Everyone who owns large animals, and that would include Doxy’s horses, knows how tough it is to care for them during the winter months.  Between snow, cold, ice, and bitter winds it takes special people to get the job done.  Our volunteers are the greatest, providing the care and love with dedication no matter what the weather.  Again, you guys continue to make it all happen!

Featuring Diane, Megan and Abby with Sassy, Hogan, Ellie, Tiny Dancer, Big Girl, Dillinger, and Royal

Please meet Carolyn Miller, 67 years old, who lives in Oswego, NY with her 2 wonderful rescue dogs, Allie O’Toole and Mickie O’Malley.  She has 3 living grown children and 2 grandchildren who live in North Carolina.

Carolyn’s not the most senior volunteer since she became technically active in July 2010 but started her career with what would become Doxy’s when Marilyn and Michael bought the property.  Activities at that time included clearing of the property and rock and garbage picking until you were ready to drop.  Since Marilyn is her sister and was her riding pal when they were younger, it was a natural connection to become a volunteer.

She volunteers almost every day of the week from her home.  Carolyn is responsible for the website, email, financial and governmental filings, developing promotional items, posting adoptable horses on 3 other sites, maintaining Doxy’s photo album and scrapbook, and helping with fund raising events.  Can’t forget, she also makes horse treats.

Carolyn has been retired from Oswego County Health Department for almost 5 years and has found it to be divine, allowing her time for Doxy’s and enjoying her home and dogs way more than she did when she worked.  She’s an avid reader, loves playing the piano, writes short faith-based stories, children’s picture book stories that feature animals, and is working on a novel.  Developing equine and canine treat recipes has filled many hours with mixing, baking and “field testing” for her dogs and Doxy’s horses, to sell at fund raisers along with numerous quick breads. 

As a lover of quotes, Carolyn chose two that reflect her feelings about things being discarded without a second thought and how we treat our animals.  “You don’t just throw a life away, just ‘cause he’s banged up a little.”  -  Tom Smith, Seabiscuit’s trainer

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”  - Ghandi

Please meet volunteer, Linda Phelps, 66 years old, from Norwich, NY.  Linda lives with her husband Bob, and her doggie, Bessie.  Their daughter, Stephanie, lives in PA with her husband Devon.  No grandchildren yet but Linda and Bob have 3 wonderful grand dogs, Mollie, Charlee and .

Linda started volunteering at Doxy’s at the beginning of the summer of 2012.  She’d always had an interest in horses and just happened to come across the website so she drove over one Saturday afternoon and introduced herself.  She told Michael and Marilyn she didn’t know anything about horses but wanted to learn and asked if she could volunteer.  Linda tells us it has been such a wonderful and fulfilling experience for her, wished she done it when she first retired.

She was going to Doxy’s 2-3 times a week and did all sorts of chores in and out of the barn, helped with daily feeding and grooming, and socialized with the horses.  She did a little bit of riding but needed more experience in that area.  Each time she went she tried to spend some time with Josie, a beautiful mule they have, that needs extra socialization.  She loves spending time with all the horses, goats, dogs, and Clyde and always learns something new each time she’s there.

Linda became very fond of Tonto and ended up adopting him on January 25, 2013.  She hasn’t had as much time to spend at Doxy’s since adopting her boy and taking full responsibility for his care.  Her riding skills have definitely improved since she adopted Tonto, both of them gaining trust and experience with each other. 

Another pure Doxy’s lover, Linda does have more to her life.  She loves her family, spending time with them and walking Bessie.  Linda enjoys snowshoeing, kayaking, NASCAR racing (Mark Martin and Trevor Bayne), SU basketball, Yankees baseball, quilting, and jewelry making.

Linda’s selected quote is:

“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.”  -  Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, French novelist

Our next shining star to introduce is Laurie Bobbette, 42 years old, who lives in Lafayette, NY with John, their 2 children, 18 year old Zack, a freshman in college and 12 year old Brianna, and 4 dogs, 3 boxers and a yorkie-poo, 6 cows, and 3 horses, Romeo, Heifetz and Jango, a mini donkey.  Now there’s a household!.

Laurie found out about Doxy’s when she came with a friend who wanted to look at an adoptable horse.  She loved what she saw and began volunteering in March 2012.  Laurie spends Saturdays and Sundays when she can at Doxy’s doing whatever needs to be done, including chores, riding and exercising horses, taking pictures, routine care, and helping with selection of horses to be brought in to Doxy’s.  She manages Doxy’s Facebook page and postings on Craigslis, helps with fund raising events and is on the internet daily with Doxy’s activities.

We’re sure you can tell by now that Laurie loves Doxy’s!  She is the office manager for NY Leak Detection in Jamesvills, NY.  Laurie loves to read horse magazines and educational horse books.  She enjoys spending time with her family at home and with all the animals who live with her.

Laurie shared 3 special quotes with us:

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”  -  Anna Sewell, author of “Black Beauty”

“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake.  Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our souls when we look the other way.”  -  Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We are what we repeatedly do.”  -  Aristotle

Introducing Linda Purtell-Kemmerer, 60 years old, who is from Little Meadows, PA.  She became involved with Doxy’s a couple of years ago when she heard what Mike and Marilyn were doing and knew she had to do something.  Linda helps at events when she can and designs and provides the beautiful note cards that are sold as one of our fund raising items.

Although a photo was not selected by Linda, we decided to use her Facebook profile.  Linda did return her profile questionnaire and it was short and sweet!

Leah Kazalski

We would like to introduce Leah Kazalski, 20 years old, from Greene, NY who lives with her parents when she is not attending college and living on campus.

Leah found Doxy’s website a couple of years ago when she was searching for a way to get reconnected with horses after a few years of not working with them.  She made a visit and instantly fell in love with everything they strive for and the fact that they’re saving the lives of horses.

Her first full summer of volunteering was spent riding and exercising horses as often as she could get to Doxy’s.  The summer of 2012 found Leah with a lot less time due to her summer job and she unfortunately has not been able to be at Doxy’s as much as she’d like.

Leah attends Utica College where she plays on the volleyball team.  Over the summer of 2012 she worked at a different barn and ran a day camp for kids, teaching them how to ride and the basics of caring for horses.  She attends Northpointe Church where Doxy’s brought 2 horses for an event there and provided pony rides, an enormous hit with everyone.

Leah’s special quote:

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”  -  Winston Churchill

Introducing Barb Sternberg from Port Crane who has now adopted 3 horses from Doxy’s, Amber, Smokey and The Bandit.  She is 52 years old and lives with her husband who has been a big help getting everything ready to bring the mini horses home to live with her.

Barb heard about Doxy’s from another volunteer, Cindy Hyde, about 2 years ago and has been going to Doxy’s every Tuesday and Saturday to do chores, brush horses and make sure they all have water.  She makes sure the goats’ pen is cleaned at least once a week and trys to have all the chores done on Tuesdays before Mike returns home from work so he can relax or do whatever he wants.

We know Barb loves Doxy’s but she also enjoys doing for others, works part-time, does yard work for a couple of families, and cleans the home of a couple of older ladies.  Most of all, she enjoys her horses very much.

Barb’s dream right now is to buy a bigger place so she bring her girl, Amber, home with her so she also care for her every day like she does the minis.

Barb did not indicate a picture she would like posted but we picked one of her with her mini boys.

Time for you to meet Cindy Hyde, 52 years old, from Binghamton, NY.  Cindy lives with her cat who runs the house and her.  She became connected to Doxy’s over 3 years ago when she came with a friend to look at Gold Dust, a beautiful big palomino.  Cindy had years of experience with her own horses, rode Gold Dust, the friend fell in love with him and adopted him, and Cindy became a volunteer.  Up until a couple of years ago Cindy came weekly to help with care, cleaning and riding.  Now she helps out at events and with raffle ticket sales.

Cindy works at United Health Services and has 2 grown children who are her rocks.  She has 2 wonderful grandchildren who she enjoys spending time with and her grandson was featured on our website in December 2011 with the minis and Mrs. Claus.  Cindy has an “Iron Horse”, a Harely Davidson that she loves to ride and has had special place in her heart for horses since her very first one who was born to her sister’s pony when Cindy was 4 years old.

Cindy’s response to a special quote contribution was the following:

“We love horses for what they embody; freedom, spirit, adventure, perseverance, and drive.  Horses are gentle, loyal, fierce friends, and the ultimate travel companions who are willing to go the distance with you.”  -  Winston Churchill

We now meet Lynn Kleingardner from Bainbridge, NY.  Lynn met Marilyn through Chris from Route 206 when Lynn stopped by to tell Chris how much she admired her Appaloosa.  Chris then told Lynn about Marilyn and Michael working to save horses from the kill pen and Lynn’s maintained her connection with what is now known as Doxy’s Horse Recovery, Inc.

Lynn is not what we call a traditional volunteer.  She works full time which includes every other weekend, is very involved with her family, has 3 horses of her own, soon to 4, of which 3 are adoptions from Doxy’s, and quite a collection of cats and dogs.  Doxy’s knows if there’s anything they need help with that Lynn will be there if she can.  That might mean going to Doxy’s to round up a horse or more that got out of the fence or to go put a horse in the barn if there’s severe weather.

Lynn lives with her husband and all of the animals from above.  They have 3 grown children who are all married, 1 grandchild and another one coming in January 2013.  She does get over to Doxy’s once in a while for a ride, help out and see what’s grazing in the pastures those days.

Lori Gordon

Please meet Lori Gordon from Vestal, NY.  Lori is 55 years old, lives with her husband, youngest son, 5 cats, 2 dogs, and 1 rabbit.  She met Doxy’s about 4 years ago at a Meet and Greet that was teamed up with a greyhound rescue group from which Laurie had adopted her dogs, got interested and has been volunteering ever since.

With a smiling face, Lori told us she “does whatever she’s told to do”,  This includes shoveling, feeding, grooming, and riding as well as helping with Doxy’s events whenever she’s free.  Her goal is to get to Doxy’s once a week, alternating Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Lori’s response to being asked, “What else do you do?”  She has 3 sons that she’s crazy about and a new daughter, Maria, who married one of the sons last year.  She is a born again Christian and very involved with Valleyview Alliance Church.  In her spare time she pet sits, reads, does some writing for publication, and gardens.  Lori is a foster home for cats with young kittens, and/or orphaned kittens for the Animal Care Council and is a retired veterinary technician.

Lori declined to have a picture posted with her profile, we all know how much she hates having her picture taken. 

Horses need care and attention all year round and, boy oh boy, it’s a major job in the winter with snow, cold, ice, and wind.  These dedicated volunteers, including Buddy and Marilyn, get it done despite the weather and temperatures.  You guys continue to make it all happen!

Doxy’s third annual Volunteer Recognition Party was held on February 2, 2013.  We now have 19 volunteers who contribute to the success of Doxy’s in so many different ways.  Robin, Leah, Pat, Kathey, Ann, Carolyn, Katrina, Linda K., and Lynn were unable to attend.  We were delighted to serve delicious snacks, lasagna, salad, and carrot cake to Diane, Barb, Lori, Danielle, Cindy, Linda P., Carol, Dee, Laurie, and Phil.

As we thank you today and every day, remember it’s your love, commitment and loyalty that keep Doxy’s cantering along!

Volunteers work practically every day of the week with Doxy’s horses but try to take time out a few times each year to just relax and enjoy the pleasure of a trail ride.  August 25, 2012 was one of those days.  Laurie, Barb, Courtney, Kim, Cynthia, and Brenna went out twice and Laurie and Cynthia went back out for a third turn.  Sable, Levi, Fortune, and Jasmine were ridden as well as Raj, Black Jack, Sweetie Boy, and Romeo, horses that are permanent residents at Doxy’s.

Laurie posted the picture from Facebook and the pictures from the ride show us just that.