Farm Animal Sanctuary

I've always told my husband that one day, when we have land that I haven't already filled with dogs and horses, I'd like to rescue animals from slaughterhouses (his family raised beef cattle -- who says we aren't a match made in heaven?). I pictured it as a covert operation: belaying equipment attached to my black cat suit, suspended above the slaughterhouse floor from a roof hatch that I opened with a bobby-pin, reaching stealthily for the lever that would release helpless cows from their certain death... Fast forward the fantasy sequence to cows and sheep frolicking for the first time in the beautiful, rolling hills of Tennessee - thanking me silently with their gentle eyes. Ahh. It's one of my favorite ideas. Ever.

As if I didn't need any more encouragement (other than the encouragement I receive from the hubby, of course), Farm Sanctuary has gone and inspired me with their dedication to fair treatment and respect for life. With two locations (upstate New York and California), the organization exists to not only rescue the abused, but combat the abuses of factory farming and encourage a new awareness and understanding about "farm animals." Through the years, Farm Sanctuary has rescued thousands of animals (see the piglet named "Bob Harper" above) and educated millions of people about their plight.

Along the same lines, the video below is from a documentary called "Peaceable Kingdom - The Journey Home" that explores the awakening conscience of several people who grew up in traditional farming culture and who have now come to question the basic premises of their inherited way of life. Definitely worth a watch and I'm looking forward to the release of the full-length documentary.

In other bovine news, Maybelline is great (and treated fairly). In the picture I posted last of her, you will see that she's eating a dried branch with brown leaves on it; which explains the odd after-taste in the milk we experienced for a couple of weeks. Anyway, our Amish farmer began supplementing their grass (since it's been so dry in our area) and the milk is back to it's sweet, creamy deliciousness.

Cheers to your health - and happiness!

Love, bunny