Rainbow, horse #346342

Have you ever experienced a loss so devastating, you thought you would never heal, that the tears would never stop?

If so, I’m so sorry.

But I hope that you, too, have experienced a joy so great that you thought that you would burst with pride. That this feeling can comfort you in times of darkness.

For this is the story of Rainbow.

He grew up with the tale - his mother had lost her foal and then she had found him, his mother dead, and she saved him, her Rainbow. That burst of color that swept through the darkness. For he, too, saved her, bringing light to her days again.

It all happened several years ago. Serenity had lost her foal, and had fled from her herd who didn’t understand the depth of her sorrow. She lost track of the time, how long she flew. But she saw a small glade below with the gleam of colors that could only be another pegasus herd, and she landed, needing the safety that only a herd could provide. 

To her surprise, the mood in the glade was subdued, quiet. The herd was gathered, watching - something. She couldn’t see. The herd leader turned a head towards her, and seeing she was no threat, made space for her in the circle. There, curled up and unmoving, was a tiny foal. Memories came flooding back, and that feeling of utter loss reared up stronger.

“His mother died.”

“No one in the herd has milk for him.”

The words did not register, caught up as she was in her own sense of loss. The poor colt, alone in the world.

“My foal died five days ago. I-”

Her head flew up in surprise, as without another word, she found herself pushed forward by the herd, until she was beside the weakened baby. Small nudges helped him to stand, and he began to suckle. 

A sign of relief went through the herd. They had lost a friend, a sister, a daughter, but her colt did not need to die that day as well. 

The connection between them was instant, an electric spark. “He is my Rainbow,” she nuzzled him, one wing protectively curling over him, protecting him. And indeed he was, a multitude of colors swirled across his coat. His small tail swished as he nursed, and she relaxed for the first time in months. She had her Rainbow, her pride and joy, and her world felt balanced again. 

Nothing would take the place of what she had lost, but this small piece helped in a way that nothing else could have. Her son, her love. He would blow everyone away one day. 

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. But always remember: you are not alone. But after a storm comes a rainbow. 

“Rainbows remind us that even after the darkest clouds, and the fiercest winds, there is still beauty.” — Katrina Mayer

This is the story of Rainbow’s beginning. Now, the possibilities are endless.

________________________________

In real life, Jaya had a miscarriage in July 2019, and you helped me grieve for that loss during the Mascot contest 2020.

This year, join me in celebrating my rainbow baby, born February 11, 2021.

Chubby #132736

This Saint Bernard line is dedicated to my great grandmother ("Nana") who passed away in 2015 at 96 years old. She was very special in my life. I was her "#1" because I came at a time when she needed something good. Her first husband had just passed away recently before my birth and my aunt (my mother's twin sister) had just been diagnosed with cat scratch fever and been institutionalized for the first time, where she would remain for the next 30ish years. My Nana raised my mother and her sister (her granddaughters) from infancy because their mother (her daughter-in-law) didn't want them.

My Nana gave me the Beethoveen and Beethoveen's 2nd movies on VHS (yes they still work and I still watch them!). So I decided to breed Saint Bernards, name them after the characters in these movies, and dedicate the whole line to Nana.

As for Chubby's story...

It's based off of mine and my Nana's true story explained above.

In a small town in Louisiana called Columbia Heights, there was a run-down deserted-looking piece of farmland. On that run-down deserted-looking piece of farmland, there was a run-down little old house. And inside that run-down little old house, there lived the sweet loving Newton family. Any time there was a member of Columbia heights that needed help in any way, the Newtons were always there (even at the expense of their own home). There hasn't been any animals on the Newton farm in years other than a pregnant Saint Bernard female, Dolly. The roof of the little old house needs reshingling. The walls need repainting (inside and out). And it's under foreclosure. The land has been sold off bit by bit for months to keep the family's home going just a little longer. All that's left is the land that the little old house is actually sitting on. But inside, Dolly is preparing to give birth. It was a difficult birth. Dolly didn't survive the birthing process. And all but one puppy was stillborn. His name was Chubby. The Newtons loved this puppy as much as they loved Dolly. Chubby's father was the Saint Bernard in the house next door, Tchaikovsky. Chubby loved the Newton family and farm life so much. He wanted to help them as much as they help everyone else in Columbia Heights. So he entered himself into the 2021 Mascot Contest.

MASCOT NAME: CHOCO
MASCOT ID: 133167
LINK: https://horsephenomena.com/dogs.php?id=133167
CATEGORY: DOG, NO TIX/SHOWS

As if born from a cliché story, we must begin with a dark and stormy night.

For it WAS terrifyingly dark, and the storm was intense – but not in the way one might think.  The sky was not filled with the crackle of lightning, nor the boom of thunder. Instead, the driving snow came down thick and wet, and the sound was of the angry wind howling through the trees, sweeping the flakes on snow this way and that way.  The blizzard was as if straight from the mountains – thick snow dampening the light from houses and vehicles, and ice building up fast in the sub-zero temperatures.  And while the sky was exceedingly dark, it was sometime in the mid-afternoon as the storm blocked the very sun from the sky.

However, this was the North, and such things do not terrify Northerners.

So it was, bundled in their ski pants and boots, their toques and their mittens, with huge fluffy winter coats atop it all, and backpacks full of enough homework to last the storm, Adeina and Neke stumbled off the bus – squinting through the storm towards the small farm-house in which they lived.  Against the storm they looked tiny, these just-turned-nine-year-old girls, but they were loud and they were boisterous, and storm or not, it was time for winter vacation!  That meant time with the horses, and snowmen, and a snow fort to protect against their brothers, and the coming WAR ON BOYS (except for their daddy, he was always allowed to help them in snowball fights; he ALWAYS took their side).

The girls were excited, chattering about vacation – Adeina bemoaning how much homework she had while Neke barely had any (“Because you’re a goody two-shoes who does extra homework before vacation like a WIERDO.” “Am not!” “ARE TOO!”).  It was then, while Neke was pouting, lagging behind her sister who had jogged towards the house, that she heard it: a weird whining sound.

Now Neke knew better that to investigate by herself – she’d lived out in the country long enough to know that just because it sounded like a kitty, didn’t mean it was harmless – Cougars were scary as heck.  She also knew not to wander into the trees in a storm by herself, because you could get lost, you could stumble and break a leg, what if there was a moose (her mothers voice rang in her ears).  But the whining came again, and any remnant of her mothers ranting about safety was plum forgotten as she shouted for her sister.  The storm swallowed her shouting, as the bush beside their driveway swallowed her small body, and Adeina looked back at the swirling snow to see nothing but snow, and driveway, and the dark.

So, like any reasonable kid would do, she screamed bloody murder for her Nana, and ran into the house.

---x---

Despite what Adeina was screaming at her Nana, Neke had not been “eaten by the storm”.  She was gingerly picking through the trees, listening to the howl of the wind and trying to hear another whining sound.  It was hard to hear where the sound was coming from – it sounded all over, and then was gone, and then it was back again.

But she remembered that there was a fox scrape – maybe it was an abandoned fox baby? – in these trees, and she picked her way that way.  Except she didn’t get more than ten trudging steps in the snow before she saw a box, and hear another whine.  Why was a box whining? She thought to herself, as she scrambled to open the box, ripping her mittens off to pull the frozen tape off.

It was dark, and it was snowy and wet and cold, and her hands were numbed almost instantly.  Plus, she lost her mittens, which her grandma had made her, and she would be sad about that on most days.  Except today – today she didn’t give one care to her cold hands, or her cold knees on the ground, or the snow freezing her curls, or her nose frozen and cold.  Because in that dark, wet, cold box was a puppy.

Now, Neke had never EVER had a puppy.  Her parents had, once, but then her older brother had come along, and he was allergic to everything, and so they had no dogs or cats, and if they touched hay or horses or ANYTHING they had to strip naked in the porch and run to the shower to wash and put on clean clothes.  (Sometimes though, she touched his stuff with horse on her hands, because watching his sneeze was funny, and she hated her brother a little bit, but she loved him too so she felt bad about it sometimes).

So part of her knew finding a puppy in a storm wasn’t a good thing, it was one of the BAD THINGS adults talk about when they didn’t think little ears were listening.  Like when that really fat kitty showed up, and then she had a bunch of kittens, and they had barn cats now.

A small part of her was hopeful, though, because her dad never turned away hurt animals, and the puppy was whining and cold, and there was no way he’d turn the little thing away, right?  So, like any kid would do, so picked up the whining, shivering bundle and stuck it right inside her coat and ski pants against her belly, and started back towards the driveway.  It was too long though, and she didn’t know where she was – the snow made it dark and scary in the trees.  But then, when her hands were ice and her eyes were frozen in scared tears – she saw it.  A light!  She moved towards where a flashlight and her Nan’s voice could be heard shouting: “NEKE LOREN GET YOUR BUTT BACK HERE OR I SWEAR!?” And quieter, her sister shouting her name, too.

Her Nan was scary when worried, and how the lady found her ear to twist through her toque and hair Neke had no idea, and the shouting kept upright until they got inside.  Then Adeina was right in her face, too, and she’d been crying (you could tell, because even though she wasn’t a redhead like Neke, her face went all blotchy when she cried just like Neke).  Neke didn’t understand the big deal – she was fine, just a big cold – until her gran grabbed her hands and started rubbing snow on them.  They didn’t feel like anything, until they started to burn and hurt and she whimpered and cried and hiccupped and tried to explain.

“But Nanny, I heard-“

“You’ll be lucky if you don’t get frostbite and lose a finger.  Poppa lost his finger remember?  Do you want to lose one?”

“But there was a-“

“I can’t believe you wandered off from your sister, she’s the troublemaker-“

“Am not!”

“But I found a-“

“Hold still child or so help me I will tell your father and he will tan your butt which his belt.”

Now Neke did not often get angry.  She was more of a sulky child.  Her sulks were legendary.  But when she did lose her temper, well she was fire.  She was LOUD.  She screamed!

“BUT THERE WAS A PUPPY IN THE SNOW!”

Her grandmother went dead silent, and her sister had wide eyes like dinner plates.  So she undid her coat, and there the puppy was, shaking and cold, big brown eyes blinking sleepily, and even it’s toes shaking with cold.

“…that’s…a…puppy.” Adeina whispered, eyes wide and curious.

Her grandmother seemed shocked, and then took the towel she had been drying Neke with, and wrapped it up tight, “Girls, call the vet.  Oh it’s so cold…”

Adeina rushed to the phone to dial the number on the board on the fridge (Neke’s cold hands were trying to get her boots off, but they didn’t want to work right).  There were noises in the kitchen and then Nanny was talking quietly, and nodding, and rubbing the towel-lump to warm it.

“Yes, we have that.  Yes, I can – Monday?  Yes I can bring it in then, if it-  Yes, I know it’s not likely to- Yes, I have your home number, I will call if- yes Barry, I’m sure it’s been dumped- yes, I know.  No, Neke found it.  Off the bus.  Can you believe?  Over this wind.  Yes, it’s whimpering.  It’s very cold.”

The conversation made no sense to Neke and Adeina, who were tugging and pulling to get a look at the puppy in the towel.  But then, their grandmother hung up the phone, and started, in her best farm-wife voice, to order them around. (if you’ve never heard a farm-wife voice, count yourself lucky.  It leaves no room for argument – not even for curious girls).  First was throw some towels in the dryer.  Then was get some calf-formula made – but not much!  Then was get some snow in.  Then was get a bowl of cool water and warm water, and some rags.  Then stoke the fire – be careful of your hands! Not much of it made sense to the girls, but they grabbed what their Nan wanted anyhow, eager to help with the puppy.  After all, they’d both helped with frozen calves before – and the instructions were the same.

So it was that a few minutes later they watched as their Nan rubbed at the puppies ears like she had with Neke’s fingers – cold snow that melted in warm hands until the puppy whimpered loudly at the pain once the blood began to flow, then cold washcloths that got warmed each time until they were warmed.  The little lumps tail and paws were rubbed and warmed too, and the belly until it went from icy white to pink.  It seemed to take ages, but the violent shaking and sleepy blinking became shivering and wide eyes, then the whining changed as the pup sneezed.

“Is it gonna be okay?” Adeina asked at some point, braver than Neke.  She was getting a dryer-warmed towel for her Nana to wrap the puppy in, as Neke took the now dirty water and rags away and grabbed the warm milk.

“We’ll know by tomorrow.” Was all Nanny would say on the subject as she worked.  Neke and Adeina exchange a glance – they’d heard that before.  When a cow gave birth when it was really cold, or the calf got stuck and Poppa had to pull it.  When a horse got hurt bad, and the vet was called.  Sometimes – like with their Mom’s horse, they were fine.  But sometimes calves died.  It was sad, but it was part of being a farm kid – didn’t mean they didn’t bawl like babies every time. “If she eats, it’ll help.”

They were quiet in the dim light, watching their grandmother warm the puppy until it was squirming.  Then she dipped a syringe into the milk Adeina had made (she had always been better at mixing it, Neke thought it smelled gross) and dripped it in the puppies mouth.  The puppy slurped noisily, and milk got everywhere, but they fed it a bit, and it’s little belly bulged.

Then Nanny wiped it down again with a fresh cloth, and bundle it – but before she wrapped it up they could see it’s colour.

“It’s like chocolate!” Adeina said, giggling.

“But it has black, too!” Neke whispered, touching the sleeping puppy.

---x---

The night continued that way – with the girls by the fire (backpacks and homework forgotten in the porch), feeding and wrapping the puppy.  Their grandmother did most of it, but they helped when she asked, and didn’t complain when their grandmother was so distracted their dinner was burned and ruined, and they had grilled cheese instead – Adeina was an expert at grilled cheese, since it was Dad’s favourite!  Then bedtime came, and the girls protested – what if the puppy needed them in the night?  Their grandmother gave in, and they bundled up in sleeping bags and pillows by the fire, the puppy between them and sleeping soundly.

Some hours later the phone rang, and their grandmothers voice could be heard assuring the other end it was perfectly okay, and to be safe as the roads were (a bad word they weren’t supposed to know yet) and of course she didn’t mind- have you heard from the boys yet?  Did they wind game one of their hockey tournament?  The girls dozed after that, waking when their grandmother took the puppy to check and feed it throughout the night and late into the morning.  Adeina stayed awake most of the night, rubbing the puppy warm and feeding it’s little mouth.

The puppy lived the night, and the next night, as the snow blew and the wind howled.  Their parents were gone for the weekend – their father at a hockey tournament with their brothers, and their mother working in town for the weekend and choosing not to drive.  They called a few times, but their grandmother, with a saucy wink, never said a word about the puppy – and Monday morning came too soon.  The little thing had begun to squirm and walk around, though it was small and fell over a lot.

So it was that Monday morning, instead of eating sugary ceral and watching cartoons, they were bundled up in the warm truck, heading to the veterinarian, to get the little thing looked at.

Dr. Barry Ross was a very nice man, and he gave the girls sucker candies while they waited and he spoke to their grandmother about the puppy.  They sat and watched the other dogs go by, until their Nan opened the door, inviting them in.

“I think it’s a Labrador – but it’s a runty one, and a brindle.  Probably somebody who has registered dogs – they don’t like the brindles. You definitely saved it Diane, but it’ll always be a bit small and it’s ears are going to be frostbite damaged forever.”

“But it will live?” Their Nana asked, concern in her face.

“If it lived through that storm.  It may have some issues down the road, being cold for so long.  Seizures, maybe, or kidney issues.  But she’ll be okay to keep, I’d think.”

Neke grinned at Adeina, who whispered sadly, “Mom’ll make us give it away ‘cus of Ward.”

Neke hadn’t once thought of her brother, and she frowned, tears welling up in her eyes.  Adeina was almost crying too, as they pet the puppy, because how unfair was it that they worked so hard all weekend to get the puppy healthy, and now they’d have to give it away?

Neke picked up the puppy, as it kissed her face with its warm tongue, and cried the whole way home. Even when they stopped at a store for their grandma to go in a grab something.  She knew she shouldn’t, because she wasn’t a little kid anymore, but she cried anymore. Adeina stared out the window, quietly, and their grandmother said nothing when she got back in, or when they got home.

When they got home, their dad’s truck was back, and the porch smelled of stinky hockey gear.  Nanny said nothing, again, when Adeina tucked the little puppy into her sweater, casting worried eyes at her sister.  Their Dad was home, and that meant Ward was home, and if Ward was home and he started sneezing, they would have to go right back to town to the SPCA, Mom would make them.  The girls didn’t know much about the SPCA, except that it made her parents sad if they asked about puppies they saw on TV.

Neke took ages getting her boots off because her hands still kind of hurt, and ignored her grandma and dad talking as she rubbed at her tear-stained face.  Adeina was also ignoring them, and still had her boots on, when their Daddy came into the room, and kneeled in front of them.  He was smiling, and his green eyes twinkled.

“Your grandma said you have a Christmas gift in her for us?”

Adeina looked at her sister, and unzipped her sweater, so the squirming puppy could stick its head out and let out a small woof at their dad.  He was quiet a moment and then smiled, running his rough fingers over the puppies tiny head, “Hey boys, come help us name our puppy.”

Adeina looked past her Dad, at her Mom, who was handing their brother something to swallow, and smiling.  Finally, she looked at Neke.

“But Ward…”

And then their little brother Wes, ever the loud one, can running up to Neke and hugged her, “GUESS WHAT?  Dad says Ward’s old enough now he can take anihistaminnines, and we can have a dog in the house and we were gonna go get one for Christmas but Nana said you found one and so we can keep it and where is it?  Is it a girl or a boy?”

Adeina started crying this time, but she was grinning too, happy crying.

---x---

Later that day when their mother got home, the sky was crystal clear, and their Nana had long since gone home to her own farm across the road.  Their father was plowing all the snow with Wes in the big tractor, and Ward was working on the boy’s snow fort (because, as the eldest kid, he knew how to make them best he swore).  And Adeina and Neke were sitting in the snow, throwing a ball between them, as the puppy bounced between them, falling over and ears flapping in too-big calf ear-muffs.

“She looks just like hot chocolate!” Mom said, smiling at her girls.

“We should call her Choco!” Adeina said, running over to her Mom and giving her a snowy hug.

“Choco!  Yes, I like that!”

---x---

Our story began with a dark and stormy night, when the ground was frozen and snowy, and two little girls found a frozen little runt of a puppy.  Thankfully, Choco’s story did not end there, on that cold night.  Instead, two little girls rescued her, and brought her back to warmth with their love.

Choco ate the best table scraps – with her favourite being cheese (even though it gave her the worst farts).

She loved to play fetch – with a rope, a frozen glove, a ball, or even a rock.

Like most Labradors, she loved to swim – and would even dive if you threw a rock into the dugout.

She had her own chair to curl up on, and a blanket in each child’s bedroom.

She loved to trot along on horseback rides, and cattle drives, and sit on the back of the quad to go hunting.

She was smart, and loyal, and sweet – and a devil with a tug of war rope.

And she loved to lay by the fireplace, warming her belly.

She was beautiful – even though her tail always wagged kind off center, and one of her toes fell off, and her ears were always sort of crusty around the edges.

---x---

Based on the story of Choco, the puppy Neke found in the winter of 1998.  Found her while getting off the bus, in a blizzard, and stumbling into the house half froze with a puppy in her coat.

Isla Sorna #345970

BACKSTORY:

PROLOGUE:

Wealth breeds eccentricities, people often claim.

This was probably why John Hammond had tried to build a dinosaur theme park.

John Hammond has been an incredibly wealthy man – with an incredibly idealized dream.  He dreamt of a theme park wherein creatures from this world’s past were brought to life.  Dinosaurs, real, live dinosaurs – like a petting zoo full of enormous reptiles.  Only you mustn’t touch the animals – and the cages were very large electrical walls.

As he would say, he spared no expense.  Bio-engineers, zoologists, theme park specialists, and world class hoteliers and chefs joined him in his dream.  Off the coast of Costa Rica, the theme park took shape – with electrified walls and cages, with bio-engineered eggs and creatures.  All girls, the park proclaimed, unable to breed on their own.  All under control, the engineers promised, showing their stunning walls.  All safe, the advisers promised, showing the security system designed to protect guests.  The park was a dream born from the blood in the body of a mosquito, immortalized in an amber chrysalis.

It truly was a beautiful park, built on the island of Isla Nublar.

It was a beautiful dream, as so many are, until it morphed into a horrific nightmare.

As a certain doctor would say: Life, uh, finds a way.

When the electricity went out, and the predators got loose, not all who were at this extraordinary theme park survived.  For alongside the gentle herbivores were those with teeth – and they aimed to eat everything that got in their way.

InGen closed Jurassic Park down before it even opened.

---x---

However, humans are remarkably obtuse creatures, and over time the island became history.  Like the creepy house down the block that your friends dared you to touch.  It was terrifying, but the danger was a joke.  More people died, as they crashed or broke onto the island to see if the animals were real.  But humans are weak, and they are over confident.  And most of all, they are greedy.

A new generation emerged.  Jurassic Park had failed, they claimed, because they had not thought ahead.  Jurassic World, however, thought ahead.  They hired a manager who was as smart as she was stunningly beautiful.  They hired wildlife specialists.  Security was tighter.  Animals were tracked, now, with improved technology.  A new park opened, a marvel in it’s time.  With carnivores and herbivores in their respective areas, and protective spheres for travel amongst the gentler creatures – it was as Hammond dreamed it could be.

It was stunning, it was amazing, and most of all – it was profitable.

But humans are easily bored.

They needed… more teeth.

And so, InGen did what InGen does, and spliced creatures together that should never have been spliced.  The Indominus Rex was born, a Frankenstein creature of so many different demons: Carnotaurus, Deinosuchus, Giganotosaurus, Majungasaurus, Rugops, Therizinosaurus, Tyrannosaurus, and Velociraptor, as well as the genome of modern animals such as cuttlefish, tree frogs and pit vipers.  This monstrosity was terrifyingly huge.  It was razor sharp claws, and teeth.  It could hide in it’s surroundings.  And scariest of all: it was terrifyingly smart.

InGen would see it’s ruination as the new, improved creature escaped and lay waste to its island.  Tearing through defenses and eating all who got in it’s path, many died that horrible day.

And so, Jurassic World closed.

Good riddance, many said.  The natural order should be respected, others claimed.  People died, others said, and that should have been enough.  Trying again would be in bad taste!

---x—

So time passed, and the islands were abandoned.  The foliage grew thick, and the dinosaurs thrived in their man-made and jungle over-run habitats.  They were isolated from humanity.  They were safe.  They were left alone.

But, then the news of a volcano came upon the world.  The animal rights activist’s screams were loud – they must be protected.  The people of America were just as loud: let them all die!  It became a race to see if they could – if they even should – be saved, these extinct creatures returned to life.

In the end, money was, as always, a deciding factor.
Money would pave the way for an expedition.
Money would find the dinosaurs and trap several.
Money would be made when they sold in an auction.
Money was needed for InGen’s secret projects.
And InGen always had the best secret projects.

The details of this failure were less public.  An auction, a secret meeting of the rich was enfolded in security and secrecy – and so word of it was hard to get to the media – and even harder for the media to believe.

But the geneticists – well, they had AMPLE material to work from.

---x---

NEWS RELEASE
DECEMBER 15 2019

INGEN SOLD – DOES THIS MEAN NO MORE MONSTERS?

InGen, a company best known for creating human killing monsters, has been sold following their most recent death-related scandal!

 Dr. Henry Wu, the scientist behind much of the cloning and bio-engineering technology that built Jurassic Park and Jurassic World, was recently number six in what appears to be an insider job of murder within the higher InGen ranks.  With several board members mysteriously dying as well, alongside long-time lawyer of the company, Mr. Gary Olds, InGen was in need of a controlling force immediately, to help to company stabilize after such trying times.

Dr. Henry Wu had two proteges working in his lab, Dr. Nadhima and Dr. Nekeneke.  Both specializing in their own biological fields, the two powerhouses swiftly took action and secured InGen, taking over with Nekeneke as partisan stock owner, and Nadhima as acting CEO of the company. 

This power move is not without precedent, and both scientists have been heavily investigated to confirm they had, in no way, been part of the recent rash of killings within their company (for more information of the suspect for the murder, please see page 4, “CAN ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS GO TOO FAR?)

Alongside their abrupt rise to power, InGen has undergone a recent name change and will now be known as NAD&NEKE PRODUCTIONS.

-

NEWS RELEASE
JANUARY 7 2020

DINOSAURS NO MORE! NEW PLANS FOR NAD&NEKE

Last month came the interesting news of two new scientists taking over Ingen and renaming it for themselves.  Nad&Neke Productions has since gained popularity overnight, as they keep announcing new products and expansions worldwide.

Pulling out of many of InGens ventures, their focus seems to have shifted to sustainable, health livestock – trying to create disease free farming for all meat-eaters!  This news closely follows their recent breakthrough is ergo-dynamic soil, a soil that has created bountiful crops with not GMO affects to those eating the provided food.

Many activists are concerned for this change in dynamic, but animal breeders worldwide are thrilled at the prospect of less disease within their herds and animals.

-

NEWS RELEASE
JUNE 18 2020

HORSES DECLARED DISEASE FREE

Nad&Neke Productions seems to have picked a favourite, focusing on the complex genetics of equines worldwide.  Starting the the HYPP genes, and working through various others, including OLW, the duo has effectively eliminated diseases born within horses, and have made leaps and bounds in controlling viruses as well.

What other animals are they going to dabble in next?

-

NEWS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 18 2020

IN NEED OF FUNDING?

Stock for Nad&Neke have been trading like crazy, as the genetic mogul has been obliterating livestock diseases with ease.  A steady influx of sponsors and income has left this mogul staggering, but an interview with Dr. Nekeneke has left us wondering: will the money run out?

Dr. Nekeneke spoke on the Today Show about their sudden expensive success, warning viewers that human beings are far more complex and not to hope for immediate genetic cures for all ailments.  She also reminded viewers that Nad&Neke Productions has far more in store for those invested in it – including a new theme park!

This theme park, she promised, is not one of dinosaurs, much to the relief of many, but will hold a plethora of scientific discoveries and genetic modified animals for viewing of the public.  After all, the company must earn money – and many of their ventures so far have been amazing, but not financially income creating.

-

NEWS RELEASE
FEBRUARY 28 2021

ISLA SORNA OPENS TO THE PUBLIC

In this live video, your favourite reporter will go from cage to cage, from lab to lab, to see what these scientists have been cooking up in their facility.

JOIN US MARCH 2 2021 FOR AN ON SCREEN VIEWING LIVE, at HP Theatres, of NAD&NEKE PRODUCTIONS: Isla Sorna, of Jurassic World Park.

---x---

HP Theatres was full to the roof the night of March 2^nd, 2021.  With only one viewing, and one theatre in the entire world broadcasting Nad&Neke Productions newest venture, all seats had been purchased weeks ago – and for insane amounts of money. 

To the right the activists lay, notepads and pencils ready to list the atrocities that they were certain the fabled island withheld.  To the left, the paleontologists hovered; Isla Sorna has long been fabled to be the breeding grounds of the dinosaurs from the original park and they longed to see these creatures once more.  Botonists were scattered throughout, curious about the dirt created and crop growth, and so much more.  Businessmen filled the front – wondering if the venture, like so many by InGen, would crash and fail in a flurry of blood and death.

It was tense, the staff thought to themselves, as they filled tubs of popcorn and sodas at the counter. 

The screen crackled to life.  It was shaky, and it was grainy, but the shore of a stunning island came into view. The view stuttered as it turned, the connection was obviously strenuous.

Now there was a huge facility, obviously a lab, with a huge fence extending both directions as far as the eye could see.  It was clearly a gatehouse to the island itself, and the sounds of animals within were static filled, but obvious.

Into the laboratory went the show, and through the offices filled with pretty young smiling faces.  A woman, red haired, in a lab coat approached the camera.

“Hello, you must be the representative from HP.  I am Dr. Nekeneke, Dr Nadhima will be joining us soon.  We will spare you the theatrics Hammond would have shown you, and get straight to where the magic happens.  You must have many questions.”

There was noise, and it was obvious that the microphone for the one with the camera wasn’t working correctly.  Static followed as booing filled the theatre.  What good was a show if you only heard parts of it?  Those who knew technology sighed; this was not unexpected.  The Jurassic islands were far from civilization after all.

“Did we keep the dinosaurs? Well, yes!  They are animals and contrary to what activists may say, we firmly believe that all animals deserve a home.  If you’ll look to the map here..”

The sound trailed off again, as the camera panned to map of the islands that made up the archipelago.  Each was a different colour.  With the sounds still static, it was hard to follow along, but the doctor pointed toa blue island and it enlarged, showing Isla Sorna.  On it the lab was pictured, as well as topography.  There were lines out from the lab – encasing the entire island.  More lines.  Multiple buildings throughout.  Different labs, perhaps? The sound crackled back on:

“As you can see we have several solar power generators throughout the island, with diesel backups for power.  Our in-house mechanical team maintains them, and the entire fence structure.  The left side of the island is all left as habitat from InGens breeding facilities, and the triple fence separates the island through the valley for the remain-“

The entire screen went momentarily dark.  The staff began to whisper.  This interview was more like a horror movie, with the static and flickering lights.  When it came back online, they were in a lab, with tubes full of liquid to the ceiling.  Ten tubs filled the room, with animals within.  The Animal rights activists began to talk amongst themselves, as the scientists peered forwards.  Dr. Nekeneke appeared to be gesturing avidly to something that looked like a horse.  Well, if a horse was missing skin and had scales.

“InGen may have been careless when it came to human life, a travesty we do not wish to repeat, but their genetic splicing capabilities were legendary.  To take animals of different genotypes, and create a new species, well, she may have been a killed but the Indominus Rex was a marvel of the technology itself.  Imagine, for a moment, a creature created specifically as a food source – not a cow, or a sheep, or a pig but a meat source that had growth rates of sheep, the ability to live in sparse environments like cattle, and the multiple birth rate of a-“

She had moved on now, past what the audience could see were parts of various livestock, in these odd tanks.  The camera angle stuttered to a bulletin board, but there was not enough clarity to see much aside from the fact that it was divided into ten sections, and then through a set of doors. 

It seemed nobody was prepared for the creature within, there were several staff gathered around a large tank.  The audience at the theatre was alive with muttering, and the HP staff saw a phone or two appear; they pretended not to.  After all, all press was good press and it was hardly as if any of the visitors had signed a non-disclosure; in fact, reporters filled the area alongside the scientists.

“This is our failure to cross such a creature so far.  Ah well, we ARE trying.”

They moved on from the pig-sheep-cow creature, and onto another space.

“This is Dr. Nadhima.  As you can see-“

The sound was static gibberish again, but it hardly mattered.  The audience could see what a polite way of saying look at our baby.  There, in the tank, was clearly a young feline, the size of a tiger cub.  It was clear, in multiple other tanks, that more than one creature had been attempted.  Not all seemed to have been successful.

“We have had success where there were failures before!” Dr. Nekeneke was talking now, leading the way to an outdoor space. There was what appeared to be a mammoth standing there, slowly eating with two smaller ones nearby, “Mammoths, long thought extinct, may soon roam the earth once more.  It was a small amount of splicing to bring them back, as they are so similarly related to elephants, of course, but we started with such extinct animals first.”

The two scientists lead the way past the space, carefully fenced like a zoo exhibit.  The mammoths raised their heads, obviously accustomed to visitors to their area.  The biggest one took a step towards the person with the camera before they continue on, following the doctors as they passed by multiple other animals.  A sabretooth tiger enclosure came next, then another ancient creature that looked like a sloth.  Then an ancient looking horse-like creature.  Each one was punctuated by the screen going blank, and the dialogue continuing and stopping at random intervals.  Finally, they looped back to the lab, and were in a room filled with containers full of genetic materials.  Bones, blood, and more – the room was filled with displays and machinery – and while the HP theatre staff were intrigued, it was a bit overwhelming.

“It will be intermission now,” Dr Nadhima was speaking to the theatre, “Expect a delay, then you will see footage of the habitats for the ten species of extinct animals that you saw before you.  You will notice that as they all had overlapping periods of life on this planet.  So, while some may find it odd, we allow our predators to remain in with our prey-type animals.  Since the Mammoth herd is reproducing and we are constantly producing new specimens, it’s a much more natural environment and the acreage is exceedingly large.  This footage was captured via drone, as the habitat is beyond Site 2 Facilities, where we will be going next.”

The lights came on slightly, and the audience stirred.  Many lined up to relieve themselves, and some groups began to talk amongst themselves.  The scenic view on the screen now showed, much like a nature documentary, the animals in a more natural setting, in groups and herds and the like.  It was peaceful, and beautiful, and the animal activists seemed intrigued by the safari-like quality.

The feed resumed fifteen minutes later, with Dr. Nadhima gesturing to another facility, much like the first.  This time there was only one receptionist, who smiled warmly and waved.  The space was smaller, and the laboratory seemed to only have a few staff, and be far more private. 

“As you can see, this facility is similar, but smaller.  The other lab employs a team of 30 scientists, overseen by primarily Dr. Nekeneke.  Split in two, team one is working on creating the perfect livestock source, based on various genetic components.  The remaining staff work hard to return extinct species, and help bring back species close to extinction.  However, his lab employs only 7 staff, and is primarily run by myself.  It’s focus is on creating new breeds, much like the livestock project, but this project is primarily for the pure scientific discovery of creating new species.”

The audio tapered off, once more, as the lab was panned around to view.  Like the others, it was filled with genetic storage and fluid filled tanks.  Different animal pictures were on each tank, sometimes 2, sometimes up to four.  A commonality appeared to be horses; as several tanks featured that particular creatures. Given their success with equine disease, that hardly seemed surprising.

The tanks came more into focus, and talking filled the theatre once more.  There, in the nearest tank, with a tail that looked kind of like a shark, perhaps, was something with a horse-like front end.  It didn’t look like a shark on one end and a horse on the other, but it was clearly some ungodly mutation of the two.  It didn’t look alive, and Dr Nadhima was pointing to a board full of research. 

“It was an interesting concept, based on lore of course, the hippocampi.  But so far, none have lived to adulthood.  Genetic splicing data from InGen days has been hard to recover from the destroyed laboratories, and unfortunately Dr. Wu was not always the most forthcoming of teachers.  Failure is of course, merely a step towards scientific success-“

It was clear, in multiple other tanks, that more than one ocean creature had been attempted.  Colourful fins abounding in one tank, while another was oddly shaped, like a blobfish perhaps.  One was the colours of an orca, another seemed to be a mesh of multiple things.  All were unique, and disturbing, and many of those in the audience had long since forgotten their drinks and snacks, in favour of a sort of trance as they stared, fascinated.

A cat with large, leathery wings, as if from a bat was in one tank.  Another appeared to be a snake with wings.  In another, a horse had feathers.  The sheer variety was grotesque, like a macabre museum of failed splicing.  It was also fascinating.  As they moved on, another room was much like the prior laboratory, with small enclosures for live animals. 

“Here we have what we like to call the Woowl.  Obviously, we have not given it an officially name…”

Dr. Nadhima was showing the group an owl, with the neck and shoulder of a wolf.  It had talons, and it’s wings seemed too-large.  It had two tails, both with feathers.  It was unique and in a strange way, stunning.

Several enclosures were dark.  It was clear not many experiments had yet met success.  However, one was more of a platform.  Approaching it, it was easy to see it looked down into a paddock, full of lush plant life.  Within was a horse, but there was something wrong.  Something… it was eating a dead pic, blood on the ground, thick squelching chewing noises abundant. 

“And here we see our crowning achievement, a Tyrannosaurus Paint.”

The camera moved closer.

It was not a horse, after all.  It looked like one, but it was far larger – a horse might be over 5 feet tall but certain not nearing 8 feet.  Horses also did not have split hooves that looked wicked sharp.  And, now that it’s rear was visible, they scarcely had tails like that – theirs were more hair than tail.  And were those scales? The animal raised it’s head, slit pupils dilating as it made a strange sound.  The camera shook, and it was easy to see why.  Where a horse jaw should be, it split farther, sharp teeth obvious.  Blood dripped from it’s strange face, and it resumed eating.

“This one is still quite young, a baby really, if you’ll follow us to the train, we can show you the herd – we have fifteen, with a beautiful matriarch.  It is our belief they may be able to breed their own, one day.”

Through a doorway the sun was bright, and the camera turn to see the train.  It looked like something from an apocalyptic movie, heavy in steel and protection.  They climbed aboard, and the connection was lost a moment, before coming online once more.  Then the picture was distorted as if through a window, and a large fence could be seen, with animals behind it.

“We called the herd matriarch ISLA SORNA, after this island.  She’s stunning, with earth toned patterns – and almost 12 feet tall!  She seems to grow more daily, but as horses grow until 6 or 7, and her other genetic components differently, it’s hard to say where she will end up.  Oh, here’s the herd-”

The train gave an abrupt jerk, and the feed cut off.
It came back online, only it wasn’t off the window, it was outside.
The camera was on it’s side on the ground, pointed towards the fence.
The fence, like so many others from prior parks, appeared to be broken.
 On the broken part of the fence, a burned looking creature’s remains were stuck, smoking idly in the afternoon light. 
Blood was spattered on the ground now, as the sounds of shouting began behind the camera.
Shots rang out, and screams of pain.
An alarm was ringing, loudly.
Slowly moving into view was a Tyrannosaurus Paint – and she was beautiful.
Huge.
Fanged teeth glinted with blood.

ISLA SORNA was hungry.
And she was ready to eat everything that got in her way.

The camera connection was lost and the theatre fell silent.

Crunch…. Crunch… crunch… the sound of twigs snapping underfoot could be heard for miles throughout the forest as the shaggy golden retriever and his companion, a young boy of nine or ten, made their way across the clearing towards a lone, male figure standing by the remains of what was once a house. He poked a stick through the ash, looking for anything of value that may have escaped the fires deadly touch. They paused when they reached him, the shaggy golden retriever looking up expectantly at his master, his tail tucked firmly between his legs. He knew he had been a bad dog, and this time he was in big trouble. Silent tears rolled down his master’s sooty face, his shirt in tatters, burn marks pocketing the rough fabric. He only had one shoe on now, the other lost as they fled from the flames that had licked their heels across the forest, as the sought the safety of the riverbank. Tearing his eyes away from his master’s face, the shaggy retriever looked around at the devastation that surrounded them. Trees lay crumpled on the ground, their trunks burnt and twisted, as if they were writhing in pain, trying to escape the red-hot flames that consumed them. The air was eerily still, the crushing sound of silence swallowing them whole. They were the only beings left alive out here, well so the shaggy retriever thought.

“Papa,” the soft words came pleading from the young boys parched lips.

“I’m sorry son,” the old man said as he reached towards the shaggy, golden dog, tying a thick old rope around his neck, “he’s just Too Hot to Handle.”

Two men appeared, from out of nowhere behind them, grabbing the dog behind and tying a thick, dirty around his sooty neck. He tried to escape, writing at the end of the rope, but he was no match for the two men. Sobs came from his master’s lips as he pleaded with his father, for him to let the dog go, but Too Hot to Handle knew there was no going back now. He whimpered as the largest of the pair, bent down and picked him up, tucking him under one arm. Growling, he bared his teeth, but he didn’t bite, he may have been a bad dog this day, but he knew biting would only make him a very, very bad dog. He didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to his faithful master as they loaded him into a small metal cage on the back of a wagon, thick iron bars clanging around him as the men clucked at the horses, sending them lurching forwards. Too Hot to Handle watched as the horses pulled him further and further away form the only home, he had ever known. Behind him he watched as the old man laid his hand on his master’s shoulder, his sobs echoing behind him, shattering Too Hot to Handle’s heart into a thousand pieces.

“Take him to the dungeon, he can’t get himself into any trouble down there,” a sharp tug on the rope around his neck pulled him forwards out of the cage and down onto the cobbled street. All around him people clamoured, selling their wares, but nobody paid him any attention. It was loud and noisy, his senses more and more overloaded with each passing second. He was used to life on the farm, his entire world was just two people and the goats and sheep, here there were hundreds. His captors led him through the rough streets until they reached a large building, soaring high into the sky, but they didn’t go up, instead they climbed further and further down into the bowels of the city, where it smelt like death and decay. Too Hot to Handle whimpered, but there was no reassuring touch on his silky coat, only a rough tough at the rope digging around his neck. All around him people reached from their cells, grabbing at his silky fur, calling him all sorts of names. Cowering behind his captors, he stayed just of reach until they reached a single solitary cell, with a small bed of hay in one corner and a bowl of water and slop in the other.

Days passed, Too Hot to Handle didn’t know how many, the lights never brightened, giving way to daylight. Instead, it was eternal blackness, occasionally punctuated by the guards walking past with their lanterns held high. He spent his days dozing, falling asleep to the sounds of muffled cries from the other prisoners. But this day, his nose caught the scent of something both repulsive and familiar. He opened his eyes slowly to see the two men that took him from the farm staring down at him. He was terrified, but he forced himself to wag his tail, trying desperately to seem likeable, to find some way of escaping this hell he had found himself in.

“Can’t see what all the fuss is about myself, he looks like every other mutt I’ve seen” the shorter one muttered under his breath, he smelt like two-day old whisky and cigarettes. Too Hot to Handle didn’t like him one bit.

“He is special. He can start fires whenever he is overly emotional.” The man paused, as if waiting for his companion to catch up. “Think about the havoc he can wreck on our enemies. Homes and villages burned to the ground; entire armies wiped out with a single forest fire. He is a weapon, a powerful one, and now he is mine.” Too Hot to Handle whined, tucking his tail behind him, he did not like this man one bit. He smelt of something sweet, and sickly, something he could not place. But he certainly did not smell like a good boy.

“Get him cleaned up, we need to present him to the King tomorrow, and we can’t tell him our latest weapon in the Great War is a dirty, smelly mutt.” The taller man turned on his heels, “I hate dogs,” he muttered as he walked towards the door without so much as a backwards glance.

Hours passed before two young women came for him and with kind words of encouragement, they coaxed him from his cell and led him through the winding corridors until they reached outside. The suns light blinding him after days in the dark, a small whimper of fear escaping his lips. One of the women lent down, her hand on his head, and whispered, “It’s okay boy, we will look after you.” They led him over to a large iron bucket, fill to the brim with warm, soapy water. Too Hot to Handle crouched down, he hated baths, only bad boys took baths! He didn’t have any choice as they lifted him up and put him into the tub, tipping cups of water and soap over his matted fur.

“Let’s get this dirty thing off you,” one of the women said, untying the filthy rope from around his neck. The moment of freedom came, the shackles now gone, the rope in a heap on the cobblestones. He lunged, growling softly at the young woman, before turning on his heels and racing through the town. Shouts came after him, ordering people to grab the now frantic dog, but their hands slid through his soapy fur, as he sprinted towards freedom. He ran faster, faster than he ever had before, down the cobbled streets, leaping over carts and stalls and anything else that got in his way until he could taste the sweet air of the forest.

“SHUT THE GATES!” A voice called from close behind him. The large gate crank whined as it started up, the gates coming slowly but steadily down. He knew this was his one chance to escape. Calling every ounce of heart and extra strength he had, he lunged forwards, diving under the gates as they clanged hard into the ground and sprinted towards the forest, surely, he would be safe there.

Too Hot to Handle ran, brambles tearing at his fur, small sparks and flames coming hot on his heels as his emotions overwhelmed him. Who were those men, and what did they want with him? Behind him smoke filled the air as the tinder dry forest caught fire, but the flames did not touch him, seeming to bend out of his way as he ran like the devil himself was chasing him. From behind him he could hear the shouts of his pursuers who dared not enter the fiery forest, their charges rearing and screaming as they feared the fire. Too Hot to Handle didn’t know how long he ran for, but he ran until his legs trembled and would hold him no longer. Curling up in the hollow of a tree, Too Hot laid down with his head between his legs and waited as the flames consumed him, drying his sodden fur, but they did not burn him, only caressed their master in a deep sleep.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and slowly the months melted into years, Long gone was the gangly puppy with too big feet, and in its place was a handsome, golden retriever with big soulful brown eyes. With one large stretch and a giant yawn, Too Hot to Handle opened one eye and looked out over his land from his bed at the hollow of a tree on the highest hill. There was no bird song to fill the early morning dawn, only silence. All the animals long gone from the forest, quickly learning that at any moment their home may explode into flames should the shaggy retriever become upset.  Standing, Too Hot to Handle, stretched out his hind legs and yawned again. Food, he thought to himself as his stomach rumbled. He turned and padded slowly down to the river, the only sound the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves. As he drunk, he caught the scent of something, no someone, close by. Too Hot to Handle sniffed again, the scent so beautiful and alive, but surely nobody who knew the legend of the forest would come close.

A whine escaped his lips, his hunger long forgotten as he let out a soft woof. A rustle came from further upstream and he turned his attention towards the sound. Too Hot to Handle waited, his heart beating in his chest, as a golden head poked out from under the brush. His tail started to wag as he softly barked again. She’s beautiful, he thought to himself, as she slowly came out from under the bush. She held her head and tail high, regal, and beautiful, she looked like an angel sent from the heavens. He bowed his front legs, his tail high and proud, inviting her to play, oh it had been so long since he had someone, anyone, to play with. She needed no further invitation as she bounded towards him, gently nipping his flanks. They ran through the forest, Too Hot to Handle heart full, brimming with joy and laughter.

They stopped, only when the sun had reached the highest point in the sky. Panting heavily, they collapsed into a heap under Too Hot to Handle favourite willow tree. He hadn’t felt so happy in all his life. He licked her muzzle, then gently nipped at her ear as she cuddled into him. He closed his eyes, letting her scent fill his nostrils. He huffed quietly before allowing himself to drift into a satisfied sleep.

Too Hot to Handle woke with a start, he didn’t know how long he had slept for, but he knew that his beloved new friend was in danger if she stayed. Growling, he nudged her awake, Run, you are in danger if you stay near me, it isn’t safe.  She looked at him, meeting his gaze, her eyes never wavering. I cannot control my powers, at any moment this forest could burst into flame, I cannot lose you. He whimpered softly, looking away, he didn’t want her to go, but it was the only way. He could not take the risk of losing someone all over again. Was this what was destined for him? A life alone? Why had he been cursed so? But still she made no movement to flee. Go, go now, while you can Too Hot to Handle urged. Once again, she met his gaze and finally spoke, my name is Amphitrite, daughter of Nererus, I am the sea goddess, sent here to guide you from the darkness back into the light.

Mascot : Frank Jr 
ID: 345793
Link : https://horsephenomena.com/horses.php?id=345793 

Hi! We are Team Frank Jr with Lisa Frank Land News Network! Today we are bringing you along to this live interview of the one and only, Frank Jr, himself!

When you walk onto the property of Lisa Frank Land, you’re automatically submersed into a world of nostalgic wonder. Rainbows, hearts, teddy bears, unicorns, vivid colors, coloring books, school supplies. The options for accessorizing and coloring your world are endless! This nostalgic land is home to none other than Frank Jr! He is your 2021 HP Mascot! And today we get the pleasure of bringing you along with us to meet this Fabulous Mascot.

When asked about his name Frank Jr passionately explained that he was named after his Mother, Frank, who was the 2020 Mascot Runner-Up HNT ! Frank can be found hanging out on the Lisa Frank vacation beach enjoying a cool breeze and a stunning 3.5 mill points. When asked about Lisa Frank Land- Frank Jr explained “Lisa Frank Land was started by my Mom, Frank, and her bestfriend Lisa, the narwhal! It’s a place where all are welcome!” Our final question was to ask Frank Jr about the iconic necklace he’s been sporting. Frank passionately told us- “Oh! It’s a Narwhal! I LOVE them!! They’re like the unicorns of the sea!! THEY’RE SO COOL!!!” Frank also added during this interview that he was curious as to where exactly Narwhals come from. When we asked Frank Jr what his best guess was he said “Maybe they live out in Rainbow Reef! But.. I’m not sure. I’d have to ask my friend the Hippocampus! She knows lots of things.” Unable to explain ourselves, we promised Frank Jr and we are promising you that we will investigate and give you the breaking news! So make sure to join us again next week as we are interviewing this mysterious, knowledgeable Hippocampus about where exactly Narwhals come from! 

That’s all for now on the Fabulous Frank Jr! We are excited and anxiously waiting to hear of his ceremony to celebrate his win this year. Reporting live from Lisa Frank Land - This is Team Frank Jr! And Remember - To Vote Frank Jr in HorsePhenomena’s 2021 Mascot Contest.

Wrangler (Wrangler (ID #346655) - Horse Information (horsephenomena.com)

On a warm sunny day in the Arizona dry dust  Wrangler was born, shining bay colt destined to be a grand stallion.  Wrangler when he grew up he took off on his own to find his own harem.  He fought and fought many battles even those nope ropes aka snakes.    Over time the young stallion was over 16 hands tall and broad and deep bay coat and gained deep respect in the desert. Wrangler set off to find a harem of his own, even though he lost a few battles.. he knew he could never give up.  He battled several other stallions, like Imheotp a black friesian stallion,  Miniski a bay arabian stallion, and lost those two battles but he trained for weeks to keep going and fight for a family of his own.   Eventually  Wranglers patience and preservence paid off and he wins the battle against one of the toughest stallions in the Arizona desert.    He rears up with pride before taking his harem and storming off in the desert dusty wind.

Fidleywood Emocion (ID #345991)

How I met Tifi and came to live with her since I was 3 years old (I’m now 14).

I was born on a stud like so many other ponies are and I was dependent on the humans making good choices for me. I don’t remember those first few months but I went through a big noisy ring and ended up in a dark moving box with 8 other baby ponies.  We were given summers in a field on a hill with grass and then when it grew colder we were given hay.  I was bullied so didn’t get much of the hay and then we were put in a big barn in individual pens and one by one my field companions were handled, ridden and sold until there were only two of us left.  A human phoned to ask about Holly but she had just been sold that night so my owner gave my details saying that she hadn’t advertised me as I wasn’t just going anywhere as I was sharp.

A few days later two strange humans gawked at me and I stared at them with my head high as I stood trying not to quiver at the back of my pen.  I grew brave as they just stood there yakking and I edged forward.  The man was nearest me and I sniffed him but he moved his arm and banged my neck. I shot away from him as the female admonished him for touching me.  They came into my pen and stood beside me.  My owner reached for my shoulder and I lunged backwards – the pen was too small to get away from them but they quickly went away and I was left in peace. 

Two days later the female came back with another female to look at me AGAIN. I rolled my eyes and the words, “I’ll take her,” were said.  Little did I know how much my life would change.

Two days later a noisy vehicle rattle up to my pen and it was opened.  My owner then started to shake things at me and I fled from them into the noisy vehicle but before I could do anything else the doors banged closed.  I struggled to stay on my feet as the vehicle rumbled around and below me.

After what seemed like a long journey we stopped and the doors opened letting in light.  I froze before darting forward and streaming away down a field.  I stopped and turned, snorting.  My owners departed and I saw the female from before. She went away and I watched curiously.  It wasn’t long before she came back with an armful of hay and a colourful thing.  I crept forward wanting that sweet smelling hay.  She smiled and put the coloured thing beside it before stepping back.  I approached it and sniffed.  The colourful thing smelled wonderful so I put my muzzle in and OH MY, that was heaven.  I tucked right in while keeping an ear and eye on the female.  I later found out this was mare and foal mix along with apple chaff – it was yum.  There was also an orange thing beside the coloured thing. Turns out carrots are my favourite food EVER but you do have to watch they don't run away so holding it in place with a hoof is an absolute must!

I stayed in this field by myself for 2 weeks because I had to be quarantined and Tifi had to teach me to lead so she could get me to my permanent field where Tilly was (and let me tell you that was a TERRIFYING experience meeting that hooligan).

This was me my first day in my new home: https://i.imgur.com/EF3TIPs.jpg

Tisa Special Gal

It was a cool afternoon when my human pulled me out of the pen and turned me loose in the arena. After being cooped up in a small pen all night, I couldn’t wait to stretch my legs and race around in the soft sand. 

After a short bit of running around, I looked to the side and noticed a new small human standing beside my owner. I decided to give her a little show and raced around the arena bucking and kicking up dust.

The next day, I was loaded into a scary box and taken far away from the only home I had ever known. I was scared and unsure of where I was going and what was waiting for me, but there was something in the small human’s eyes that I knew I could trust her. I was unloaded out of the box and before me was the largest green pasture I had ever seen!

For the next few weeks, this little human would bring me food and water, and just sit with me while I ate my breakfast and dinner, and she would never ask anything of me. This is where our bond began! She was calm and quiet and I soon began to get curious about her. I began standing over her and resting my chin on her shoulder while she would hold this small thing in her hand that would rustle in the wind, and often she would move it slightly, only to stare at it some more.

After those first few weeks, she began to put this object on my back and tighten something around my belly, never rushing or being forceful with me. Soon she began to climb onto my back and our adventures began! We would ride up into the mountains and I often forgot she was there when I would take off running, just to feel the dirt beneath my feet and the wind in my mane. We had to learn how to move together as one while racing through the trees. 

There were many days where I would hear loud shouting coming from the house and she would come out to sit with me, her face wet, water leaking from her eyes in small trails. These days we would usually just spend time together in the pasture, not running and feeling free, but instead there would be this solemn feeling. I knew she just needed me to be with her, and our bond grew only stronger.

I spent a couple of years in this pasture before we moved to a new home, once we reached this new home, my girl became much happier and we went on many new adventures! I loved the days where she would come back home, and we would go out riding for hours on end, climbing new mountains and seeing amazing new sights. She often would walk beside me on these adventures and let me wander here or there, but I would never go far from her side. 

I am getting older now and cannot go on quite the adventures that we once did, but she still comes out to my pasture and just sits, or will brush me and expect nothing from me in return. We have been together for 18 years now. We saved each other and our bond is stronger than ever! 

https://horsephenomena.com/horses.php?id=345772 

ENERU'S STORY

It began with a birth. A single mother bore a girl child. They were not rich, but exactly poor either. The mother provided for the child as best as she could. Life was hard in the little town of Marion, TX, but not bad. The mother ran a beauty shop on her land and they lived in the modular home about a 100 yards from it. 

Now Marion was country. Midway between the big city of San Antonio and the resort town of New Braunfels. The land around the town was farming and ranching. Mainly of cows as raising the bovines gave a tax break on the land. The girl and her mother did not have any cows. In fact, they had no pets at all.

One day, when the little girl was about 2 years old, another birth happened. This was to a breeder of greyhounds. One of the dogs had puppies, which were unwanted. There were 4 puppies and they were tossed out in a bag on the side of the road when only 2 weeks old. 

This was in the fall, so the weather was not too hot but it was warm in the bag for the 4 unwanted souls. It wasn't closed well, so there was some air coming in. However, they were hungry and thirsty. One of the puppies tore a hole in the bag eventually and they managed to escape. While walking away, he was spotted by a coyote. 

This animal soon found the rest of the litter and, well, the coyote had himself a bit of a meal. The hawks came and managed the rest. Except...one little one, who managed, somehow, get away and crawl near the road.

Cars came by at a fast clip on the country road. It was full of dips and rises and blind hills. The sides of the road were crumbling though so more drove in the middle. It was on this road the mother was driving with her little girl. Suddenly, something appeared before the car. The mother was able to stop to avoid the rock. However, the rock moved.

She stopped her car and exited and there, in the road asleep and half dead from hunger and exhaustion was the puppy. He had managed to find a muddy water puddle, so he was full of drink though. The mother saw the bag and the now mutilated siblings of the pup in the ditch. She knew she couldn't leave the poor soul there, so she went into her trunk and got a towel and, wrapped and safe, took the dog to the nearest vet, who was kin to her.

The vet looked the dog over, gave it some medicine for parasites, a bath and told the mother the puppy was fine. The daughter now chimed in that the puppy was hers. Since they had no animals, the mother agreed to keep the canine.

"What do you want to name him?" she asked of the youngster.

"Eneru," said the daughter, meaning Emmie Lou, a character from the cartoon Kissyface, which the mother had recently rescued from a bargin bin at the dollar store.

So it came to pass that the discarded greyhound joined the household. This was celebrated with a trip to PetSmart for supplies and a red heart tag inscribed with the name--Eneru.

Bad Dog #133160: A Backstory

Literally ALL I wanted for my birthday was a pet dog. It was right there on my birthday list:

WHAT I WANT FOR MY BIRTHDAY:

1) DOG
2) DOG
3) DOG

My parents couldn't get it wrong. For as long as I can remember I've wanted a dog. And now I'm FINALLY old enough to get one and take good care of it. I can walk it, feed it, even deal with the stinky parts of dog ownership. I'm doing school from home, so I even have lots of time to spend with my new dog, training it to do lots of cool tricks like playing dead and shaking a paw. I. Am. READY.

Along came my birthday. I couldn't have a party because, you know, Covid. That pesky pandemic meant none of my friends from school could come over and sing to me and give me lots of cool toys. But that's ok, because I KNEW my parents wouldn't screw this up and would get me that dog. That morning I skipped down for breakfast, my favourite, blueberry pancakes, because, birthday, which means it's ALL ABOUT ME and what I love. Sitting where my plate should be at the table was a giant box, with bright green wrapping paper and a thick purple ribbon tied around the lid, my two favourite colours. It was wrapped all strange though...not all the way around. It was just like the movies...the top of the box where the bow was was a separately wrapped piece than the bottom of the box. There were also holes in the box...

Could it be??

I scream and attack the present, wrenching the lid off the box as my parents look on with big grins on their faces. I have to climb up on my chair to be able to see over the side of the box. Inside the box is a giant fluffy orange dog. It has small ears that point straight up from its head, whiskers off the sides of its nose, and a looong fluffy tail that stands straight up. I struggle to pull him out of the box...he's a bit heavy for me. 

"You got me a dog! Thank you Mummy, thanks Dad!!" I babble as I squeeze my new fluffy orange dog to my body. 

My new dog promptly makes a weird growling and hissing noise, so I let him go and he lands on the kitchen linoleum. 

"Now Blitz..." My Mummy starts to say something, but I interrupt her in my excitement.

"He's PERFECT Mom! I will call him Fennel and he will be my own. I'm going to go teach him all sorts of cool tricks!"

I grab Fennel around his middle before he can escape my enthusiasm and I run back to my bedroom. Closing my door, I set Fennel down on the floor before running to the other side of the room, turning to face him, and bending down. "Fennel come!" 

Fennel lay down on the carpet and gives me a haughty glare.

Ok...

"Fennel sit!"

Fennel stands, flicks his fluffy tail, and jumps up on my bed.

Well then...

"Fennel, want to go for a walk??"

Fennel rolls over onto his back, so I take the opportunity to slip a collar on him, and hook up a leash, before pulling him off the bed, out of my room, down the stairs, and out the door.

My neighbour, Binny, is across the street with her giant dog, Bonnie. 

"Binny!" I yell, "Bring Bonnie over to meet Fennel, my new dog!"

Binny gives me a weird look before walking her giant monstrous dog across the street. Fennel sees them coming, arches his back, hisses, and pulls frantically on the leash I'm holding, trying to pull me into the bushes beside our front door.

Huh. Maybe Fennel isn't the BEST DOG EVER. He doesn't come, he doesn't sit, he doesn't want to play with other dogs, he glares at me...he doesn't want to listen to me at all.

Fennel is just a BAD DOG.

But at least he's MY BAD DOG.

Aspen, dog #133164

The warm glow of the fire was the only light in the cozy innkeeper's cabin as the sunrise in the distance began to embrace the new day ahead. The cabin itself was a cozy but dated shack, nestled at the base of the swiss mountains among the lush forest. Franz hadn't gotten very much sleep the night before, dreaming of the stories his grandparents told him when he was a young boy. Stories of a versatile and beautiful dog that no longer seemed to exist. He'd been having more and more vivid visions of what he thought they looked like, and even a few glimpses into what he thought his own dog would look like, although he himself had never laid eyes on the breed. 

He wasn’t sure what, but something was connecting him to these dogs, and it soon consumed him. For months he had been struggling with his business and with who he was, his identity seemed to be slipping away and replaced with an overtaxed man in an empty shell. The dreams became more and more frequent, his nights filled with visions of a dog that he could see and touch, only to disappear the moment he opened his eyes each morning, to his frustration. Finally, unable to think of anything else during his waking hours, he decided it was time. The dreams had persuaded him to take a sort of journey into finding himself and perhaps even this noble breed of Switzerland, The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Franz began his campaign to save the Swiss Mountain dogs, zig zagging back and forth across Europe searching for good specimens of these noble dogs. He searched numerous small villages and had a lead on some dogs that sounded like the ones from his grandparent's stories. Many leads he followed led to nothing, but he was determined. The breed used to exist, and he was determined to find any sign of them today.

Slowly, he began to piece together the stories, coming closer to finding his goal. He knew that he would recognize one when he saw it, awakening the dreams that continued to plague him. The locals called them "the common butcher's dog." Finally, after months of searching, Franz found the dogs he was looking for in a remote village. They were owned by Albert Heim. Franz told Albert of all his grandparent's stories and learned quite a bit from Albert about the breed. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is mighty and majestic with a large size that is impressive but no cause for alarm—these gentle giants are excellent family pets. It is believed to be Switzerland's oldest breed dating more than 2,000 years. They are often confused with the similar-looking Bernese Mountain Dog, but Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are significantly larger with a much shorter coat.

Affectionately referred to as Swissys, these dogs were originally bred as working dogs to herd cattle, pull carts, and serve as watchdogs. They love being busy and having jobs to do. Their friendliness, trainability, and strength have led to their success as therapy pets and search and rescue dogs. Naturally protective of those they love, they make wonderful, loyal guard dogs. However, though their bark is menacing, their bite is relatively nonexistent. Albert introduced Franz to his youngest dog that he was in fact looking for a home for, as Albert was aging quickly, a man in his late 80's. 

The dog approached Franz in a timid way, sniffing him only from a distance at first. Franz lowered himself to his knees and the wide-eyed female came closer. She brought her snout inches from Franz's face snorting and sniffing him from the top of his hair down to his neck. Her eyes met with his...her tail went from being tucked underneath her to an excitable wag. Overwhelming emotions of delight and joy began to flood over him, for the first time in months he felt warmth he hadn't known. He had dreamed about this moment, she was the dog that had been calling to him for months. His future was tied to her, and hers to him. She began to gently lick his cheeks and the top of his head, almost nuzzling him to the ground. She was black and brown and white in color with short hair and a strong, big build. Franz had already chosen what he would call her: Aspen. 

Franz and Aspen quickly became inseparable. They stayed with Albert for some time, before returning to the city, and Franz’s home. Aspen was everything Franz had hoped for. Smart, strong, and loyal. Franz was so impressed by Aspen in the few months he had owned her that he brought her to the judges-ring. He wanted to know if the dog was something special; he expected no evaluation. The judge looked at the dog strictly, then joyfully shouted, "there, you have recovered the big `Bläß´, that was believed lost!! The Big Swiss Mountain Dog!!!" And with that remark the judge gladly gave him a rating of "vorzüglich", excellent, and the first prize. 

Possibly this breed was to be rescued thought Franz. He then set about to find a male dog to replenish the breed. Franz had to be as faithful as the Big Mountain Dog. Together, he and Aspen would save the breed, and return them to their rightful place in the world once again.

Lex #133129

Agent Lex was born in the busy streets of New York City. After his rocky year of laughing in the face of danger and baying at the moon with friends, he went to work for the CCD, Canine Criminal Division. As a new recruit he quickly became a favorite among his superiors. Beating the best of all working dogs in any of the obstacles provided during their intense training. It was a hard few weeks, but he managed to come out as the top recruit.

During his extreme career of jumping from helicopters and going undercover, he managed to put away many of the worst canines criminals known today. He’s received metals from the President and even had sandwiches named in his honor.

It wasn’t long before he was face to face with the worst of all Canines, Trixie Van Boxer. She was a tempting dame, but he managed to keep his head straight by focusing on the case. She constantly evaded his attempts in capturing her and quickly became his obsession.

Then one day he finally came face to face with Trixie. He thought he’d finally succeeded in capturing her. She was lovely from her wide brown eyes to her red fawn coat that seemed to gleam beneath the sun of the Rocky Mountains she was hiding in. Immediately he went for the arrest thinking he would have one up on her by sneaking through the thick woods. But she knew he was hiding there, only pretending that she was admiring the view before her.

He leaped out of the woods, snarling viciously at her. As if laughing at him, her tongue lolled out, probably finding him amusing. She planned this and he’d fallen for it. It was her that captured him and now he was facing a danger far worse than anything he’d experienced in his career so far.

A storm rolled in, rain pelting their fur. As a fog descended, she disappeared once again becoming the one that he couldn’t catch. Agent Lex promised himself he would make it his life’s mission to take down Trixie even if it meant continuing to risk his life.

Trixie #132899

Trixie Van Boxer knew the first moment she laid eyes on the Canine Criminal Division’s new recruit, Lex, that he was the one for her. He would be the perfect jewel for the world’s leading jewel thief’s crown. Maybe she’d even retire after she caught him. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth as she grinned. Then again, maybe not. Her job was too much fun.

She watched Lex for two years before he first saw her. She watched him finish his training, with the highest honors. Watched him excel at everything, but she continued to keep her distance. She still did jobs, of course. A girl had a reputation to maintain. But no matter what shiny trinket she was sent to capture, she watched him from afar. Sooner or later, she would be his target. She was, after all, the best. 

Finally, the time came. She managed to steal the Pink Star Diamond, and that put her on the most wanted list. Agent Lex was the best there was, so her case was assigned to him. And Trixie was ready for him. She took on a series of small jobs, in all corners of the world. She would nab something, and then seemingly vanish into thin air, when really she just watched him getting more and more frustrated each time he failed.

She accepted a job in the Rocky Mountains, and knew that this was it. This time, she was going to nab Agent Lex. She quickly grabbed the sapphires she had been sent for, and squirreled them away to the safe spot she had ready (buried in a hole a quarter mile from the museum she’d taken them from). She knew it was time to go, but paused to watch the sun set. She knew every inch of these mountains, this was where her base was. She had hundreds of catches safe here. She lifted her head and her nostrils flared. Yes, he was here, watching her. She knew she looked magnificent with the sun reflecting off her fur. 

Agent Lex leaped from the woods, and she side-stepped him easily. He growled low in his throat as she watched him with amusement. How did he really think she would let her guard down so easily? Men. A storm rolled in quickly, the rain soaking them both in moments. She used the fog to fade from view, always staying close by. She could hear him venting his frustration, but she just smiled. Little did he know, but he wouldn’t be making it back to work. 

She carefully rounded him up, herding him to her base deep within the mountains. He thought he was escaping the storm, and continuing to track her, when really she was carefully guiding his every step. Soon, he would be in her grasp. 

Finally, he went into the cave that she called home, and she watched his eyes widen as he realized that this wasn’t just a normal cave. He whirled around, to come face to face with her. Lex whined, but Trixie ignored him. He was right where she wanted him. “Hello, sugar,” Trixie all but purred.

Rainbow Reef's backstory (#346711):

Dear Diary,

Today was the last straw. I’m so sick of this reef, I don’t fit in anywhere! I’m “too colorful” for the other hippocampi, they don’t want to hang out with me, they don’t want to invite me to parties, and they always say mean things about how I look. It’s not my fault I was born with so many colors! They’re just jealous. I might be mean to me too if I was monochrome! Today, one of the head hippocampi said to me that I would never be useful to my community, that I was a leech, just like the bristle worms found around the reef. That really hurt me. I am worth something! I have to get out of here. I need to find where I’m going to be accepted, for me, as I am. A place where I’m valued, and taken seriously. I know there’s a better place!

Dear Diary,

I did it! I packed my bags and I left home! I didn’t say goodbye to anyone. They’re not going to miss me. I don’t know why that thought even briefly crossed my mind. From now on, I’m going to live my life without caring what other people think of me. I have no idea where I’m headed, and that certainly scares me. I have faith, though, that I will come out on the other side of this. Like my friend Dory says, just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

Dear Diary,

I passed by a pod of whales today. I could hear their whispers. I won’t write down what I heard, it hurts too much. I don’t think I’ll ever understand the hatred.

Dear Diary,

I popped my head up at the surface today just to see what was around, and I saw a unicorn! I’ve only ever read about them, but their pictures in the books don’t do them any justice in real life. So, naturally, I wanted to follow him. So I did. Stealthily. Even swam next to some narwhals! That unicorn must like the coast line because he never left it. He made it very easy to follow him. Peculiarly, the further away from home I got, the more I enjoyed myself. The water even started feeling warmer! 

Dear Diary,

I followed that unicorn to a very colorful land. Colorful just like me! I’m stopping for the night because my tail is tired, but tomorrow I plan to investigate this new area. I’m excited. I’ve seen all kinds of new sea creatures around, and they’ve all been friendly! I haven’t felt scared swimming in this area not even once. Tomorrow could be the beginning of a whole new life!

Outlander #346638

A young miss and her mare were born in England only ten years apart. Their history barely talked about, only whispers could be heard of the mysteries their family held. For all they knew for certain was for as far back as the mare's lineage could be traced, they had always been a partner, a friend, family to their human counterparts. 

Until such a time they discovered a novel with matching details to some of those whispers they have long since heard but simply dismissed. 

A time travelling sassenach and her beloved highlander, wars where both loses and victories were found, a family formed over generations, decades and countires. Again, all with a beautiful horse as their partner. 

But still the truth was unknown to them, for it was hard to tell which of these written words were real and what was embelishment. 

Their curiosity piqued, their need for answers roused and their adventures spirit high - they decided it was time to find their family stories. 

To Scotland they set off, not quite sure if they were truly ready for the answers they might find but determined all the same. 

Bluey #133090

On a cattle property in the heat of the Queensland outback, you'll find a typical Aussie family. You might think this only includes the husband and his wife and their two kids. But you would be wrong. What you should never forget, is that a family includes their pets, the cattle, the horses, the chickens, the random few alpacas the wife just had to have and any other stray wildlife she brings in to help the local wild life rescue nurse back to health. 

But most importantly (atleast according to their daughter), is their dogs - Bluey and Red Dog. Please mind the lack of creativity, she was only six when she named them. If she had to pick a favourite, it would be Bluey. Not only because Red Dog seems to be more concerned with following her dad around and herding up cattle, not only because Blue is her favourite colour forever, but mainly because since the day they bought Bluey home as a little 8 week old pup, she's always found a way into the daughters room at night to lay at the end of her bed and keep watch over her and chase away any nightmares

Her dad tried everything to stop Bluey getting in the house. "A property dog is for working not for being in the house" he would often say to mum. But after fighting a long, losing battle and realising having Bluey as part of the family didn't make her any less of a great working dog, he huffed and mostly dropped the issue. 

So far as to see even Red Dog being welcomed in the house, which according to Dad was definitely not his doing (but when he sneaks some bacon under the table to Red Dog, the family can't help but look at each other knowingly). 

Now they are definitely one big, happy family who do everything together. Not just work.

The best part of the week being sunday arvo when they crack open the beers, light up the bbq and chuck a couple of snags to the dogs.

Everything is better with the whole family together. Especially holidays. 

Bluey even knows how to surf better then dad. According to the daughter atleast.

Io #133101

COSMIC LOVE:
Jupiter was a king, a king of the earth and sky. And Io was beautiful. He took her heart into his keeping, and gave her pieces of his own. His falling star. Her cosmic love.

QUEEN OF PEACE:
But Jupiter was married, and his wife was powerful, vengeful, and cold. Juno the Merciless, Juno the Cruel. "She is my Queen at War," he said, "and you are my Queen of Peace."

STAND BY ME: 
Jupiter beckoned and bade Io to stand at his side, an equal in the stars. In the face of Juno's ire, should even the mountains crumble. "Stand by me," he said.

OBLIVION:
Juno took notice of her shadow queen, and refused to let it be. She gathered her magicks and cast a spell. "I banish you, little thing, to the darkness of oblivion."

SATURN:
Io was flung from her home, tossed into the sky. Lost and cold, drifting and alone. Until a voice called to her from the darkness, the wise voice of Saturn.

TOO MUCH IS NEVER ENOUGH:
Saturn bid Io remember her strength. Remember her cosmic love. And as Io remembered the love of her king, her heart began to glow. What could break her, with a love that was too much and never enough?

I WILL BE:
Her path appeared before her, in the twinkling of the stars. And she knew she would never be the same. "No longer simply Io," she said. "For a star I will be."

DROPS OF JUPITER:
She travelled far and wide, through the vastness of space. Dancing with the galaxies and sailing across the suns. The pieces of her lover's heart burned fiercely where she stepped, her drops of Jupiter scattered across the sky.

STARLIGHT:
And he follows her trail, the king of earth and sky. A planet chasing after its moon. While Juno disappears into history, the Lonely Queen lives on in the stars.