FARM ANIMAL HAVEN SANCTUARY

A Ducky Dilemma

Keeping ducks is probably one of the most rewarding, yet time consuming efforts I’ve had the pleasure to experience. They are adorable – they talk back – they are playful, inquisitive, and full of joy. I don’t think my life would be as happy or hilarious without their presence.

But – they can be as messy as the day is long. Not only that, they’re sneaky little stinkers. Since I’ve had ducks starting back in the mid 2000’s – they’ve found ways to hide eggs away so that I was completely unable to find them. I always did find them eventually, in the past, but if they’re too far developed, I allow them to hatch.

Usually I can watch them from a secret place, feeling like a spy – and figure out just about where their nest is, granting me an area to search. It is a case of being a bit smarter than them – which I have to admit, isn’t easy when you’ve got a busy life.

Since moving onto the 56-acre ranch I now have the pleasure of living – it’s gotten nearly impossible to track all 3 females. One has already ditched me and showed up with 5 adorable offspring. Today, I have 8 ducks that are not in hiding, and one female I cannot find.

The dilemma came when I discovered the female duck Mae’s collection of eggs. They had been incubating for more than 2 weeks, and gestation is 3-4 weeks. For some reason, Mae found joy in her sister Mel’s babies, and abandoned her THIRTEEN eggs. What was I to do?

I dusted off the old incubator because I just couldn’t let them die. Once they’ve become beings, I have the obligation to see it through.

So, recently I have candled (peeked inside the eggs with a light) all 13, and discovered little bodies moving around in each and every one… and am expecting them to hatch this week, although, they’re not piping yet.

Piping is when their little beaks come into the air sack of the egg, where they begin the long journey of poking their way through the tough shell. During this time they peep, the egg wiggles, and their efforts are rewarded after hours and sometimes days of struggle… they emerge wet, and awfully weak and fragile looking. (photos to follow!)

The question is – what on earth am I going to do with over 20 ducks in my life? Not only do they eat double the amount of chickens, they are demanding little critters.

I’m not complaining because there really isn’t anything more exciting than watching life emerge from those boring white eggs – but I can see the road ahead is going to be a duck filled one. Filling waters 2 x a day, cleaning pens 2 x a day and buying big bags of food to supply them with plenty to eat – beside the grass and larvae they love.

I can’t imagine what kind of a turn my life is about to take… I have a book to write, school to attend to – and work!

If anyone is interested in PET ducklings, please contact me~ they are adorable and half Mallard and half Khaki Campbell. Taking some would assure me my sanity!

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Maggie, The Big Hearted Chicken

I’ve not had the strength of heart to write about her, as yet. She passed away June 4^th, and this place (or my heart) will never be the same.

Maggie was rescued from a breeder who had her and her sister Molly (and a lot of others) crammed into a small little cat box, with filthy water and barely any food and was planning on raising them that way. I grabbed two (because I couldn’t take them all) and brought them home. I was lucky to get two females…

Here they are as babies:

Because I lived at 7,400 feet, (mostly cold) they lived in the house their entire youth. That gave me the opportunity to spend quality time with each of them, cuddling at movie time, and in my lap at my desk.

Needless to say, they became very attached to me and I to them. Maggie though, was especially sweet. Molly was a bit aloof and not as anxious to spend time with me.

They were quite different in personality, and I always knew who Maggie was because she always wanted to be near me in some capacity.

Once I moved to Oregon in 2012, they became outdoor chickens, as it should be.

I tell you this story because it is what I believe created such a bond between us. Maggie more so than Molly, but they were both sweet, loving chickens.

When I would go out into the yard to feed, clean, water, or just to visit, I’d only have to call Maggie once or twice and she’d drop what she was doing and come running – full throttle – to see me. If I was sitting, she’d jump on my lap and cuddle up to get hugs and kisses. She loved being hugged.

I’d never before known a chicken so loving and sweet and anxious to be with me. I’ve had many and many loved me and vice versa, but this was different. She actually showed her love more than any other chicken I’d shared life with.

But sometime around Memorial Day she started acting strange. I inspected her and discovered she had sour crop. It’s an ailment similar to a yeast infection in their crop, which doesn’t allow them to eat because they feel full – and are full of fluid and a yucky fungus.

I did what I had done in the past – gave her apple cider vinegar, lots of water, and brought her in the house so I could tend to her every few hours. I spoke with a veterinarian on the Internet who said ACV was the worst possible treatment, it is acidic and giving sour crop more acid is only going to make it worse… so I listened. I got the Kefir he suggested (liquid yoghurt) and began treating her with that. He said the probiotics would clear up the yeast infection. She continued to decline, having one or two good days, but she would always drift back to not eating, being lethargic and just losing more and more weight.

I freaked. I decided the Kefir wasn’t working and switched back to ACV, but it was too late. She was so weak, thin and sick that I saw the signs she was leaving soon by the way she acted.

I was with my precious Maggie when she passed. I held her, told her I loved her and petted and kissed her sweet head. She went peacefully.

She left such a hole in my heart and on this property that it is difficult to go outside. I miss her every single morning, afternoon and night.

Rest in peace my sweet baby.

Imagine, It’s Easy if You Try…

Imagine…. It’s Easy If You Try

Imagine a world full of healthy, vibrant, and loving people who care as much for others as they do for themselves because their focus is outward instead of inward. This is attributed to such abundant health that love emanates from every pore. These are people that are no longer fighting inner battles due to disease, poor health, obesity, lack of energy, etc., and have found true joy in helping others.

If the days of hippie communes and free love come to mind… then modernize that thought and you’d have the paradise envisioned here.

Continue reading “Imagine, It’s Easy if You Try…”

The Vegan – Non-Vegan Family Dilemma

The realization comes like a slap in the face… you wake up one day after watching something like Farm to Fridge or Earthlings and are literally shocked at how horrifying life is for animals raised on factory farms and in slaughterhouses. But what is surprising is how on earth everyone else doesn’t know it. I mean, if they knew, wouldn’t they be just as appalled as you?

Especially your own family? How can they not comprehend how devastating you feel and go vegan right along with you!? How can they possibly still be eating meat and dairy and all of the things that cause so much pain and suffering to such innocence? You sent them the books and videos, and explained it in some detail, but obviously it fell on deaf ears.

The majority of vegans, at least in America, have a serious problem dealing with this dilemma. Families gather for holidays and events, and although they appear to be sympathetic to what you’ve learned and you’ve tried with everything you have to convey the cruelty and insanity, but the fact is – that turkey is still in the middle of the dining room table, or the ham, …you get the idea. Meat is still on the menu at your family’s home.

Some family members actually coil at the thought of you even being present- and many of us get left off the guest list.

Many cut you out of their lives if the word “vegan” is too often spoken because they feel pressured to conform. Is it guilt we bring to their lives? Or is it just too much for them to bear?

It isn’t as though we are trying to get them to invest in our latest venture. It’s not as if we’re expecting them to like our new mate! This is something that goes so much deeper these trivial matters and it isn’t even about US! These are animals – living breathing loving, beautiful animals that are treated like chattel – like mere rags to be used and disposed of when no longer needed or profits are not high enough. How could anyone accept this? Why are we so different?

So many of us just suffer in silence. Suffer, because those we love the most will not even try. They don’t (or won’t) see the suffering that we see, and if they do – they don’t seem to give a crap. It’s a serious problem that has alienated many families.

So how do we handle this situation? Do we just accept that the poor turkey that is cooked and stuffed sitting on the table is their own personal choice and we should accept each individual choice? Or do we reject them because we just cannot understand their blatant disregard for the lives of these precious beings?

If you’re anything like me, you bolt… while deeply wishing and hoping that you can at least be understood.

I’d love to know how to remedy this situation, how to keep that family bond without wanting to throw a tantrum at seeing your loved ones eat that dead animal.

What you are doing to keep the peace with your families?

Eucalyptus: More Than Just a Tree

Image via Wiki

It wasn’t until my mother got very sick with a nasty lung infection that I discovered the healing benefits of Eucalyptus. Sadly, she was unable to breathe normally and she sounded horrible, as if it was a real struggle just to get the air in and out.

She was bedridden at only 55 years old, and lived in Aledo, Texas at the time. I was in California, one of the best places to find fresh, natural eucalyptus leaves.

Interestingly, the non-native Eucalyptus tree came to California in the early 1800’s during the gold rush, mostly because of the high demand of wood for construction and fuel. There are over 600 species of this Australian native, however, the most prominent species in California is the blue gum eucalyptus, scientifically known as Eucalyptus globulus.

I was happy it was here regardless of its history. A dear “naturopathic” friend suggested I get some of that healing oil into my mother’s lungs. That was all it took, I trusted her implicitly – so I took off in search of those healing leaves.

Image via Wikipedia
A good way to distinguish them is first, their essence, almost a medicinal scent, very clean and fresh. Second, their leaves are long and pale green, coated in a peculiar white substance. Their scent reminds me of the “Vicks Vapor Rub” my grandmother rubbed all over my chest when I had a cold, which is astute because come to find out, it’s one of the main ingredients in Vicks.

Eucalyptus has amazing healing properties, such as:

· Kills bacteria
· Reduces fever
· Believed to kill viruses and fungi
· An expectorant
· Plaque and gum disease antiseptic
· Treating arthritis, boils, sores and wounds
· Insect repellant
· Eases sore joints and muscles

I hit the jackpot! I found a grove of trees near a small road that leads to the California coast, just north of Los Angeles. A great place to find them outside of LA (or Australia) is Euc Products of California.

I picked so many leaves and branches that they filled an entire leaf trash bag and I was off on my journey to help my sweet mother.

By the time I reached Texas, her health had deteriorated. Even though her pulmonary doctor had her on all kinds of medication and a humidifier filled her room, she was bedridden, still struggling to breathe.

I grabbed the first soup pot I could find and threw a handful of leaves into the pot and started them boiling. The house smelled fantastic. I brought her into the kitchen to start breathing the steam right from the pan. We continued this process for almost a week, boiling new leaves each day and breathing the steam every two to three hours.

One week later she was up and moving around. She wasn’t completely healed, but she could breathe much better. After another week she was breathing normally and feeling “fit as a fiddle,” as she put it. We visited the pulmonary doctor after two weeks to be certain things were getting back to normal.

He was quite surprised, I believe his exact words were, “when you left here, your lung infection was extremely severe and today, it is completely gone. Either you heal really fast, or you did something extraordinary.”

My mother, in all the joy and pride she could muster, replied, “My daughter healed me! She came all the way from California, bringing some crazy leaf called Eucalyptus and healed me!”

The doctor concurred that it was the eucalyptus that had healed her. He said he’d heard of it and was aware of its healing properties, and he was extremely impressed.

I’ve used it for colds, sinus problems and lung disorders ever since.

What About Them?

The majority of us have had pets growing up; dogs, cats and many have had the pleasure of growing up with farm animals. We’ve felt the love and companionship and the joy of seeing that pet excited to see us when coming home. Many of us raced home to see them because in our hearts we knew they were anxiously waiting our arrival.

Movies and documentaries have depicted the all out love and loyalty shown to us by our non-human companions. One that comes to mind: Hatchi: A Dog’s Tale – a true story about an incredibly loyal friend to one man. Although this movie brought tears to most, we all felt the love presented by the amazing star of that film – Hatchi.

The thing that astonishes me, and many others like me, is how did humans become so disconnected to all other animals? Yes, many people still have the family pet – a domestic animal that keeps us company when we’re alone, sits on our laps while we watch television, or work on the computer.

But what about the pigs, cows, horses, chickens, turkey’s, ducks and others… that are just as sociable and loving. Why is there a difference drawn between who is loved and who is killed and eaten?

I was lucky as a youngster. I learned early in life about the companionship of ‘other’ animals, and found that pigs are as faithful and loving as dogs, but they are smarter. That chickens love us deeply as well as their offspring and anything else that needs love. Turkeys are curious and inquisitive and once they learn to trust their human, make the most amazing pets. Ducks can entertain us for hours and make us laugh. Cows are gentle giants who wouldn’t hurt anyone and have deep emotional ties to their young, other cows in the herd, and their humans. They sometimes babysit for other mothers who need a break.

Horses are amazing animals as well. But we now slaughter them too – and humans eat them. The incredibly majestic animals that carried us through wars, for travel, and were the most valuable beings man has known throughout history, now are tossed aside like common garbage. They were swift, easy to care for, reliable and now – for their service, we slaughter and eat them.

People in other countries eat domestic dogs and cats.

When you put them side by side, they are all the same. They feel, they love, they hurt, they cry, they moan, they feel joy, they love their babies and they WANT to live just as humans do – but sadly they lack a human voice.

Someday the world finally connect the dots… and realize they are ALL loving beings who deserve life as much as any human does. They are here for their own purposes, not to be bred and shoved in tiny warehouse cages so small they cannot even move or turn around, fattened up by growth hormones so they get so fat they can’t walk or move if they tried. Beaten for being too big to move… and basically, tossed aside as worthless.

Those of us who understand that this treatment to sentient beings is morally, spiritually, karmically and ethically wrong. They are despondent, and desperate for any kind of attention, obviously begging for someone to help them.

Why are there just a small group of us who can see the injustice here? Is it because other people just do not want to see what they cause when they consume them? Have others become numb? Or is it just selfishness?

I do know that our world cannot go on this way. That any animal that lives on planet earth deserves better. They evolved just as we did – they have a right to be here.

If you are still contributing to their pain and suffering – Please, consider the alternative. Watch a video (below) and learn what your choices are doing to beings that are our friends. They should be your friends too. What about them!?

Please care.

EARTHLINGS

FROM FARM TO FRIDGE

MEET YOUR MEAT

Those Lovin’ Ducks

Motor Jr., and Mae

These sweet baby ducks were hatched in my care … and they are imprinted on me. I talked to them through their shell, and they peeped back… I picked up their eggs and kissed them… cuddled them, and let them know someone was waiting for them to come out. I’m mommy and they peep for me when I’m out of sight, they follow me wherever I go, they eat from my hand… and most of all – they snuggle with me. It is the most sensational feeling that if you haven’t experienced – you must.

Their favorite place is on my upper chest/shoulder, with their heads in the crook of my neck. They will lay there for hours… or as long as I can sit in one place. I’m fairly certain they love the warmth of my body, or the closeness and love they feel. I kiss them and cuddle them a LOT.

I know that ducks are supposed to have duck parents… of course they do, however, these two were special. They were the last eggs of my beloved “Motor” drake that I raised from a duckling… and who was my dear friend. I miss him terribly, but I knew that hatching these two would somehow keep him alive genetically, if it was all I could have of him. He was incredibly special and we shared a bond that most humans (in my experience) can’t imagine.

I think that bond is initiated because of the need or dependence on human care – just as infant humans – but the continual need is quite different than humans who grow up – animals always need us. I believe that is what makes their relationships so unique and the bond so remarkably strong.

Motor Jr. and Mae are loving, giving, fun, joyful and trusting babies who need love every bit as much, if not more, than human babies. I give it to them freely – when asked – and when they are content, I leave them to their independent follies.

There was an event recently that happened while holding and loving on them. It fascinated me and urged me to delve deeper into animal love and emotion.

These two little critters were showing love like I’ve never experienced – a deep, sweet love with guttural sounds, like an emotional love. I felt it. Of course we all feel loved by our beloved pets – but at times they can take us or leave us… this was different, and I wish I had a way to record them when they are content, and oh so loving.

They were displaying quiet but distinct sounds of joy / content / love – all the while they were gently nibbling me with their soft bills and rubbing their little sweet heads against me. It was so completely unique but I knew right then what it must feel like to be a mother duck.

It literally blew me away – I had no idea ducks were such deeply emotional and loving creatures, but they are.

Thelma and Beauty

Thelma & Beauty – A Special Friendship

Thelma and Beauty

Taking care of animals has been the biggest joy of my life, and a return to my childhood growing up with farm animals as friends.
People think that turkeys are not intelligent, but I can say from my experience raising them and living with them, they are extremely intelligent and loving beings with personalities of their own. My sweet turkeys, Thelma and Louise, are as different as night and day. Thelma is loving, caring and affectionate to humans, and Louise is aloof and not as trusting…and they were raised in the house with me, picked up and hand fed and lived in a playpen until they were big enough to live outdoors.

But this is about Thelma and Beauty, a turkey and a chicken. A few days ago Beauty, the Rhode Island Red I’ve raised since a chick who is now 5 years old, hurt her leg and won’t step on it, and jumps around on one leg. (I’ve treated her, however, it just has to heal.)

Every morning when I let all of them out of their coop to roam around scratch, peck and dust bathe, and devour the fruit & veggies I put out for them. Beauty struggles getting to the outdoor feeding area and most times I carry her. This morning, she made an effort herself, but stopped midstream and stood there for quite some time, holding her precious foot up. Thelma decided that Beauty shouldn’t be alone and stood right next to her, eventually laying down next to her, in what I perceived as an effort to befriend to Beauty, as if telling her it was ok to lie down – she was there with her to protect her.

This, to me, was incredibly kind – a turkey, forgoing the feed area to protect and accompany her friend Beauty. They crossed the species barrier and are live long friends, and it all started when Beauty was hurt.

I only hope that someday the human race can fathom the sensitivity, brilliance, and pure love animals express. I live with them, which proves to me day in and day out how incredible they are – and every day I wonder “how on earth could anyone kill and eat these amazing little beings”.

Francis & Hope

Francis & hope

Hope – 1 week old

Hope is my special little duckling that hatched with only one working limb – the bad one is stuck in the bent position and won’t move. I was never sure she would make it at first. She could barely reach the food or water because it was so difficult for her to move, and she didn’t seem interested. I held her up to the food and water several times a day and she would eat and drink, but would not eat or drink on her own. I am sure that she knew she was abnormal and that nature was taking its course, however, I couldn’t just let her die of starvation.

Once she began eating and learning to maneuver, which entailed hopping around on one leg, she started to show signs of life, of wanting to live, and enjoying her family. Although she’s much smaller than the other ducks hatched around the same time, she eats like crazy.

Hope 3 weeks old (on right)

Today, I saw the most amazing act of kindness between two different species that I was completely heart warmed.

Francis (named after St. Francis) is a beautiful Pea Hen who was rescued as a throw away, as well as her mate, Albert. One morning she decided it was time to expand her family, and laid on about 4 eggs for almost 2 months. Sweet Francis didn’t have any success. I eventually had to remove the eggs as they were not going to hatch, but eventually rot. Francis has been ok with this fact and has gone on to do the ‘Peacock’ things she loves to do. However, after noticing baby ducks that spend time outdoors, she showed a special interest in Hope. It appears she is feeling motherly toward her because she is always hanging around her when she is outside in what I perceive as being protective.

Today, it got a little nerve wracking for me – Hope can’t get away like the others, which is why she lives in the house most of the time. With her one leg she can manipulate herself around pretty well, but tends to go in circles before getting there….she does get where she wants to go, but it takes awhile, and she’s a little unstable.

This day, Francis was dangerously close to Hope with her beak and Hope didn’t seem to mind, so I just watched. Francis was actually showing Hope foodstuff on the ground, and Hope responded by trying to eat the same food that Francis was showing her. It was so precious that I let it be – and trusted that it would be OK (Francis could really hurt Hope with one peck)…. and it was OK. Hope and Francis have bonded and I think Francis actually found a baby of her own to protect and help feed. Right now, they are still close and I feel confident that Francis is only being a Mommy.

Francis & Hope

Allergies in My Dog… I Think NOT!

Sadie

After the experience I had with Sadie, my sweet 5 year old black lab – I decided to share what I learned… not only for other humans, but for all of the doggies that will go through what she did.

She was itchy, losing her hair, had red sores on her (hot spots)- she was lethargic and obviously miserable.

I took her to the vet – and of course, she was prescribed antibiotics – even though I mentioned she’d been on them before, earlier in the year for a bladder infection. Little did I know, I was digging the hole deeper. The first round cost me plenty but the second round included antibiotics, steroids and a antihistamine – a bill of over $300 bucks.

Most ailments are blamed on allergies – esp. when displaying symptoms such as itching, hot spots, hair loss, diarrhea and more, but can be caused by an array of inner things. According to an expert on the subject, “Whole Dog Journal” veterinarian, Randy Kidd, DVM – “A holistic approach to allergies understands that external skin symptoms are merely an outer manifestation of something going wrong inside.”

The common diagnosis of allergies or health issues that appear external is that flea’s are the main cause. The other suspected culprits are airborne, food and contact allergens. Of course those little fleas should be eliminated immediately with the most effective flea medication available.

But, understanding that most dog ailments come from something happening within is your best defense. What has he or she been eating? Have they been exposed to new bedding, or carpet? What about infections, have they been on antibiotics more than once in the recent past?

Getting to the bottom of what is causing these horribly uncomfortable and painful symptoms can be as easy as looking toward a holistic approach to healing.

Dogs that have been on medication too long, such as antibiotics, can develop skin problems just from the reaction to the medication and the loss of immune system health. Antibiotics can create resistant bacteria causing even more health problems.

Dr. Kidd states: “In a nutshell, allergy is the result of an immune system that has, for one reason or another, turned against the self.”

The “Whole Dog Journal” veterinarian suggests treatments to follow antibiotic (or other medication) use, to restore some of the natural flora and bacteria to the stomach of your sweet pet.

According to Elaine Reinhardt, nutritional consultant at Reinhardt Ranch Holistic Nutrition Center for Pets – a natural treatment can remedy a big percentage of your dogs problems. In her experience, improvement in seriously health challenged canines can be attained within 15 minutes to 2 months.

Reinhardt’s suggestion for an all out assault on your dogs health issues can be accomplished! Here are her suggestions:

1. Seacure: A powder made from deep-sea fish that through predigestion, with no effort for your pet to assimilate (digest and distribute) can repair damaged tissue and speed healing.
2. Probiotics: Using a canine probiotic supplement is essential to their health according to canine nutrition experts. The suggested product is Jarrow Pet Dophilus Powder. Reinhardt has seen miraculous results with just this product alone.
3. Enzymes: There are many different kinds of products to help restore health to your pet through digestion; Reinhardt suggests PetLabs 360 DigestAbles tablets.

I must admit, after using these products, within a week Sadie stopped itching, stopped hair loss and the sores were clearing up. She is fit as she ever was a month later. Not a single sore, hair loss has grown back – she’s eating right, feeling great and not a pill in sight.

Just remember, just as doctors over prescribe antibiotics, so do vets. Do your homework before succumbing to their prescriptions!