FARM ANIMAL HAVEN SANCTUARY

Happy Sheep At Last

Meet Dude and Dilly, who came to this farm in late April 2020, in desperate need of medical attention, love, and care, after experiencing a hell that most humans would never understand. They were dehydrated, starving, and obviously malnourished for a long period of time. Especially Dude, who was certain to have suffered years of abuse.

Sadly, they had no human voice to ask for food, water, or kindness. They only possess defense mechanisms, an instinct to run from danger, to hide from pain and abuse, and the drive to survive in anyway they could.

Dude had serious skin, weight, and health problems, he had trouble catching his breath, and he still pants to this day, I’m sure in part to a continual lack of nutrition. The veterinarian wasn’t sure he would survive and he lived in a horse trailer (with his pal Dilly) so that I could check on him every few hours. His skin was pink with only little patches of hair, he was skin and bones. Also, he had gotten a wire caught around his back foot, which was seriously infected, swollen, bleeding, and made it extremely difficult for him to walk – there was no way to tell how long it had been there. He was in really bad shape.

Dilly was sick as well, but not at as much of a health risk as Dude, as he is younger, and must have been on that monstrous farm for a shorter time.

They were rescued when a kind soul saw their plight, while driving by that farm. The day before they were rescued, the owner had forced them into a small wooden (enclosed) box for over 24 hours to allow easy access and transport -but they had no access to food or water, or even fresh air. Dilly’s tail was broken in that box, they were squeezed in so tightly together.

This story ends well, thank goodness. After living isolated from my original sheep, Andy and JoJo, and the trailer for easy access to the vet, they began their long journey to healing.

At first, they were completely unapproachable. If a hand wanted to show them kindness with a pet, they bolted, getting as far away as possible from the suspected danger.

Since it was spring, there was delicious green grass in my inside yard, so I began letting them out for grazing spurts, and they would ravenously get as much as they could with each bite, but they would keep at least 6-10 feet away from me, or anyone else, and frantically run away if approached. I began a very healthy eating regimen of grain, sheep minerals, and high protein ‘Timothy’ hay. They gobbled it up as if they’d never eaten before.

I persevered in trying to build trust, and visited them for hours each day, bringing special treats such as apples, cucumbers, and molasses licks, and they slowly allowed me to get a little closer each time I was with them.

Honestly, it took weeks for them to allow me within 6 feet of them. But quarantine time was over after 30 days, and it was time to move them to the pasture, where they had ample grass, freedom to run, and the opportunity to bond with the other sheep. The move went well, and they seemed to enjoy having more space, and being with the other sheep they’ve gotten to know through the fence.

Dude has serious food insecurity and eats like a horse… so he’s ended up with a huge hay belly, which warms my heart, because he is getting enough. The vet said it could take up to a year for him to feel secure there would always be groceries.

The two of them eventually began to heal, and began to trust, and after three months, here are the results:

They are healthy, happy, running, jumping, and filled with gratitude, evidenced in their excitement to see me, to be near me, and to be loved. They lay their heads in my lap and over my shoulder for hugs. I have never seen such changed sheep, and they deserve every single bit of this happiness. They seem to CRAVE love, as it is something they’d missed out on in their lives, and cannot seem to get enough… and it is priceless.

I’m so incredibly lucky to be having this experience… of being loved completely unconditionally, and 100% trusted by these sweet souls who have never known love, kindness, or security. I feel lucky to be in their lives. They love me, they show that every single day, and I have fallen in love with these gentle souls. I ache to spend time with them, every chance I get.

Don’t try this with your parrot…

My sweet African Grey parrot, Sunny, stopped flying a few weeks ago. I didn’t think much of it at the time, because he seemed to be feeling fine, was eager to eat, remained really vocal, loved being petted, and acted like all was well in his world. We’ve been together for over 20 years, but it wasn’t until the last few years that I realized that birds do not show illness or pain. It is a survival mechanism that keeps them alive in the wild. These birds are rarely, if ever, completely domesticated.

When I decided to take a look, I noticed reddish sores under his wings, and after doing some research, found that this was a common ailment, and was a type of bacterial/skin irritation, SCUD that could easily turn into an infection. Knowing how highly sensitive these birds are to any kind of medication, I thought, what is the most natural way to slow or stop an infection? Honey. So I proceeded to towel him, and put a small dab of the golden potion on the irritated areas.

The honey was obviously a very bad idea, although, to my credit, when I checked him the next day, the redness was gone. However, I later realized that honey and feathers do not mix. This should have been obvious to me had I not panicked and took immediate action to ‘fix’ him…. because common sense should have told me – sticky feathers, flight – what could go wrong there? Well what went wrong is that he proceeded to pull out every feather from under his wing, all the way down his legs.

Luckily, with the honey off of his feathers, he has stopped plucking them out. His legs and under his wings are bare of feathers, and he is still not flighted.

But still, I am NOT giving him any medications or antibacterial creams, or anything else that could cause a reaction, because as I said, they are super sensitive to anything that is not completely natural – both internally or externally.

This morning he seems better, but the lack of feathers is unnerving. Those who know me, remember that I have a small female grey ‘Gretchen’ who was so badly neglected / abused, that she has been biting her feathers off for almost 20 years due to anxiety and a deep seated fear of being left alone again for long periods of time. Sunny was/is my ‘beautifully healthy bird’. It is disheartening to say the least.

I have boosted him with a highly potent organic kelp mixture, a drop of apple cider vinegar in his water, and tonight, we’ll have garlic pasta. That should eliminate all signs of infection, and boost his immune system. I’ll report back on his condition, and if his feathers grow back. Here’s hoping!

A Change of Course…

There have been some pretty significant changes on this farm lately, the weather has cooled, which might be fueling the unusual activities, but I’m fairly certain it has to do with the new addition, Archie.

Archie joined our family in July, as a 3 month old, and although he was quite shy, apprehensive, and unsure at first, he eventually found his ‘sea legs’ and latched onto JoJo, who as a wether, surprisingly showed compassion and guidance to this little stinker. As a result of his babysitting efforts, JoJo has lost a tremendous amount of weight trying to keep up with, or avoid this little ram’s antics. I catch JoJo running away from Archie frequently, in an effort to get as far away from Archie’s feisty playful breeding practices (jumping on JoJos rear end with both hooves), as he possibly can. Of course Archie is just practicing, but JoJo is having none of it. Many times I’ve tried to encourage JoJo to just push him away, because he is just too old to be running around like a kid, but he doesn’t. He is much too gentle and kind, and I think he really loves Archie. The end result is amazing though, JoJo who was overweight, is now down to prime weight… the strain on his arthritic knees seems to be more bearable, and he’s acting almost like a youngin’ again.

Things were a little awkward for quite sometime, though, as Andy was completely against this new addition… after all he is the lead sheep, and he somehow knew, adding a ram would change all of that once he grows up. But now I find Andy playing rambunctiously with Archie; they chase one another and butt heads, and sniff and rub, and they have accepted one another. It is so incredibly heartwarming.

Amy, was going through some pretty serious health issues with scours (a sad but common occurrence) when Archie showed up, and was completely unsociable… she wants nothing to do with anyone when she’s feeling poorly and she isolates.

About 2 weeks ago, Amy started feeling like a young ewe again, the scours have passed (as always) and now she and Archie have begun a sweet love affair – complete with a lot of caresses, closeness, play, and a genuine interest in one another. They run through the pasture together, jumping up on all fours, they eat together, and seem completely happy, and healthy as friends. Archie still clings to JoJo when he’s up and moving around, but I am fairly sure it will be an Archie and Amy bond above the others.

This morning, at a nice cool 57 degrees, I noticed ALL of them at the end of the pasture, grazing… and when they saw me come out, they all, including JoJo, came running. There was a lot of jumping, snorting and full-on joy – and I realized that life is good on this farm. Archie, after all of my apprehension, was the best thing that could have happened to all of them… he’s brought youth back to a group of sheep that were tired, not always well, and overweight.

Amy, for the first time in over 2 years, is dropping little black sheep poops instead of big wet piles – it makes me wonder if she has either grown out of this affliction, or if Archie’s love has healed her.

Amy…

It always surprises me, it shouldn’t but it does, when one of my animals show me just how incredibly intelligent they are.

Amy came to me 2 years ago from a dear friend who found her at an auction.

She’s never been exceptionally healthy, and after a year of tests, remedies, medical treatments, vet checks, probing and prodding, it was concluded she has irritable bowel syndrome. I’ve recorded her eating habits to try to determine the cause, but for unknown reasons, other than perhaps wet grass, she gets scours pretty frequently and ends up being extremely uncomfortable, showing signs of stomach pain. The poor baby just drips all over herself, which causes even more irritation, discomfort and other problems. She then becomes completely unsociable, and runs around as if she’s trying to get away from the pain. It is so disheartening that I cry and nearly beg the universe for some kind of solution or insight to what is causing this affliction. I still worm her with ACV and garlic, which sometimes helps the problem stay away longer, but giving her any further medication is not going to happen. The vet and I have tried everything.

I keep hoping she’ll develop a healthy gut as she ages, and become a normal sheep – she is now 4 years old. After these past 2 years, the irritation happens less frequently, but it still occurs.

This past week, as she was grazing in the pasture I noticed her moving from place to place, eating specific plants, so of course I investigated. I learned that she was eating dandelions, root and all (sheep never eat roots). After doing a little research, I found this:

Minerals/Vitamins: Dandelion is a good source of calcium, potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. Root contains inulin which balances blood sugar and stimulates healthy bowel flora. One serving of dandelion greens has as much calcium as a 1/2 cup of milk.

She knows this the brilliant little being…she was seeking out that plant to help her gut. I find this amazing, and for 2 weeks now she’s been clear and clean.

So, my solution now is to find a way to get her dandelion root all year long. If anyone has any suggestions, I am completely open to ideas.

A Tribute to Bitsy…

Source: A Tribute to Bitsy…

A Tribute to Bitsy…

It has been much too painful to share this news with you about the loss of sweet Bitsy, who passed away quietly in the wee hours of the morning on May 20th. She was one the most precious beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, at first very needy, eventually lovable, always investigative and cautious, but as sweet as they come. Even the chickens loved her.

She came to me as a 3-month old lamb, withdrawn and sickly due to the lack of the essential ‘immune building’ colostrum from her mother that passed away right after giving birth to her.

Animal Acres rescued hundreds of sheep and goats that were abandoned on a farm in Southern California, many who were barely alive. These three clowns arrived at my farm in No. Arizona in 2005.

Bitsy was my favorite from the beginning, she was needy and withdrawn, but I was able to bottle feed her to help her to gain strength. I’m fairly certain it was the bottle feeding that bonded us, because each time I’d go out to feed she came running, crying out for her meal, and making me feel even more needed than ever – I mean, a woman with no children feeling needed – is there anything better?!

The vet that visited shortly after their arrival warned me that she would struggle with illness most of her life because she missed that precious fluid that mothers provide to offer health to their offspring.

She did struggle, she coughed all the time as a young lamb, and was never as playful as the others. But she made it through 12 healthy and glorious years with me… through hikes in the forest, many, many trips and moves, and other adventures that I wouldn’t have wanted to share without her. She was exceptional as a friend… and who couldn’t love this face.

She passed away from a major infection that occurred in her teat – we gave her pain med’s, plenty of antibiotics and lots and lots of love, but it was just too fierce to erradicate.

I found her in her little safe space in her shelter in the early morning, just before sunrise. It relieves my pain a little knowing she wasn’t alone, she was with her buddies, Joey, Andy, and Amy.

I will miss her always – that face and that silly investigative character of hers. She was always the one that could find an escape route out of any shelter, fence, or enclosure… and of course, she took everyone with her. She was fearless and brave and I have no doubt that she loved me very much.

She was loved by all of us too – the others obviously miss her too. They cling to me more than normal needing extra love. (Front to back: Andy, Amy, Bitsy and JoJo). Bitsy checking me out.

Goodbye Bits – I hope you are running free in a beautiful pasture with trees for shade, and there is plenty of delicious grass, grain, apples, and love. I love you and will always miss your sweet self.

Medical Expenses

Bitsy the ewe is sick and needs vet care, and even though she is 12-years old, she has a lot of good years of life ahead. Her sheep family, Andy, Joey, and Amy are all healthy and happy, but she is lethargic, not interested in anything going on around her, and not eating much.

Jake, the farm lab is 13 and is suffering with a shoulder injury that is going to require surgery. The x-rays show a dislocated shoulder and the pain he is enduring is obvious.

Farm Animal Haven is a 501c3 farm animal sanctuary that rescues those who have no other place to live, who have endured hardship and abuse, and who just want to be loved and cared for. They live out their lives here, without a care in the world. Here, they blossom from frightened little critters, to confident, loving, and playful individuals.

Please help here: https://www.youcaring.com/farm-animal-haven-606439

Sadie…

My sweet girl passed yesterday so forgive me if I’m sappy and extremely emotional, because I don’t know how to do life without her. I feel as if a limb is missing, as if my heart will never feel normal again, as if my world is spinning out of control.

I’ve never had a dog so loyal, so loving, and so precious, or who loved so unconditionally. The feral kitty (Wild) loved her and would seek her out to cuddle with – but who couldn’t love such a humble and forgiving being.

I put all I had into healing her for these past months, knowing she was sick, but not able to even comprehend her loss, I spent a fortune on remedies, medications, naturopathic doctors and allopathic vets. Anything that I could do, I did. But it only extended the inevitable. She was sick and it was beyond anything I could mend.

I’m not absolutely sure why the loss of a beloved pet is so tragic, perhaps it is the love you receive from them is endless and unconditional – that when you come home, your sweet friend is more excited to see you than any human could ever be. Or, maybe it is because all they seem to want is to be near you. To be with you, by your side, at your feet, in the car, at your desk. To be there in case you need a sweet kiss on the face, or a paw to comfort. I’ve always believed that they speak through the heart/soul… because without words, it’s their only method of communication. I wonder if that is why they touch us so deeply – or maybe, it’s because they are so reliant on us as caregivers. They are like children.

I only know that I will never recover from this loss. In all of my years of having animals, not one has delved so deeply into my heart and soul as Sadie did. We had a special love that was beyond anything I’d experienced before. Dogs are wonderful creatures, but there is always that special one… that one that just gets you and loves you for what seems is beyond the dimension of canine love – and that is always there for you, period. Sadie was that girl. She was humble, timid, respectful, and never ever asked me for anything.

What I am feeling is the definition of grief. I would give up 10 years of my life to see her and smell her again.

To those of you who understand this kind of loss, I am sorry for you. It has me reeling and I know that each day that passes it might get easier, but I’ll never, ever have another Sadie to love and to love me. I will miss her until I am gone, and I can only hope I will see her again in another space and time.

I have so many questions as to why this is so excruciatingly painful, and whether or not I get any relief or explanation, the real answer is, she is gone. My life will never be the same.

Annie’s Recovery

If you’ve read about the little orphaned chick that lost her mom in my most recent post, “Mama” you’ll be happy to know that things are looking up for little Orphan Annie. She’s found a friend, a protector, and food locater. His name is Henry. The most incredible rooster I’ve ever met.

Henry is no ordinary rooster, or at least not in the world I’ve been a part. He’s extraordinarily kind, loving, and I believe he is filled with love, and holds a very gentle spirit.

He saw that the little one – Annie – couldn’t get her share of the food, and he stepped up and intervened. What bird does that? Henry does. Since he protected her against the others and allowed her to eat in peace, she barely leaves his side. What is so incredible is that she has nothing to offer him. She’s not of breeding age. She’s not his offspring. She is just a little lost soul who this beautiful rooster decided to take under his wing and help. What bird does that – I must ask again? If you look at this rationally, it is really unfathomable that a rooster would obviously sense that a little chick is orphaned and needs someone to look after her. There are plenty of hens for Henry to protect, to breed, and to hang out with. The hens love him.

Life is amazing on this farm and I seem to learn something new every single day. This newest revelation was worth sharing.

Mama

In all of the trials, struggles, financial problems, and pain that comes with operating a farm animal sanctuary there will always be times along the way that will hit you like a brick in the head and cause immeasurable pain.

Nothing I’d experienced in the past could have prepared me for this most recent event, though.

Many months ago I rescued a couple of roosters – Henry and Harold – and discovered that Henry is a rare breed of rooster, a Mottled Java, and close to extinction. I decided that I wanted more of him, so I allowed one of the “broody” hens to lay on an egg I knew was fertilized by him. A baby chick was born not long afterward to a very sweet Golden Wyandotte hen, and all was good with the world.

The two of them were an unbeatable team, with mama continually teaching her chick how to dive in and get morsels of food – and then run like the wind to avoid being bullied by the bigger chickens. When it comes to special treats and specific foods, chickens can be brutal trying to get their share. She taught that sweet baby the best places to scratch and find those delectable bugs and the best roosting spots. The pair always hung around the tree line of the forest because of course – that is where the best bugs hang out and it’s shady in the hot summer sun.

I heard a scuffle out near the tree line recently and the dogs were on alert, so I went to investigate. What I found was simply heartbreaking. A coyote had dragged mama out into the forest leaving a trail of feathers a city block long. I followed them in hopes that I had disrupted the kill and the hen might just be injured but still alive – but couldn’t find any trace of life. Although it was devastating for me, it was evident it was much worse on the little 3 week old chick.

I have difficulty removing human emotion from animal emotion because in my heart and mind I know they are the same… and this baby was genuinely and obviously upset. She was scurrying from one end of that tree line to the other seemingly certain that Mama was there somewhere – never coming down until it was dusk – roosting time.

What the saddest thing of all is her solitary existence now. She’s quite young and still in need of a mama, but she’s all alone in the world and I cry for her deeply. She spotted another Wyandotte hen and literally ran as fast as those little legs would carry her to see her, only to be pushed away, pecked at and scolded.

Her little self is continually searching for her mother as I see her wandering near the tree line just staring into the trees, that little tiny frame just turning her head from side to side – wondering where she went and if she was coming back.

Her first night alone was traumatic. She just couldn’t find comfort anywhere. She tried cuddling up to other chickens on the rails where they sleep, but they weren’t very welcoming. She was being pushed aside and pecked because she’s unfamiliar to them. They like routine and they have their friends they hang with and again, chickens can be brutal.

I did the only thing I could think that would soothe her little soul. I waited until she was settled and I picked her up and held her tightly. I kissed her little beak, and stroked her head and body, holding her close and talking to her until she settled in and began to coo. She needed love and although I was the next best thing to her mama, she got it. I do that every night now, and it soothes my soul as well.

What I learn every day spending time with these amazingly emotional beings, and especially in this incident, is that they feel love, and loss, and joy, and heartbreak. It is as clear as the sky is blue that they are extremely emotional beings. What we force them to endure in those huge factory farm warehouses and farms is unfathomable. One day all of this pain, suffering and torture we inflict on innocent beings will be just a bad dream from the past – I only wish I could awaken from it now. I know the love of these animals and it is extremely special – and they deserve so much better.