In 2019, Clare Staples, the Skydog Sanctuary president, decided to adopt a wild horse named Phoenix. It wasn’t a random horse, though. Phoenix was a horse Staples wanted to rescue for a long time. After the American Wildhorse Campaign posted a picture of Phoenix trying to jump out of a catch pen, Clare knew she had to give the horse his freedom back.

To make things more interesting, Phoenix was in love with a mare called Ghost. However, the two mustangs were separated and Staples thought that Ghost was adopted too. The only thing she could do was to rescue Phoenix and to take him to the Skydog Sanctuary.

The famous photo shows Phoenix jumping out of a catch pen while his loving Ghost watches on

Phoenix managed to get out of the pen that day, but he didn’t escape. Instead of running as far as possible, the stallion came back to BLM corrals to be with other horses. According to blm.gov, the BLM “maintains a large network of permanent off-range corral adoption and purchase centers to facilitate the placement of wild horses and burros into private care through the Adoption and Sales Programs.”

He had developed a strong bond with his family, and that was the reason to stay. Staples commented that it is not common to see a wild horse with such a strong feeling of attachment, but Phoenix was unique.

When she went to where Phoenix and Ghost were being held, Staples was told the caretakers’ plan to let Phoenix and his family go back into the wilderness.

Convinced that it was the best possible solution, Staples returned home.

Since Clare had a lot to do at SkydogSanctuary, she couldn’t stay with Phoenix much longer but promised she would check up on him from time to time.

Staples kept her promise and the next time she came to visit, she learned he hadn’t yet been released.

To make matters worse, Ghost was gone.

Staples assumed that someone had adopted the beautiful white mare, so she decided to adopt Phoenix as well.

She set the paperwork in motion and eventually it was time to take him home.

Clare took Phoenix to the sanctuary in O

At first, Phoenix was shy and kept away from the other horses. Staples said she’ll always remember how Phoenix looked at the sky and grass with so much enthusiasm.

As the weeks went by, Phoenix was slowly getting used to his new home. His living conditions had improved a lot and he had more space to run around.

Two years later, Staples stumbled upon the photo of Ghost on the Internet Adoption.

Knowing that Ghost was the love of Phoenix’s life and that he would be so lucky to have her back, Staples knew what to do.

They bid at the auction and won. Ghost was free to go with Phoenix and Staples. Staples and her co-workers went to go pick her up. Finally, Ghost was about to reunite with her long-lost Phoenix.

As soon as they recognized each other, the two horses ran towards one another.

This is one of the most heartwarming love stories we’ve heard in a while. Phoenix was thrilled to have Ghost by his side.

They remembered each other right away, and they haven’t separated since. If

it wasn’t for Clare Staples, things probably wouldn’t have turned out the way they did.

For more exciting mustang stories, visit the official website of Skydog Sanctuary.

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Source: AirTV; AnimalChannel; SkyDogRanch; TheAnimalRescueSite; YouTube/TheDodo