October 29, 2020 · 4:00 pm

Bring Blossom Home

One of the sweetest goats I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing has been stolen from Winslow Farm. I can’t even believe I’m typing these words. That she still hasn’t been found with all of the focus this case has on it. But it’s a fact.

Winslow Farm is offering a no-questions-asked reward for her return. Please click on the link for more information. I personally hope that Blossom is returned without accepting the reward as every dollar that goes to the farm stays there feeding the animals, treating their medical needs, and caring for each one until their last breath, but it shows how important every animal is to the sanctuary.

I posted the following on my social media pages, but am including it here as well, in the hopes that someone out there knows something.

Blossom is still missing. The farm has been scoured for any signs of her. She is not there. Her loss is devastating to those who love her, which seems to include anyone who has met her.

After her dinner with the other goats, Blossom likes to wander around. She often climbs onto this picnic table and eats extra snacks Deb makes for her.

A little background on this sweet creature. Blossom came to the farm unable to walk, let alone stand on her own, due to neglect. She lived in the cat shelter when she first arrived; a small, emaciated pile of goat. Her outlook was bleak.

Deb (and Dan, staff, vets, and volunteers) worked tirelessly to help Blossom regain her strength. Among myriad strategies, she was put in a contraption that allowed her legs to stretch while keeping her off of the ground. Eventually she was able to hold herself up and finally walk.

Blossom’s recovery felt miraculous. She became an ambassador for perseverance, a mascot for overcoming major life challenges. She endured so much and came out a happy little friend who bleats hello to anyone she encounters.

Winslow Farm is a haven for animals who have suffered known and unknown, unfathomable atrocities in their former lives. They’re given a chance to live the life they deserved all along. They are finally home. For someone to enter this safe and protected place and take an animal away from it, for any reason, is incomprehensible.

Taken three weeks ago, the way she stood there—leaves dangling, innocence personified—caught me off-guard at how precious she is.
We miss Blossom’s little teefs and wonky horns. But most of all, we miss her sweet voice. How someone could rip her away from her home is baffling. I can’t wrap my head around it.

Please help us find Blossom and bring her back home.

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Filed under animal rescue, blossom, goats, sanctuary, saved from slaughter, senior goat, winslow farm

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September 21, 2020 · 6:50 pm

On Their Level

When I see an animal, I have an overwhelming desire to smoosh my face against theirs. Horses, bearded dragons, birds, dogs, cats, unicorns. We’re taught at a young age not to do this because the animal might get spooked and react, understandably, violently. News flash, this is not a deterrent for me.

I want to get as close to them as possible. I’ll throw myself on the grass in front of a chipmunk whose made the mistake of popping its head out of the ground. So far, they all flee in terror but I’m not giving up. If it’s a dog, I’ll put my face right in theirs and go in for a snuggle.

When I met my aunt’s newest dog, I flopped right down in front of her and dispensed kisses and belly rubs immediately. My aunt’s response was, “You really get down on their level, don’t you?” Every time. If I’m looming over an animal, I feel like I’m intimidating them, when all I want is for them to love me. I want to make myself as small as possible to make them as comfortable as possible.

When I’m hanging out with Julian at Winslow, I’ll be on the cobblestones cuddling him. He’s eight inches tall, tops. I’m almost 5’7″ and tower over him. I want him to feel safe, so chicken poop be damned, “hello, ground.” He falls asleep in my arms almost on contact.

Person holding rooster
My little love, Julian

I was hand-feeding George the tortoise once and manipulated him into climbing on me. All 35 pounds or so, precariously balanced on my kneecap, as he tottered back and forth. Painful? Yes. Pure joy? Also, yes.

Tortoise climbing over a human knee.
I didn’t take a picture of George balancing on my knee, so I tried to get him to do it again.
Him climbing over a corner of my knee was as close as I could get.

One time I brought mini donkeys Zorro and Bianca a few treats and sat down on the floor of their hut with my back up against the wall. They may be “mini,” but they’re wider and longer than I am tall. On the ground, they’re the looming ones.

Close up of donkey
“Oh. Hey there, pal.”

For me, it’s just better access for snugs.

Zorro decided to check for more food by biting and stepping on my extended legs. Repeatedly.

Donkey
No biting, Zorro!

Bianca put her face right up next to my ear and stayed still. For minutes at a time. Her soft breath was audible as I gave her kisses on her snoot.

Person with a donkey
Yes, she is whispering sweet nothings to me in our glam shot.

I was barely visible, surrounded by hundreds of pounds of donkey.

Person with two donkeys

I left bruised and happy.

Get down on their level. Sure, it might hurt sometimes, but it’s worth it.

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June 18, 2019 · 2:46 pm

Seen at the Sanctuary

Here are a couple of my favorite moments at the sanctuary this last week.

george

Seeing George always makes me happy. Seeing him munching on greens makes me happier.

mia1

The cats often find the best places to perch. That doesn’t mean they want their photo taken though.

mia2

No more photos, thanks.

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March 3, 2019 · 1:29 pm

Alpaca a snack

Many years ago, when it was just Pisca, Karolina, and Noelle (plus Star but he was from a different location and was kind of on the outskirts of their clique), I set out to socialize these beautiful creatures. They’d been living at an alpaca farm with many others and when the owner was no longer able to afford them, all of them needed new homes. These three came to Winslow to live out their days in peace.

They were very people-shy and uninterested in human touch. One of the ways that I try helping at Winslow is to socialize animals who’ve given up on people. I worked very hard with Athena, the sheep who lived on a median strip on 495, and by the end, I was able to lie down with her. I continue to work with Justice, a once-feral goat, who now eats a treat from my mouth. And I’ve focused a lot of energy on these beauties.

Before Pisca passed of old age (r.i.p. little lady), she was pretty comfortable eating grain out of a bowl that I was holding. Karolina became comfortable enough to eat grain right out of my hand. And Noelle would grab a bite from the bowl now and again.

Once Fern and Charlotte, and then Leia and Sundae, arrived at Winslow, there were a lot more personalities floating around and trying to hand feed seven alpacas became less of a focus for me. Until last week.

I was going about my chores, getting ready to feed the donkeys who were loudly exclaiming that it was taking too long. Gabriele, the llama, was lurking around the barn during this, which was a little rare. He usually goes to his little house, perched in the alpaca enclosure, without much protest. As I grabbed the donkey food and was setting out to feed them, Gabrielle put his nose right into the bowl and started eating it. I feed him a couple of fortune cookies each week as a little bonding ritual so hand-feeding him was normal but he’d never just shoved his nose into a bowl while I was clearly on my way to do things.

gabrieleeat

The donkeys were like, “Hey! That’s ours!”

zorrohay

But Gabriele was like, “So? Mine now.” I gave in and let him munch, refilled the bowl, and went off with to the two cursing donkeys.

I came back and he was still there. It was clear that he wasn’t going to budge from his spot and I realized that it was because it was icy and he was not having any of it. Here I am on the other side trying to coax him to come over.

gabrielenothanks

To be fair, it was pretty terrible out.

So, yes, I started bribing him.

I finally got him to trudge through the ice and continued feeding him from the bowl inside the enclosure. Good boys must be rewarded! This peaked Karolina’s interest and she started heading my way. Soon enough, she was eating out of the bowl while Gabriele was eating a handful out of my hand.

The rest of the alpacas watched curiously. “What is she doing?” they seemed to say. “She’s never done this before.” And they stood, stock-still, behind her contemplating this new arrangement. Noelle came forward to eat but Karolina kept squawking at her to back off. I kept encouraging Noelle to ignore her but her daughter won that round. She waited until Karolina was done and found all the leftovers on the ground.

noelle

Alpacas are wonderful, curious creatures. They have interesting quirks that I haven’t found in other animals. They blink differently, they argue with each other in amusing tones, and most fascinating to me, they scream at big dogs. I’d never heard anything like that the first time I heard it! I’ll see if I can dig up video.

Mostly, though, I’d like to get into a big snuggle pile with them. I’m not holding my breath that it’ll ever happen, but I’m definitely crossing my fingers!

 

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December 16, 2018 · 5:54 pm

Gone but not forgotten

Today there is a hole in my heart. Though it feels as big as a mountain, it must just be a tiny pinprick.

Scamp Smile

Many years ago, I was lucky enough to meet Scamp, Bella, and Zorro. I immediately took a liking to them all but especially Scamp. I didn’t realize that donkeys could smile or hug until I met her. I’ve spent almost every Sunday over these years spending a little time with her (there are lots of animals to see and tend to here), giving her treats, pets, and hugs.

My name is scamp
She was always separated at eating time because of her deteriorating teeth.In June of 2016, she wasn’t eating well, so I sat with her in her pen coaxing her to eat. I think that’s when we really started bonding.

Scamp eating
She started hugging me back at one point. She really leaned into them, like I do when I hug my loved ones. I’m not sure I can give it justice by trying to describe the feeling of elation hugging her gave me.

Scamp hug
Over the summer, we played a concert at the farm and my favorite part, by far, was watching Scamp go through the crowd of friends and family and nuzzle them. “Treats? Anyone have treats? Ok, I’ll settle for a hug.” I definitely forgot the lyrics at least once while watching her. A few months back, I discovered that she liked having the inside of her furry ears scratched. She’d stop mid-bite and lean into it. She was magical to me.

Over the last few weeks, she stopped eating. For good. No matter how anyone tried to help her eat, she was done. She passed on Friday night.

Scamp heart stealer
Volunteering at an animal sanctuary is a delight as much as it is a challenge. These lucky animals get to live out their best lives under Debra’s, the staff’s, and volunteer’s care. But the price for those who dedicate their time and hearts is that the animals live here until they pass. Losing any animal hurts. Losing one who you feel utterly connected to is devastating. This lyric helps fit that place for me.

“but i guess that this is the price
that we pay for the privilege
of living for even a day
in a world with so many things
worth believing in”
– ani difranco

I was lucky that I was able to say goodbye to her, albeit through the sheet she was wrapped in. I got to touch her nose one last time and give her one last hug. My tears haven’t stopped flowing yet but they will and I’ll move on. But I’ll carry that tiny hole in my heart with me always.

Safe travels, Scamp. You are loved.

Scamps smiles

 

 

* If you are interested in learning more about Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary, please visit http://www.winslowfarm.com. Visitors are welcome to comes and meet the animals and donations are always appreciated. Hope to see you there sometime. *

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Filed under animals, donkeys, mourning, sanctuary, winslow farm

October 28, 2018 · 6:43 pm

Unexpected delivery

Right before I was leaving Winslow today, one of the volunteers walked up with a box in her hand. On it was a note:

note

The boxes had a few rectangles cut out and this beak peaked out, so I peeked in.

beak

Inside was a beautiful duck whose wings had been clipped. Obviously, she’d had human interaction and might have been someone’s pet.

duck

Deb agreed to welcome her home and we carried the box to the pond where the three ducks live. I lifted her out and set her down (as she flapped like crazy). She immediately ran over to the ducks. Like, instantly. We were open-mouthed and excited.

She’s absolutely adorable. The boys in the pond were acting like they’d seen their crush and to play it cool, they pretended they didn’t see her.

On a more serious note, the way she arrived at the sanctuary is unacceptable. The box was taped shut and left close to the road. There’s the possibility that it wouldn’t have been seen and she could have frozen to death over night. Or a predator could have found her, trapped helplessly inside. Or what if the sanctuary had no room, leaving it up to Deb to do the leg work of re-homing it? It’s one thing to be desperate, but at least call and ask if it’s OK to bring a homeless animal.

Dropping off a box/carrier/anything and fleeing is never OK. If they’d called instead, the fact that the bird has clipped wings might have led to finding an owner. Or a bird sanctuary. Or someone who looking for a duck pal. Many things could have transpired. Instead, Deb was left without a choice but gained another mouth to feed. Each mouth adds up. Running a sanctuary is a labor of love not a cash cow. (Side note: every donation matters because every animal who lives there matters. Please support your local rescues!) Even leaving a $20 in the box with the duck would have been a good gesture.

Anyway, this story of a lucky duck ends with a wonderful home and new friends.

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Filed under animals, ducks, rescue, sanctuary, videos, winslow farm

October 25, 2018 · 3:38 pm

I’m back?

I can’t believe that my last post was in 2014. A lot has happened since then. I’m coming up on eight years at Winslow in a few weeks and I now have 6 cats and a dog. (I know, right?!) I plan on posting regularly again, for real this time. I also plan on diving into the experience of living with so many animals.

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite recent photos. Enjoy!

Archer

Archer soaking up the sun with his best buddy, Roscoe, in the back.

Scamp

Scamp showing off her beautiful smile.

Biff

Biff in a blanket.

George

A smile from George.

Have a great week!

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Filed under animals, archer, cat menagerie, cats, dogs, donkeys, tortoise, winslow farm

June 2, 2014 · 8:33 am

Jackson is shocked (SHOCKED!) that I said I’d write more frequently and then didn’t!

Jackson_Say_What_MindingTheMinis*SMH*

Sorry, Jackson!! I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter (@mindingtheminis) for live tweets from the farm on Sunday afternoons.

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Aside

You’ll be missed, Apricot…

I realize that it’s been practically forever since I’ve posted and that the recent ones are all about the sadness in losing friends. I’m sad to report that this one isn’t much different as I found out yesterday that my little friend, Apricot, passed away. She’d been in poor health for quite some time and had fought through it by continuing to be as sweet as pie. I’ll miss her little under-bite. She was always moving around a lot so I have only one photo of her to share that I can find right now. But if I locate an under-bite pic, I’ll post it.

Apricot

You’ll be missed, sweet sweet girl.

And I’m going to try to start writing regularly again. I love love love my job but it keeps me busy. I always get to the farm to visit my friends though and will try to bring those adventures back to the page. I’m still live-tweeting/gramming while there, so please follow me on twitter (@mindingtheminis) or Instagram (@mindingtheminis).

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week. Hug your two-legged and four-legged friends close.

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May 19, 2014 · 8:51 am
November 18, 2013 · 12:04 pm

Sweet sorrow

I realize that I’ve been pretty silent for a long time now. My job has really taken off and my focus has definitely shifted. That’s not to say that I haven’t been at the farm! Just that the mental energy I’ve put into documenting my adventures has been redirected. In addition, there has been a lot of sadness for me at the farm recently. In a week’s time, two of my very best friends passed away suddenly.

Lunar had a blockage in her stomach that needed emergency surgery. Dan and Connor, two of the incredible teens that devote so much of their time to the sanctuary, spent hours trying to get Lunar onto a trailer to get her to the vet. They struggled with her, attempting to get her up the ramp in any way that they could. And at the moment that they almost had her all the way up, her halter broke and they had no way to hold onto her. They couldn’t go on and she was unable to go to the vet. She was healthy in every other way, but because this was so serious, she ended up having to be put down. I found out about the blockage when I went to volunteer and spent a bit of time with her while others helped out, thinking that she would get better. I found out that she had been put to sleep when I visited on a Friday because I would be missing my Sunday shift. I never really got to say goodbye to her. When Deb and I talked about it, she said that by not being able to get Lunar on the trailer that she knew she wouldn’t survive. They did everything that they could to get her to surgery and Lunar would not go.

While I was there, she mentioned that Athena was not doing very well. Her eyesight had deteriorated a great deal and she was having problems walking. I stayed with Athena for a while in the sheep area just chatting with her. And then she did something very interesting. When I squatted down in front of her, I put my face close to hers and she actually put her nose right up against mine. Her soft, fuzzy nose was pressed up against me. She stared into my eyes and then she walked away.

I went off on my weekend trip. And on the drive home late Monday, I received a text from Connor. He said that he was really sad to tell me that they’d had to put Athena to sleep unexpectedly that day. She hadn’t been able to get up and was suffering. I went to the farm early the next morning and spent time with her resting body in Gully’s pen. I haven’t cried like that in a long time. I held her for a long time and kissed her sweet face and told her I loved her many last times.

In addition to my two friends passing, there were two other sweet creatures that also passed in the same time frame. Crazy Xena, the goat and beautiful Shiloh, the horse, both left us. To say the least, it has been a sad couple of months, peppered with the joy and beauty that surrounds me when I’m there. Gully and I continue to be the best of friends and the alpaca girls actually approach me for food now. I will tell stories about that transformation soon. But all of the animals will be missed.

The first week back without Lunar and Athena, which landed on the same Sunday, was really tough. Everything felt so empty without them.

Lunar_Athena_Empty_Stall_Winslow_Farm_Minding_the_Minis

I still look longingly into Lunar’s stall and Athena’s empty space at the front of the barn. I am sad that I never got to say goodbye to Lunar and sad that I had to say goodbye to Athena.

Lunar and I always had an easy friendship. My favorite thing that she did was to scratch her head (and often almost knock me over) on my leg. She was a sweet, wonderful friend.

Lunar_Horse_Winslow_Farm_MindingtheMinisBeautiful, beautiful girl. I miss and love you.

My relationship with Athena blossomed from a shy friendship to what I am convinced was love. By the end of her days, she trusted me enough to let me scratch behind her ears and along her soft nose. She even fell asleep a few times while I was petting her. She was a true friend and I will never forget her.

Petting_Athena_Sheep_Winslow_Farm_MindingtheMinisWhen I posted this to Instagram, my caption was “The fact that I can just walk up to Athena and do this is still nothing less that astounding to me.” And it felt that way every single time. She really grew to trust me. And in trusting me, she’d let strangers pet her when I was with her.

Gully_Athena_Winslow_Farm_MindingtheminisAthena and Gully shared a quiet friendship. Now that she’s gone, Gully no longer wants to stay up at the barn (a story for another day). It makes me sad that I’ll never see this sight again, but I’m happy that I did get to see it so many times.

Sweet_Athena_Winslow_Farm_Minding_the_MinisI’ll miss this beautiful smile.

The photos included in this post were all pulled from my Instagram account and can be found in my twitter feed. I take photos every week and post live to Twitter. So, if you’d like to “be there with me,” please follow me at @MindingTheMinis or go straight to the source for photos on Instagram, also MindingTheMinis. Hug your two and four-legged friends tightly. See you next week!

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