Second Chance's Angels
Welcome to the Second Chance's Angels page. This page is dedicated to those horses who have passed on to sunnier streams and quieter pastures. Please spare a thought for these horses that have suffered at the hands of humans and could not be brought back beyond their neglect or trauma. If you have a story of a rescue horse that has passed on to greener pastures, feel free to start a post dedicated to that horse's memory in our Discussion Forums.
Somewhere in time's own space,
There must be some sweet pastured place,
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow,
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen,
I know great horses live again.
~written by Stanley Harrison
Noel
On December 1st, Second Chance received an emergency call from the WA Donkey Society in regards to 6 animals in a shocking state. Noel was one of these.
Noel's owner had passed away a couple of days before and those in charge of organising the estate contacted the WA Donkey Society to deal with the animals remaining. What they found shocked them and they immediately called us as they were in no position to deal with the state of the 4 ponies, mule and poor Noel. We immediately responded and took our Veterinarian along to assist them with the rescue.
Noel was examined as was by far in the worst condition. This beautiful donkey Jack (entire male) was laying down to rest his poor hooves which must have been pure agony to stand and walk on. He simply lay in his sandy bed with a look in his eye that told us "I don't care any more. Do as you will."
Not one person who saw Noel did not shed a tear for this poor sweet fellow and not one person in attendance didn't wish there was another way to help him but after consultation with several Equine Veterinarians and specialists, the decision was made with a heavy heart to have Noel humanely put to sleep.
Noel went to his final rest on December 2nd and we hope with all our hearts he finds himself in Donkey Heaven where his soul can exist in peace and plenty.
Recent information has come to light. Noel was one of several wild donkeys living on a large farm in Cervantes. They had been brought there many, many years ago off stations up north when they'd been rounded up amongst the cattle. When the property in Cervantes was sold, Noel went to live where we found him, as his (then) new owner wanted to breed Mules with the pony mares he had on his property. We believe the only resulting Mule was Murphy. Noel would have been well into his twenties when the WA Donkey Society found him.
Noel was always a wild, free spirit and had never in his life been a tame pet. He died as he lived, free, untamed and with dignity.
Thank you to Helen from the WA Donkey Society who sent us this photograph. It is of Noel in his prime and with him is our little Nova, his owner
and in the corner you can just see the nose of Shishka.
Diva
No photo available
Diva came to our attention through the City of Swan, who notified us that she had been found wandering by herself on O'Brian Road in Gidgegannup on October 5th. She'd been taken to a property on that road temporarily whilst the property owners, the City of Swan and Second Chance tried to locate her owners. Mass emails were sent out, notices put up and the RSPCA and Police notified.
After 10 days there was not a whisper of them and so Second Chance was asked to collect her. When we met this pretty little mare, we nicknamed her Diva as she appeared to be quite mareish and a bit of a drama queen however she stood quietly for a cuddle from Second Chance Field Officer, Shelley.
We went to load her onto our float however she went crazy with fear, kicking and weeing non stop even after she was heavily sedated. We attempted to get a truck however again, she went mad with fear and the truck driver refused to transport her in case she wrecked his vehicle. It was clear through her body language that she was terrified beyond belief and was expecting to be hurt and possibly beaten. The poor thing never tried to back off the float, indeed she seemed too frightened to try but she was desperately trying to see what was going on behind her and was clearly certain that she was fighting for her life.
We were given a deadline of 1pm Friday the 19th of October to have her moved and despite frantic efforts to secure a cattle crate or a place to keep her temporarily within walking distance, we failed. All avenues were exhausted and the deadline passed.
Rest in peace, Diva and we hope your soul has gone to a place of rest, peace and plenty.