Bubbles the horse was old. More than anything, he wanted to live out his days in a calm pasture, nibbling some grass and taking in sunshine.
Sadly, that almost wasn't the case. The senior horse, whose ears had been lost to frostbite, found himself in a "kill lot" where unwanted horses and donkeys were rounded up for slaughter. They had one last chance to get out alive.
Luckily, Bubbles' chance came in the shape of volunteers from Becky's Hope Horse Rescue, a Texas-based organization that adopts, rehabilitates, and finds homes for neglected and abandoned horses.
There are a lot of horses that end up abandoned, although many people are working to rescue and place them in the caring homes they need.
The folks from Becky's Hope weren't planning on rescuing Bubbles, as they were in the kill lot to collect nine mini donkeys for rescue. But Bubbles wasn't discouraged. He simply tagged along after the donkeys, patiently waiting his turn to board the trailer.
"This skinny gray gelding walked straight up to our trailer, past the gates, disregarding the commands of the kill lot employees," Becky's Hope posted on Facebook. "He was intent that this was his ride out of there. We stood there staring as this old guy with crumbled ears from frostbite waited patiently for the group of mini donkeys to catch up so he could jump on the 'freedom trailer' out of there. There was just no way we could leave him behind!"
And leave him behind they did not. They let him into the trailer, closed the doors behind him, and took him to his new forever home.
[H/T: The Dodo]
The folks at Becky's Hope Horse Rescue weren't planning on saving Bubbles from the kill lot in Mexico.
They were there to save some donkeys, but Bubbles tagged along.
His determination, as well as his frostbitten ears and gentle demeanor, won the rescuers over, and they made room for him in the trailer.
Bubbles, who was named by the rescue, settled right in at his new home in Frisco, Texas, where he was warmly greeted by everyone.
No one really knows Bubbles' history, where he comes from, or how it was he was left in the cold at the cost of his ears.
But what's important now is that he has a safe home where he's loved and given lots of treats.
He'll never go without food or water again.
And he'll never be short on love and affection, either.
While Bubbles was making new friends, his story made the rounds on the internet, capturing people's hearts all over the world. And they wanted to help.
Soon, Becky's Hope started getting mail and packages, all for Bubbles.
And they kept on coming.
"We did post an Amazon wish list," sayid volunteer Missy Smith. "People love Bubbles and they responded. We rarely get this many donations at once. Some of the envelopes were addressed to him. How cute is that?"
Bubbles, as well as the human volunteers, are eternally grateful for the kindness others have shown them.
"We are an all-volunteer organization and have always been funded exclusively through donations," said Gina, another volunteer. "We have many kill pen and auction intercepted horses and donkeys here, and these kind donations benefit all of them."
Bubbles is also happy to share his gifts with the other animals at Becky's Hope.
And he's always ready to make new friends, like Toga the goat.
Bubbles took to life at Becky's Hope immediately, and everyone who meets him loves him.
"Bubbles really is as sweet and smart as we say he is," Missy Smith said. "He's a gentle, wise old soul."
"He will never have to wonder if he is loved, if he will have food or water because now, he has a safe haven," according to Bubbles' Facebook page. "He has a place to call home and we are so thrilled he chose us."
The folks at Becky's Hope would also like to encourage people all over the world to adopt and rescue senior horses, to let them live out their lives in safety and comfort. You can help the horses and donkeys by donating, and you can also follow along on their Facebook page. Bubbles has his own Facebook, too!
And if you believe all animals should get to spend their old age with care, comfort, and love, SHARE Bubbles' story!
