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By Anthony Marasia from LOVE THE ANIMALS Sanctuary
There are moments of great inspiration in this work, and yesterday such a moment came to us from a kind and caring little boy named Aspen. The other day when I was online, I happened to look out the window and saw hooves in the street around the corner. I went to see who’s hooves these were, i thought perhaps a cow had escaped the pasture above town and decided to hit the streets of Honomu.
What I saw was a little baby holstein in the yard of neighbors. I asked what the bull was doing there, it is not something you see everyday. We havent had a baby holstein in Honomu Town since my friend Pono. I was told that the baby bull came from the rodeo that took place over the weekend. My neighbors grandson Aspen had won the bull in a rodeo roping competition for kids called the Rodeo Scramble. Thats Aspen in photo below, walking away with a big smile after winning a friend. I am not sure if he realized at the time he was saving this little bulls life. If someone else won him, he would almost for sure of become hamburger.
It didnt surprise me that Aspen was the winner, he loves animals, and was focused to win him, destined maybe. Of course I asked right away if they needed a place for the bull, I would welcome him to the family. I was told he had a pasture to go to. Knowing what that means and where the pastures usually lead, i walked away, thinking I would talk to Aspen when i saw him about the bulls fate. Turns out I didnt have to speak to him at all, his own heart spoke to him, with love.
Aspen lives in the same town I do. Our friend who rehabilitate birds, including the chicks for us, once told me Aspen is her best little bird rescuer. When I had the lovable animals of Love The Animals in town, Aspen was around asking deep questions about animals and animal care, and always wondering who i had in the carriers I bring in as welcomes or would be taking someone to the vet in. Although always busy, I would be sure to stop and answer him, his compassion for animals is evident.
The next day, and what a day it was. With fundraising being less than needed, I had to hit the panic button again. I really worry that this work is not going to be funded and not be able to go on, now that we no longer have access to quick and easy donations via paypal. I decided I would stay focused and keep asking. When I came home, a donation was in saving us our fund from being broke, and I heard that Aspens grandfather was looking for me. I thought perhaps something was wrong with the bull. But when I went to see, I learned that the grandparents let their compassionate grandson decide where the baby bull was going to go. And Aspen, My HERO!, who named the bull Scramble..decided he wanted the bull to come with me, and not be killed or eaten, instead of being put out to pasture. I was so happy, and impressed that without even having to talk with him, he knew…he knew what was best. Love and Life is best! And I knew he loved the bull, hard not to love a baby holstein.
I thanked Aspen, who smiled, and Grandma & Grandpa and I loaded Scramble into the truck and off we went to the Sanctuary to meet Makana, who was ready for a friend. Makana and Scrambles rubbed noses, and ran off kicking, happy to meet each other. I am happy to have a system in place to be of help when the animals need help. Scrambles vet appointment for vaccinations and nueter is scheduled in three weeks.
The heart beat to this story, as if it is not inspiring enough. When I came home and told my friends that I had the bull, they smiled and asked how much did you pay for him? I said nothing, he gave him to me. Surprised, they said, thats funny…someone offered him $200. I was surprised but not surprised, that someone probably didnt want a holstein friend, his life would of ended too soon. Aspen rejected the money and gave the bull his life. Sometimes, at difficult time, it is moments like this, and people like Aspen who make me moooove forward with this work, knowing we must be here for them.
Scramble himself had to really scramble for his life. First he was born at the dairy, and we all know how that goes, baby boys are unwanted and taken from their mothers as fast as possible to become meat. Then he ends up being a prize at a Rodeo. If not won by Aspen, he would of been a practive roping bull and or ended up at the slaughterhouse. Even in the end, an offer came to take him that would of ended him up at the slaughterhouse eventually, but…since our Little Hero With A BIG Heart was there for him, won him, brought him home, and gave him to Love The Animals Sacntuary …. Scrambles life changed, forever. Now he will be loved by people all over the world, and so will our Hero, Aspen.
Special Thanks to Aspen for choosing Life, and his Grandparents for letting him make the decision. Beautiful!
Better photos of Scamble and Makana soon, I have to run. Pig to vet today!
Six Easy Ways to Donate
Please Consider making a donation, any amount really helps, thank you! Contact us if you have any questions at lovetheanimals10@aol.com
1. Donations in the mail: Cash, Checks, Money Orders and International Money Orders *international checks too*, can be sent to Anthony Marasia/Love The Animals, PO Box 381, Honomu, HI 96728. Please makes checks/money orders out to Anthony Marasia and enclose the donation in a card or folded paper for protection.
2. Western Union: Western Union is having a special, send up to $50 for only $5 service fee. To find a location near you visit http://www.westernunion.com/ Please be sure to get the reference number and send it to us so we know there is money waiting for us. Send Western Union donations to Anthony Marasia in Hilo Hawaii. Email info to lovetheanimals10@aol.com
3. Call Our Vet: Call our Vets Today & Charge A Donation To the Love The Animals Account: Now YOU can help the lovable animals by making a donation directly to our account at East Hawaii Vet Center! To give a little love, just call our vet’s office at 808 959 CARE, thats 808 959 2273 Tell them you would like to charge a payment to Tony Marasia’s Love The Animals account. They take all kinds of credit cards! Any amount will really help. This can be done from the comfort of your own home and it will REALLY HELP !
East Hawaii Vet is open from 8 am – 5 pm Hawaii Time, which is 2 pm – 11 pm Eastern Standard Time
http://www.easthawaiivet.com/
4. Visa Gift Cards: Visa Gift Cards are available at places like Walmart, Chevron, Foodland, Blockbuster, Safeway, and many more locations, click the link below for a complete listing and stores near you. We can use the gift cards for feed and needs, and gas. Gift cards can be sent to: Anthony Marasia/Love The Animals Po Box 381 Honomu Hi 96728
http://usa.visa.com/locators/gift-card-locations.jsp
5. Pennies From Heaven Campaign: Step 1. Start collecting and saving your pennies (and/or loose change) for the lovable animals of love the animals. Ask friends and family to as well. Step 2: Roll them and take to bank for cash, or go to coinstar machine. Step 3. Mail Donation to Love The Animals. Anthony Marasia/Love The Animals Po Box 381 Honomu Hi 96728
6. Home Depot E Gift Card: So we can buy needs such as fencing materials directly, also i just saw they had a picnic table for $120, Oli and Kea had one before for a while at their other home and they liked it. It is a great idea for goats, they can climb on it a few levels and sit under it for shade. Plus we have been buying the cement mixing pans at home depot, for hay holders water troughs pig pool. The same size containers at the feed store would be $15-$30 at home depot just $6 – $12. Plus buckets for carrying food or water, we just bought a 100 foot hose, and need another, and we need storage for feed and hay. Here is the link to the Home Depot e gift card form: https://homedepot.cashstar.com/gift-card/buy/?ref=TH..D1&cm_sp=1c02838b-899c-4dd..4-8b5f-8d3f4ab1ba78
For Home Depot Gift Cards: Email is lovetheanimals10@aol.com and the recipient name is Anthony Marasia, thanks.
If you are able to help us in any of the above ways, thank you so very much!! Please comment this note or email us at LovetheAnimals10@aol.com if you send a home depot e gift card or western union, so we know they are there and can be sure they went through. Thank you.
Thank you for all you do for the animals. Please make a donation today, thanks.
