The Skyline Bel Air Estates Community Association in Tucson, AZ voted 102-101 against allowing an amendment to its rules to allow an 11 year-old child to keep the pet he earned by working summer and after-school jobs within community bounds:  a 30-inch tall miniature horse.  Alex, whose mother is the Association President, paid the expense himself to have a special vote-by-mail ballot (several hundred dollars) on the issue, and spent time lobbying the residents by walking the neighborhood with Bailey, the "horse of a neutral color."

(Not Bailey)

Although the hearts of the community were not swayed enough to allow Alex and Bailey to live together, their plight was not unnoticed.  Several offers were received to board Bailey, with the Therapeutic Ranch for Animals & Kids getting turning the "neigh" vote into a "yay" for all concerned.  Alex gets to come by after school to pet and feed Bailey, while kids are introduced to horses and other animals by the Ranch.  Students at Sunrise Elementary where Alex is a 5th grader will enjoy a visit from her and several other animals from the ranch soon, a spokesperson said.