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Angel Animals Story of the Week, 7-22-06, "Inspired by a Pig"
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Allen Anderson
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Jul 29, 2006 04:55 PDT
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Angel Animals Story of the Week
July 22, 2006
Visit us at www.angelanimals.net
Dear Friends of Angel Animals,
Welcome to the Angel Animals Story of the Week.
What happens when the old living room furniture leaves and new furniture
arrives into your living space? First thing we did this week when we
finally surrendered the old, cat-clawed sofas to new arrivals, was to
clip the cats' claws. We bought a larger, more tempting scratching post
and cat furniture that was too big to fit in the car. So we had to drive
home slowly with part of it sticking out the open window.
We sprinkled, no, poured catnip all over the new kitty condo. After the
furniture arrived, we sprayed an herbal substance all over it. This was
supposed to repulse the cats from climbing or scratching on the shiny
new pieces. They sniffed. They extended their paws looking ready for a
great scratch. They were not the slightest bit put off by the repellant.
We sat down and had a long talk (plea) with Speedy and Cuddles about our
human desire to have the furniture stay undamaged for at least six
months. We could hear them say, "But why? Look at all that cloth and
wood. Those strange things need our smell, our marks, and our
attention!"
At lease they are beginning to enjoy their new kitty condo/scratching
post, so we do have a chance at the six months goal for the new
furniture. Wish us well. Those of you with cats, we know you can relate.
The featured story this week is about a potbelly pig named Janice who
became the inspiration for a woman's new career as an animal rescuer.
Warning, though - the first part of this story is sad and depicts an
abusive situation, but the ending is wonderfully happy.
We invite you to e-mail this week's newsletter in its entirety to others
who might enjoy it.
Animal blessings,
Allen & Linda Anderson
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STORY OF THE WEEK
INSPIRED BY A PIG
By Annette Fisher
Six years ago I met a lady who was selling horse equipment at a tack
swap. We were comparing notes on how difficult it was to go on vacation
and have someone take care of your horses and farm animals in the way
you want them to be cared for. She said that she was getting ready to go
on a vacation and would be glad to pay me if I would come over every day
and take care of her animals. I immediately agreed to help.
Upon arrival at her farm to learn about feeding and daily routines, I
was shown quite a variety of horses, dogs, cats, a donkey, a farm hog,
and a long list of other furry creatures. We came to a small door that
opened into a tiny, completely closed-in pen located inside her horse
barn. While peering through this small door, I could see thick spider
webs and their creators hanging low from the ceiling. There, in her own
filth and waste, lay a 150 pound potbelly pig. She was unable to move,
and her front legs curled up underneath her. She had no hair; her skin
was thick and peeling.
In complete amazement at seeing this poor creature, I blurted out, "My
God, what happened to this pig?" I was told that someone had brought her
to the farm about six years ago and they had dropped her getting her off
the truck. "I think they broke her legs," the woman calmly explained.
"What did your vet say?" I asked. My mouth dropped open in utter
disbelief as I heard the reply, "Oh, we never called a vet."
The farm's owner then left on her vacation and was supposed to be gone
only three days. This pig tore at my heart and haunted my thoughts each
time I would leave the farm. I would open the door so that she could get
some fresh air. I found straw for bedding so she wouldn't have to lay in
such filthy conditions. The owner decided to stay gone for another day,
then another day. Finally a week went by before she returned home.
"How much do I owe you for feeding?" she asked.
"How about just giving me your crippled pig?" I replied, terrified that
she wouldn't agree to such a request. The deal was agreed upon, and I
took Janice, the pig, to our local veterinarian for a complete physical
and exam. Having worked at that farm for a week, not only did I not make
any money, but it cost me $280 in an hour at the vet clinic.
X-rays showed that Janice's legs weren't broken but had atrophied due to
being kept in such horrible conditions in such a small area. She would
never be able to walk normally, and the bones in her front knees would
continue to fuse. I discussed euthanasia with the vet and asked if it
would be kinder to let her go.
The vet's reply was kind and sympathetic with an emphatic no! "Annette,
this is the best the pig's ever had it," the vet said. "Let her enjoy
life for a while, and she'll let you know when she's ready to go." That
was six years ago.
What the vet was talking about was that we had built Janice her own log
cabin, fairly large, complete with heat lamps in it for the cold winter
temperatures. We filled her log cabin with extra thick straw for her bed
and gave her old sleeping bags and blankets to snuggle under. Her fur
grew back, her skin healed, and I had gained her trust.
She would look for me to bring her healthy snacks and hold her water
bowl so that she could get drinks easily. Janice was given an arthritis
supplement for any discomfort in her legs, and we gave and continue to
give her daily body massages.
A few months had passed after welcoming Janice to our farm. We then
again rescued another potbelly piggy, a youngster we named George. We
presented him to Janice as her companion. The two eventually became best
friends and they enjoyed each other's company immensely. George grew up
with Janice and now loves her with all his heart. George travels around
our farm and takes stories back to Janice about the other animals he
meets and greets.
This heart-breaking experience with Janice made me wonder - if this poor
pig was hidden in a barn and needed help, what other farm animals might
be hidden in barns but need special care? I started to inquire with
county humane societies and animal protective leagues across our state
about what happened to farm animals that were removed from abuse
situations. Their options weren't always great. Some agencies would
euthanize the farm animals, since many were designed to handle only
domestic animals. Several agencies were reluctant to even remove the
farm animals from neglect because they had nowhere to take them.
I decided that people needed to learn to treat the farm animals with
compassion and give them the proper care and respect that they deserved.
Janice, the pig, was my inspiration to create the organization now known
as Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit
organization located in Ravenna, Ohio. We focus on the rescue,
rehabilitation, and adoptions of farm animals who have been removed from
situations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
This beautiful, loving, sweet, crippled pig, who now loves peppermints
and belly rubs and good conversations, is credited with founding an
organization that has now helped over 550 farm animals. In the past six
years abused and neglected farm animals have received medical treatment,
hope, love, compassion, and a chance at enjoying a life of peace and
comfort with their new human companions.
My bond with Janice is incredible. She continues to be healthy and to
thrive on attention. I have come to understand her language, and she is
very vocal about her thoughts. She makes a rather low and quiet noise
that sounds like the word "boof" when she is happy and content and all
is right with her world. When expressing displeasure about a late meal
or not being in the mood for her drink of water, she very loudly
proclaims a noise that sounds like "uhboooooo!"
Janice still scoots around as opposed to being able to walk normally but
she enjoys her time outdoors and loves the smell of her freshly-washed
blankies. Thanks to this one very very special pig and what she endured
in her earlier lifetime, an overwhelming number of other farm animals
were given a new lease on life. These rescued animals have, in turn,
touched the lives of so many people -- their caretakers at the
sanctuary, the vets who treat them, and their newly adoptive families. I
have to very humbly say that Janice is one absolutely incredible pig.
Visit www.angelanimals.net/image067.html to see a picture of Janice.
BIO:
Annette Fisher is the executive director of Happy Trails Farm Animal
Sanctuary, Inc.
Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary is located in Ravenna, Ohio and has
an extensive website and lists farm animals available for adoption.
Visit www.happytrailsfarm.org. Private donations fund the 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization that rescues abused farm animals.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Has a rescued animal inspired greatness and generosity in you?
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ANGEL ANIMALS QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"You cannot look at a sleeping cat and feel tense."
-- Jane Pauley
"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of
shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well."
-- Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'
"Never try to out-stubborn a cat."
-- Lazarus Long, "Time Enough for Love"
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
BOOKS by Allen and Linda Anderson:
Go to Amazon.com or bn.com for descriptions of these books and
recommendations from those who have read them.
ANGEL DOGS: Divine Messengers of Love, by Allen and Linda Anderson,
published by New World Library, with a foreword by Willard Scott.
RAINBOWS & BRIDGES: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit by Allen and Linda
Anderson, published by New World Library.
ANGEL CATS: Divine Messengers of Comfort
GOD'S MESSENGERS: What Animals Teach Us about the Divine
ANGEL ANIMALS: Exploring Our Spiritual Connection with Animals.
All of Allen and Linda's books are available at online or regular
bookstores, some Costco stores, and at many gift shops that sell animal
books. ANGEL CATS and ANGEL DOGS are also available through One Spirit
Book Club.
COMING SOON:
RESCUED: Saving Animals From Disaster by Allen and Linda Anderson, New
World Library (August 2006). Visit www.rescuedsavinganimals.net for a
preview of the book.
ANGEL HORSES: Divine Messengers of Hope by Allen and Linda Anderson, New
World Library (September 2006).
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OTHER INFORMATION
The Angel Animals Network is devoted to collecting and disseminating
original, true stories about the spiritual connection between people and
animals. You can learn more about the Angel Animals at
www.angelanimals.net.
If you send this newsletter to others (and we hope that you will),
please don't change it in anyway and include the information above about
the Angel Animals Network. Thank you.
This newsletter is sent to you by the Angel Animals Network. Copyright
2006, Allen and Linda Anderson, Angel Animals Network. All rights
reserved. Nothing in this newsletter may be reproduced or published
without the written permission of the individual authors and/or
copyright owners. Angel Animals(r) is a registered trademark.
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