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Destiny calls us to use the time we have to do what is best…to make

the most of what we’ve been blessed with. We at Red Bucket are

thankful that good fortune smiled on us in the form of a sweet and

beautiful Paint filly named Keely…

Little Keely was found and rescued along with her frightened

mother, two other terrified and mistreated mares, and their

malnourished foals at a slaughter auction. Though Red Bucket

was filled to the brim and actually overflowing at the time,

turning our backs and saying “no” was just not an option.

Immediately the call went out to start raising funds for this rescue

operation. Through a Facebook campaign we were able to raise

enough to bring these badly abused mares and foals to their safe

sanctuary here at Red Bucket.

One mare arrived with an injured face, and Keely’s mom, who also

had suffered from a head trauma injury, tragically died before

getting to the Ranch. Orphaned, alone, physically and

emotionally compromised along with being severely bitten, little

Keely’s life at only one week of age was filled with pain, sorrow

and loss. She arrived at Red Bucket depressed and unwilling to

take to either the bottle or bucket, forcing Red Bucket to put on

their thinking caps in order to create innovative ways to help her.

We spent several sleepless nights making sure that Keely would

survive by diligently checking on her around the clock during

those fragile first few weeks without her mother.

Because Keely would not suckle, she was fed “Mare Match” pellets

in hand-held buckets by the loving and patient Red Bucket

volunteers. Volunteer Michelle Mendez remembers how Keely’s

sad eyes and lethargic attitude began to change as she was

nurtured along with love. “Keely has come a long way,” says

Michelle. “Her attitude has become one of trust and security…she

has gained tremendous confidence!” Michelle was one of the first

volunteers to spend timeless hours with Keely. She gained

confidence and trust in those first few days. “She is curious about

everybody now,” says Michelle. “Keely is no longer the untrusting

or anxious foal we rescued just a few short weeks ago!”

Another dedicated volunteer, Sandy Brimer, saw Keely three

times a week…helping out with the 5-times-a-day feedings.

Sandy says, “Keely is a good eater now and has a playful and

great spirit about her! She also began to trust people again and

everyone at the Red Bucket loves her.”

Social and emotional skills are an important part of the equine

world. Keely has received fulfillment in this area by the sweet

companionship of a mini filly named Confeddy. She has shown

Keely gentle warmth and tender kindness. It seems that this

friendship has lifted the cloud of depression hovering over Keely

at the onset of her first days. These two fast friends can be seen

daily romping and playing happily during their turnout time, or

resting peacefully next to each other under the big shade trees in

the back paddock.

Little Keely still has a long way to go. Volunteer Asia Arellano

sums it up this way, “She has come so far…her acceptance of a

human touch and the nurturing it has brought to her…has helped

to bring Little Keely’s sparkling spirit back to life.” It is because

of the love and dedication of so many volunteers like Asia, Sandy

and Michelle that has helped to bring beautiful Keely back from

the precipice, to a beautiful place of healing and strength. Truly

destiny has called to us at Red Bucket to be the example of what

can be done with our hearts, minds and creativity for these

magnificent equine lives. Each and every one of them is

important and we have been blessed to be a part of this

magnificent filly’s incredible life journey and to enjoy every

moment we have the privilege to spend with her. Destiny has

shown us a path we were meant to walk together in beauty.

Written by: Johanna Downs