Location: Telegraph Fire Mariposa/Midpines Home

Discussion: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal LoveReported This is a featured thread

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Yosemitebear
Yosemitebear
Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 30 2008, 11:10 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 30 2008, 11:10 PM EDT
John and Wendy Vittands who have lost their home in this fire were forced to evacuate early in the fire. Wendy tried to take her horses with her during the initial evacuation but firefighters would
not let her. Wendy tied her horses tied to her vehicle and was planning on leading them out with her horses following her as she didn't have a horse trailer or couldn't get them in it by herself. Firefighters would not let her do that, because they said it would take too long that way. Wendy said that the firefighter forced her to leave her horses behind so she escaped with her own life. Later John and Wendy's neighbor and horse trainer John Curry come up to the house on horseback and rescued the horses by leading them in a trail pack out to safety. John Curry obviously saved the horses lives as John and Wendy's home was destroyed. John Curry needs to be recognized for his act bravery, friendship and animal husbandry. 10  out of 10 found this valuable. Do you?    
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clcasey
1. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 12:51 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 12:51 AM EDT
I also tried to post this story and am not sure if I correctly did it. So, if it does not appear, there is an account set up for Jon Currie at Yosemite Bank for donations. The account number is 307005652. 4  out of 4 found this valuable. Do you?    

DarcyFitzwilliam
2. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 1:13 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 1:13 AM EDT
"I also tried to post this story and am not sure if I correctly did it. So, if it does not appear, there is an account set up for Jon Currie at Yosemite Bank for donations. The account number is 307005652."
This is a different account number from the general victims fund, BTW.

For all of you who don't know Jon, he is an extremely cool guy, if you couldn't tell from the story about what he did for John and Wendy's horses. His house was a tiny, one room cabin (no indoor plumbing even -- the bathtub was spring-fed and outside in front of the house, so you kinda had to be careful when you visited him, and he got his first phone about five years ago), and filled with hand-crafted things, pictures, and books from his 25-30 year residency on Whitlock. His main occupation was training horses (think the Horse Whisperer), and he also made gorgeous tack. He never had much money, but always shared what he had (we had some great waffles around his camp fire).

I talked to him yesterday, and he said, "What a difference time makes. A few days ago [before the fire] I would've been called a horse thief, not a hero!"

I'm sure he will never regret saving Fausto and those six other animals, despite his total loss. 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
Yosemitebear
Yosemitebear
3. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 2:12 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 2:12 AM EDT
The media needs to do a story on this guy. 3  out of 3 found this valuable. Do you?    

labuelita
4. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 2:20 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 2:20 AM EDT
Jon is a hero. I picked him up this morning on 49 walking down the highway with halters in hand...haven't picked up a hitchhiker in years! We talked for awhile and I told him there's room for horses all over the county . Look at the overwhelming response on the livestock page of this weblog. Merced Sun Star has a wonderful article about his heroic actions. I would welcome him as a neighbor.
St. Francis was riding with him .... 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    

c8c8c8
5. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 2:23 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 2:23 AM EDT
They did. I just watched it. Everyone is moved by this man's kindness and humility. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    

Blackberrie
6. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 2:30 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 2:30 AM EDT
I've had a chance to work with John in the livestock area at the Fairgrounds this week--a really nice guy. His horse is beautiful too! 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    

clcasey
7. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 8:09 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 8:09 AM EDT
I wrote a little something and sent it to several places, including the SF Gate and LA Times. The Fresno Bee had an article yesterday. Wendy said a couple of TV stations contacted her. I'm hoping we can get him back on his feet again financially. If one of the bigger papers like the Gate did an article we can maybe get some donations from out of the area. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    

clcasey
8. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 8:14 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 8:14 AM EDT
I don't know how many of you have horses but I wouldn't want to ride ONE horse past fire engines and buring vegetataion. The animals that day were were very much on edge. Do you find this valuable?    

clcasey
9. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 8:18 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 8:18 AM EDT
Here's what I sent to the papers with an encouragement to do a story on him: Heroism Amidst the Tragedy

As the flames of the Telegraph Fire raced toward the Mt. Bullion Ridge residence of John and Wendy Vittands there was one primary concern for Wendy: how will she evacuate their horses? She knew a friend with a trailer was trying to reach her but she also realized there was a distinct possibility the road was now closed at the base of the mountain. Wendy realized she must act and decided to try to lead the 4 animals from the back of a pickup truck. No sooner had she begun than a firefighter pulled the lead ropes from her hands and exclaimed to her to “get out now!” She turned and saw a rapidly approaching wall of flames and knew she must leave her animals. She felt she had seen them for the last time.

Unknown to Wendy local farrier Gary Suggs and horse trainer Jon Currie had found a back road onto the property. Gary drove to the Vittand residence and Jon rode his horse, a 45 minute ride from his home, leading another of Wendy’s horses which had been at his facility in training, to the top of the ridge. Also following along was a donkey belonging to one of Jon’s neighbor’s that also had been left behind when the fire so rapidly advanced on the area. Jon then proceeded to lead the 5 nervous horses and the donkey down the mountain, some tied, some following behind. Jon safely took the animals to the highway, passing fire engines and burning vegetation on his way. It wasn’t until the following day that Wendy realized her beloved horses were safe at the fairgrounds, due to this cowboy’s unselfish deed. While he was saving her 5 animals and the donkey his own residence burned to the ground and he was left with only the clothes he was wearing and his horse and saddle.

An account has been established at Yosemite Bank, PO Box 1267, Mariposa, CA 95338 for anyone wishing to help Mr. Currie . The account number is 307005652. 3  out of 3 found this valuable. Do you?    

abrock_ca
10. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Jul 31 2008, 8:58 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 8:58 AM EDT
The Merced Sun Star had him in an article.

Thanks for the heads up about the account in the Yosemite Bank. Do you find this valuable?    

DarcyFitzwilliam
11. More on Jon's 15 minutes of fame
Jul 31 2008, 10:18 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 31 2008, 10:18 PM EDT
http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=8767394&nav=menu612_2_10 Do you find this valuable?    

dnc5
12. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal Love
Aug 2 2008, 12:29 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 2 2008, 12:29 AM EDT
What an awesome man! My family doesn't know Mr Currie but you are in our hearts and prayers. We will be heading to Yosemite bank on Monday to help you..my daughter is donating her allowance. She loves animals and she loves what you did! Thank you from all us animal lovers . You are an inspiration to us all!! 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    

KRylands
13. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal LoveI
Aug 7 2008, 10:17 PM EDT | Post edited: Aug 7 2008, 10:17 PM EDT
I hope you don't mind, but I've been borrowing your words and modifying the story a bit to send it to various places (eBay giving, horse network bulletin boards, the STI classified, etc.) in an effort to get the word out. Do you find this valuable?    

clcasey
14. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal LoveI
Aug 8 2008, 12:06 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 8 2008, 12:06 AM EDT
It's great to get the word out. Just don't put out something untrue and please don't put my name on it if I didn't write it. Thanks! Do you find this valuable?    

DarcyFitzwilliam
15. RE: Act of Courage, Friendship and Animal LoveI
Aug 8 2008, 4:00 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 8 2008, 4:00 AM EDT
"I hope you don't mind, but I've been borrowing your words and modifying the story a bit to send it to various places (eBay giving, horse network bulletin boards, the STI classified, etc.) in an effort to get the word out."
That's great, KL! Jon is a very humble man. I was at the fundraiser on Monday, and they raised 0ver $1200 for him. I talked to Wendy that night, and she was almost crying as she told me how grateful she and her husband were. Do you find this valuable?