Raquel (Hansen) Stockey, Baldwin, WI

When it comes to animals I have always been passionate about them, and that means any animal. I don’t know exactly where the passion comes from, but I have always been surrounded by animals from the time I was born all the way to today. The sound of silence to me is when you need comfort and there is an animal silently standing there understanding what you need.

I can remember when I was little I had two big ol’ tom cats. They were Geronimo and Toby and they were as I said tom cats. Toby was my favorite because I didn’t think he caught birds or mice, and he would cuddle with me. Geronimo on the other hand was a fierce hunter. I would find him playing with what ever he had just caught to eat and instantly begin crying. I would yell at him, take it away from him and tell him I was going to go tell mom or dad. So there I would be with either a dead mouse, bird or whatever happened to be the kill of the day in my hand going into the house crying to tell on Geronimo to my mom. I didn’t understand at the time why my mom would freak out and tell me to toss whatever I was carrying outside and go wash my hands. She would then try to explain to me why Geronimo really wasn’t a bad kitty and just doing what was natural. I never liked her response, so I quickly learned that if I went to dad he was more sympathetic and didn’t make me toss my rescue. I would go out to the garage or wherever my dad was working with whatever I had just confiscated from Geronimo. I would find him and he would stop what he was doing because of course I was crying. My dad became pretty good at figuring out what I was crying about and would always take my rescue from me. It was always dead when he did this and he would burry it for me. The first time I brought him one of Geronimo’s kills he didn’t know what I was after. He figured if he buried it, I would be happy and let him get back to work. So he would go grab a shovel and dig a small hole wherever we happened to be, and bury it. I would then tell him I was going to go and get Geronimo so he could give him a spanking. I would come back to my dad with Geronimo to get his spanking. I don’t know if my dad ever did give Geronimo a spanking but it always made me feel better.

My grandparents had a farm while I was growing up. Every weekend that is where we would go. My grandpa was always bringing home some sort of animal. When he got rid of all the cattle and pigs he turned to donkeys and borrows. He had what seemed like a ton of them. They all had names and he knew their personalities. My grandpa was given a mule of some sort that couldn’t walk when it arrived. My grandpa nursed Allie back to health and I helped. Allie was the only one on the farm not contained by a fence. He would just meander around and stayed out of the garden and grandma’s flowers. If my grandpa or I were outside Allie would be right behind us. He followed us around like a puppy. If you stopped suddenly you would get head butted by Allie. Allie died a happy old mule with dignity because of my grandpa.

Not too long after my grandpa became very sick and could no longer care for his herd. My uncle took over their care and they still looked for him. My grandpa died in the middle of the night. When my grandma called my parents went over to their house right away. I didn’t know what to do. I ended up at their house also. When the funeral home arrived to take my grandpa I went out to the barn. I flipped on the lights and no one was in there I shut the lights back off and, went to the end of the barn and opened the half door to the pasture. There was Jenny, my grandpa’s love he was the only one she would let pet her. She new I was upset and there I stood crying on her neck with her rubbing her nose on my back. I am not sure how long we stood there but she let me as long as I need to.

Animals have always been there for me whenever I needed them. When I first heard about WindChill I saw the article heading in the Duluth news paper. I ignored it. I didn’t want to read about some stupid person who harmed something innocent. My mom began telling me about the story because she read the article. I then began reading the articles. I went to Raindance’s web site and saw what complete dedication Jeff, Kathi, and the care team had to one animal in need. I found myself cheering for them and WindChill. I became addicted to him. Looking at his photos you couldn’t help but be drawn in. When he hurt we hurt, when he was great we were great. I finally made it up north and was going to go and see him the day before he died. I was working nights at the time and was awake the whole night just waiting for the sun to come up so I could head over to Raindance. I checked periodically throughout the night and right before the sun came up the words WindChill died screamed at me. I was heart broken. I couldn’t fathom how the people taking care of him must have felt, I knew how I felt and I hadn’t even met him. WindChill’s spirit has moved many people and is continuing to do so today. Because of WindChill an ugly secret has been put to light, people will not stand by and do nothing. They will rally to see justice. There are many people doing positive and great things because of WindChill and I am very proud to be able to say I am part of the family he created.