SILLINESS:
Salvo and Bruno were inseparable - never farther than 10 feet away from each other. They loved to just play, also: running, chasing each other, and just generally being silly. We were so worried about Bruno when Salvo died, but Bruno discovered he could also create a great deal of silliness with Jean-Claude the llama. And so bloomed a very strange and funny friendship.
No friendship is the same, but don't ever doubt that there is a friend waiting for you in the wings
SHARING A MEAL
Ray Ray (hidden, on the left), and dear Ernie and Angel (both departed and very much missed) being given the royal treatment by our volunteer Martha.
Let's admit it - eating is fun. Pretty everyone loves to eat. But sharing a meal with friends is a thousand times nicer.
Oh Mr. Newman Goat! Such a character, such a legend. We still love you, Mr. Newman!
Raindrop the sheep adopted Raphael the calf without any questions when he arrived. He was born blind and felt very lost, but she was always there for him.
ACCEPTANCE:
Pearl the alpaca became ill last week and had to be moved to a warmer and more secluded spot. Raindrop and Michelle have welcomed her into their cozy space and are being very sweet and act quite concerned about her ... even though she spits once in a while. They all share their dinner and keep each other warm.
Just because someone is different from you and might act a bit rude at times doesn't mean you can't welcome them into your fold.
TRUST:
Beloved Sam and Tigger (both now passed away) loved each other so much. Sam was a 120 pound powerful dog and Tigger, who was born on a sheep farm and abandoned by his mama, was fearless. He also knew that Sam was the gentlest being on the farm.
It's so important to remember that even if we have strength, we don't always need to use it.
PERSONAL SPACE
The snow has limited the amount of outdoor space available to everyone, so it's gotten a bit crowded, and they are getting some cabin fever. But happily animals don't hesitate to tell each other when to back off.
Everyone needs some alone time - even animals. Respecting that is a wonderful gift of love.
USING TECHNOLOGY TO SHARE
These days everyone is on their phone. They walk with their phones stuck in their faces, they drive with their phones balanced on their steering wheels, they talk in restaurants as if no one else is there. Let's admit it: it's rude! No one likes to be ignored, even by strangers. But ... what if you used your phone to make friends (in person!!), not push people away?
Be a mensch, share the love. Even sheep like to look at nice photos!
Today's love theme is: STANDING SENTRY
When your friends are eating, it's really important to make sure that no unwanted persons or beasts come in to steal their food. Sweet Dwayne was taking his turn, making sure that "his" cows get enough to eat.
Everyone needs to stick up for their friends.
Today's love theme is: HUGS
People can be funny about hugs. Do you do the full hug, the side hug, the pat on the back bro hug? A French 2 cheek air kiss? A handshake? Maybe no hug at all? Ah, but animals don't worry about this! They'll either love the hug or they'll bite you. So delightfully simple.
There is nothing like a wordless hug to connect with someone dear.
Today's love theme is: MAKING PEACE
Some of you wondered yesterday about George the goose, mentioned in our $6 Saturday Valentine's day fundraiser (still time to donate!! https://givebutter.com/send-an-animal-valentine). It was wrong of us to name just him, because, quite frankly, all of the geese have attitude problems.
But where there's a will, there's a way, and here we have an intrepid volunteer determined to find common ground with these perpetually screaming-for-no-good-reason birds.
It's always worth trying to negotiate a peace plan even with the most intransigent of creatures. For they, too, are beings who have their motivations for what they do. (We think....)
Today's love theme is: YIELDING TO OTHERS
It's tempting to get frustrated and even aggressive when met with crowds of people or traffic who are "in your way". But .... you are also in their way.
Life works better with yielding rather than barging through.
Today's love theme is: FRIENDS COME IN ALL SIZES
Beautiful Bullwinkle (RIP) was quite a spicy young lad, but once he settled down, he was as gentle as could be and loved hugs and back massages. He weighed in at just under 2000 pounds, but he didn't know that.
Don't be deceived by how someone looks: it's what's inside that matters.
Today's love theme is: material things are less important than living things
Yes, this is our new golf cart. Yes, those are dirty cat paw prints. But clearly this is a superior place for a cat to hang out, so we are very happy that our golf cart has been baptized by Sport, because he knows a good thing when he sees it!
It looks like we may get more snow, so it's important to get warmed up in advance. Stephanie and Winston are basking in front of the wood stove even though it's not too cold out yet.
You never know when you might need a serious snuggle so grab one when it's offered!
Luc the rabbit (swaddled in a towel) is an old man now and is not as likely to bite people as he used to be. Pam is magic with rabbits, and, apparently dogs! Stephanie spent a bit of time making sure Luc's ears were clean and then settled down for a nap, exhausted from her work.
We are all meant to live amongst other species with peace.
It used to be that people would give a ride to those walking along country roads because those roads are long and there were no buses. I myself have hitchhiked in various countries including this one, and luckily never did have a bad experience. Au contraire, it was lovely to chat with people I'd never met before and would probably never see again. I've also given rides to those who found themselves stranded for one reason or another. Alas, hitchhiking is now generally considered to not be safe, but it sure used to be a way to help someone out and to gladly be helped out, as well. Cosmo the goat really needed a lift today, and Dave was happy to assist!
Helping out a traveler is a beautiful thing.
You might be related by blood (such as William and his mother Dolly, or Willow and her mother Shannon) or by deep connection (Ray Ray, their adoptive uncle). Family is always there. Treasure them, even when they annoy you. It's still love.
Generally speaking, cats will pretty much never do as you ask them. It's all on their own terms, and hats off to them for their independent thinking. The one exception is belly warming. A cat will rarely decline an invitation to sit on a human's stomach. On the other hand, a cat will not vacate them stomach when asked. But all in all, Maria does an amazing job of belly warming, and when she purrs, you can feel it right into your bones.
Yuki the goat (brown and white) fell in love with Milo (the dog) and while it was largely unrequited love, she managed to work up quite a romantic world around her feelings for him. If he was taking a rest, she'd sidle up and make funny noises, letting him know how she felt. He never rebuffed her - he's too much of a gentleman. However, Milo is nothing if not a realist. He knew that it could never work since he's a dog and she was a goat. Still, it was a beautiful time in their lives.
Romantic love doesn't have to be totally requited to still be magical.
