Rescues – Gamba Family Farm & Sanctuary

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King Arthur

Arthur was our very first rescue.

There was just something about him that spoke right to my soul. I also knew because of his large size meat buyers would be very interested in him and he was in a very high risk situation. He was only 13, with many years left to live and after serving an Amish family as a workhorse he was sent to an auction and purchased by a kill buyer. We were able to purchase him for the amount his meat would bring. When I first laid eyes on him getting off the trailer I was so in awe of his size and kind eyes I just broke down and cried. We named him King Arthur to honor my brother Arthur, who was killed in an accident at the age of 23.

The picture of his first bath symbolizes the transition from his old life to the start of his new life knowing only love.

Lambchop & Lilly

I found these two 7 week old lambs at a livestock sale on Palm Sunday where they were to be auctioned off to be slaughtered for Easter. Because of the high risk situation for these babies I held up my card until everyone in the room gave up and they now live without fear of ever being on anyone’s dinner plate on our farm. We call them Lambchop & Lilly.

Martin

Marty was once a cattle sorting horse who was worked hard every day until his leg was torn on barbed wire. He was never given medical attention, never healed properly and was sent to slaughter where we found him. We bailed him out for what he was being sold for meat. He was lifeless, injured, emaciated, and sad. A year later he is healthy, he actually gained over 300 lbs, and he is the sweetest boy. I call him my protector because he always stands between me and other humans….

Mario

Donkeys are at high risk for their hides, so when I saw this boy in a kill pen quick action was necessary. Rescued and named Mario, we knew by the extreme fear he had with our every move he had been abused. He actually escaped the first few hours after he arrived. His fear was so real. But I loved him so much already, Many hours were spent with him just talking softly. Hours turned into days, weeks and months and we won him over. He is the star of our farm and everyone who meets him understands why. There is still so much work to do, as his idea of a bath is me chasing him in circles with the hose! But oh how he loves his nightly brushing, treats and tons of hugs.

Norma Jean

Norma was our 3rd rescue. We wanted to start slow, but our daughter in law woke up in a sweat over this horse. She called every one of her friends and within 5 hours enough was raised to bail and pay for her quarantine. It was Dennis’s birthday and he was worried we were starting too quickly so he made me promise only 2 to start. Using his birthday to our advantage, we said happy birthday Dennis, we got another horse at serious risk and we named her Norma, after your mom. What could he say? Norma is a sweet 19 year old mare who loves to be brushed and she lives up to her name. We adore her and she’s such a good girl. When horses go to these auctions their past is unknown, we can’t imagine how this sweet girl ended up in a place like that. She was very afraid when we got her, but she quickly settled in and lost all her fear as you can tell by her eyes in her before and after pictures.

Sophia

Because of the great love affair with our only donkey Mario, the decision was made to get another donkey so he could be part of a family. Although he was accepted by the horses he was always in a corner by himself. I knew that he would benefit from being part of his own herd or in the donkey world a drove. It didn’t take long to find the one eventually to be named Sophia, in an auction purchased by a kill buyer to be shipped to slaughter. She looked to be in rough shape and I was a bit hesitant, afraid she might be ill. But oh those eyes, so I pulled her and off to quarantine she went. Most likely by the look of her she was in a field eating grass, not the best nutrition for a donkey. She had severe lice, lots of bald spots and was fat and bony at the same time. To keep her from infecting the rest of our farm she stayed in quarantine an extra month for treatment. Meanwhile, every day I was sent pictures of her progress, and I talked to Mario often letting him know she was coming. We prepared and built another barn, and worked tirelessly to get everything for her arrival. I cannot express how I felt the day she got off the trailer and saw the condition she was in. Sophia was worth every minute and all the preparations. She was trusting, kind, and well behaved. She seemed to sense she was going to be loved and even more than that, forever safe. Little did we know she had a secret, one that she hid so well during her time at “the scary place.”

We let her settle in for a day, bathed her, then it was off to meet Mario. The second day after they met they became inseparable. They were never inches away from each other, and insisted on being in the same stall. He moved, she moved, they ate from the same pile of hay, shared treats, and the same water bucket. A strong bond was formed overnight, and so was the newly formed family of Mario and Sophia. We thought our hearts would burst at how complete they made each other. Boy, were we going to be surprised at what would happen next.

Enza

Story coming soon….