A Modern Day Black Beauty
      "Coming Full Circle"



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                                       Jessie arrives at Mikki's June-17-2006
 

           
                                       Jessie 3 months later under Mikki's care


                    
                      Jessie & Mikki June 2007 back "Home" in Grante Falls, WA 
 

Jessie's story:
From March 1980 to 2008 Jessie has been through loving homes and homes of negelect, abuse and abandonment. He now lives a peaceful retirement at the home where the most joy of his life took place. And incredible story filled with love and determination of people who reached out to help Jessie come "Full Circle".  

Jessie Jaguar:
Born March 9th, 1980 Port Orchard Washington. Registered buckskin quarterhorse with white star on forehead.

The first eight years of his life he lived at the place of his birth.

1988:
Jessie was purchased by a couple for their daughter Jakey. Jakey and Jessie were in 4-H Pilchuck Valley Riders Club for two years in Granite Falls, WA, where Jackie Macomber was their 4-H leader. The Pilchuck Valley Riders 4-H Club has existed for approximately 50 years. Jessie and Jakey did very well in the 4-H competitions, going to shows and fairs on many a weekend, riding with friends at Jackie’s and just being pals. Jessie also had a 4-H horse buddy Peppy, whose owner was good friends with Jakey.

1990:
Jessie was diagnosed with navicular. His owners decided to donate Jessie to a therapeutic riding school located near Granite Falls. It was hard to let him go, and they truly thought he would be taken care of for the rest of his life. They were certain Jessie would have a place there forever and was told he would be turned out to pasture when he was no longer able to work at the center. His papers went with him and the transfer of ownership ended there or so they thought.

1990 to early 2006:
There is no record of where Jessie lived or with whom.

2006:
We now find out Jessie is in Royal City, hundreds of miles away from Granite Falls, with owners who where returning to Mexico to be with their family. Jessie would pass through two more homes because of people not being able to care him. The second person took one look at Jessie who was at the time was very thin and weak, and immediately transported him to Othello about 35 miles from Royal City. Jessie's papers were still with him after all these years. Once in Othello everyone was very concerned about Jessie and an effort was started to place him in a caring home or with Ritzville Pet Rescue to get him back to health. Ritzville Pet Rescue is a non profit organization that takes in and finds homes for animals in need. They have several volunteers, and though they don't usually work with horses, they have and will rehab horses should one come their way.

May 29th, 2006:
This was Jessie's lucky day. Jessie was released to Ritzville Pet Rescue and arrived at a volunteer's home in Washtucna where he would stay for the next three weeks. He was skin and bones, had lice, respiratory problems; the works. He still had his winter coat but had lost most of his hair on his hind quarters leaving him with bare skin. His registration papers where still with him.

Meanwhile a donation drive was started in Othello. Donation jars with Jessie's story and picture where placed at businesses throughout the city raising $317.00 for Jessie's care.

June 19th, 2006:
Jessie’s next stop would be with Mikki Kison. Mikki, an Equine Acupressure Practitioner/Instructor and member of Ritzville Pet Rescue, was contacted to see if she could foster Jessie. Mikki agreed and began preparing for Jessie’s arrival. He came with the name of Coco. Mikki looked at the papers and found out his registered name was Jessie Jaguar. She told Jessie, "You came into this world as Jessie, and you will go out of this world as Jessie". Mikki also told him, "It doesn't matter if you heal and leave here for another home or decide you can't go on any longer, I am here to help you".

Mikki, who lives in eastern Washington, was visiting with her friend Jackie Macomber, who lives in Granite Falls, WA, 300 miles away. She mentioned she was caring for Jessie and even though he was a rescue horse he still had his papers. Mikki was curious if Jackie had heard of his breeders. Jackie not only knew the breeders; but also knew the people who purchased Jessie in 1988. Their daughter Jakey was in her 4-H club 16 years ago. “Oh my gosh, I had Jessie in my 4-H club, I remember him” Jackie said. I’m going to call Jakey’s mother. They still live in the area and I can get more information about Jessie”.

Jackie and Jakey’s mother had a long talk about Jessie. They were both shocked at what had happened to him. With tears in their eyes and sadness in their hearts, they said “Jessie, needs to come home.” Jackie told the story to her current 4-H club members and they decided they wanted to help bring Jessie back as soon as he was able to travel. “This is just like Black Beauty” someone said during the meeting.

Word is now getting out about Jessie's story and people in Granite Falls have also been donating money for his care. The Pilchuck Valley Riders 4-H Club have cleaned stalls and done other fund raisers. They have donated over $350.00 towards Jessie’s care. Jakey’s parents generously gave $250.00 to have his teeth taken care of properly, which where in terrible shape.

Jackie has adopted Jessie and the Pilchuck Valley Rider’s 4-H Club will be responsible for his care and upkeep. The club members are looking forward to caring for Jessie. They are making plans and arrangements for Jessie's return home so he can be cared for the rest of his days, happy, loved, and respected for who he is, on Jackie’s farm with his buddy Peppy.

Jackie was concerned Peppy, Jessie’s old stable mate might not be around for Jessie’s homecoming as he too is 26 years old, and had a turn for the worst one night about 6 weeks before Jessie's scheduled arrival. Peppy is still trying to hang on. We all hope Peppy will be able to reunite with Jessie one more time before his transition.

At one point while Jessie was still living with Mikki he needed an emergency vet visit and a neighbor jumped into her pickup with trailer attached and transported Jessie to the vet. He was choking, and at that time he was still in such poor health, the vet was uncertain about his future. So was Mikki. His health being stage one on a scale from one to five. But Jessie’s future was up to him now, and Mikki was there to support whatever his decision would be.

Many people became aware of Jessie and several professionals donated supplements, medicines, consultations and time. Community members and friends have also donated time and resources for his care through homoeopathy, acupressure, flower essences and essential oils.

When I first communicated with Jessie he was still a little guarded and not sure about his future. He had been with Mikki for about 3 months at that time. I reassured him that he had come into a loop of people who would care for him for the rest of his life. Caring for his needs and making him a respected, honored member of their family. Jessie told me about his happy days and his very sad stories which brought tears to my eyes. He told me his happiest days where when he was in the 4H club. He so enjoyed going to riding events and shows with his human companion Jakey, so proud to be her riding companion. He basked in her attention and love that was showered upon him and loved to be involved with everything in their life together. He loved to feel wanted and needed. He was saddened when he was no longer with his friend Jakey, he missed her very much. But once he found out he would be taking care of handicap children at a therapeutic riding club, he once again felt needed and honored. The children loved him and he loved them. But then his whole life changed and he would go to home after home. He told me of people who rode him hard and pulled him around and didn’t show him respect, kindness or love. When he became so lame he could not be ridden anymore he was cast aside and forgotten about. Sometimes going days without food or water and no human or animal interaction and companionship. Jessie said he didn’t know why people treated him this way, as he always tried so hard to do what people asked of him, even when he was in extreme pain with his feet. Jessie said before he came to Ritzville animal rescue he was just waiting for death to take him or to be taken to that terrible place where so many of his kind go when they are no longer needed or wanted. I kept reassuring Jessie his life has taken a turn for the better and that he would once again be cared for and cherished by people who truly love him for who he is.

I scanned Jessie’s body and told Mikki of a weakness in his front left hoof, leg and shoulder. I asked Jessie if something had happened to that shoulder and he told me he had taken a very hard fall on it when some teenage boys where riding him very hard and fast and he was so tired, but they kept pushing him. I felt his skin itching and burning severely on that left shoulder and the base of his tail, and Mikki confirmed he had been rubbing the skin raw in those area’s and that when he came to Mikki he had a terrible skin infection which left some places with just bare skin. I told Mikki to keep verbally telling Jessie that he is loved and people from now on would always take care of him. He needed to hear these words again and again. I felt Jessie would welcome the use of some lavender oil and instructed Mikki to put a few drops in a small about of warm water and using a chamois gently rub the infected areas on Jessie body a couple of times a day. Making sure to rub him dry with a towel afterwards. Mikki told me she would hang the chamois in Jessie stall after the treatments and she saw him rubbing his nose in the chamois many times. We decided to start Jessie on the Anaflora flower essences “Return to Joy” and "Free and Easy For Horses", and within a very short period of time started to see a change in Jessie’s outlook. Mikki gives Jessie Reiki treatments along with acupressure, and I also send him Reiki. Mikki also being very well versed in homoeopathy and aroma oil therapy, made up a special shampoo to use on Jessie along with giving homoeopathy remedies. Jessie was in very good hands and Mikki made sure he was getting every holistic support therapy possible to support and heal him.

Jessie's 4-H horse buddy Peppy stayed in the area’s 4-H program with other owners. After his retirement he was moved back to Jackie’s farm where he is today.

Jessie is healing. It has been a slow process for Jessie; he has been through so much. Mikki didn’t know if he had the heart or will to make a comeback, but she was willing to give him a second chance. In the past Jessie only knew with every move his health and care got worse. Jessie has made the decision to go on here with us and he is now slowly gaining weight, recovering from the respiratory disorder, has had dental work done and his terrible skin infections are healing.

Jessie is showing an interest in life again. He is reaching out more and more each day to Mikki and the other horses on her property. Jessie has come a long way since his arrival at Mikki's. He is slowly starting to trust again. Acting more like a normal horse everyday instead of just standing there, withdrawn and waiting for death to take him home. Jesse is now realizing that people do love him and many people are caring for him near and far, taking into consideration his needs and wants. Jesse is now seeing a bright glimmer of hope. One he has so longed for over the many years.

November 2006:
The date to move Jessie was rescheduled twice and I could feel Jessie’s uneasiness each time. When the day finally came Jessie was more accepting and calm about the whole situation. We started Jessie on Anaflora “Relocation” flower essences a few days before each expected move. Mikki called a few days before his actual move, and the weakness in his left front hoof which I had picked up on my first scan of him, flared up. I told her I was not surprised, with all the work Mikki has been doing on Jessie with the detoxing, homoeopathy and herbs we knew his body has been going through layers of deep tissue clearing and cleansing.

Jessie’s big day finally arrives. It’s a long 5 hour drive and Jessie’s legs are wrapped for the trip. He is sharing the trailer with three other horses. One of them a mare named Liz who is 5 months pregnant.

After their arrival very late in the night in Grante Falls, everything seemed to be going well. Then Liz the expectant mare starts to have problems. Very early the next morning, the decision was made to take Liz to the equine hospital. Three o’clock AM I wake up with a gripping stomach pain and a sense of panic. I immediately contacted Jessie so see what was going on. He told me he was fine but one of the other horses where sick. I called Mikki later that day and she told me they had to take Liz to the hospital. She had coliced and the doctors gave her baby a 50% change of survival. They had to take Liz into surgery if she and baby had any chance to live.

Mikki stayed with Jessie for 4 days helping the others learn his routine, because Jessie loves routine, and to help him settle in to the place that was his home in his earlier years. Mikki helped Jessie with any fears and concerns, and letting him know she was there for him. He had a bout with diarrhea, but that cleared up in a few days. The day to say goodbye to Jessie finally arrives and Mikki of course finds it very hard to let go, but knows she needs to, as her part in helping Jessie come full circle is now coming to an end. Mikki will always be there for Jessie whenever Jackie needs her advice and suggestions about any health issues that might arise.

A week after Mikki’s departure I connected with Jessie to see how he is doing and he reports he is so happy. Like a little kid in a candy store, he wants to know and see everything that is going on all day and night. And should anyone forget and not let him out from his stall into the open pasture quickly enough to be with his buddies, he will let you know with his urgent nickering and running around his stall. He has to be in right in the middle of everything every minute. Quite the social butterfly he is. He is making up for lost time. His stall is right next to the house where he watches all the comings and goings even down the street into the neighborhood. He tells me Liz and her baby are doing fine now that she is back from her week stay at the equine hospital, and he thinks Liz is soooo pretty. He didn’t really get a chance to see her much upon their arrival. The vets commented on how impressed they where with Liz’s ability to know she needed to stay calm and quiet for the survival of her baby, as most horses fight and struggle when coming out of the effects of anesthesia. Jessie communicated to me that he would take care of and watch out for Liz and her yet unborn baby. whom he loves very much.

This is a story of hope, love, care and respect for an animal whose species has such a sad history throughout the ages. A species that has been literally used and abused and destroyed when they are no longer needed or can no longer function the way the humans want or need. Never once taking into consideration the needs and wants of the animal.

This is also a story of our responsibility to the animals that come into our lives. Especially the ones we sell, donate, give away or abandon. Jessie's story is a very unusual one indeed; for most in his situation would simply be destroyed or taken to slaughter for food.

There have been people throughout history who have cared for and loved these magnificent animals. And now in this modern age there are a growing number of concerned people who are paving the way for a better life for our equine friends, more so then in any other time in history.

Whenever we reach out of our comfort zone to care for another living being, we are in turn benefiting the species as a whole. For they all feel the love, care and respect as a collected consciousness, giving each one hope and courage for yet another day.

Jessie is still growing stronger, confident and happy with each passing day. He now realizes he is loved and cared for. And though he has given his heart so many times in his 26 years of life and in return been hurt, neglected, abused and abandoned by the ones he thought loved him, you wouldn’t know it to see him. His zest for life is seen in the glimmer in his eyes and his enthusiasm. It is so important that the people now in his life make a point to let Jessie know he loved and needed. And that is exactly what these very special people in Jessie’s life are doing.

Once again the animals in our lives teach us about unconditional love, trust and forgiveness. If we let them, they open our hearts, minds and souls in wonderful ways. With all Jessie has gone through, he is still willing to trust, love and forgive. How many of us can say we could or would do the same? And now the people who loved Jessie before will be able to have him in their life’s once again to love, cherish, care for and respect; this time forever, for the rest of his life. This incredible story is now "Coming Full Circle". Jessie has become a legend in eastern Washington and with the folks and kids in the Granite Falls area.

Unfortunately Peppy made his transition before Jessie could get back to Granite Falls, but Jessie was greeted by many human friends old and new when he finally arrived back "Home".

Jan 2007:
The latest report on Jessie is that he is being prepared for a show in a Jr. 4-H halter class, and they tell me he still remembers how to square up! Jessie tells me he is thrilled to be back with the people who have always loved him. And he is so happy to be going to shows and feeling special once again. Jessie has a girlfriend named “Rita” whom he loves with all his heart. They have become inseparable. Mikki was able to visit with Jessie in June 2007. And it was a wonderful reunion. 

October 2009:
Jessie is still with us and has two new girlfriends who fight over who's going to share the closest time with him in his pasture. Jessie is still strong and happy in his forever home.