03/06/2024
***🚨 Long read ahead but promise this will answer all questions🚨***
Our founder is currently facing a major health challenge, below is her story in her own words.
This post is one of the most difficult posts I have ever had to make, as well as what has transpired over this last year in my life.
Forever Love Sanctuary has always based itself not only on rescuing, rehabilitation, and adoption of these majestic animals but also on transparency in our journey.
My life, love, and passion have always been to rescue the unwanted, neglected, and abused animals who found their lives in situations no animal deserves to be in. This passion and fire in me to help as many animals as I could is what woke me up every day and sometimes led me to not sleep for days. During my journey, I became certified in Large Animal Rescue in Natural Disasters. It took me from state to state helping as many people and their animals as I could. I knew I couldn’t bring every animal to Forever Love Sanctuary but I could offer my help to others and their animals and I did just that to the best of my ability.
Over the last 10 years, I have spent not only rescuing animals out of fires, hurricanes, and floods; but also, people who needed help transporting their animals and bringing feed, basically if someone was in need and I could help them, I did and I would do it all over again and would still be doing just the same if I could.
To all of you whom I have met and developed wonderful connections and relationships with and followed and supported me during all of this, I want to thank you and send my deepest appreciation and gratitude to all of you. Without you, none of it would have been possible.
Unfortunately, this last year my journey has thrown me a huge curve ball. For any that don’t know I was diagnosed with Diabetes when I was 6 years old. This last year my health has taken a turn, and I am finding myself needing to allow everyone to know the detour my journey has taken. Within the last 5 months, I have lost all sight in my left eye and was told by my doctor that the right eye is right behind the left. They have already detected blood in part of the right and basically, it is like looking through a haze. Doctors have immediately started aggressive treatments of shots in the eyes and laser treatments to not only try and help the left eye but to hopefully stop the loss of my right. Signs are showing that I may need to have surgery on my left for possible retinal detachment. This detour has forced me to have to make some big and hard decisions. I can’t imagine my life without my animals in it, especially now while going through the hardest challenge in my life. They are part of my being and who I am. They give me as much support, if not more, than what I have always done my best to give them. They give me a purpose and extra push that I will need to get through this journey, no matter how it ends up. My prayer is to be able to keep my sanctuary, so my current animals continue to have a loving home. This is where I have to do something I have never been good at or comfortable with. I am very comfortable offering it but not asking or receiving it and that is asking for your help and support. I never thought in all the years that I have spent devoting myself to helping and supporting everyone I could, that I would now be on the other side. And I’m terrified.
Over 10 years ago I met Pattie Sentinella (Pattie Mayonnaise), founder of Graefen Grove Ranch Rescue and Sanctuary. Our friendship has taken us on many rescues and adventures. We bonded over our deep-seated love for animals and the need to do right by as many as we felt we could help. We did our certification in Large Animal Rescue together, and spent many months living out of my white truck just so we could go and save as many animals as we could. During those years we both started our own horse rescues and continued to help support each other in our endeavors. Over these past years, I never thought I would find myself in a position having to decide how to care for myself and my animals, but I am. Without hesitation Pattie offered me and my sanctuary of animals to come and live with her at her rescue so that she and her team could help support me and my animals in this next part of my journey. It is with this change that we have decided to join our passion and fight together so that I may continue fighting for the animals that call Forever Love Sanctuary home. As I have always said, “Teamwork makes the dream work” and I would love nothing more than to be able to keep my animals with me during my health “detour” and far thereafter.
To continue my journey, I am asking for your support. I can't continue this without your help. There are so many ways that it may be offered, and all support will be appreciated!
Even sharing the s**t out of this post will be a tremendous help! Please like and share!****
📰Here is a short spotlight of past rescues…
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/carlsbad-woman-saves-dozens-of-animals-from-woolsey-fire/509-9eea02ba-6acd-4cd3-af2b-96959c13218e
Venmo:
Checks: mail be mailed to 1242 Avenida Amistad
San Marcos, CA 92069
Volunteer: DM or email at: [email protected]
