They were an unlikely pair, Bruce Almighty and his best friend, Cinnamon Girl, but they were always together and that is how we imagined them being, together forever. They were the odd couple, Bruce, a Belgian quarter horse cross and Cinnamon Girl, a purebred quarter horse of Cutting horse blood thru and thru. What they did have in common was they were both chestnuts with big white blazes and that alone made this unlikely duo, just plain cute. Their story began on the farm where they were born. It was once a performance horse breeding and working facility. There was alot of great blood on that farm and Cinnamon Girl was the result of that breeding. She was a confident filly already raised with the black angus she showed her potential everyday in the herd as she got down and moved my dog out of the pen and had a great time doing so. Bruce had only part of these athletic bloodlines and the other half of him was another breeding of "working horse" a plow horse, Belgian to be exact. He was larger and more timid. These two got together on the trailer on the way down from Canada. Cinnamon gave Bruce confidence and Bruce gave Cinnamon some great massages with horsie lips of course. Cin was so cute how could any colt resist. So from that moment on Cin and Bruce were joined at the hip.

But the interesting thing about this adoption story is that it was actually meant to be about another horse. I had spent a lot of time on the phone and through emails chatting with a prospective adopter from near San Diego that was determined that Ipod was the horse for her. We had discussed everything there was to know about the famous Ipod, Dana was smitten and on her way to meet him that weekend. When she arrived with her family Ipod did his normal come to greet everyone routine and things seemed to be going as planned. We put the halter on the "Pod" and allowed Dana some one on one time with him. He was all that she imagined him to be, but interestingly the "spark" was just not there for Ipod. Instead of hamming it up and demanding all the attention, he turned his head as if to say, "Let me introduce you to Bruce Almighty." Bruce had made his (bashful) way up to the catch pen and was waiting for his turn to meet everyone. We released the "Pod" and let Bruce in, not far back in the herd was Cinnamon looking to come along with boyfriend Bruce. Dana's husband already had had his eye on Bruce and believing that as a rule, animals did not like him, he was very happy when Bruce had put his nose out as if to say hello. We made a point to let Dana know early on, that Bruce was an attached young man and would be heart broken if he ever had to leave his best girl behind. Dana absolutely understood and her daughter's did as well because they were looking for a competition horse and Cinnamon certainly fit that need. They spent lots of time together that day bonding with the two horses taken by their gentleness and beauty. A few days had passed and the family visited again. This time they were convinced that the horses were for them. So we worked out all the details for their adopting, both were going together and would be living in one of the nicest facilities that they could offer and working along side a wonderful trainer that they had been with for years.

Where you lead I will follow! Our babies are taught to load early on!

Tammy loves Cinnamon Girl, but she's off to her new home.

When the day arrived that Bruce and Cin were to leave, we knew it would be tears of joy for all of us who were going to have to say goodbye. No one was looking forward to it, and we could not imagine life without them. Our friend of the farm, Pat was just devastated, as she had secretly fallen, madly in love with "Brucie". It was very sad to watch her come early to the ranch that morning to spend some quiet time trying to say her goodbyes! Pat had taught Bruce a lot, and having to tell her that he was going to a new home, even if it was the happiest of stories, it did not make the thought of not being able to hug him everyday any easier. I myself had fallen in love with Cinnamon, I loved everything about her especially her amazing athletic ability and how she was the great granddaughter of Cutter Bill an important stallion that I was privileged to work with in my youth at a stud farm in Kentucky. I loved Cin so much that I imagined myself riding her in a cutting arena someday. But these are all dreams that I still allow myself to have with these amazing horses, even if they are just dreams, in my heart they are all so deserving and great and that they will be equally as special to someone else someday. So as I am sharing my feelings with poor Pat, suddenly the trailer drove down to the barn. We were all sobbing like it was the worst day of our lives.

I often try to explain these emotions of a horse rescue group, to the new owners and when they say that they understand, I believe that some really do. But I know deep in my heart that they will someday feel the same way we do about these special horses. I know that Dana understood because shortly after taking home Bruce and Cinnamon I received this letter: "Tammy, words can not express how blessed we are to have these two babies. We are so thankful for them. We tell everyone who inquires about them their story and give them your website info. Everyone at the ranch and even visitors are all smitten with them. I have been grateful everyday since Oct. 4th. I feel as if god has entrusted me with the care of two of the most beautiful horses inside and out. This has truly been a gift to my entire family. I want everyone I meet to know you and your story. You are truly the hope and new beginning for so many horses and families. Thank you so much for Bruce and Cinnamon. I know I keep saying it, but I am just so appreciative for these two guys. My favorite thing is when I pull in and get out of the car and start walking towards them. They start talking to me before I can even see them. When we clean their stalls they just follow us around like puppies and they are so curious about everything. Saturday I was cleaning out Cinnamon's stall and she laid down beside me and started rolling around then started taking a nap. I felt touched that she trusted me so much in her home. I am learning so much and everyday brings something new to learn about. As for the babies and their learning, they are always willing, patient and ready to do what we ask of them. I am sending you a picture of Cinnamon with my daughter Autumn. This was taken today while we were there. Cinnamon is getting to be a big gal herself! I hope you can conceive exactly how much YOU have touched our lives. There are people you interact with that you forget the moment you move on... You are one person I will remember until the day I die. With all my love and best wishes, Dana

Pat says, "Can I come with you?

Autumn and Cinnamon