ABOUT
Helping Equines at Lilifield (H.E.A.L)
began as an innocent intention to rescue a couple of donkeys in need of a safe and supportive home. We both have huge hearts with a large capacity to love, especially in regard to animals, so as anticipated we embarked on a heart-widening journey.
Our first two rescue donkeys came to us named Cupcake and Bliss. We thought these names sounded like porn star names, but while amused, thought they deserved more thoughtful and appropriate names. So, after getting to know them a bit and mulling over the philosophy of our intention, they became Freehold and Willow. Brenda being a huge Springsteen fan, wanted to rename Cupcake as Freehold. Not just as a nod to Bruce's hometown, but as a metaphor to how we regard all animals. And that is, they are free to be who they are while we hold them dear as we care for them. Willow just seemed to have a gentle, peaceful and giving spirit and the vision of a Willow tree came to Martha's mind. In folklore, the willow tree has a feminine energy that represents healing, hope, a sense of belonging, and safety. The leaves represent the balance, harmony and growth we experience through storms and life challenges, and the ability to let go of the pain and suffering to grow new, strong and bold. This is what we want to offer them. Finally, when you abbreviate and join their names, you get FreeWill. This represents our intention of allowing them to live unincumbered, without human demand or imposition.
Their only "job" is to live their best life.
Fast forward four years, at the urging of our farrier, we heard about this mini donkey in need of a good home. He had been moved to a cattle farm after being neglected and allowed to free graze, which is the worst thing for donkeys as they are desert natives and cannot tolerate lush grass. He had foundered and his hooves had been neglected to the point that they were overgrown and twisted up. When we went to meet him, we realized there was a second mini donkey who also needed a home, and we did not want to separate him from the miniature horse with whom he had become bonded. So, home they came with us! Hee Haw, BlackJack and Bricks then became, Boo Radley, Murphy and Redbud! You can read more about their story in the Meet the Family section.
Other Lilifield residents include four rescue dogs, one rescue cat, a fishpond full of fish and bullfrogs, countless bird houses and feeders which draw hundreds of birds and feed the fattest squirrels around! Lilifield has been recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and we are fortunate to have lots of wildlife that have found safe haven here as well.
Lilifield is a family home started in 1989 when Martha's brother traded his Harley Davidson motorcycle for these 6 acres of land. He recorded the transaction on a cocktail napkin at the county courthouse and the rest is history!
Our mother built a house on the property, named it Lilifield after Matthew 6:28-33. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow..." Lilies represent rebirth and hope and this verse suggests that concern for earthly riches conflicts
with a more meaningful purpose in life.
We feel this is a fitting name and modus operandi and a way to honor our mother and brother who have both since passed away.