Mea Ola's Place

08/31/2025

I’m having an emotional day. I think I am allowed a few of those once in a while.
Looking at Amos, I realize our time together is getting short.

I think that’s what started a flood of love and loss in me today for so many animals I have loved. Tapper, Oh Boy, Ruh Roh, Mea Ola, Biff, Karma, Merlin, 2%, Bo Bo, Gypsy, Kizzy, Percy, Speedy……, I seriously cannot name them all.

I have been told while crying after a loss that “maybe I wasn’t cut out for this”. I’ve been chastised during euthanasia’s for crying.
(I admit, I have even cried when they have left for perfect adoptions, lol)

I’m not sure about any of you, but I believe that’s EXACTLY why I was born to do what I do. If I lost my ability to connect, love, feel and have empathy, what business would I have saving anything?

Sometimes I am still haunted by my Animal Control days and euthanizing perfectly healthy animals because there was no other option and home for them. Please spay and neuter your pets!!! Put those that have to do that job out of that responsibility. The most hardened criminals couldn’t do that job!

I’ve seen a lot in my life. I’ve cried and picked myself back up to face another day and save another life, day after day. Now I help victims of r**e and sexual assault in addition to helping the animals. It’s hard, but reality is reality and we need to put on our big GIRL panties and face it. We need to face reality head on. Trust me, you dont want to know what I know. But we all should be doing our own research.

I cherish every day, and try to steal as many moments as I can with each and every animal. Maybe my premature grief helps me when the time comes.

Losing Amos will be another devastating blow! But, I will keep on keeping on, I promise!

All of you that support MOP and what we do will help me to do just that!

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!❤️ I hope you all have an amazing long weekend.

08/25/2025

I made it to Anaheim in time for lunch! I’ll be here through Thursday for work.
This organization spoils us!

Thanks to those holding the fort down for me while I’ll be away!
I’ll see if someone can give a horse/donkey update for us in a couple of days.
❤️

08/23/2025

Aw, Sq**rt is so sweet! He’s worried about Amos and won’t leave his side. We are having thunderstorms and Amos is scared and stressed.
I had to give him a doggie downer a few minutes ago. 😞

08/21/2025

My goodness! FB has changed so much over the last 15 yrs! Half the time, NO over half of the time …it’s all ads. Please help us stay alive by hitting the like or leaving a comment on what we post (even an older post). And please don’ forget to check in once in a while. I cant post regurlarly like I did in the old days. Full time job (and OT) in addition to running the rescue.

I’ve been a bit hesitant to share this. Those of you that know me know I work HARD for a living.
My HI HO SILVER truck died in late June, early July. I didn’t record the date. Um, can’t run a horse rescue without a truck!

I did research on trucks for months. Searched and searched. I wanted another Old Faithful, Hi Ho Silver! I drove that truck for 17 yrs!

I finally found something I felt comfortable with. Only 67,000 miles and went to a dealership every 10,000 miles for maintenance its whole life! Albeit a 2014 model. (Carfax is a LIFESAvER these days)!

I could go on and on about the miraculous way I ended up with this truck. I came home with it last Friday.

And, many of you know our board member and my dear friend, Deby….
Well, she came home the next day with my truck’s sister! Another 2014 F150 4x4 (Shes been needing and wanting a truck for 10 yrs at least)! Leslie has to be next!

God is so good. I could not live without a truck for the rescue. I was able to secure a 5.24% loan, that would allow me to contribute all I do financially for the horses and finance a truck. I have never financed a vehicle in my life!

Horses first. Horsework before house work, and, I DECORATE with dust! (Can someone PLEASE make me a sign that says that)?

This truck shall be called DUSTY… Old Faithfiul 2.0! My daughter, Rhiannon, was adamant that it had a name.

08/16/2025

Happy Friday everyone!

08/15/2025

Darn, I love this little dude and what they are doing for him.

I say this with 30 years veterinary technician experience and 14 years of running a horse rescue. When an animal (or even a person) has a will to live…. The body can defy science.
We shall see in Rocky’s case. He is NOT suffering right NOW. Would you condone euthanasia for every child diagnosed with cancer that suffer’s through those treatments, or a brain tumor, or losing both legs, or becoming a quadrapalegic ? What about if they were born in any of these conditions?

The thing is this freaks people out because of what we’ve been taught about science so far. Let him live and be happy. Even if it does prove to be shorter than “normal”. Let his life also be a study to prove or disprove what a body can do with a deformity at birth…It very well could compensate. It’s not like he LOST a leg. He was born without one.

I have saved MANY animals (dogs, cats, horses, burros, birds, etc) against all scientific odds and my reason to try was because…
THEY WANTED TO LIVE.

If you do not do this for a living or as a rescue, I’m not sure how you could even discern between an animal that wants to live and will accept a little pain to do so, or one that just has no will at all.

It’s a gift to know these things, coupled with experience. And these people are doing right by this guy.

While some eagerly watch waiting for him to fail, the rest of us are busy lifting him up and watching him thrive ❤️.

Today, all of the babies were fitted with their new orthotics and we can’t wait to show yall! Maybe I’m crazy, but there was such a presence of hope and triumph here today. I’m thankful to have been able to witness this and for a village that supports our efforts to give them the best chance possible. Tears in my eyes typing this, but that song “I saw God today” just played in my mind. What a blessing 😭❤️.

08/13/2025

Adoption update… Eeyore!

We took him in from the BLM TIP program in 2016 after he was unable to be placed through them for 2 yrs. He was already close to 30 years old.

He was a gentle soul, but didn’t warm up to people well. I thought he’d stay with us as a sanctuary donkey and live out his life.
Well, in 2019 he was placed as a companion donkey. I couldn’ believe it when they came to see him and he warmed right up to them. They visited several times and we all knew it was the perfect fit!

Here his is, now pushing 40 years old, doing his new favorite pastime …. Drawing in the dirt with a stick! ❤️

08/08/2025

Hahaha! Happy Friday. It’s our monthly Friday Feed Drive.

I had to share this and chuckled. While it is hard work, it’s absolutely worth it to me. We’ve saved so many and continue to provided a safe landing to those that are harder to adopt due to age and other factors. The connections I’ve made since starting MOP in 2012 are the type that many do not get the opportunity to have in their lives.
With that said, I want to thank you all for continuing to support what we do. These monthly fundraisers are very important. The more we can raise for feed, the more funds we have for improvements. I believe we are going to have a hard winter and I’d like to be able to add some extra wind breaks, we have tractor work to pay for as well, and we would like to add a shed for our bagged feed. This will allow the donkeys to roam and help keep our weeds down, as well as provide us shelter when making the feed buckets twice a day.

As always you can call The feed Barn directly at 760 868 4840,

https://www.paypal.me/meaola
Or Zelle 661 557 2680.
Thank you!❤️ I’ve got a fun adoption update coming for the next post.

08/03/2025

The critters had visitors today!
They all enjoyed the carrots and attention.
Thank you all for coming today. ❤️

08/02/2025

I’m so pleased to announce that MOP will be implementing therapy again with the rescues this fall.

With that said, I want to add one or two team members of the animal kind.

First off, I have always been a bird lover. That why I always saved so many birds. I’ve been hesitant to add a domestic bird because I know the attention and time they require. They also can live a LONG time! We have a financial plan in place for every rescue here, but Im thinking a senior bird …. (Or seniors)

After years of contimplating this, I have made a decision to add a rescue, a family member of the Avain species. I feel confident that we can give the time and attention needed for rehab and bonding, as well as ongoing stimulatiin and companionship. I am open to a bird that bonds with me, it does not have to be a Cockatoo,but that’s what my heart and mind says would be best.

I would also be inclined to have a second bird for companionship.

I’ll know the right bird, or birds, when we meet. If you know of anyone needing placement for birds, please let me know.

And yes, I have also reached out to bird rescues. I’m not in a hurry and will travel to meet and spend time with these future family members/companions.❤️

Thank you!

07/30/2025

Who knew spiders were on social media? It seems since I posted about my friend, a Hobo Spider that lives in my bathroom, other spiders are showing themselves around here. Maybe the word got out that MOP could be the first Spider Sanctuary in the High Desert!😂 (just kidding, we wouldnt get many volunteers or helpers if that was the case)

For the spiders: we only allow non venemous spiders a pass and if you are as big as this one that Stephanie spotted today…we may require you to have a sponsor.