The Last Diving Horse in America: Rescuing Gamal and Other Animals—Lessons in Living and Loving

In 1974, Branigan (Adopting the Racing Greyhound) met Cleveland Amory, the writer and founder of the Fund for Animals, and accepted a position with the Fund. Several years later, the Fund for Animals was asked to intervene in the sale of Gamal, a horse who’d been featured in the famous Diving Horse show at Atlantic City’s Steel Pier. The show had closed and was sold, horses included; one of the horses had already been sent to a Canadian slaughterhouse. Branigan rescues the horse and forms an enduring bond. In her quest to learn all she can about Gamal, Branigan uncovers the fascinating history of the diving horse attraction and its connection to Buffalo Bill Cody and meets some of the people involved. She also tells of the Fund’s efforts to rescue Grand Canyon burros and clearly illustrates the struggles and heartache involved in large animal rescue. The Fund for Animals still operates the Black Beauty Ranch in Texas and is now affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States.