 Hello from all of us at Horn Head Pet Sanctuary!
This Web Site is for animal lovers and people with a true love of nature. My name is Annette Hunter. I am a very lucky person as I live in the most beautiful part of Ireland and I have the best friends anyone could wish for! I run a small pet sanctuary and although my pets are all rescued animals, in truth I am the one who is rescued, as all my animals bring such joy into my life. I have the honour of spending my life in the company of:
5 rescue dogs: Buttons, Tess, Bubbles, Pluto and Blossom.
2 horses: Gentle Jenny, my old age pensioner aged 32! And stunning Blackie from The Irish Horse Welfare Trust, aged 8
2 donkeys: Scruffy and Pixie - from The Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarrol, Co. Cork.
10 Sheep: eh…… No names! (I had another horse called Holly – who you will see in the Photo Gallery, but I had to re home Holly as she was an overweight pony and needed more exercise than I could give her. So she is now in a riding school where she gets plenty of exercise and she is well cared for. I adored Holly but I knew it was best to re home her for her own sake. I miss her so much but it’s not about me, it’s about what’s was best for Holly). My donkey, Scruffy, is named after a very special dog I had who has since passed on. Scruffy is a real entertainer and he just loves to be petted on his forehead. Poor Scruffy had to endure losing his best friend, Dotty, who died here on 11th February 2008. I had named Dotty also after another special dog I had who too has since passed. The Donkey Sanctuary always gives 2 donkeys to a foster home as Donkeys pair off as “best friends” and so they are not separated when they are sent to a foster home. The Donkey Sanctuary Welfare Officer, Ernie Somerville, makes regular visits to make sure I am taking good care of the donkeys and he gives me expert advice on any questions I have. I am honoured to be a foster home to Scruffy – and was so honoured and blessed to have known poor Dotty. Now we have found a new friend for Scruffy as he must have a “best friend” to be truly content. Scruffy's new mate is Pixie. He arrived here on 5/4/2008. Scruffy and Pixie made instant friends and they run about the fields playing tag! They stay so close to each other that they make only one shadow when the sun shines. It is lovely to see Scruffy happy again. Jenny and Blackie are very gentle and protective towards the Scruffy and Pixie.
Blackie arrived here on 1/7/2008 from the Irish Horse Welfare Trust. I named him Blackie not just because he is black - but in memory of another beautiful dog I once had whom I adored. She was called Blackie. I know my dog Blackie will love the fact that I named an exquisite black horse after her. My dog Blackie was rescued from a life of beatings and neglect but thankfully we had many happy years together before she sadly passed on. Neuropathic Pain (NP)
I used to work as a fulltime medical doctor but I had to stop working in May 2007 due to Neuropathic Pain. I still care for my animals but I do this at my own pace. I am self employed and so not being able to work has meant financial ruin. Now I have to sell my beautiful cottage and farm as I need to clear my mortgage. This is SO heart breaking. NP is incurable so I am constantly up and down to hospital in Dublin. I am so worried I will loose my property as I have not paid the mortgage since June 2008. I don’t even think about losing my beautiful pets. If I loose them, I loose me. My rescued pets are my life. For more information on Neuropathic Pain please visit The Irish Chronic Pain Association website. I am no longer a full time doctor: I am now a full time patient.
I need a miracle to save my pet sanctuary. A miracle created it and now a miracle is needed to save it. Such a twist of fate……… |
