06-06-24

6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 6-12, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Imagine a sun-filled Salinas-area property that is pretty much run by animals. An Icelandic pony named Donald Trump seems to be in charge, overseeing a growing horse rescue (nine horses), a donkey, a miniature mule named French Fry, two cats, Ben and Jerry, and a couple of dogs. A pig resided there until recently, as well as a rooster called John Snow. They all live in peace and harmony, and scenes such as a dog standing on a horse friend give you the idea of this animal paradise. When it comes to humans, the rescue is run by Ande Parker and her family, who live nearby but spend a lot of time with their animal neighbors. The property is big enough that to visit all the animals, Donald Trump gives humans a ride in a cart, trying not to provoke other indigenous residents— snakes, hidden in tall grass. Parker says she chose the name for her pony not because of politics but because of the pony’s hair—a big blond mane, typical for Icelandic ponies, which are smaller (Iceland is a small island) than regular ponies. Their abundant hair make them look like fairytale horses, almost too beautiful to be real. “I got him from an Ohio man who brought him to the U.S.,” Parker explains. Her daughter just graduated from high school, but Parker looks much younger, fit, with long brown hair and a hat to protect her skin from the intense sun. But it’s her enthusiasm and undeniable love for animals that are most striking. She cannot refuse taking an animal in, therefore she hesitates making a website for the rescue that is called the Reck Rake Rescue. “I don’t think we would be able to have more than 20 animals here,” she says. It seems that with nine horses and their companions she is pretty much at capacity. “Chickens are great pets too,” she says as she lists their favorite animals, while stopping the cart to let an upset, needy doggie climb onto her lap and participate in the tour. When she talks to her animals, it’s clear that she treats them as if they all are her children. Asked if she is vegetarian, Parker says she is trying, but her main issue with the meat industry is not that animals are being eaten, but how they are treated and eventually slaughtered to end up, sliced and packaged, on our table. She believes that there’s a better way to produce meat; grass-fed (no alfalfa) and humanely. No matter what you are trying to achieve, there’s no reason to beat or torture animals, she says. Until recently, Parker worked fulltime and now is fulfilling her lifelong dream, also full-time. She spends hours in the rescue every day mothering her happy animal family. She says she is exhausted every day, but every day she feels a sense of satisfaction. General friendliness among animals who seem to like and even take care of each other is one of the most enchanting features of the place. Another is the surroundings, the peaceful countryside off Old Stage Road. It’s a big country of large open landscapes and a line of mountains in a distant horizon. When it came to starting the rescue, Parker did some basic research: “We googled it all,” she says. Most of the animals come from friends and acquaintances who are not able to keep their pets. The rescue’s immediate neighbors have cows, who moo at the horses, trying to start a conversation—but good luck with that; friendliness has its limits and horses, such as the 35-year-old proud Contessa and her horse friends, Forrest Gump and Cody, know better than to talk to cows. Many of the horses have a traumatic past or unresolved physical and mental issues; some have their own humans who pay Parker to house and feed their pets. Before ending up in Monterey County, Parker was a beach-obsessed surfer girl raised in Ventura. She has loved horses, and other animals, all her life. “We are on the smaller side,” she says about the rescue. That said, Parker cannot say no to newcomers and their touching stories, so accepting other horses (or pigs, or roosters) is certainly a possibility. “It’s hard to say no,” she confesses. Learn more about Reck Rake Rescue at instagram. com/reckrakerescueandretirement. Animal Farm A horse rescue in Salinas is a place where its denizens— human and animal—care for each other. By Agata Pop˛eda Donald Trump the Icelandic pony gives a ride to his dog friend at Reck Rake Rescue. Animals live in harmony at this Salinas-area horse rescue. “Chickens are great pets.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE ANDE PARKER

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