McBrien's Pet Sitting-House Sitting.

10/15/2026

After 168 years, New York City is moving to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park. Here's what led to the historic decision: http://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/nation-world/new-york-city-central-park-horse-drawn-carriage-ban/507-0b354317-2f78-4165-af7b-6836d21c3267?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_NEWS_CENTER_Maine

10/15/2026

This one hurts our hearts. 🥺 Boomer is with us through no fault of his own after his beloved owner unfortunately had to go into the hospital and could no longer care for him. At 9 1/2 years old, Boomer has lost the person he knew, the home he loved, and the life he was comfortable in. And honestly? He’s sad 💔 We can see how much he misses his person, and all we want is to see that happiness come back into his life.

Boomer is neutered, knows his commands, and enjoys sniffing around and exploring. He’s a good boy who deserves to spend his golden years in a home where he can feel safe and loved again. His adoption fee is WAIVED because we want nothing more than to see him walk out our doors and into a home of his own !!

Boomer would thrive as the only dog in the home! He ok with dog savvy cats only! and he needs a home without young children. Older kids ages 10+ may be considered, but they MUST meet him first. He would also benefit from a home where someone is around more often than not. We completely understand that everyone has a schedule and needs to work, but Boomer is used to free roaming his home while his owner was away, and we want to find him a family that can give him plenty of companionship.

PLEASE, help us get Boomer HOME. 😭 Share his story, spread the word, ask your friends, or maybe even consider being the person he needs. We know he’s older, and we know he may not be the first dog people stop to look at, but he still has SO much life and love left to give. He didn’t ask for his world to change, and he deserves to feel happy agaiN.

We got him to smile for a cookie though!

Could you be his second chance?? 💔💔

10/15/2026

Hours. That's how long our rehab team spent gently cleaning dried raw egg from a young Chimney Swift's face before treatment could even begin. 🪶

A kind finder had been feeding the fallen nestling raw egg, hoping to help. But chimney swifts eat only flying insects, caught on the wing, their whole lives. By the time this swift reached us, the egg had dried and sealed its eyes shut.

It's a reminder that even loving care can put a bird in more danger. If you find a bird in need, please don't offer food or water. Here's why:

🐤 A cold bird can't digest food, and a sick or injured bird needs all its energy for healing.
🐤 Every species needs a specific diet. Egg, bread, milk, and even birdseed can cause serious harm, and online searches and AI often get this wrong.
🐤 Injured birds may need X-rays, which are safest on an empty stomach.
🐤 Water is easily spilled on a bird, leaving it soaked and unable to stay warm.
🐤 It's illegal to keep or feed a wild bird without a rehabilitation license.
🐤 Birds are tougher than you think. They can safely go hours or even days without food while traveling to us. The wrong food is far more dangerous.

What to do instead: call our hotline at (207) 382-6761, 9am–5pm, 365 days a year. We'll walk you through safe containment (just a box, a towel, and a quiet space) and connect you with our network of more than 120 volunteers across the state ready to bring birds to us.

Every hour of careful cleanup, every species-specific formula, and every X-ray is made possible by supporters like you. 💛 Help us be ready for the next call by giving through the link in our bio.

Please share this post so more people know to call first! 🐦

10/12/2026

😢

10/11/2026

❤️

Did you contribute to Gabriel’s Gift? Do you know how special you are? Let us tell you and share some wonderful news.
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If you have already given, this post is for you. And if you are thinking about joining us, it is for you too.
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The backstory. Recently, a visiting supporter mentioned that with almost 45,000 people following our page, fundraising must be easy. He imagined at least 10% of our followers were donating. Ohhh, we love his optimism. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
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It was an interesting assumption and one we so wish were true. For those of you who have also wondered, let me break the numbers down for you. Perhaps you too will find it fascinating, and we hope it will show you just how impactful your gifts of any size are. You make such a difference.
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Let’s look at our current campaign, Gabriel’s Gift, The GoodHearted Horses. Many thousands of folks loved Gabriel (seen here) and followed his journey. Many commented about his beautiful legacy. Yet, so far, 183 generous people have joined with a contribution. It mattered.
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Those folks are OUR HEROES and, for sure, the horses’ heroes too. Along with Gabriel’s remaining reserve, their gifts of love are already making beautiful tomorrows possible by allowing us to say yes to welcoming a draft gelding in need, getting us closer to welcoming the draft mare by the minute and allowing us to set our sights on the Standardbred who waits. They are miracle makers!
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Yet, compared with our 44,750 followers, 183 is less than half of 1%. Do you feel how special you are?
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You are the less than half of 1%. And already, a life changed and more beautiful tomorrows are within reach.
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I hope everyone sees the difference those supporters are already making! Every single contribution matters, and every person who has given should feel proud. They are spreading love and kindness into the universe. They are making a big impact and saving and changing lives.
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And there is more.
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This year, for the first time ever, thanks to them we just reached a milestone of 1,500 active supporters! It is an incredible honor and we feel humbled by their presence, your presence, beside us. It is a number equal to just over 3% of our Facebook following.
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That is amazing, right? It is so wonderful but no, just to be clear it is not near the 10% this gentleman was expecting. I think he was surprised when we shared the actual numbers.
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Now, please keep reading and bear with us. It is critical to note that those 1,500 people are the today and tomorrow of Tomten Farm and Sanctuary. They create peace, protection and possibility. Without them, the other 40,000 plus folks here could not enjoy this journey, our posts, the lives saved or the difference we make. We are so so grateful to each and every person and hope you are too.
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But, imagine what we could do together if more people joined us. Especially in this campaign where four horses stand waiting on strangers for a soft landing. Together we could do this.
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Imagine if that supporter’s hopeful estimate of 10% became reality! That would be 4,475 people helping make these horses’ dreams, and those of so many other animals, come true. Haha, that would be so incredibly amazing, I can barely imagine it and I believe the impossible is possible.
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What a beautiful goal to reach toward. But, let’s focus.
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Right now, there are still matching funds available thanks to a generous $5,000 match in memory of Sue.
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AND another kind, anonymous supporter has offered a $5,000 match in memory of Rick.
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What beautiful ways to memorialize a loved one. I have no doubt both Sue and Rick are standing with Gabriel watching from above, hearts full of love and gratitude. Thank you.
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This means gifts will be doubled, dollar for dollar, until all the available matching funds are met. Five becomes ten, fifty becomes one hundred and so on. Talk about impactful!
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If you haven’t yet joined our journey with a show of support, perhaps this might be the time. Your gift could help us complete the draft mare’s startup fund and emergency reserve, then move us toward welcoming the Standardbred who waits and what I believe is a Dutch Harness Horse.
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Whatever the amount, your gift is enough to make a difference. You do not have to give a lot to be part of something that means everything to a horse in need and we promise you they will feel it. We will feel it. The entire Tomten community will feel it.
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So, we ask you, are you in? If you have ever wondered if your gift matters, I hope this helps you see just how very much it does and just how grateful we are to all who stand beside us on this journey of peace, protection and possibility.
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YOU matter. THEY matter.
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Now, let’s make the draft mare’s welcome possible and set our sights on her two friends who are still waiting. In Gabriel’s memory, may more beautiful tomorrows begin.
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Thank you to the people who are with us. And to those about to join us, thank you, we look forward to making a difference with you too.
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Please see the comments to help make the impossible possible and to read more about Gabriel's Gift, simply scroll back to the post of him and I together. We hope you do.

Together we are Tomten. Thank you.

10/10/2026

🤬💔

Five-year-old Vogue Blue Chip suffered a horrific death while being transported to the Windsor Fair on August 31st. His leg fell through the floor of the trailer transporting him, and he was dragged along the road before arriving at the fairgrounds fatally injured. He was euthanized shortly afterward.

Witnesses reported that motorists tried to get the driver, owner/trainer Stanley Whittemore to stop for over two miles. After finally stopping at the fair's gate, Whittemore was seen kicking Vogue and using a shovel to try to force him to get up, despite his leg being trapped beneath the trailer.

The Maine State Harness Racing Commission imposed a $1,000 fine and one-year suspension—a punishment for conduct “detrimental to the sport.”

We've contacted the district attorney and the Maine State Police and asked them to investigate Vogue's death under Title 7, Section 4011 of the Maine Cruelty-to-Animals statutes. Vogue was just five years old. His death was horrific. And it was preventable.

We will continue to be his voice. Justice for Vogue Blue Chip. 📢💔🐴

https://horseracingwrongs.org/2026/10/05/heres-the-full-foia-on-the-gruesome-dragging-killing-in-maine/

10/10/2026

💔

Gabriel's Gift. The GoodHearted Horses.
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Tonight we reach out with hopes that together we can welcome two draft horses in honor of Gabriel GoodHeart, the much loved Percheron rescued from auction who we sadly said goodbye to just days ago.
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While we knew he wouldn't be here long, this giant gelding left an enormous mark on our hearts, and for weeks, while he was still here with us, we had been dreaming of a very special way to honor his legacy.
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What better way than to welcome two other drafts in need, horses like Gabriel who had reached the end of the line.
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And perhaps, if we can, to reach even further and temporarily shelter their two friends.
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Here is their story.
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On September 2, twenty-five discarded horses were already on the truck, headed to slaughter.
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Long past auction, they had already been purchased by a kill buyer, loaded onto a truck and were traveling through New York on their way to Viande Richelieu, a horse slaughter plant in Quebec.
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Their destination had been decided.
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They had become the untouchable horses, soon to be invisible.
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But as with Gabriel, the universe had other plans.
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Following an investigation by Animals' Angels, New York State Police pulled the truck over, resulting in the first arrest under New York's 2024 law prohibiting the transport of horses through the state for slaughter.
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Twenty-five horses who had been headed to slaughter were suddenly given something none of them were supposed to have.
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Tomorrow.
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A chance for futures where dreams could come true.
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Since that September morning, an extraordinary effort led by the New York State Humane Association, with hands-on assistance from our hardworking friends at The Dorset Equine Rescue and the veterinary team from Rood & Riddle, has kept these horses safe while their futures are determined.
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But they still need somewhere to call home.
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Weeks ago, while Gabriel was still with us, Tomten was asked to help as soon as the horses were cleared to cross state lines.
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Now they are ready.
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We had so hoped Gabriel would be here to welcome them, standing beside Maisie as they arrived. He couldn't wait for them, but the love and kindness that surrounded him will still be waiting when they come through our gates.
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We would like to welcome two draft horses, a mare and a gelding, to sanctuary.
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And if we can raise enough, we would like to reach even further, temporarily sheltering two more, their pasture mates, so friends who have found comfort in one another during difficult times can remain together as they heal.
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Four horses.
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Two who we hope will call Tomten home and two more who we may be able to help along their journey.
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All have been through a great deal and they may come to us with significant needs.
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We have the room. We have the love. We have the expertise and the veterinary team.
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The question is, can we raise the funds in honor of Gabriel?
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How much we raise will determine just how many we can responsibly help.
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As always, sustainable, responsible rescue and sanctuary means being prepared to not only to open the gates, but for everything that comes afterward.
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They will be the very last horses we take in this year.
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But they are worth stretching for just as Gabriel was.
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Without us, without you, Gabriel could have been on that very same truck, suffering, in pain, lost and alone. We outbid the very same kill buyer for Gabriel at auction and somehow, instead of continuing down that road, this big draft horse made it here to peace, protection and possibility.
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It mattered.
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There is no doubt that every single day, Gabriel was grateful.
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We wish with all our hearts that he was still with us with years before him, but what Gabriel reminded us is that saving a life cannot be measured by how much time comes afterward. It is measured by the quality of the days that remain.
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Whether it be many years or just seasons, every life deserves days filled with peace, protection and possibility.
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Gabriel is helping us begin, and there is no doubt he is ready to gallop onward leading the charge.
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His emergency reserve, raised earlier this year, has become the start of the GoodHearted Horses' fund, allowing the kindness given to him to carry forward to others who desperately need the same embrace of our collective arms.
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It is a beginning.
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Now we are asking you to help us build on it to create another miracle.
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Will you join us in honoring Gabriel by bringing the GoodHearted Horses home and, if we possibly can, reaching far enough to help their friends too?
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Together, may we give them kindness, ease, friendship and family.
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May Gabriel's spirit live on in the lives that follow his footsteps and inspire us all to reach just a little bit deeper, to be more, do more and give more.
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Thank you for loving Gabriel GoodHeart. And thank you for seeing the invisible horses.
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Together, we are Tomten, and together, once again, we can make the impossible possible.
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Join us below to BRING THE GOODHEARTED HORSES HOME ❤️

10/09/2026

💔

And under an autumn sky of blue, with a soft sun that warmed our skin, we said goodbye to Gabriel GoodHeart.
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It was as it should always be, on a good day, surrounded by friends, with Maisie nearby.
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After a morning nap on soft ground, a long grooming session, an all-you-can-eat mash filled with apples and carrots and molasses and an entire large bucket of stud muffins, Gabriel left us softly for a place where he could gallop pain-free, as we whispered to him how very brave he was, how very beautiful and how very loved he was and would always be.
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It took everything we had to be strong for him, what seemed like an impossible task as our hearts broke for a horse who had been so failed by so many.
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It should have been years and not months, but we would do it all again in a heartbeat. He mattered, and the gifts we gave him mattered, making a difference not just in his life but in all of ours.
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And while our hearts are heavy with loss, we are proud. We are proud of the peace, protection and possibility that embraced him each and every day he was with us, and of our ability to let him go when he told us it was time.
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Here at Tomten, with you by our side, Gabriel found comfort and kindness. He knew love and safety and the beautiful gift of sanctuary. And it was possible because of people like you. Thank you for loving a horse many of you only met from afar.
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Gallop on, Gabriel GoodHeart. We have been working on plans to honor you. May you look on as we create your legacy, and may you forever live on in our hearts, our mission and every life we welcome to this farm.
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(A few more moments from Gabriel's beautiful last day in the comments.)