Spur of the Moment Adventure - A Horse and a Boy

Our lives have been changed forever since our sweet brother and son left us for Heaven.

What was once a GoFundMe for our brother Eric and his horse Spur as they embarked on their Colorado adventure, it is now an opportunity for us to shift the fund to help my family bring Eric home from Colorado, cover the funeral expenses and to offer support to others struggling with addiction through equine therapy in Eric’s name.

I have combined all of our updates into one large post so you can easily follow the journey.

We hope you all will continue to be inspired by Eric’s amazing and uplifting journey as it is a wonderful heartfelt story of accomplishment, determination, resilience and love.

His legacy reminds us that love does conquer all…

Post Number 1 - August 10, 2022

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

For the past several years, our beautifully souled brother, Eric, has been in the trial of his life with addiction. After countless attempts at different rehabs, inpatient services, family therapy sessions, and even medical interventions, what always seemed like a promising step forward ended up finding Eric still suffering and ten steps backward.

As Eric’s health and spirit continued to deteriorate, our family scrambled to seek any sort of help. In a last-ditch effort (some might even say divine intervention), Skyland Ranch fell into our lap.

Hailed for its miraculous success through ‘horse therapy’ and decades of helping men overcome addiction, Skyland Ranch could not have come at a better time. On July 6, 2021, Eric packed a bag and headed off to the small town of Gold Bar, Washington.

In a matter of months, Eric was leading horseback riding tours for the community, maintaining the stalls, replenishing food, building fences, and even taking care of cows and pigs. As our family would take turns visiting him, we watched our brother turn into a cowboy. Cowboy boots and all, Eric rebuilt his strength, faith, and, more importantly, his will to be sober.

In September 2021, the ranch received a new horse named Spur. Spur was rescued from an abusive environment and wanted nothing to do with Skyland, other horses, or any of the men working on the ranch. Many attempted to get close to Spur, even just to feed him, and this was most always met with pinned back ears, flared nostrils, and kicks.

Eric was drawn to Spur, and it didn’t take long for a bond to form. Through countless hours of love, patience, consistency, and apples- Spur found his cowboy, and Eric found his horse. Fast forward 13 months, Eric was able to take Spur on horseback rides, other horses are willing to be around Spur, and other men (and visitors) are welcome to pet and give treats to Spur.

While this has been a defining moment for Spur, it has been amazingly transformational for Eric. He not only regained his spirit but has grown emotionally and mentally from his time at Skyland Ranch. His success there has opened a door for Eric to continue these skills at a new ranch in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

Colorado is a transitional journey and opportunity that Eric and our family could have never predicted. While Eric is thrilled for this new chance to continue to grow and challenge himself, his major concern was leaving Spur.

My brother James and I made a promise to Eric that we would do whatever it takes to get Spur to Fort Morgan so that the two of them could continue their journey together. That all being said, apparently, being a cowboy isn’t cheap.

Here is where we need your support:

• We would like to give Eric the opportunity to formally adopt Spur. In cowboy terms, this means a Horse Bill of Sale

• Transportation. Spur needs to be reunited in Colorado with his cowboy daddy

• Due to Spur’s previous abusive home, he needs lots of veterinarian care

• At Skyland, Spur was using borrowed equipment. In Fort Morgan, Spur will need his own horse “tack” - that’s a cool way of saying equipment like the saddle, saddle blanket, stirrups, bridle, reins, and more. Apparently rent for horses is just as bad as in the Seattle area. The preverbal first and last month rent for stable, food, and hay to jump-start Spur in his new digs.

In all the excitement of this new transition chapter, we did have a chance to ask Eric what his time with Spur has meant to him. His powerful words are written below-

“A little over a year ago, I was lying flat on my back in a dark garage, covered in sweat and literally dying, not knowing if there was a chance or place for me in this world.

Luckily through the love and support of the people closest to me, I survived that night and was eventually able to find the courage to try something new – a place called Skyland Ranch.

Five days later, I became a resident at the ranch in Gold Bar, Washington where I was going to work and live with other men in recovery along with 50 horses that were now my responsibility. With not a clue in the world as to how it would go, I was ready to give it my all to try to finally make it work for me.

After a few months on the ranch, I was introduced to a guy who was more broken than me. Someone who had been beaten, abused, and also scared to death about life itself, and his name was Spur. A beautiful, Gray, quarter draft horse, whose skull was fractured, infected and he had no reason at all to ever trust anyone or believe that there was a place for him in the world - not too different from myself.

I found myself committed to making this horse believe in me, because deep down I believed I could help him. But no matter how hard I tried, Spur would snarl at me when I would get close and kick back at my head when I entered his stall. He was alone and afraid and would do anything he could to protect himself from people. All the other horses hated him. Even with all of that, for some reason I just understood him.

After months and months of just spending time near him, feet became inches, and he began to look at me a little differently as someone who he could trust. This was something I had never been able to earn from anyone else throughout my battles with addiction.

During my time with Spur, this animal learned that he was worthy of love, trust, and the opportunity of a good life. Little did I know, that Spur would be teaching me the same thing. Spur was headed to the slaughter house before coming to the ranch and I was headed on not to different of a path.

In working with Spur, I have developed a new way of living- filled with mutual understanding and trust of others, a life worth living, and I’m in a place where I can be myself, and proud to be just that.

Fast forward to today, I have a friend who has healed me and who I have healed as well. Spur and I hope to start on this new journey to Colorado together and this new way of living that neither of us knew was possible.

My life is more full than it ever has been and the future possibilities are only just beginning to reveal themselves but for the first time they are looking obtainable.”

James and I remain lovingly optimistic for Eric’s future and hope you will help us reach our goal of raising $8500 to continue supporting Spur on his new life adventures with our brother.

Forever Grateful,

Margaret and James Rauch

Post Number 2 - August 13, 2022 by Margaret Rauch, Organizer

Because of all your awesome love and generosity, we have purchased spur for Eric!

CAN YOU SAY ROAD TRIP.

OUR SWEET SPUR IS ON THE ROAD

and NOW OFFICIALLY OWNED BY ERIC.

We are super grateful to you all for helping. Stay tuned for more updates.

Love,

Margaret and James

Post Number 3 - August 15, 2022 by Margaret Rauch, Organizer

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD ~

ERIC AND SPUR ARE TOGETHER IN COLORADO

We are overwhelmed by your support and generosity. Eric and Spur's story have sparked amazing conversations (all across the country) about the power of love and perseverance.

Your contributions have not only secured a safe future for Spur but we are also "spurring" amazing conversations and spreading awareness about the grips of addiction on those we love.

Stay Tuned for more updates.

Lots of Love,

Margaret and James

Post Number 4 - August 23, 2022 by Margaret Rauch, Organizer

A COWBOY NEVER DIES, HE ONLY RIDES INTO THE ENDLESS SUNSETS

With heaviness of heart, I share with you that on Saturday afternoon August 20th our sweet souled Eric passed away in a tragic farm equipment accident on the ranch in Colorado.

Led by my dad, together with my mom, my husband Adam, and James, we are heading to Colorado tomorrow to bring our beautiful cowboy home one final time.

During this incomprehensible time, our family has drawn strength from fact that after many years, through perseverance and an abundance of unconditional love, Eric made it out to the other side. A gargantuan victory. After just over a year of sobriety, he was finally free and filled with immense happiness which was a joyful blessing to witness.

With your support, that happiness turned into sheer nirvana as Eric and his horse Spur settled into Fort Morgan, Colorado. Little did any of us know that he would only bask in that bliss for three short weeks.

As we navigate these unfathomable times, we remain grateful for your outpouring of love, thoughtful compassion, and overwhelming generosity. May I remind you to hug your family and friends often and to always love the ones you’re with….

We hope you too can find comfort in knowing that even in Eric’s final moments he was living his truest self. God Bless our Cowboy.

We will update you on our journey and we will let you know of our plans to honor the life of my cowboy brother, son, and best friend.

Just Pray-

Margaret

Post Number 5 - September 1, 2022 by Margaret Rauch, Organizer

LOVE HOLDS US TOGETHER

During this past week, time seems to have stood still, yet as we reflect, we realize that we have accomplished so much. Armed with our faith and drawing strength from each other, we set out on the unfathomable task of retrieving our brother (and son) from the mortuary in Fort Morgan. Unsure of the process, we were united as a family and lovingly performed every task that came our way in order to bring Eric home.

Spending time at Bijou Ranch allowed us to immerse ourselves in the happiness that Eric so openly expressed to us every day during his short three-week stay.

We were able to witness the amazing work progress he made in fencing in the pasture for Spur to graze, the multitude of hay he bailed, and the millions of flies that are somehow normal to cowboy life.

We were joined by my dad’s sister, Aunt Bucky, as well as my dad’s lifelong friend, Alex. Together, we shared meals with Eric’s friend, McCartney, ‘Maq’, and his family who are the proprietors of the Bijou Ranch. We spent time listening to the adventures, accomplishments, and even all the dreams that Maq and Eric had planned. Hearing about the unbelievably strong brotherhood between Eric and Maq lightened our hearts and provided some much-needed comfort to us all.

And then our sweet Spur… The horse that once absolutely terrified James and me, welcomed us with love. People talk about the miraculous healing powers of horses, but to see it firsthand was something that my family and I will never fully be able to articulate. Spur let us wrap our arms around him, smother him with kisses, and even lead him out into the field. At one point, Spur walked up and rested his head on top of my Mom’s head, and just stayed there. In a time of absolute heartbreak, Spur wrapped Eric’s spirit around us.

As we spent time with Spur, we also got to meet his apparently ‘new’ BFF, Willie. Willie is Maq’s horse. Just like Spur, Willie is a rescue horse who was given a second chance at life. Despite their hardships, Spur and Willie have formed a bond. Wherever Spur goes, Willie follows. Wherever Willie goes, Spur follows. It was not lost on us to see that just like Eric and Maq, Spur and Wilie had formed a brotherhood of their own.

With Maq still planning to stay at Bijou Ranch, heartbroken and missing Eric, he asked if he could continue Eric’s work and keep Spur. Not only is Spur giving Maq a little piece of Eric, but Spur is also continuing to grow and develop with Willie, just like Maq and Eric had intended to do themselves. Maq keeping Spur was a huge relief for our family. Not only does it feel right for us, it feels like something Eric would have wanted as well.

We are overwhelmingly pleased to have accomplished our goal of purchasing Spur, transporting him to Colorado, and obtaining vet care, and we were able to provide Maq with resources to continue to take care of him.

We plan to shift your generous donations to help with bringing Eric home, cover his funeral expenses both in Colorado and Issaquah, execute his Celebration of Love and eventually purchase his memorial bench at the cemetery- with our ultimate goal of offering funds to help others struggling with addiction in Eric’s memory.

Since there was a change in how we originally planned to use your generous gifts, we wanted to provide every donor the opportunity to be transparent with their intent and usage of the funds raised. A lot has transpired in the last four weeks, and if your donation does not match your original intent, simply email me through the go-fund-me portal and we will make arrangements to immediately return your donation.

We have planned a celebration of love to honor Eric’s life, we would be honored to have you join us – truth be told we need you with us so we can draw from your strength as we say goodbye to Eric.

Eric Rauch's Celebration of Love

Monday, September 12, 2022

North Fork Farm

Snoqualmie, Washington

Please, no black- wear only the brightest colors of life.

And of course, cowboy attire including hats and boots are appropriate

Eric will be laid to rest in a Private Family Graveside Ceremony

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Historic Hillside Cemetery

Issaquah, Washington

We now have proof that all Cowboys go to Heaven.

With Love,

Margaret and James (and my Mom and Dad)

My Final Post – February 20, 2023 by Margaret Rauch, Organizer

Six months ago, to the day, our dear sweet loving brother, son, nephew and friend Eric left us for the wide-open pastures of heaven. We have been so blessed to be loved and supported by our family, friends and our entire community.

It feels as though it was just yesterday when over 700 people gathered in the shadows of Mt. Si as we witnessed the winds of the Holy Spirit begin to blow in suddenly and from seemingly nowhere – the ravens gliding just overhead and the eagles soaring to the clouds – all while we remembered and reveled in the love that Eric so unselfishly shared with us all.

We laid Eric to rest in the warm embrace of the Hillside Cemetery in Issaquah – a place that has become our peaceful refuge. Through your generosity, we did purchase a beautiful granite bench where we often find ourselves sitting, chatting and yes, now even laughing with our sweet Eric. If you ever need a friend to talk to - he’s always there and always ready to listen…

We have learned a lot since that call on August 20th but the one constant still remains

LOVE DOES CONQUER ALL

My family and I remain forever indebted and immensely grateful,

All my love,

Margaret