The Wheels of Progress Turn Slowly

(Damian Writing)


It's been a while since we've posted, so I just wanted to give a quick update.  While there hasn't been any visible evidence or progress, Stephanie and I have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to get the ATOL ball rolling.  As previously mentioned, we went to the draft horse auction on Friday, October 15th - and although we didn't rescue any horses there, the experience was worth it.


Since then, Steph has been busy working on the barn and otherwise preparing to take in some rescues at her place, and has submitted articles to a few online/print publications to help get the word out.  One of them, Moo Dog Press, has agreed to publish!  Stay tuned to www.moodogpress.com to see it.


I've been pounding the pavement around here (Southeastern PA) and online to try and spread the word.  And we're working on a layout for our full-blown website, which is taking entirely too long but will be up within the next few weeks.


Steph is planning on going back to the auction this coming Friday, so let's keep spreading the word!  We need all the help we can get!


That's all for now - we'll keep you updated as we continue with the progress!

The Auction

(Damian Writing)

So the auction was very surreal.  Puppy (that's what I call Stephanie) got there and registered early on Friday, then came to meet us at the hotel.  It was a miserable, rainy day but that didn't dampen our spirits.  We all went over to the auction house and took a peek at the horses.  While some of them were in pretty bad shape, it wasn't really as bad as I had expected.  We went out and sat through part of the tack auction.  Puppy was so excited to place her first bid ("Oh my god!  I just placed a bid!"), even though she was soon outbid.  Eventually she got an english saddle for $5.00 and a halter.  Then came the horse auction.  At 1:00 it was supposed to be draft horses, and for the most part it was but there were also some other horses too.  We bid on a pair of shire colts but were outbid.  The bad news is that we walked away empty-handed, but the good news is that it seemed the people who got the horses were genuinely interested in keeping them and taking care of them.  After the horse auction there was more tack, and Steph got a couple bags of tack and a western saddle for her Aunt Sue's horse, Sophia.  The saddle was a steal at only $20.00!

After the auction we went to the hotel to check in, and then went to Puppy's house.  Although it was rainy and dreary, we went out to meet the horses.  They are all so sweet, especially Ajax!  We hung out at the house for a while, and then Amy and I went back to Sidney to grab a bite to eat and get settled in at the hotel.

Today (well, yesterday now since it's after midnight as I write this) we got up and went to visit Steph and the horses again.  The weather was much nicer than Friday, so we got to spend a lot of time with them.  We took Ajax up and worked him in the round pen, and then Puppy asked me if I wanted to ride him.  I was so excited and maybe just a little nervous.  Aside from breaking a plastic patio chair trying to mount, it went pretty well.  Ajax was so gentle and easy-going.  It really made my day.  This weekend really made me appreciate what motivated Steph to start A Ton of Love, and I'm so happy to be involved!

Anyway, I'm pretty much exhausted and I know I'm rambling, so I'll stop now.  G'night.

You Don't Hear the Word "No" Very Often...

Dr. Ben Sobel: You don't hear the word "no" a lot, do you?
Boss Paul Vitti: Well, I hear it all the time, only it's more like "no, please, no!" 

 (Stephanie writing)

It's 3:30 in the morning. I am laying in bed thinking about pulling some horses out of the kill pen. I get up. Flick through some channels to find that "Analyze This" is on AMC!

Those of you who know me -- particularly Nadine and Michael Joy -- know that in my life (especially in the past few years) I have a lot of drive. I am resourceful and intelligent. In a word, I don't hear the word 'No' very well. John (my husband) can attest to that. For example, he only wanted one cat. (We have four.) I fell in love with a Clydesdale gelding that lived in Canada. He now resides in my pasture. I am putting together all this from dust in the wind.

Getting Ready

(Damian writing)


Amy and I are almost ready for our trip.  I for one am really excited to be able to make a difference - and help out a really good friend.  Thanks to all my friends for supporting me and A Ton of Love.  It really means a lot to me and Stephanie.  Tomorrow will be a hard day, but I know that it will be worth it in the end.  I'm so excited for a multitude of reasons, and can't wait for tomorrow!

The Day Before The Auction

October 14th, 2010 - 10:03pm

(Stephanie Writing)

I am getting ready to go to bed. The eve of the auction has finally arrived! We've prepared as much as one could possibly prepare for something like this. Damian and Amy are coming up in the morning. John and I are going over at 9am to get registered and look around a bit. It's supposed to rain all day. I guess that is only appropriate!