Madeleine Pickens

Is on a Mission to Save America's Wild Horses!

Jamie Downey reports
Photoa by Kristina Bowman Photography

Philanthropist Madeleine Pickens is a very successful businesswoman, but she is also very passionate about animals and has three adorable canine kids that she loves spending time with! Madeleine says, "I had dogs growing up and have always loved dogs. I have always been crazy about them!"

When asked whether her husband likes dogs as much as she does, she states, "Oh yes, Boone loves animals. When I first met him he had a Papillon, but unfortunately, his dog passed away that Christmas with a brain tumor. But, Boone is very affectionate to the dogs."

Dallas-based Photographer Kristina Bowman went on location to Madeleine's house for The American Dog Magazine and spent some time taking these beautiful, original photographs of Madeleine with her three precious pups. Her oldest dog, Oliver, is 19 years old. Madeleine explains, "I have had my lovely Oliver since he was a puppy, and he is blind now and half deaf." Her Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Princess is three years old, and the newest addition to the family is her rescue dog, Tommy, who Madeleine adopted about six months ago. Madeleine says, "Tommy was from a puppy mill, and apparently the puppy mill breeders just threw him out, and American Dachshund Rescue saved him. All three dogs get along great, although Princess is a very bossy dog and she likes to think she rules the boys - but they just ignore her!"

Madeleine is also deeply committed to animal welfare and has dedicated her time and resources to saving America's wild horses. During our phone interview, she talked extensively about saving the wild mustangs from slaughter and about her plans for a wildhorse sanctuary that would be a tourist destination. To help these magnificent animals survive, Madeleine says, "I've now bought 18,000 acres in Nevada and, with that, another 540,000 acres of public land that goes with the ranch. I'm working with the government and the BLM to convert it from cattle grazing to horse grazing for an eco-sanctuary.

To find out more information about Madeleine's philanthropic endeavors please visit:
www.madeleinepickens.com
www.savingamericasmustangs.org

You can follow Madeleine on Facebook at: facebook.com/mustangmonument
or sign up for her Twitter feeds at: twitter.com/mpickens