In two short weeks, Mac the horse went from roaming the streets of Pingree Grove to ruling the roost at a Hampshire farm that is now his new home.

"He keeps everybody else in line," said his new owner, Stacy Fiebelkorn. "If anybody starts acting up, he just puts them back in his place. All he's got to do is look at them wrong."

Mac, a 13-year-old American paint horse who is blind in one eye, has also taken a particular liking to an older American paint mare named Sassy that Fiebelkorn can't keep out of his sight.

"He has a fit and will not shut up until she's back," she said. "Then she gets worked up, so she won't eat. I've learned that I have to feed her outside where he can see her. He has to know where all his girls are."

The Pingree Grove Police Department is still searching for Mac's original owner, but has said Fiebelkorn can keep Mac until the owner steps up. Police suspect someone abandoned the horse.

"So far, there are no clues as to were he's from," Police Chief Carol Lussky said.

On the evening of Oct. 5, while responding to a traffic accident in the small town in western Kane County, police were approached by a man who told them he'd seen a horse on the loose.

Police met Fiebelkorn when they were searching for Mac's owner - she offered to watch him until the owner came forward and now would like to keep him forever.

Ever since the public became aware of Mac's story, dozens of people have offered to donate money and hay and even adopt Mac; Fiebelkorn so far has received 20 bales of hay, treats, apples and $550.

Mildred Karwat, of Huntley, says she's always had a soft spot for animals and recently mailed a check to Fiebelkorn for $250 - enough to cover Mac's expenses for two months.

"I was appalled that anyone could just dump an animal ... and then for this woman to be willing to take him in and care for it, I think she has done something very admirable," she said.

Fiebelkorn, meanwhile, is beside herself with all of the inquiries and help for Mac.

Although she already owns eight goats, seven cats, seven horses, six dogs, three potbellied pigs and one donkey, she can't imagine parting ways with the newest member of her family.

She also has two children and a fiance.

"He's not going to end up going anywhere," she said of Mac. "We've gotten too attached to him. He's a super, super horse."

If you would like to send a donation to Stacy Fiebelkorn, please mail it to: 17N279 Big Timber Road, Hampshire, IL 60140.