Banner's Refuge

15/02/2025

We never know how much time we have, so cherish every moment. Tonight Sarge, who had been one half of the longest pair of residents at the refuge, crossed the rainbow bridge in the arms of his adopted family. Surrounded by love, in his home, he and they said goodbye. Even though it was “only” a handful of months it was a time for him to be part of a home. To love and be loved. And to slip from this world with a Full belly and words of comfort in his ears. His family will miss him and he leaves behind his bonded daughter, Nala. You never know how much time you have…so cherish each moment. We have inadequate words to express our gratitude to Sarge’s family, who loves him, homed him, provided for him, and let him leave with dignity in his home and their arms. God speed, beautiful boy. We will catch you in our dreams.

03/02/2025

Some goodbyes just stink….
No way around it. Anyone who has EVER had employees knows….. there are a rare handful in your life that you wonder every single day, “How did we get so lucky?”. Sure, they are human. We all are. But they are the ones who steal your hearts, effortlessly worm their way into being family, and BREAK your heart when they start their next journey.
We have had our share of not great ones, the ones who lie, the ones who are lazy, the ones who gossip and back stab. Because - as I said - humans. But we have also had those that we absolutely are thankful for every day. And when you lose someone of that caliber it just….. hurts. And stinks. And breaks hearts.
Bryan Mattinson came to us through a friend who worked here all through his college years. He told us one day, “I have this friend and you would LOVE him.” We heard that a lot from various college students but wow - was he right. From the first time he set foot on the refuge Bryan brought sunshine with him. He has loved the animals as his own - bottle feeding orphans, cleaning up untold messes of f***s, vomit, injuries, and more. Walking miles - and I mean MILES in the worst of winter so every refuge dog (when we had 60+!) got at least 4 walks a day. The walking was endless.
And never with a complaint. Never with a bad day (that he ever showed us). Just with his signature smile and joy of life. Hauling hoses at 20 below zero so horses had water, breaking ice so they could drink all day. He did everything asked of him and more. He brought love to every animal he touched, and he homed so many to amazing people. He is even taking one beautiful golden retriever, Arctica, with him tomorrow when he says goodbye.
We are going to miss him. Nobody more than an old lady Heeler named Addie May, but on the human side he will be irreplaceable.
Chase those dreams, Bryan, and remember all of us at the refuge who love you and will miss you every day. You have been a one of a kind member of this family and I can’t imagine anyone ever filling your shoes. We have been made better for having you in our lives - equine, feline, canine, and human. 💔💙🐾 Tu me manques. Because to say we will miss you is simply not enough.

30/12/2024

We are so happy for these three who went to live at Half Ass Acres in Oklahoma with our beautiful friend, Jessye! Donkeys are DESERT animals. 7500 elevation and 20 below zero is the worst setting for them and they will never see that again in their new pasture! Here they are enjoying a stroll at their new home.

06/12/2024

We frequently hear, “I want to do what you do. It’s so perfect.” But it is not. It is not because we cleanup the carelessness, the callous disregard, and the criminal neglect humans inflict on animals. Today was brutal. We have never had to take four of our horses over the rainbow bridge in a single day. But today we did - four beautiful, broken bodies. Four spirits that should have been laid to rest in the comfort of a home they knew all their lives. In the arms of someone who knew their stories and could whisper the beauty of shared adventures and years of love. Every-single-time that we lose an old one, a crippled beyond pain management one, a damaged beyond repair one, I hate that they did not have that experience. I know they received good medical care here. I know they received great farrier care. I know they ate mash 2 and 3 times a day, or their pain was managed with medication and massage and more, I know that they got to rest and be a horse. But I also know I did not know their story. The story of their life. The years before they were broken and abandoned. And I always feel like I have fallen short for they deserve more than our tears, the tears of the temporary caregiver who was only able to give them a few years of comfort. And tonight four more braids from the tails of these magnificent souls joins the memorial of the lives of those we have touched. But who touched us so much more deeply. Angel wings and freedom’s wind awaits you, Scarlett, Jafar, Tink, and V***n. I am sorry. I am a thousand times sorry. I wish it could have been more.

05/12/2024

“a star, a star, shining in the night……” eclipse over the refuge. (Photo credit Rigot)

03/12/2024

As the Holiday Season approaches I could not miss the chance to share a few holiday photos we have received from our families!

30/11/2024

This holiday a lot of animals will change hands as gifts. Which saddens me because so many of those end up in a bad space. Please consider adopting! Please! Four years ago we intercepted this boy OFF a slaughter truck. A year ago Sally Wolf and Upcycled Equines partnered with us to take him on as their first slaughter horse to train and place in a permanent home. Here he is today. Doing what he was born to do with his forever mama. Adopt. Adopt, adopt, adopt. Every story may not be like this one, but every life saved - loved - cherished ….. is a win!

19/11/2024

05/11/2024

26/10/2024

08/10/2024

Another pair we absolutely loved who also won the lottery for their new home. If you think these pictures are beautiful, it’s a mere reflection of their new mama’s heart. Our hearts are a little broken with all the goodbyes, but these two will know nothing but love!