Jo Jo’s Gypsy, rescued by Jeanne Mirabito of Our Mims Horse Haven, is not nearly out of the woods. But she is so loved.
On this Labor Day 2014, there is little rest for those working round-the-clock to save a couple of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses recently rescued at the 11th hour.
In Kentucky, Jeanne Mirabito of Our Mims Horse Haven continues to nurse Jo Jo Gypsy back to health.
The 16-hand “walking skeleton” was rescued on Aug. 22, and Jo Jo is not out of the woods yet, Mirabito reports. The severely emaciated mare, who found with dozens of others earlier this month by Animal Rescue, shows an intense will to live, but is far from well. (Please see an earlier story).
“She knows she is safe now. She knows she is loved,” Mirabito says.
Samantha Merz, Volunteer Coordinator at the South Florida SPCA feeds Sosa. Photo by Grace Delanoy
And as Jo Jo struggles to regain weight, a 22-year-old gelding dumped in the C-9 basin of Florida, is also in a fight for his life. (Please see earlier story). Recovered by the South Florida SPCA, Sosa, a Kentucky bred, suffers severe lacerations on his legs, and is undergoing painstaking care as volunteers lovingly change his wraps and try to keep him cool in the heat.
Sosa is reportedly on his way to a foster home soon.
Hats off to Jeanne Mirabito of Our Mims and to the volunteers at the South Florida SPCA for working so hard, even on federal holidays, to ensure these beautiful Thoroughbreds make it another day.
Nothing but sincere praise, sincere admiration and sincere wishes for all’s wellness… equine athletes AND their caregivers!
Jo Jo knows she is in loving hands now. Look at that face. Hopefully she continues to gain strength and survives. Sosa looks tired. But he too has found a better place. Both of these horses bodies need to rebuild bone marrow and other body resources before they can start adding muscle. I wish them the best. I am proud to say that I support Our Mims. They do good work taking care of the ladies.
I agree with Alice, “thanks” is too small a word for what you do, but nevertheless, thank you Jeanne Mirabito and Laurie Waggoner for saving these two along with so many others. And agree with Victoria, you two are our earthly angels! And those horses know it!
Thank you, Jeanne, for being so valiant and steadfast in your care of Jo Jo’s Gypsy. And thanks also to the compassionate people at the South Florida SPCA. “Thanks” is too small a word for what you do.
Labor Day, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, 365 a year — our equine human hero saviors do this, no matter what day or time — they work even round the clock to right the harm, and neglect so unjustly served upon our precious horses. Jeanne, and the folks at FL –
ASPCA are but a few of our earthly angels. GO JO JO! GO SOSA!