This lucky gang gets to live at Melanie Sue Bowles’ Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary in Mena, Arkansas, in the company of nearly seventy horses and a half-dozen (also) formerly homeless dogs, all of whom are “part of the family and all over the furniture.”
Kirby, Penny, Gunny, Tucker and Kitty made their Daily Corgi debut back in March, and are featured in the 2011 Daily Corgi Calendar too!
Proud Spirit Sanctuary is an amazing place. According to their website, since the early 1990’s Melanie and her husband Jim have “intervened on behalf of over 300 downtrodden horses, many of them coming to the sanctuary to live out their lives in peace and dignity … “
“The horses function as a herd with no cross fencing, safe in the companionship of other horses … something they so desperately need. They have room to move about, and to graze and roam … which they need to thrive.”
“One of the very few true sanctuaries in the United States, the Bowles do not adopt out any of the horses who find their way to Proud Spirit, “having given enough,” as Melanie would say.”
The Corgi crew have a cameo at the very end of this lovely video!
In addition to tireless work with her beloved horses, Melanie has written three non-fiction books about the founding and operation of Proud Spirit. Her writer’s voice is honest and true, as she relates a deeply personal odyssey to save the lives of hundreds of beautiful horses.
I have all the books and love them!
Click any of the cover images to purchase from amazon.com; proceeds will benefit both Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary and CorgiAid (via donations from The Daily Corgi).
Visit Melanie’s author site HERE.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit, Proud Spirit relies on the generous donations of caring people …
… people like you and me!
“Ranch hands”
Right now, Melanie and her husband Jim are accepting donations to their Winter Hay Fund.
Melanie and Jim Bowles
It costs between $10,000 and $12,000 to feed the entire herd over the Winter. They need help with this and have set up a ChipIn page to accept donations:
If you would like to support the work of Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary — a safe and happy haven for horses and dogs! — please consider giving. No amount is too small.
Follow the latest on Proud Spirit at their facebook page HERE.
I admire these folks more than I can say. The love and dedication they have for the animals in their care — and those who will one day need the sanctuary they run — are beyond remarkable.
Please join me in supporting their vital work. Generous, visionary people like this change the world every day, and for me it’s an honor to share what they do with you!
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GIVEAWAY ALERT!!
If you comment on this post before 12 PM (noon US Eastern) on Saturday, July 2nd, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a copy of all three of Melanie’s books, PLUS a Daily Corgi coffee mug AND a special, surprise item. Note: anonymous comments will not be included in the drawing.
I recently read 'Dogs of Proud Spirit' and it is a really great book! They are so commited to helping animals, it's wonderful. Highly recommend their books and support of their great work.
Wow- In an age of greed and self-interest, the love and caring of the animal loving community for these amazing creatures is an overwhelmingly wonderful thing!
Macy the party corgi saw the pictures of the corgwyn in the 4 wheeler and her comment was, "Hmmmph. *I* get to ride up front with mom so those guys in the front seat are in for a big disappointment!"
Wonderful story about people with big, big hearts. A lovely read to start my day.
Wow…I'm tearing up a little, over my breakfast dishes. Keep up the good work, all of you
Oh, I would love to get those books for our young grandchildren. It's never too early to get them started on learning about compassion for animals and giving to worthy causes. Thanks Laurie for bringing this group to our attention.
What amazing hearts! I really want that grey roan paint horse! Simply gorgeous! Of course, they all are, including the Corglets!
If I don't win these books I'm going to go buy them! What a wonderful place. Thanks so much for letting us know about it.
This is a wonderful place considering that many people can't afford to care for their horses any longer. You're doing great work! Horses plus Corgis – like peanut butter and jelly.
I welled up reading this. Amazing place. It takes very special people to do this and the joy that must come out of doing these things. Wish I there were more people doing these amazing things and that I was able to do more. Incredible story.
So glad to hear that corgis can lend some of their many talents to helping this AWESOME cause! Keep up the good work!
I'm curious. can you tell us where the sanctuary is located? I too think this was a wonderful story to share with all of us. Bet those corgi's have fun with those horses.
This is wonderful 🙂
I would love to be able to open a sanctuary like that. I'm not sure who's luckier…the animals or Melanie and Jim.
Wonderful post, Laurie. I am glad you helped bring attention to their beautiful sanctuary.
To know there are people out there like this who help those that are often forgotten is such a blessing. Keep up the good work.
This is so wonderful–my daughter-in-law loves horses and her family keeps about 4-6 horses that they have rescued in New Hamshire. She and I have had this discussion that if I won the lottery or some such thing–our dream would be to rescue horses and corgis!! How ironic–these people have already made that dream–bless them!
Thank you for introducing Melaine and Jim Bowles and giving us a glimpse into their sactuary. What a wonderful place they have created. I look forward to reading all of Melaine's books
What a wonderful story Melanie and Jim. Bless you for creating such a safe beautiful place for the horses! I love the corgis too!
What a great story! Love these people, their horse and dogs!!!
I love the floppy eared Corgi! Can I go live there?
Love the Corgi photos! Lovely story that wells the eyes up. Thank goodness for such wonderful, generous people!
Special place in Heaven for these 2 AND their animals..They are living my dream too, to care for these dear creatures. It is the greatest thing, and in our world today, it is good to know that a place of such goodness, kindness, and generosity exists..
What a beautiful place and beautiful hearts that run it. We need more people like this in the world. It warms my heart to think of the peace these horses and dogs feel in this place. I want to live there too!
Made a small donation! Plan to read the books in the near future. What adorable corgi faces!
As both a horse and corgi owner, I am so thankful for people like Melanie and Jim. Most people have no idea what the care and feeding of just one horse takes. It warms my heart to see such generous people as the Bowles. I had to laugh at loud at the dogs in the last picture…"badges?, we don't need no stinkin badges"
So many gorgeous animals. Love seeing so many corgis, who all look happy, and it sounds like a great environment for the horses.
What a wonderful place!
Bless you! I love what you do and love your doggies too, would love to read your books.
Bless you for your work and all the love you put into it! I love your photos too – very special corgis. I would love to read your books. Happy 4th of July!
I have enjoyed 2 of Melanie's books and have recommended them to many of my horsey and even non-horsey friends. I do tell them all to have the box of tissues ready and not to make any plans for awhile after they start the books because they won't want to put them down.
What a beautiful place, love that horses and doggies are together.
I bought and read all 3 books. I laughed and cried through them all. I also have rescue horses and dogs, including a corgi. It is alot of work some days , but nothing beats settling in for the night and having all the dogs resting at my feet or in my lap.