal that will never leave the hearts of those of us who knew and loved her. She came in to us as a 3 month old Shetland Pony Foal with deformed front legs. She was rescued by a man who saw her and took pity upon Missy (as we lovingly called her), he took her from the people who had her and as he couldn't properly care for her she was brought to us. We quickly fell in love with her endearing personality.

We had many vets out to look at her, and brought her to a couple of specialists as well. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done for Missy's legs as they had been let go for to long. We feel certain that if she would have had proper care at birth she could have lived a normal life. She spent two months confined in a small specially built pen in the hopes that her legs would straighten a bit. Unfortunately she didn't improve and we knew we would only have her for as long as she could comfortably get around.

We were all very broken hearted when the time came to say goodbye to Missy. We did take heart in the fact that the last two weeks of her life, she spent as a normal horse grazing in the company of another pony who fell for her more then she did for him. She thought people were her equals! Missy's legs began to fail her and we knew the time had come, we could NOT let her suffer any more.

Our wonderful vet Marta came out to the Rescue and Hannah and Kelly were holding and petting Missy Madam as she was peacefully and painlessly put to sleep. She left a huge hole in our hearts and we will never forget her.

She is also featured in our Web Banner!

Run free at Rainbow Bridge Missy Madam Merrylegs!!

This page is dedicated to the memory of

Merry Legs

Affectionately known as MISSEY MADAM.

You stole a part of our hearts when we had to let you go.

Run free at The Rainbow Bridge Missy Madam Merrylegs where the grass is green and you have lots of friends to frolic around with.

You will always be remembered with affection and fondness for your beauty and most of all "your cheeky ways"

With love Hannah & Kelly xxx

An Alternative Rainbow Bridge.

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and grey, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. However, the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view; head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to go, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like him, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place amongst them, watching the pathway and waiting. One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur greying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge." The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in their prime of life. "Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge and they all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened ?"

"That was a rescuer, the animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. they will cross when their new families arrive.

Those you saw restored were those who never found homes and when a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one final act of rescue.

They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."
-Author Unknown