“It’s ‘Feel Good Sunday‘ folks and today’s installment, again, shows how our equine companions touch the hearts and spirits of so many…enjoy.” ~ R.T.
“He knows that this is his job and he does it very well…”
Nov. 17, 2012: In this photo Tinker, a miniature horse, rings a red bell for the Salvation Army outside a craft fair in West Bend, Wis. with his owners Carol and Joe Takacs. (AP)
WEST BEND, Wis. – Tinker may be miniature — as in a miniature horse — but he’s a big money raiser for the Salvation Army.
He uses his mouth to hold and ring a red bell and also picks up with his mouth a “Thank You Merry Christmas” sign. He can also bow and give kisses.
Major Roger Ross, a Salvation Army commander, said Tinker is one of their biggest money raisers in the area: He brings in 10 times the amount of a regular bell ringer.
“A good kettle for a couple of hours brings in about $250, and for the same time period (Tinker and his owners) have been known to bring in $2,500,” he said. “They line up to put money in the kettle.”
The 13-year-old horse, who’s brown, black, grey and white, has been ringing for four seasons.
“I actually save up all my donation and give it to Tinker because I have such a soft place in my heart for him,” said Karen Hammen, who gave money while Tinker stood outside a West Bend craft show on a recent Saturday morning.
One of Tinker’s owners, Carol Takacs, said she and her husband got Tinker 12 years ago. She said she went to look at a property, fell in love with the miniature horses there and asked that one be part of the deal.
“About three or four years ago I was walking out of a store and there was a bell ringer and I gave,” she said. “I started thinking `I wonder if I can, if I can help make this even more interesting.’ So I went home and I started working with Tinker.”
His name was Tinker when they got him, Takacs said.
“As fate would have it, I could not have named him more appropriately if I had tried,” she said.
Before appearances, she spends a half-hour vacuuming his mane and fur and puts glitter on his hooves, a bell on his backside and a Santa hat on his head. And — of course — Tinker wears the Salvation Army apron.
She also made pins with his face on it — a gift for every $5 donation.
While most people are wooed by Tinker and his decorations, she said some don’t believe he actually holds and rings the bell.
“We don’t do that with Velcro or glue. There’s nothing on his bell. He knows that this is his job and he does it very well,” she said.
Categories: Horse News
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Tinker is adorable 🙂 thank you for sharing
LikeLike
How inspiring he is!! Thanks for sharing!!
LikeLike
No wonder I didn’t sleep much; Tinker’s bell was calling me to rise and shine!
The way he rings it then holds up the thank-you sign is so touching, I cried.
Every horse deserves to be so loved, to be so happy, and to be given so good a purpose in life.
Equines Enhance Existence for Everyone! 🙂
LikeLike
How very cute.
LikeLike
In an avalanche of heartbreak for the horses, what a joy to see this happy little horse be so loving and loved in return! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
He sure is cute and good at his job!
LikeLike
Thank You RT for sharing this wonder story!!! The horses are a beautiful ray of Sunshine where ever they go !!!!
LikeLike
What a good story for Sunday and it just shows how much Horses are loved by people in our country.
LikeLike
What a sweetheart!!! You, too, RT.
LikeLike
AUCTION ALERT/OREGON
177+ MINIATURE HORSES up for auction, many heavy in foal… December 8th, Grants Pass, Oregon!
Posted: 03 Dec 2012 02:01 AM PST
The bad news is that these little horses are being sold at auction where the bidders are not vetted. Some of these horse have brand new babies at their sides… I have no idea how many bidders will show and how many trailers will be there to haul away – and I don’t know anything about remote bidding or if there are temporary boarding facilities for those who cannot attend but wish to participate.
LikeLike
The link didn’t post the first time.
177+ MINIATURE HORSES up for auction, many heavy in foal… December 8th, Grants Pass, Oregon!
Posted: 03 Dec 2012 02:01 AM PST
http://horseandman.com/horse-stories/177-miniature-horses-up-for-auction-many-heavy-in-foal-december-8th-grants-pass-oregon/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Horseandmancom+%28horseandman.com%29
The bad news is that these little horses are being sold at auction where the bidders are not vetted. Some of these horse have brand new babies at their sides… I have no idea how many bidders will show and how many trailers will be there to haul away – and I don’t know anything about remote bidding or if there are temporary boarding facilities for those who cannot attend but wish to participate.
LikeLike