Hanaeleh Horse Rescue and Advocacy

a non-profit horse rescue working with abandoned, neglected and abused horses. Stop horse slaughter NOW!

      
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Elizabeth’s Big Check (Thank you IREM!)

September 23, 2019 By ezarkos

I know this is very silly, but ever since I was nine years old I’ve wanted a really big check.

I remember watching television, and a person was given a ginormous check. That check was HUGE! It was about four or five feet long and it took two hands to hold. I don’t even remember what it was for at this point- winning a game show? The lottery? A raffle? In any case, I remember watching that person receive that really big check and think, I want one.

“One day I’ll get a really big check,” I vowed.

“Nuh-uh,” said my brothers and my cousins, who were also watching the person hold the really big check on T.V. Their negative views were the result of the fact that they were all jerks (as a nine year-old girl, all boys are jerks regardless of their true nature).

“I will so,” I said defiantly, with more gumption than I felt. How was I going to get a really big check, after all? I freeze up when asked trivia questions, and at nine, the idea of playing the lottery didn’t seem feasible since I would have to be ancient- over 18!- to play.

“How will you get one?” they goaded, as only boys can.

“I’ll get one,” I promised, as they continued to tease and tell me I would never get a really big check. I turned back to the television and to the smiling person with the huge cardboard cut out and vowed that one day, I would be that person.

Unfortunately, as it turns out, there aren’t many opportunities to get really big checks. And so, many (many!) years later, I still had not fulfilled my promise of obtaining said ginormous check.

That being said, I got close. Last year I almost got a really big check. IREM in Orange County, the OC Institute of Real Estate Management, chose Hanaeleh and I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue as their beneficiaries of their annual golf tournament. We were so thankful for their support, and at their banquet, they had a really big check for Hanaeleh! Unfortunately, since I had to work during the event, Jocelyn, our Vice President, and Kathi, our social media coordinator, received the really big check. I was so thrilled to get the regular-sized check, but secretly, I was kind of bummed that I missed being awarded a ginormous check.  I told myself, however, that I was being silly, as it was just a cardboard cut out of a check.

A really big check.

This year, IREM offered to have Hanaeleh and I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue as their beneficiaries of their golf tournament again! We are so happy that they offered to think of us again! Just like last year, however, I had to work during the reception, so Kathi went instead. I admit I had forgotten about the really big check until she reported that she had received one- again!- as well as the regular-sized check.

I admit I was jealous. Who gets two really big checks in one lifetime?

When she told me about receiving the really big check, I might have made mention of my childhood dream of getting a really big check, but more because I thought she should know what an honor it was to get that really big check.

This past weekend, however, she surprised me by bringing the really big check to the ranch! How she managed to fit it into her car, I have no idea, but I was finally able to fulfill a childhood dream.

I finally got my really big check!

Again, a huge thank you to the people of IREM OC who have continued to support Hanaeleh, and personally, thank you for helping me finally get a really big check!

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Hanaeleh

Call of the Wild July 1 2025

Call of the Wild Day of Action for America’s Wild Horses and Burros (and Public Land!)

June 30, 2025 By ezarkos

This is an urgent alert for every organization and individual who cares about the protection, preservation, and survival of America’s Wild Horses and Burros and our precious Public Lands. We must all act together on One Massive National Call-In Day of Protest. We are asking you to spend just 10 … [Read More...]

Southern California: 8 yr old Thoroughbred Gelding Needs Home!

June 23, 2025 By ezarkos

We were contacted by a woman who has been trying to find a home for her beautiful 17hh, 8 yr old (4/12/17) dappled grey Thoroughbred gelding, Argento (means silver). Argento raced when he was younger, and his registered named is Little Cairo. He is a descendent of American Pharaoh, and was sold as a … [Read More...]

Help “Spirit” 9 y/o Buckskin Quarter Horse Gelding Find a New Home (Norco CA)

June 17, 2025 By ezarkos

We were contacted by one of our supporters who had rescued a nine year-old buckskin Quarter Horse gelding from auction. He was shut down at first, but she has done quite a bit of work with him on the ground and he is starting to come around and be more sociable. Sadly, Spirit has navicular, and … [Read More...]

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