In Memory of Bob
(2018-2023)

(2018=the year he was rescued by CDHR)

(January 27, 2023)
We have some heartbreaking news to share. When we arrived at the farm this morning, we found our sweet Bob had left us in his sleep. Bob did not show any signs of illness; there were no signs of struggle or injury; it seemed as if he just laid down on his beloved bed of shavings and went to sleep. Upon examination, Dr. Golub determined that we have no reason to believe that Bob, at 40+/- years old, died from anything besides natural causes. He left this earth on his terms—quietly and peacefully, just like how he lived.

We found Bob in 2018 at a horse auction—alone in a corner, starved, sick, and riddled with parasites. No longer able to work, he was discarded and left to be sent off to a zoo as food. We made him a promise then and there that we would save him, bring him back to health, and give him the life he deserved. Our hearts are filled with gratitude, knowing that we gave him a tranquil second life—free from back-breaking work and able to enjoy his final years content, healthy, and loved.

He was our wise sage and brought joy, hope, and solace to so many. You are loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure, sweet boy.

#forevermissed

Bob’s Memorial Wall

We have created this virtual memory wall where stories and memories of Bobcan be shared. We invite you to leave a tribute, share a memory, or offer a final goodbye to our beloved Bob.

Bob’s Memorial Wall

Such a sweet soul. Bob, you will be missed so much. Donna Simmons, CDHR Volunteer

I live in England and have never met Bob, but his story and sweet soul touched me. His lose will be profoundly felt by those who cared for him, but you gave him precious years to understand true love and share his life with others. Run free, sweet boy. Angie Crocker, UK

Bob was my favorite resident of Ctdraftrescue, mostly because I have a strong love of mules and always have. Sadly I only met him twice, but he drew me In with his quiet demeanor and loving eyes. Godspeed Bob. You were deeply loved and will be forever remembered. Alison West

This makes me so sad. I loved Bob!!! There was something in his eyes that always touched me from day one. It gives me peace knowing Bob knew love and caring. He had given up on life when he came to us, and in the end, he knew he was loved at CDHR. RIP, my friend. I will miss you, but there will be friends waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. Ann Saling Sweeney, CDHR Volunteer

Always loved the stories shared to us about Bob and what he was up to! Thank you for making his final years wonderful as he hung out with the staff and horses in his safe place! Earle Decker

Rest easy dear Bob, may the four winds blow you safely home. Tonya Lok, CDHR Volunteer

He was so loved, not only by volunteers but those, l around the country. He was the first I physically saw arrive at CDHR. I’ll never forget the condition he was in, but how he accepted gentle scratches and grooming. My how he flourished and was loved. Felicia Moran, CDHR Volunteer

Thank you, CDHR, for rescuing Bob and giving him a life filled with Love, Joy, Happiness, a gentle hand, and a Comfortable soft bed …
Run free Mr. B. Barbara Riley

Adios Mr. Bob. God bless CDHR for giving you a fine retirement. Happy Trails! Kathy Logee

Bob was one of the first rescue animals that I started to follow. He inspired me to rescue some of my own. I now have a rescued mule named Artie who looks very much like Bob. Rest in peace sweet Bob. You were loved. Barbi Mitchell

Gentle journey sweet Bob. You will be missed.
Linda Wolter

Bob you were one special soul who touched so many, even those of us who only ever met you virtually. Emily Dolloff

Hi Bob! I’m so glad that the last few years of your life you were surrounded by people who loved you. No horse should have to endure what you did in your early years. I pray that you are at peace and running the fields in heaven. Barbara Miller

Bob lived the best life ever at the rescue. He was loved by all. I enjoyed visiting. My Belgian Bob (Budd) was so well care at the rescue before I was picked to adopt him. Rest well Bob the mule. You will be missed.
Corinne Shartrand

We will miss you Bob you will always be remembered fondly RIP Bob Thank all at CT Draft rescue for giving you love and kindness and a chance to live out your life in peace. Bob Thiffeault

May you Rest In Peace Bob! I will miss you dearly but I will keep your memory forever. You have touched my life and so so many lives. I am so happy I was able to be apart of your family during my shifts. I hope you are running with Marshmallow, and Ben. ❤️Roseanne Scacca

Oh Bob 😢 You made me laugh. You made me smile. A peaceful death was well deserved. Always in my heart. 💔 🙏🏻Carol Kenyon Staba, CDHR Volunteer

Sweet Bob, your story of rescue after so much neglect warms my heart. As your beloved soul makes its way to green pastures and forever peace, I send sincere thanks to those wonderful folks at CT Draft Horse Rescue who provided comfort and love to you during your senior years. Melinda Cohen

Every time I saw Bob’s face on my wall, it made me stop and take a moment to appreciate the peacefulness of his aura. It brought me comfort. He will be very missed. Samantha Sheppard

Bob - I remember the day my daughter and I came to meet you in person and I’m so glad to have been able to be one of your sponsors. Rest in peace sweet boy. Laura Vellante

Promise kept - told you I’d come back for you. All
My love to the best Mule in the world.
Rob Schumacher, CDHR Volunteer

He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Rest easy Bobbo, and give our herd up there some kisses for us please. ♥️
Emily Belanger, CDHR Volunteer

Bob- u brought so many smiles to our faces. U were so loved and will be so missed. Ginny Sargent Quinn, CDHR Volunteer

Such a special boy. He will be missed. RIP, sweet man❤️
Emily Child Bernier, CDHR Volunteer

Rest well, sweet Bob. Marie Westlake

Sweet precious Bob, we all loved you dearly. RIP Abigail Graham

My human Bob and I were blessed to have met and spent some moments with this gentleman who displayed only his kind manners and thankful demeanor to us. And through all he had been through, his eyes sparkled with a soft light of optimism when we met. We are glad he fell asleep in a way he deserved. Alana Wassung

Bob, I saw you on Monday night, just standing by your run-in. You turned your head and watched me as I night-checked your paddock. I smiled at your sweet face and called you a sweetie pie or a handsome boy (my usual farm talk). I’m saddened by your quick and unexpected departure and I’ll miss seeing you. Rest In Peace sweet Bob❤️Sheri Spaulding, CDHR Volunteer

Sweet Bob, I will miss your monday words of wisdom. Happy trails on the other side with your friends. Eileen Hackett

Sweet Bob! Your story was heartbreaking. But your last years have shown there are people who love and cared for you. What a wonderful way to leave this earth. You will be missed. ♥️ Karen Fletcher

Thank you, Bob! You are a beautiful soul and I hope you are getting the good bales of hay and great bonus treats on the Happy Trail of Heaven. I looked forward to Mondays with Bob and I will definitely miss you. Thank you for being the blessing you were and will always be! Rest easy in peace. You deserve that. Mar W

I will miss you Bob, run free and wild sweet Bob.
Heide Roberge, CDHR Volunteer

My sweet friend, who I looked forward to seeing as soon as I got to the barn. Many photo shoots and snaps we had during our downtime. Your head butts and racing to the feed pen, I will miss dearly. Listening to John Denver and the black eye peas. Your loss is heavy for me now, but I promise to dance with lance and Spencer, I promise you, my friend, I will keep smiling and singing to your friends at the farm. I love you, mule. Karen Finn, CDHR Volunteer

Blessings for peace and light to you, Bob. May you have green pastures, sunshine, and a soft place to lay. Dana Gesmondi

Your photos and daily Bob words of wisdom seemed so honest and open; I looked forward to them and will miss them. Bob was behind them 100%. Thanks for all the second chances and soft beds you have given to them all. Kathy Spitler

Dearest Bob, your quiet calm and wisdom have touched so many. I am so pleased your final years were peaceful and happy. You will be missed by so many - happy trails, dearest Bob. With thanks for your life. Cherry. UK

Bob, you stole my heart the day I set foot on the CDHR farm for the first time. There was something so special about you and I felt a connection with you immediately. You were a kind old soul. Thank you for allowing me to visit with you and show you love. I will remember you always. I’ll miss you my friend. Jess Zaniewski

I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved following Bob on FB. Words of wisdom every Monday that I always share. Bless you all at CDHR for giving him the life he deserved.RIP Bob. Camille Brady

I never met the beautiful Mule, Bob but when I read his story, it moved me very much. Because of Bob, I learned about your wonderful rescue and became a monthly donor. Thank you for all you do, and for giving innocent animals a soft place to land after they have been thoughtlessly discarded. Paula Wehde

Bob your soulful eyes got me every time.....there was so much wisdom there that we will never know all that you knew. I doubt that you would ask for more than a warm barn, all you needed to eat, a gentle hand and endless love. I will find you again one day up above.....rest easy Sweet Boy.....you were well loved by so many.....Joyce Lambert

Fly high sweet boy! May you be first in line to every feeding pen. Will miss your patient head butts (as patient as a mule can be) as we wait to walk to dinner! You are one of the greats! Give Benny and Marshy a hug!! ❤️🐴Emma Eastman

Oh Bob! I enjoyed your inspirational posts every day. May you rest easy and have galloped over the Rainbow Bridge. I know your people at CDHR loved you so unconditionally, as did their thousands of followers!
Amy Crotto

Last year, my friend Jinny and I went to go visit Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue.It was so wonderful to see all the horses, and we also brought treats for them too.I immediately bonded with Bob as soon as I saw him because I am a huge donkey and mule fan, and when I saw Bob, I just fell instantly in love with him. He was such a beautiful boy, and my heart is broken learning that he has passed away, but I’m so glad he went peacefully in his sleep. Run free, beautiful boy. We will miss you so very much. Chris Strain

Bob, I will miss seeing that face, those long ears, and the wisdom ever present in your kind eyes. My thoughts and prayers are with your loving family at CDHR. Nancy Karanda

Oh B-O-B. I am sad to hear of your passing. You were so sweet with me when I tried to get the halter over your big dinosaur head, you would put your head down for me. You let me stroke your soft furry ears which brought me comfort. I saw photos of when you came to us. I am sorry that someone treated you so badly. I always told you how special you are. I would always kiss your face, not sure how much you liked it but you tolerated me. The first time I heard you bray HeeHaw. HeeHaw , I was like WTH is THAT? It was you telling us it was dinner time. You sure will be missed. Loved you B-O-B. Gail Fulco Tantorski, CDHR Volunteer