The Rittwage Family from La Canada, CA, had just experienced a great loss in their family with the untimely passing of one of their beloved horses, an Arabian Mare, named Ty.
Kathy brought her daughter, Rachel, out to the farm one day, to see the little ones, not expecting to ever replace their mare, but to possibly offer a loving home to another. Rachel feel in love immediately with Tiara, a bay filly, who reminded her of Ty. Kathy had her eye on Wildflower from her photo on the website, a tri colored paint filly from the same Canadian Farm. The horses had just arrived, and Kathy wanted to talk with her trainer about the idea of getting a foal for Rachel. Kathy wanting it to be a big surprise, told Rachel that her trainer thought she would be better off with an older horse. Rachel was very disappointed when she was told that they would have to keep looking. In the meantime Kathy armed herself with the Clinton Anderson foal raising DVD's, deciding that adopting a baby or two, would be a very healing experience.
Christmas was coming and Kathy had decided to adopt Tiara for Rachel, along with Wildflower for herself. Plans were made to bring the fillies together in the barn so a red ribbon could be tied to their stall awaiting a very special visitor on Christmas Eve. The family brought Rachel to the ranch, under the impression that we would be exchanging Christmas presents. In a box from the farm she received a plush pony version of Tiara with a little tag that read, "My name is Tiara. I can't wait to be your very best friend, Thank you for adopting me!" Rachel was elated when she discovered that Tiara was hers. And for all of us, we have an unforgettable memory of the joy on a 10 year old's face as she receives the ultimate Christmas present - a horse of her own!.
. We thank Kathy for stopping by that afternoon, during their time of sorrow, and finding two horses that needed her love, as much as she needed to love another. We wish the very best for Kathy, Rachel, Wildflower and Tiara!
