Hiya, FsOB! I encourage everyone to read Martita's lovely poem which is the final entry on yesterday's comments board. It is an amazing piece about what is happening in Michigan. Maybe someone can do a copy & paste for today's board?

The seasons are defintely changing here on the banks of the Thames. The sky is still a deep blue at 5:52 EST, dawn isn't reflecting yet off the buildings on the opposite side of the river.

Can I be first today? Let's see!

#### To Otherlyn: Please let us know how you are doing today, OK? ####

Morning skritches to the BBH, Sir JH, Gorgeous George, Belle, KeyKey, Genny, Sky and the rest of the glorious gang in Equine Heaven...!

For them:

STRATEGY FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1

Although Congress has now recessed until September 8, Legislative Aides are still there to take your calls. Until further notice, the strategy will be to continue to gain co-sponsors for HR6598 and the plan is to start with those co-sponsors of HR503. A list is on the DB and the Wiki with their names and we are asking that they are only called by constituents. Please do not call the names in red because they are already on board. If your Representative is already a co-sponsor of HR6598, the best way to help is to reach out and find constituents in other districts. We now have 46 committments which is great!! They cannot not be added to the official co-sponsor list until session resumes.

There is still a very small window of time to try to see your representatives while they are in their home district. Many will be out on the campaign trail so should be easy to find. Below is a Fact Sheet for you to hand out if you do get the chance to see them.

http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/legislation/110_equinecruelty_hr6598.pdf

Remember, this list will be friends of the anti slaughter legislation and there is no reason to go into detail. We've been asked to make sure they know that HR6598 , the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equity Cruelty Act of 2008 is taking the Title 18 approach to end horse slaughter and has been introduced by Representative John Conyers, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. It is not necessary to answer complicated questions or try to explain the bill. Sometimes "less is more"!!

Although the paperwork cannot be done to co-sponsor while they are not in session, we will update this list periodically as commitments are received by the proper people in DC. When their name goes red, there is no reason to call again.

You have have done a fabulous job of setting the groundwork and it seems that we're off to the right start. We have been advised that our grassroots efforts have made a tremendous impact and YOU ALL are the reason. It is important that we now follow directions and stay focused on what has been requested of us.

Our mission is to GO RED!!!!

We are BARBARO'S VOICE..let it be heard!!!!

Thanks,
Shelley and Deb
AMERICANS AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER

Posted by: ShelleyA at September 1, 2008 11:52 PM

Cheers,
Friar Tuck

It's Wednesday FOBs,

It still appears that Hanna will be making her way in our direction (Florida's east coast). The possibility exists that GA & SC could get hit too. I'm not wishing a hurricane to hit anywhere so I'm praying she will dissapate out at sea. Then there is Ike and Josephine to deal with. Jeez!!

Have a good day!

Janice
A forever devoted to Kaiser FOB

Dear Fren Robyn, and All of you who have helped to sustain me in these last few days,

Today, I am living proof that the Love of the Frens will make the difference.

Yesterday, the arbitration judge judge awarded the house to me. My husband has been ordered to pay an amount of spousal support that will not totally cover, but greatly assist, in my efforts to maintain the mortgage payments on my home. But, not to worry!...for now, my pets and I will keep the roof over our heads.

I know that God will make a way, in the future. Perhaps I will be able to find a student to rent one of my rooms. Perhaps I will be able to publish the book.

I don't know how, I don't know when, but I do know that God honors prayer. I know that He will make a way. THANK YOU ALL, Dear Frens, for your prayers and best wishes.

I treasure you beyond any words. Please know that I am so grateful, and very blessed to know you. ^-,^

Now...to the business at hand, today. OOOO Yaaaa...Now that the people in the legislatures, Federal and State, Let's Step It Up!

There is also a list of Michigan politicians for all of us to include in our efforts. Fren Martita' mention of Michigan eloquent entreat is KISMET! Let us heed her elegant call to action.

Calls, e-mails and faxes should be simply second-nature to us now. Let's ADD prayer and action, out of Love for our dear BARBARO and his legacy. The Love of the Frens WILL make the difference.

Your FOB Fren, O (A Michigan FOB)

The Michigan list:

-Representative Sander M. Levin (D - 12) – HR503

Ph: 202-225-4961-

Fx: 202-226-1033

Aide: Libby Benton

Legislative Director Callie Coffman

HR6598 David Ruble

DWP Scheduler Monica Chrzaszc DC

District Office

27085 Gratiot Ave
Roseville, MI 48066
Phone: (586) 498-7122
Phone: (248) 968-2025
Fax: (586) 498-7123

District Director Judy Hartwell

-Representative Thaddeus McCotter (R - 11) HR503

Ph: 202-225-8171-

Fx: 202-225-2667

Aide: Ellen Gwaltney

DWP Scheduler Natalie Rose

District – Livonia Main District
17197 N. Laurel Park Dr.
Suite 216
Livonia, MI 48152
734.632.0314 tel
734.632.0373 fax

District Director Paul Seewald

District - Milford
213 W. Huron Street
Milford, MI 48381
248.685.9495 tel
248.685.9484 fax

JUDICIARY

Rep. Howard Coble (REP-NC-6th)

Howard Coble (R-NC)

202-225-3065

202-225-8611

Chief of Staff: Ed McDonald

Legis. Dir.: John Mautz

HR6598- LD John Mautz who is also Judiciary

Anm. Rights Amanda Joyner

FRIAR -

I tried linking to the FACT SHEET and get an error. Could you please check it out, it could be on my end, never know, Thank you.

*************************************************

OTHERLYN -

Glad things worked out for you. You must feel as if the whole world has been lifted off your back.

*************************************************

JANICE -

Hope things are going well your way. Recently I have only posted, didn't have time to read all the posts, I mostly go to the FORUM and try to get updated.

Best wishes to all,

### Otherlyn, prayers from your frens have been heard!!!Thank you for letting us know!

As your requested ROBYN -

****************************************************

RE-POST -

for the horses in michigan, tracks..cantor
that may die even tonight
fast being loaded up
in the shadows where no one can see
empty shedrow
or what happens
when the stall is suddenly empty?
the groom comes back tight lipped cornered
and the horse is gone
maybe this horse has been on many trailers
since he won the big ones
now the barns are run down
.stench of fear
nothing secure
..dirty careless
.tracks hard
a lot of folks milling around looking for that one to load siletny to his death
that look

hard cold at the flesh on the bone

i believe that horses know
when they lose a race and when they are done
,not heard or not brushed or fed
with any love
just automatic property
..
john henry was the perfect example
..he knew when IF HE stopped winning
he would die
that two by four
that hit him as a yearling
he never forgot to the narrowed eyes
of the screaming sweating man
he dodged and ducked but missed

so what happens when tender folks
rescuers
are banished from the tracks- back-stretch
ask the tb racing commission from michigan
WHY they banned cantor rescue groups ?
..
maybe the horse killers are so desperate for horse meat
they are finding new allies in the pipeline
as alex has pointed out many times already

i just signed a petition to bring attention
to a group of these guys who are obviously
in for the money and not for a or any
horse
some awful precedent
some awful curved knife
cutting their tendons fast deep
heat
blood spilling out

WHAT a way to say thank you
for all the great heart running
for winning
for that thing
called money earned

i hear them nickering back and forth
in the darkness
to each other as if checking that they made it
through another day
..no man around
just them
under the roof of the sagging barn

stars watching
blinking
if stars could cry
they surely would
for what they hear floating up
a muffled stifled chorus -tears
into the deep night
shhhh quiet
crying still
..deep longing
to be wanted
eat grass
love
be scratched
fed and ridden bathed ..combed--

each horse trying to face its own fate
must feel feeling the impending doom

yet another devious way
to get more horse meat
no matter what the toll or consequence

i hear then finally
the shuffle of hay
for one last time
as the groom comes to lead this one away .
.he tried and just could not run i anymore
in all that pain
they shoot him up
endless convicts
selling their soul for money yet again.hollow
.
wow
what a capture
their souls lost in some far away land
where nothing grows.
.but that HUNGer for more
to fll up on stuff
POWER that in the end feels so empty oh why?
.
for them i speak up
i know you will too
sign and call and write
.it is endless
never to let go of his song his dream

Barbaro died for
..we lost a brilliant diamond
powerful
other worldly
horse
to open our eyes..
the night in shinning blazing light

martita

Posted by: martita goshen at September 3, 2008 3:03 AM

Otherlyn, I am so thankful that things are coming together for you. I shall continue to keep you in my prayers.

####
Otherlyn!
God is good. did your DH's jaw drop open? Did he drool?
(sorry....)
Anyhow: I am so happy for your outcome...you're right. a window will open and the fresh, clean air of a new chapter in your life will flow through.

It'll be OK, girl. We've got your back.
xxoo:j
COURAGE

####
Otherlyn!
God is good. did your DH's jaw drop open? Did he drool?
(sorry....)
Anyhow: I am so happy for your outcome...you're right. a window will open and the fresh, clean air of a new chapter in your life will flow through.

It'll be OK, girl. We've got your back.
xxoo:j
COURAGE

####Mirabel, happy days await you in Yellowknife. So glad to hear everything went well and twins, mom and dad are doing well. Have a safe trip and ENJOY!

###Robyn, our trip went well, long drive but beautiful scenery. Ethan is settled in and will start classes tomorrow. Praying he will be ok as he is a shy one. I'm probably more worried than should be, can't help it though.

###Otherlyn, so glad all will be ok for you. You can now look to the future with an easier heart. Jonna is right, we're here.

####Renee, thanks for giving Hans the extra treat. I hope you are coping with the job hunt. I know how disheartening it can be.

Take care all and have a safe day. Prayers for all in the path of the hurricanes as the line up.

Judy

###Otherlyn, very happy to hear that all is going to be ok for you. Jo

###Otherlyn, you

My birthday.
My first day of MY New Year.
Like all born in this year,
in this month: we were conceived
on or close to New Year's Eve:
emblems of the promise of freedom after WWII
We were proof that life
would go on.
That life would be good.

And look at us now.
In another war.
Fighting The Meat Man.
Fighting the government.
Praying that someone new will
enter the great pillared halls
and institute change.
CHANGE> for animals, for children, for women.

Today, I will not read anything
about slaughter.
Today I will spare my already crowded
brain any additional images of terror,
cruelty and terrible death for horses.

I will make of the White Mare a tiny, real horse.
Small enough to fit in my jeans jacket pocket.
I did this as a child with my dogs, or course,
imagining them small enough to slide under the lid of my desk.
There to comfort me.

There to assure me
that MAN
was not EVERYTHING.
That to me and my tiny companions, MAN was nothing.

So that's what I'll do today.
It is beautiful here in upstate NY.
I will go to BJ's with the tiny White Mare,
buy books, buy myself some roses,
and come home to read the day away.

So much HAS to happen this year.
I am going to begin work on this tomorrow
with a doctor who can hopefully pry my memory
open and gently--over time--extract the demons
of childhood.

I am terrified, of course.

But a previous counselor told me once that I fit a category that their profession call The Magical Child. That part of people like me
have learned early on that memory will
only hurt you.
As if the initial hurt was not enough.

So today: I will be magical. I will celebrate the Barbaro Nation. I make my call(s.) I go forth in my AAHS hat and the little White Mare will nicker from my pocket when we go near the produce...

I know she waited her whole life for me.
And now tears are here and eyes blur everytime, everytime I think of her terrible end.

It drives everything I do for this Nation.
No horse left behind? Who let go of her halter?
Why, why, why.

I said I would not cry and I said I would not tell about the birthday. but there you have it.
I decided my last birthday was in 2007.
From that point on, I will reinvent myself, dear frens...
I will be something new.
I will make a better world.
I will make a better me.

And The Nation will be right behind me.
Running with Barbaro.
jonna shanley skehan
xxoo:j
WITH COURAGE

###Jonnagrey, we are with you all the way. May today bring all that you wish for and be filled with love from all your "frens" and famblee.

Happy Birthday!

Judy

###Otherlyn,fingers not working so well, sorry about the fits and starts.

###
Jonna
IS THIS YOUR SPECIAL DAY!!!!
IF so I wish you health I wish you wealth I wish you gold in store...I wish you heaven after death.
What could I wish you more??
Hay my special fren ...I LOVE YOU!!!
Whenever your day is I ALWAYS wish you the best of the best because that's what you are my fren!!!!

Dear fren Otherlyn
Today I rejoice with YOU and I'm standing doing the HAPPIEST DANCE praising God and thanking him for his goodness and grace!!!
YOU my dear fren deserved much more than you got BUT it is a start and AREN'T PRAYERS WONDERFUL!!!
Perhaps when I return from my Yellowknife trip I shall drive up to see you and we should have a marvelous celebration ?????
This is just the best news!!!
NOW dear Auntie Lin I can go and see those grandbabes without worrying......
I will continue my prayers ....who knows what the Lord will decide next??? I do know it will be special cause that's what you are!!!!
Here you are...it's a huge HUG!! I hope you can feel it??? LOL WE LOVE YOU!!!
We're so PROUD OF YOU!!!

THANKS ebberbuddy for the goodwishes !! I leave very early tomorrow morning for Yellowknife and those new little cherubs.I'll hug and kiss them all for y'all??LOL That will be alotsa hugging and kissing!!LOL

Prayers to ALL...HUGS and love I'll miss y'all!!!

Good morning, fellow Fans!

###
Robyn Hoffmann - the seasons are definitely changing up North here - spots of color on the trees and cooler nights.

###
Janice and all in the Southeast - prayers that Hanna and Josephine and any successors treat you kindly.

###
Otherlyn - So happy to read that you get to stay put!

###
Jonna - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope it is peaceful and easy for you.

Alex - time to thank you once again for your guidance and for providing this meeting place for us.

Marg
Proud Fan of Barbaro forever

Hurricane Gustav caused little of the damage in Mobile and Baldwin counties that many feared but area residents continued to feel its mark on Tuesday. School stayed closed, power remained out for some and thousands of gallons of sewage spilled into local waterways. Prayers for all MS and LA, they were not so lucky!
And thanks to the FOB’s for your thoughts and prayers. We stayed under tornados warring until yesterday. But compared to Ivan and Katrina it was a cake walk LOL!
###
Dear fren Otherlyn
Today I rejoice with YOU and I'm standing doing the HAPPIEST DANCE praising God and thanking him for his goodness and grace!!! Me too Maribel!
We all need to count our blessings today!

Joe

Jonna Happy Birthday!

Good Morning Gang.

(((Otherlyn and your furbabies))) After I was 'awarded' my home, I came home, stood here and panicked. Can I do this? That was 10 years ago. I'm still doing it. I can even climb up on the roof and make repairs by myself. You can do it also. And with the Famblee alongside, you will be OK. Much love being sent to you today and always.

Happy Birthday, Jonna!!

##
Jonna,

...your birthday posting is unique and amazing...just like you...hope that you do have a truly magical day!

Fran

on DB: trying to save 19 yearlings in Colorado from being shipped to Mexico - pls. help if you can to save these babies -

see "SCHR-YEARLINGS in need in DURANGO, CO" for photos & info

thank you.

##

Jonna, I read your post and it just stopped me in my tracks. Very powerful and memorable.

Happy birthday dear friend, on this first day of your new year.

In reading your post, in addition to Alex's link to the Ontario auction, a renewed vigor to do all we can to protect the horses is front and center.

Thank you Jonna.

Jonna - the happiest of birthdays to you dear lady. I hope the day is special for you.

OtherLyn - such good news and quite a relief. Hooray!!

Soc - glad to see you here. We're having a difficult time right now, but doing our best to survive.

It looks like Hanna is going to skirt by us (in Florida) and hit somewhere in the Carolinas. Ike will be next and that path is too uncertain as well as Josephine who is even further out.

Janice
A forever devoted to Kaiser FOB

A sincere thank you to all who donated to KF and the Laminitis Fund in honor of Dr. Richardson's birthday. $2219.00 was raised for the Laminitis Fund and brings us one step closer to eradicating the disease that took our beloved Barbaro. We shall do this.

Debbie in CO

#####
Jonna....
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY...FREN

Please help the rescue....we need to help save these babies in Colorado...please...

### GREAT News! In the new people magazine0- there is a side story about Old Friends. They ran a small article on them a few weeks ago. Since that story ran, the phone has been ringing off the hook and they have recieved 25000 in donations which will allow him to put up enough fence to take in 30 more horses! The word is getting out! Jen

#### dear jonna, I too,am a magical child, just like you describe,I could make many therapists/drs/ rich beyond their wildest dreams..
what would it be..to be normal..
my next book is one of my life..
it is entitled...
damaged goods..

be kind to yourself,
ben &jerry's here we come..

yes, courage..
happy birthday

#### Alex, I know you think we are all eccentric old women of a certain age...but please, I am totally serious..I have very bad feelings..tell Asmussen a woman of vision..(me) says not to run Curlin in the Breeders Cup..

Dear Harriette,
I agree with you, don't run Curlin in the Breeder's Cup. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach something bad was going to happen to him last weekend; the same feeling I had about Eight Belles. Please Alex, listen to this lady, please tell Mr. Asmussen not to run Curlin in the Breeder's Cup.

NO Horse left behind or Left Behind!
Lee

Happy Birthday Jonna...

This is the first day of the rest of your life, and I wish nothing but the very best for you. Every day, every year from hereon. You can make it happen.

Wishing you a chorus of nickers led by your little mare

XXXXOOOO

Sites with news about post-Gustav animal rescue:
nola.com/forums/animals (was heavily visited by people all over the country during and after Katrina)
animalrescueneworleans.org

Otherlyn..JUSTICE!!! am so happy that the right thing happened. so happy.

Okay...so now I can share..have had this terrible foreboding. Maybe because the Breeder's Cup has had so many tragic events connected to it. Go For Wand, Pine Island in 2006, and George Washington last year. I saw each one. Have thought for a long while that I couldn't bear to watch it his year, afraid that there would be another tragedy. Not necessarily any thoughts concerning Curlin, but a nameless, shapeless tragedy.

Alex, you KNOW I love racing. I LOVE Curlin. I've not had any visions, nothing with any substance but an awful feeling. I hope to God we're all wrong

REST O' JOE FOR WEDNESDAY
****************************************************
Each of the 7 girls gets to take a portion of their profits and give it to charity. Rowan chose Tbfriends. We used her money to buy special supplements for our skinny gelding Cope.

There is young Sara who also lives in Davis, and all by herself Sara saved the life of an older paint mare. With the help of friends and family, Sara was able to raise $400.00. The mare is now at a boarding stable in Davis, and Tbfriends will help with placing her in a lifetime home.

There is young Britt from Sacramento, and she convinced her mom they must help 5 hungry horses living in a field with junky cars. Mom received permission from the owner, and so twice a day Britt would bring food. This was in June. Almost 3 months later, and the 5 horses have rebounded well. The junky old cars have been removed. Britt and her friends helped put up a new fence. Now when motorists drive by they can say oh look at those beautiful horses.

On Sunday Britt and her mom were in our driveway. They brought us 5 bags of Equine Senior. Britt wants to spend the rest of her life rescuing horses. Just like Rowan, Britt is also 13.

Enjoy your 87 degree Wednesday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Top Left: In the beginning Rowan and her 6 partners were making chocolate at home. Here is Rowan and Rachel checking the temp. Today they are allowed to use the kitchen at Davis Bread and Desserts.

Top Right: Rowan boards her mare Honeybee at a ranch not far from us.

Jonna, may you have a good day and a good year. Just know you have all of us that love you and care about you. ######Otherlyn, I am so happy for you. It will be fine. I know is kind of scary at first but you will find you are stronger that you could have imagined. Talk to your frens here as so many of us have been where you are today. We do undersand.

###I have had bad feelings about the Breeder's Cup for YEARS. I think it's a doomed race. BAD things happen every year. BAD things.

I think the people looking to make money need to find a different race.

Just sayin'

OK, all these vibes and visions are giving me the creeps...two days before the Kentucky Derby, I was stricken with a terrible sense of foreboding which literally made me physically sick. It wasn't specifically about Eight Belles but was about an issue with the Derby...

I emailed two FOBs to tell them about this, and that I would not be watching (which I did not)...and we all know how that story ended. LISTEN TO THE STILL SMALL VOICE INSIDE!

New rules for shoes and whipping TB Times

Things are changeing for the better, but slowly!

SPAM Great!

on DB: trying to save 18 yearlings in Colorado from being shipped to Mexico - pls. help if you can to save these babies -

see "SCHR-YEARLINGS in need in DURANGO, CO" for photos & info

thank you.

Alex...we've got spam here and on TWR...help????

###
Otherlyn...congratulations...I knew things were going to go your way...

###
Prayers for those in need of comfort, of peace...

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS,OMPH
Padme A'Tea (Lyn)

Thanks Windy!

O-Congrats; it's about time you got justice. Take a deep breath, buy your dogs a treat amd know that better days are ahead.

Janice in Fl- from the Panhandle we are watching and praying for all in line of Hannah and Ike, including our famblee in Carolinas and Georgia.
September and October are going to be LONG months.
KLB

Hiya, FsOB! You should have seen the look on Brent's face last night when I told him about the $2219 raised by the FsOB for the Laminitis Research Fund in honour of Dr. Richardson's birthday. He looked genuinely impressed. I described the lovely photos taken by Alie and Padme/Lyn, including the basketful of cards. (Brent had been kind enough to put ours in the mail for me, he may've thought that no one else sent one.) Kudos once more to all who brought that event and the fundraising to fruition.

Here's to an ACN for us all. Peace, RMH

#### Lots of notes tonight:
To Otherlyn: I always hope that justice will prevail in the long run. Your news was fabulous! Please trust me, some day you shall look back on this day as a rebirth. As Sandra said, many of us have our own experiences with divorce here. Here's to your new beginning, Otherlyn. If you have not done so, you may wish to look in your town's library to find any books by Sarah von Brethnach. Her writing was very bolstering to me following my own divorce.
To Janice: May Hanna and Ike both turn out to sea. Please be safe.
To Socorro: Thanks for reposting Martita's poem from late yesterday evening.
To Judy: May Ethan's first day of classes be exhilirating tomorrow. Glad that your journey was a scenic & safe one.
To Jonna: Happy, happy birthday dear FOB! I hope that your evening is filled with lots of Cherry Garcia and tons o' GH love. May the coming year be a fulfilling and positive one for you, Jonna.
To Maribel: You must be beside yourself with excitement in anticipation of holding the twins for your first time.
To Marg in Maine: Gosh, I walked out of City Hall tonight at 7:45 PM and it was DARK outside. The rapid onset of Autumn in New England still stuns me after 23 years.
To Jen: Fabulous news about People magazine's article about Old Friends. I'll have to find one, I can't wait to read it.
To Sandra: If your town's newspaper carries the comic strip "Rhymes with Orange", please see today's comic. It shows a dog going into a roomful of other dogs, asking "Is this the thunder support group?" And a tiny blurb at the start of the strip says, "It's called the Boom Boom Room." You know whom I thought of, Sandra! ####

Hay, Jonna...

Happy B'day...hope your day was wonderful...

Padme A'Tea (Lyn)

#####
PLEASE...HELP...HELP....HELP...
THE COLORADO HORSES NEED OUR HELP...PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM GO THROUGH THE PIPELINE OF BARBARIC HORSE SLAUGHTER..

PLEASE CALL,FAX,EMAIL...

AND GOD BLESS EACH OF THE FOB FAMILY...

####
Otherlyn, I knew we could do it! Blessings to you.

####
jonna,

Holy Mocha! It's your birthday???

Here's to you! And a beautiful post, I might add.

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY!! ! !