Please help Ice & Roman

From Brynn Pennington (Pine Lane Farm's Barn Manager),

I met Alison's Mercer last February when she was looking to find a boarding facility for her 2 heart horses. She immediately fell in love with Pine Lane Farm and knew her beloved horses, Ice and Roman, would it as well.

Ice is approximately 30 and it is her wish that he spend his retirement in the pasture with our older herd, enjoying the peace and comfort and extra care I love giving to my aging horses. She adopted him years ago when his current home was going to euthanize him when he was no longer able to serve them as a lesson horse due to his age and arthritis. Alison was so thrilled with how he is doing at PLF, she swears it's the happiest he's ever been.

Ice is a big stout 12 year old paint. She had him the majority of his life when she rescued him from the Dekalb County impound, where she used to volunteer. She met him on Christmas Eve, which was also thought to be his last night. He was so sick and starving that before being rescued, he was eating rocks in an attempt to fill his belly. She laid with him, singing her favorite Christmas songs, and when she left him that evening, she was unsure if he'd make it thru the night. When the director met her at the front gate that next morning, she braced herself for the worst, and couldn't believe it when he excitedly explained to her. the foal had made it thru the night. He's been with her ever since. She broke him herself, and always took the best care of her as she aged.

For the 10 months she was my boarder, Alison visited with the religiously, never missed a Sunday, and always brought the barn cats and dogs extra treats. The horses nickered to her before they could see her as she always greeted them with a HEY GUYS, as she walked into the barn. They adored her, walking around with her slowly, being careful to never trip her up. She helped me while I was away at horse shows, making sure the horses always had water and that everyone was in good health. She was my biggest advocate and support system while I was dealing with the passing of my old horse Moses. Her favorite part of PLF was the bustling activity of all the kids, riding and taking care of the horses. She always engaged with them, watching the lessons as she hand grazed Ice and Roman, and asking the kiddos how their lesson went after.

She was only 61. A few months ago, she asked if she could rewrite her will so that if anything happened to her, the horses would be left in my care and remain at Pine Lane. We last spoke about 3 weeks ago when she asked when the farrier appointment was scheduled for Ice and Roman to have their feet done. I responded and got no response, but assumed she was busy at school working as a substitute teacher. When I confirmed the farrier had been by a few days later, I received no response to that but didn't think much of it until she missed her standing 4 o'clock visit on Sunday. Everyone at the barn knew to expect her, and on the rare occasions, she couldn't make she texted to let me know so that I could the horses a few extra pats. When I called a few times with no response, I reached out to her few Facebook friends, and it was her cousin who encouraged me to have a welfare check done. Luckily I have a good friend that works in the Gwinnett County PD who listened to my concern and was able to get Dekalb Country PD dispatched out to her home in Tucker to check on her. It was a few hours later they discovered her deceased in her home, with her 2 dogs and 10 cats. It was later determined that she passed away peacefully of natural causes. Her nephew and close friend are handling the house and once the estate settles, there will be money to care for Ice and Roman. Until then, I am asking for any donations to put toward their board and care.

Any amount will help cover their costs. It was wise that they stayed at PLF with me and I am going to do my best to honor that, but I'm going to need help for a bit. The dogs are in a temporary foster as we try to find them a forever home and the cats remain at Dekalb Lifeline where they will be adopted out. I'm getting Ice, the 12-year-old shaped up, as he's a cute horse and so safe under saddle, in hopes that I can get him an on-site lease, to relieve some of the financial strain. I am reaching out to the community for help and any amount helps ensure that her horses remain in their late owner's favorite place to be.

Thank you in advance so very much for your generosity- it would mean the world to Allison knowing that her beloved horses will be so well taken care of.

Thanks,

Brynn