Connie's mental image of rainbow bridge

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 🕊️ Forty — The Heart Behind the “Forty” Senior Program

Forty was a senior horse who came to Pride & Joy Rescue severely underweight and struggling, but with a gentle spirit that immediately captured everyone’s hearts. The staff worked tirelessly to bring him back to health, and together, they fought hard—step by step, pound by pound—to give him the strength and comfort he deserved.

Though his weight improved, the time eventually came when 40 made the choice to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Losing him was deeply painful—he was the first horse the rescue ever lost, and his passing left an unmistakable hole in every heart he touched.

To honor his memory, the “Forty” Senior Program was created—dedicated to helping other special senior horses like him find peace, care, and love in their golden years. On Connie’s birthday, the team presented her with a crystal block etched with 40’s picture, which still sits proudly on her desk today.

Forty was more than a rescue—he was a teddy bear, a “back pocket” boy, and a soul full of kindness. His legacy continues to guide our mission, reminding us every day why we do what we do.

 🕊️ Tomas — Our One-Eyed Wonder

Tomas, our beloved one-eyed wonder, came to Pride & Joy Rescue from a fellow rescuer in need of a peaceful retirement. During his time with us, he became so much more than a resident—he became a teacher. Tomas helped countless volunteers learn the essentials of horse care, from brushing and hoof care to leading and even the basics of riding.

Despite his size, his heart was even bigger. Gentle, patient, and full of love, Tomas had a way of connecting with everyone he met. When his time came, we made the difficult but compassionate choice to help him cross the Rainbow Bridge.

He is deeply missed, but his spirit lives on in every volunteer he taught and every horse that follows in his hoofprints. Tomas will always be remembered as the gentle giant who gave as much love as he received.

 💫 Baby Chance — The Heart Behind the “2nd Chance” Program

Though our time with Baby Chance was heartbreakingly short, our love and fight for him were fierce. From bottle feedings and constant monitoring to an overnight vet visit for plasma and vital fluids, every moment was filled with hope and care. For a brief, beautiful 24 hours, Chance showed us his playful spark—snuggles, soft brushes, and even little naps together.

When his tiny body could no longer fight, Connie held him in her lap as he peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge, surrounded by love. Because he was so small, his remains returned to the rescue—his soft mane and tiny hoofprints now rest safely in Connie’s office, a tender reminder of his courage and spirit.

Chance’s short life gave birth to something extraordinary: the “2nd Chance” Program, created in his honor to help fragile foals receive the care and fighting chance they deserve. His passing was not in vain—because of Chance, countless others now have the opportunity to live, heal, and be loved.

 🐾 Mabel — Our Hero and One of the Originals

Mabel was one of our very first rescue dogs. We took in her mama and all six of her puppies, each one special in their own way. Cyniah fostered Mabel for a time, and it didn’t take long for everyone at Pride & Joy Rescue to fall in love with her. Big dogs are often harder to place, but Mabel became part of our family—a gentle, loyal soul who made every day brighter.

In September 2025, Mabel began to change. She was tired, not herself, and stopped wanting to eat. After running tests, we faced the heartbreaking decision to let her go. Wanting to understand what happened, we chose to have an autopsy performed. For weeks, Connie carried the heavy weight of self-blame, asking herself what went wrong and why—especially since all of Mabel’s littermates were still healthy.

Then the call came from the vet. The results revealed a rare blood disorder known as Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a disease seldom seen in dogs. In her honor, we shared every piece of Mabel’s medical history and autopsy findings to help others study this condition and work toward a cure.

Mabel’s strength and gentle heart continue to inspire us. She is our hero—gone too soon but never forgotten. Her legacy lives on through the lives she’s helped protect and the lessons she taught us about love, loss, and hope.

  🐐 Our Beloved Goats — Gone but Never Forgotten

We’ve said goodbye to many of our sweet goats over the years, each one with a personality all their own. Reese, KitKat, Candy, Pops (Thunder), Brave, Coco, Dezi, Lucy, and Thelma — every one of you left hoofprints on our hearts.

From your playful antics to your gentle nuzzles, you filled our days with laughter and love. Not a day goes by that we don’t miss you. Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge—be ready to show us around when we get there. 💛

  🐈 To Our Barn Cats — Always in Our Hearts

To all our barn cats who have come and gone, we like to imagine you’ve found cozy new homes with warm fireplaces rather than crossing the Rainbow Bridge. We miss your leg rubs, purrs, and snuggles—it’s just not the same without you here.

And if you did make it to the Bridge, we know you’re exploring every sunny patch and perfect hiding spot. Be ready to show us all the best places to take a cat nap when we see you again. 🐾💛