Have you ever felt as if life keeps throwing punches? Like no matter how hard you try, another disappointment is inevitably bound to surface?
It can be difficult for anyone to maintain a positive outlook in the grip of constant adversity. But take heart; as Shane Adams can personally attest to, a horse of a different color may be just around the bend! In March of 2014, disaster struck when Shane’s favorite horse went missing on a camping trip in his native Utah.
Mongo, a half-Quarter and half Percheron bred horse, took off after a troop of wild Mustangs. A snowstorm then prevented Shane from chasing after him.
“I thought he’d just come right back,” Shane recalled. “That was his mentality – he never went far. I didn’t think he would ever be gone.”
Certain of finding Mongo, Shane would spend years in search of his missing horse. Shane’s father, Scott Adams, joined him to look for Mongo each weekend. The Bureau of Land Management in Utah (BLM Utah) and the local brand inspector also became involved at Shane’s request. They soon made it a priority to inform people about Mongo’s disappearance.
Unfortunately, Shane’s prediction about Mongo coming home right away did not pan out as expected. When Shane returned to a former job that occupied much of his time and energy, he finally lost hope and stopped looking for Mongo.
“You can’t run a 100-million-dollar job and be gone and only work two days a week because you’re [out] chasing wild Mustangs.” said Shane
It was 2017 and three long years had passed since Mongo left home. Little did Shane know back then that his dream of reuniting with Mongo was yet to come.
The next part of Shane’s story gives new meaning to the expression, “Good things come to those who wait.” The wait, however, was mired in further disappointment and tragedy.
Between 2014 and 2022, life took some crazy twists and turns for Shane. Throughout this dark window of time, he got divorced, lost his home, and survived a serious car accident that resulted in an acquired brain injury. The last devastating blow occurred in August when his father passed away.
Thankfully, a miracle was about to unfold, and we can’t think of anyone more deserving than Shane.
This past September brought the good news that Shane had long since given up on hearing – Mongo was alive! His beloved horse had at last been found. Mongo was discovered in a high security area of Utah and later retrieved by BLM Utah.
“[I thought] ‘There is no way. You have got to be kidding me,'” Shane said. “It didn’t even seem real … To have him back is still not real.”
Along with the incredible bond between man and horse, Shane’s young children are now a big part of the picture when it comes to Mongo. His 11-year-old son, Owen, and 8-year-old daughter, Anna, are following in their dad’s footsteps as they learn to love and care for horses. In other words, Mongo is just what the doctor ordered.
“… this was really good, the only positive thing to happen to me in two years,” said Shane.
We are so happy for Shane and his family. While long overdue, this miracle proves that anything is possible, even when all hope is lost.
Share Shane’s uplifting story with others who may be facing their own struggles.
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