There are few things in life as rare, or as admirable, as selfless devotion to a cause. Whenever one is lucky enough to come across someone who has this quality it seems worth the time to slow down and take a good look at whatever it is that they have chosen to embrace.

In Sherry Perry’s case it is horses. Not just any horses either. She is the lady of liberty in the horse world, for she asks for no less than the “your tired, your poor…, the wretched refuse of your teaming shore” In other words the broken, unwanted and unloved.

Her dream has been to offer these horses a refuge from their troubled lives, a place to recuperate from the trials of their pasts, a place of serenity where they can learn to trust again. Two years ago she founded such a place, right here in Brunswick. Triple “L” Horse Rescue, with the “L” standing for Love, Life and Luck, the three things that she most wants to give the animals needing a second chance.

In the beginning things were going well. After much time and effort the ranch was declared a non-profit organization. Despite the lack of any outside monetary help the ranch was able to take in eight horses. Their first resident was Jocko, a 36 yr. old pony.

Due to his advanced age and health problems he would not ever be put up for adoption, but had found in Triple L a place to live out the remainder of his days in peace.

More horses soon followed, some with severe medical problems, some with behavioral issues due to past abuses and neglect, all in need of a lot of love and a secure environment, both of which Sherry provided in spades.

However, this past November the plans for Triple L Rescue hit a very serious snag. The landlord of the property decided that he wanted the land for other purposes. He informed Sherry and her husband David that they would have to vacate the ranch as soon as possible. To further complicate issues he declared that he no longer wanted more than three horses on the site, and for each additional horse housed there it would be an extra four hundred dollars a month rent.

Luckily, three of the eight originally horses had been rehabilitated enough to be adopted out. However, the other five were no where near that state, as they were all in need of long term expensive medical care, recuperation and training. A friend was kind enough to take in two of the horses, and the other three remain at Triple L. What this means for Sherry is that what was already a full time job has now become twice as difficult. Each day Sherry rises at dawn and spends the day shuttling back and forth between the two ranches, feeding, cleaning, brushing, mucking stalls and doing all of the innumerable jobs that are required of her. She does this tirelessly, almost exclusively on her own, and for no other reward than that of watching the horses come slowly back to life under her patient care.

Her husband, David, provides as much help as he possible can, but as he works long hours he is gone much of the time. Her daughter also pitches in, but suffers from health issues, so is unable to take on many of the more strenuous jobs. The ranch currently has only two volunteers, who come out about two times a month to help out.

Financially, the burden is no less. Currently, all of the many expenditures for the ranch are out of pocket, culled from David’s Navy pension. Things would be much easier if they were able to raise some funds, if the land and stables could be fixed up, and if more volunteers could be recruited. When Sherry started Triple L she enthusiastically made plans to do all these things and more. She spoke to me with great excitement about an Open House that she has been longing to have to raise money and awareness.

“There would be entertainment, food, an auction and it would give me a chance to honor any volunteers or contributors to the ranch, and of course, raise the ever needed funds.” Sherry also tells me how she would love to have the time to speak at local 4-H clubs, schools, and events, really anywhere that would get the word out about the abuse and slaughter of unwanted horses. These were only some of the things she had envisioned for the future of Triple L. Unfortunately, all of these plans have had to be put on the backburner.

There is no point to any of it unless Sherry knows that the ranch has a permanent place to call home. She lives in a constant state of stress and limbo, trying desperately to find a place where she can be together with her beloved horses before the eviction notice comes.

“Ten acres with a house and facilities on site would be ideal” she tells me. “We have 21 grants out there waiting for approval, finding someone willing to lease to own till they come through would be the answer to all of our prayers.”

Sherry says that she has not slept through the night since word came that they would have to move. She lies awake, hoping, praying, and worrying over her “babies”.

“Sometimes I’ll get up in the middle of the night to check on them all, which means, of course a drive to the other ranch. It is worth it, though, to see them safe and secure”. Sherry hopes that her worries will be over someday soon, but for now, worrying seems to be the order of the day.

One of the horses at the ranch, Grace, is in need of surgery that will cost $10,000.00. Jocko is dropping large amounts of weight again due to the fact that he has lost all of his teeth but the front ones, and the search for a new place has thus far proven futile.

Still, Sherry smiles as she goes to blend Jocko’s food for him. “I have absolutely no regrets” she tells me, “I wouldn’t trade a single moment that I’ve had with them.” “When we get the new place” she says, “we can all be together on the same property, and I will be able to open my doors again to more horses. There are just so, so many of them out there that need us, I just wish I could do more”.

Hopefully Sherry will get her wish. The land is out there, somewhere. A perfect place for her to light a torch, and with it, guide her broken and weary friends to a place that at long last they can rest, a place that they can finally, and forever, call home.

For more information on how to donate or volunteer at Triple L Rescue please visit their website at www.triplelhorserescue.com. To contact Sherry Perry please call 912-223-6197