#my one purpose in this life is to remind everyone that susie is the best character ever. and i'm so glad i'm accomplishing that

[mymarifae]

can i just say something. can i give you a series of mental images. imagine with me for a moment. susie walking alone on the street in hometown, head high but slightly uncertain. she is much younger than we know her presently, but she wears her quintessential jacket. she’s practically drowning in it, but she is careful to keep the bottom from dragging. she’s not the biggest fan of school, but she can’t wait to make some friends and play with them in their free time. it is her first day at this new school, and she is excited.

the same shot happens, but things have changed slightly. susie is less walking and more stomping to school. she has shot up in height and general frame, but she’s still not the susie we know her as. she wears a pair of jeans that are a few inches too short, leaving them hovering between pants length and capris length. her neck is forward and her nostrils are flared, resembling a train barreling down the track. her bangs have yet to hide her eyes, so you can see tears clinging to the corners. she can’t get rid of the whispers rattling around her head; talking about her, how weird she is, how scary she is, how the other kids are afraid of her. she didn’t even Do anything!! the kid who pushed her started the fight!! but nobody wants to listen to her, and she is a flaming ball of rage over this injustice. it is another year of school, and she is Not happy about it.

the same shot, only now it’s raining. susie is who we know susie to be now—tall and large and intimidating. she hangs her head and lets her bangs obscure her vision; all to give her a more “dont fuck with me” image. her backpack drags on the ground, collecting mud and dirt. she is drenched. silently, she wishes she had someone to walk with her to share in this crappy day. or at least an umbrella. but there’s no one for her. there never has been. it’s another year of school, and she is resigned to her fate.

the same shot, but different again. now, she is no longer alone. kris walks beside her, nodding along as she very animatedly describes a show she’s been watching with noelle. her jacket is the same, but she has new jeans and a new shirt. (she still has yet to pay toriel back for the new outfit, but she has a feeling toriel wouldn’t take it anyway) her head no longer hangs or just out, but sits comfortably on her shoulders. held high. you can see her eyes, and they are twinkling with silent joy. she knows noelle will be waiting by her locker with that sweet smile as she asks how susie slept. she knows berdly will loudly announce how last nights gaming extravaganza was NOT a testament to his cs:go prowess and her and kris should call him again for round two. she knows classes will be hard and kinda boring, but the thought of it all coming to end fills her with a strange excitement that she hasn’t felt since childhood. it is her last year of school, and she finally feels home in hometown.

(sorry for my insanity but susie has been my fav for years and u remind me constantly abt how susie is The character of all time)

*voice cracking* okay

no but seriously. oh my god. susie. susie my darling. my sweet daughter. AAAAAAAAA her character growth means the universe to me and this captures it so perfectly.. she's happy. she's okay. she's surrounded by people who love her and she loves them, too. she never thought she'd find a place to belong, but it's right here. with her friends. her friends are her Home 💗💗💗💗💗

and if you don't mind i think i'll have to draw something for this. in a little while. once i figure out how i want to capture susie in my art style. thank you so m

[animalsoffarmsanctuary]

Changing Animals’ Lives Through Dairy-Free Treats: Meet Farm Sanctuary Member Melodi Donahue

If the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, Farm Sanctuary Friends of Hilda Club member Melodi Donahue has taken that one step further: She’s changing hearts and minds through the power of delicious, animal-friendly treats. The founder of all-vegan sweets company Obsessive Confection Disorder (OCD), Melodi has a penchant for making the world a better place — one bite at a time.

“Obsessive Confection Disorder is my part-time job, with full-time passion,” she explains. “Everyone knows I only cook for people I love.” For Melodi, business is personal; she uses her talents not only as a way to honor her own personal history, but to help create a more compassionate world for animals as well.

Melodi shares a special moment with her friend Scribbles goat.

“I grew up next door to my grandparents and spent much of my childhood wrapped in an apron in my grandmother’s kitchen,” she recalls. “I watched her put up pickles and jam, make candy, and bake every cookie and cake and bread/roll imaginable. It was like a symphony! The thing I wanted most of all was to be able to make good things for the people I loved.”

Melodi started Obsessive Confection Disorder — the name a playful spin on her own battles with obsessive compulsive disorder — by following a lesson learned from her beloved grandparents.

“My grandparents [went to] meticulous lengths to make sure every element of our food was pure and of the best quality,” she says. “I brought that mindset with me when I formed Obsessive Confection Disorder: Focus on attention to detail and respect the people you feed.” So when an opportunity to reach a new clientele arose, she gave it her all — a decision that would change the course of her life forever.

“When I started my company in 2010, I made dairy-based products exclusively,” Melodi recalls. “I met a buyer at a local co-op who was interested in carrying some of my products. You should never visit someone with an empty plate, so I asked the buyer how many people worked at the store — I wanted to bring enough treats to share. She told me not to worry about it, as most of the staff were vegan. I googled ‘vegan’ and threw up my hands. I found coconut cream in my cupboard and figured out the rest as I went along. The chocolate coconut caramel was a huge hit with the vegans and the store buyer told me I should look into making vegan candy because there was a somewhat untapped market for it. I read everything I could about vegans and their mysterious ways, and what initially began as a science experiment became my entire focus for all the right reasons.”

As she learned about creating delicious animal-friendly alternatives to dairy-based sweets, she realized just how closely her business mission actually aligned with a vegan lifestyle. For Melodi, her confectionery work was a way to honor her family and those she loved — and when she learned about how the animal agriculture industry exploits and separates animal families, she was determined to do her part to help.

In rebranding her company, Melodi knew some clients might question her decision to ditch dairy. But by remaining true to her compassionate values, she says, she gained so much more than she had ever thought possible.

“It was more important to me that my focus be on feeding people without bothering animals,” she says. “They have enough to worry about. It wouldn’t matter how much money my candy made if I couldn’t make it with a clear conscience. Kinder, gentler sweets was the only way to go.”

It was through her animal-friendly confections that Melodi discovered Farm Sanctuary, and she’s since gone on to make an enormous impact on our work to help farm animals.

Melodi offering a treat to Totes goat during a visit with Totes and his best friend Hemingway.

“I learned about Farm Sanctuary when I participated in a local bake sale hosted by [Director of Donor Relations] Sarah Lux, [who] is an impassioned advocate in the calmest way,” she recalls. In getting to know Farm Sanctuary’s staffers and rescued residents, Melodi says that she’s found increased motivation and purpose in her own advocacy — feeling even more inspired to give back in a way that resonates with her values and allows her to experience the sense of healing that her work brings to others.

Like many of the animals she helps through her Farm Sanctuary support, Melodi has experienced her own share of hardships — and meets each challenge with resilience and grace.

“I have a laundry list of maladies that I am pretty forthcoming about,” she explains. “A handful of my diagnoses include multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. MS patients [for example] are sensitive to heat and often experience crippling pain and fatigue” — something, she observes, that directly conflicts with a sweltering caramel kitchen. But she approaches these obstacles with strength and resolve — seeing them not as limitations, but as opportunities to grow and heal the world from the inside out. “Life in general can be a grueling minute-by-minute battle, wrought with challenges that make me want to give up pretty much every day,” she says. “But that is not a viable option, because I have stuff to do. My friend Liz gives me permission to quit for 15 minutes — then I have to get back at it. It almost always works.”

This selfless sense of duty to make the world a little sweeter is what drives Melodi forward each day. But helping others, she says, has also enriched her own life in powerful ways. And in heeding this calling to help farm animals (and the humans who love them), she demonstrates the simple power of putting compassion first.

Melodi shows some love to her friend Peter pig.

While we feel incredibly inspired by Melodi’s journey, she credits the animals of Farm Sanctuary (especially Albert, Waylon, Blossom, Peter, Fernando, Melvin, Oliver, Dawn, Hemingway, Zuri, Totes, Reggie, Lola, Marcia, Joey, and Juanita) as some of her greatest inspirations.

“Every visit to the farm feels like my birthday/Christmas/first day of summer vacation all rolled into one!” she exclaims. “I often bring along family and friends so that they can know how it feels to rub bellies and get nudged and sometimes nibbled a little. I think it’s the only way to help someone understand why we need to change the ways in which we view the part that animals play in this world.

“While the animals are (of course) the heart of the matter, the dedicated staff are why [and] how Farm Sanctuary provides the very best 24/7/365 care for the residents. I am in awe of every single one of them. Any member of the Farm Sanctuary staff can look at a flock of 50+ scurrying chickens and not only tell you each of their names, but the backstories that brought them to Farm Sanctuary. I have met so many people who I have come to respect and admire, and who inspire me to do better.”

Her work is a potent reminder that we each have the power to enact positive change by using our own talents and passions to create a kinder world. Melodi herself offers these tips for those who want to help farm animals:

“In all seriousness, start by googling Farm Sanctuary!” she says. “They’re not scary or judgmental or self-righteous. They lead by example and provide countless resources to help learn more about their mission. Read the rescue stories, look at the pictures, then sub-google Gene Baur and Susie Coston. You’ll learn everything you need to know about compassion and making purposeful and kind choices. Also, read online blogs and follow Farm Sanctuary on all social network platforms [including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube].

“Visit animal sanctuaries: places where animals are rockstar residents, not entertainment. Get close to pigs — they smell like flowers and maple syrup and they (rightfully) expect belly rubs, just like the animals who live in your home. Meet the animals with an open mind.

“Learn as much as possible about how food is produced. Most of us grew up eating meat and drinking milk, etc., without a thought of how it was procured. The systems and practices are more nightmarish and gut-wrenching than anything you can imagine. It’s hard to see but so important to know — but knowing about it is absolutely nothing compared to enduring it. ‘Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.’ —Albert Schweitzer.

“Be kind to yourself while you transition. Cold-turkey anything can be overwhelming, and while the ultimate goal will be a complete plant-based lifestyle, start by doing as little harm as possible. Go to vegan shop-ups and festivals and eat all the good things.”

We are so thankful to call Melodi a beloved member of the Farm Sanctuary family, as she inspires us to appreciate and cultivate all the sweetness that life has to offer!

[sherristockman]

How to Stay Calm Among Chaos Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola In 2015, 24 percent of U.S. adults reported experiencing extreme stress, according to the American Psychological Association's annual Stress in America survey.1 In addition, average reported stress levels increased over the last two years, with money, work, family responsibilities and personal health concerns rounding out the top sources of significant stress. Even barring any major stressful events like job loss, health problems or a death in the family, most people deal with stress day in and day out. It's a fact of 21st-century life and one that can quickly derail your healthy habits and goals — if you let it. A Reminder on Why It's Important to Stay Calm Although stress is often regarded as a psychological issue, stress is definitely not all in your head. Whenever the chaos that is life starts to get to you — maybe you missed your train this morning or are worrying about an unpaid bill — excess stress hormones are released, including cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. This is what's supposed to happen, as your body is getting ready to face this real or perceived threat. The problem is that in today's world, most of us are faced with such "threats" 24/7, which means your stress response is on overdrive and becomes imbalanced; it basically doesn't shut off. It doesn't take long for this potentially beneficial system to backfire. When stress becomes chronic, your immune system becomes increasingly desensitized to cortisol, and since inflammation is partly regulated by this hormone, this decreased sensitivity heightens the inflammatory response and allows inflammation to get out of control.2 Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of manychronic diseases. Meanwhile, virtually no systems in your body will work as they should. You may find you have trouble sleeping, come down with colds often and have flare-ups of asthma or eczema. All of this is the cost of ignoring your body's need for calm. Relaxation Techniques to the Rescue Virtually everyone can benefit from having an arsenal of relaxation techniques at the ready. There are many to choose from, and you can pick those that work best for you, but their purpose is the same: to help your body deal with an onslaught of stress by inducing your body's relaxation response. The relaxation response is the counterpart of the stress response. Specifically, it's a physical state of deep rest that changes physical and emotional responses to stress and may, in fact, counter stress' harmful effects.3 By evoking your body's built-in relaxation response you can actually change the expression of your genes for the better. According to one study in PLOS One:4 "RR [relaxation response] elicitation is an effective therapeutic intervention that counteracts the adverse clinical effects of stress in disorders including hypertension, anxiety, insomnia and aging … RR practice enhanced expression of genes associated with energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, insulin secretion and telomere maintenance, and reduced expression of genes linked to inflammatory response and stress-related pathways." Health Benefits of Learning to Relax Relaxation techniques can be used to help you get through the daily grind as well as to help address specific health conditions or stressful scenarios. For example, such techniques may help you to lower blood pressure, relieve insomnia and lessen symptoms of depression.5 They may also reduce stress hormones, lower your heart rate, improve your mood and relieve muscle tension and pain. Relaxation techniques can also be used to offer relief from symptoms such as nausea and reduce pain, including during labor and childbirth. Indeed, entering a state of deep relaxation, in which your body is free of tension and your mind is free of distracting or negative thoughts, yields impressive results. Taking part in a stress-management program has been shown to alter tumor-promoting processes at the molecular level in women with breast cancer, for instance.6 Genes responsible for cancer progression (such as pro-inflammatory cytokines) were down-regulated while those associated with a healthy immune response were up-regulated, which means relaxation may help fight cancer.7 In addition, relaxation may help: Boost Immunity: Meditation is known to have a significant effect on immune cells,8 and research shows relaxation exercises may boost natural killer cells in the elderly, leading to increased resistance to tumors and viruses. Fertility: Research suggests women are more likely to conceive when they're relaxed as opposed to when they're stressed.9 Heart Health: Relaxation via meditation (done once or twice daily for three months) significantly lowered blood pressure and psychological distress, and also bolstered coping ability in people at increased risk of hypertension.10 Mental Health: People who meditate note reductions in psychological distress, depression and anxiety.11 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): When people with IBS practiced relaxation meditation twice daily, their symptoms (including bloating, belching, diarrhea and constipation) improved significantly.12,13 Examples of Relaxation Techniques There are many different methods to help you invoke your body's relaxation response and counter the effects of daily stress. Among them:14 ✓ Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) ✓ Breathing exercises ✓ Guided imagery ✓ Progressive muscle relaxation ✓ Self-hypnosis ✓ Rhythmic movement ✓ Meditation ✓ Yoga ✓ Tai chi ✓ Massage therapy ✓ Biofeedback-assistance relaxation ✓ Autogenic training, in which you focus on physical sensations in your body Research by Dr. Herbert Benson, cardiologist and founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues has shown that people who practice relaxation methods such as yoga and meditation long-term have more disease-fighting genes switched "on" and active, including genes that protect against pain, infertility, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis.15 Deep breathing, meanwhile, activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which induces the relaxation response, but taking even 10 minutes to sit quietly and shut out the chaos around you can also trigger it,16 as can using EFT (also known as Tapping). Research has shown that EFT significantly increases positive emotions, such as hope and enjoyment, and decreases negative emotional states, including anxiety.17 EFT is particularly effective for treating stress and anxiety because it specifically targets your amygdala and hippocampus, which are the parts of your brain that help you decide whether or not something is a threat. You can watch a demonstration of how to use EFT in the video below. Reframing Your Thoughts to Shut Out Chaos The use of relaxation techniques is something you should strive to do daily, whether it be a yoga session, EFT or meditation. The idea is to provide regular time for your body to unwind and regroup in a state of calm. You can also use these techniques while in the midst of a stressful event, such as practicing breathing exercises or using EFT. When you're in a stressful moment, it can also help to reframe your thoughts and take back control of the situation, at least on a personal, mental and emotional level. Greatist life coach columnist Susie Moore recently shared several useful tips for doing this:18 • Take a deep breath and say this (out loud or in your mind): "I am here. I am still. I am safe. I can feel my inhale and exhale. Everything's OK." • Look at the situation rationally. Is this a life and death situation? Is it really that serious? Put things into the proper perspective. • Refuse to catastrophize. Moore explained:19 "Once you realize the very worst that can happen is you miss a flight, or you're going to be 10 minutes late for a date, or you may have to work overtime — understand that is all it is. There will be another flight. You can take those 10 minutes sitting in traffic to start a new podcast or catch up on the news. And working late once in a while never killed anyone." • Focus on something else. When stress is bogging you down, distract your mind with thoughts of pleasant things, such as an upcoming vacation (real or imagined), a phone call to a friend or another activity (even cleaning out your closet might do the trick). • Take back control. While you can't always control the causes of your stress, you can control what you do in that moment. If you're delayed by a long line, for instance, pull out a pad of paper and make a to-do list or read a few pages of a book if you have one on hand. • Have faith that things will work out. Sometimes even seemingly dire situations work out for the better, for instance, when you miss out on renting the apartment you really wanted only to find a better one the next day. Have faith that things are moving along smoothly as they should.

[animalsoffarmsanctuary]

This Week at Farm Sanctuary: Pig Celebrations, Wacky Weather, Caregiver Appreciation, and Snuggle Sessions

They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb — but for the past few days at least, it’s been quite the opposite! We started the week at our New York Shelter with temperatures reaching the 60’s and 70’s — but just as soon as this unseasonable taste of spring arrived, it seems we’ve once again returned to a regular New York winter.

Expect the Unexpected

With such unpredictability, our rescued residents aren’t quite sure how to react! Our friends at Explore.org, for example, observed that we kept the fans on in the sheep barn earlier this week to help our wooly friends combat the heat. Since we expect winter to stay around a little longer, it’s still much too early to shear them — that time will come in April, once the weather is consistently warmer. For the time being, however, the extra heat can pose health hazards as their thick wool — intended to protect them from the cold weather we should be having — can cause them to overheat and over-respirate. Farm Sanctuary’s expert caregivers and shelter staff monitor the animals each day to pay attention to any changes in their overall well-being; and we’re thankful to all of you for also keeping an eye out, to ensure our friends stay as comfortable and well as possible!

Wool is a great barrier against the cold, but it’s hard to maintain body temperature when the weather keeps changing! Since it’s still too early in the season to shear, we put the fans on to keep the animals as cool and well as possible. And they also stayed cool by staying in place and napping the days away! Photo by SHNZERMOM, courtesy of Explore.org.

Another thing our caregivers are monitoring? Unfortunately, we’re also dealing with a ringworm outbreak among the cattle. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that is easily transmissible between individuals — and even species. Fortunately, cattle develop immunity against ringworm easily, and if they do happen to get it, it’s usually just once over the course of their lifetime.

In the meantime, ringworm is here to stay in both our main and special needs cattle herds. And unfortunately, the cold weather doesn’t help very much. With ringworm, there isn’t much we can do to treat it except to let it run its course; and while exposure to sunshine can help with that immensely, we’re only experiencing those really sunny days here and there.

Thankfully, our friends are healing well. And while the ringworm isn’t very pretty to look at, the reality is that sanctuary life is not always pretty. Most of our rescued residents come from extreme cruelty and neglect. Many endure health issues over the course of their lives. But here, they have the freedom to heal and thrive, and to experience life at their own pace. And just as the ringworm will clear up on its own time, our rescued residents may also recover and blossom when the time is right for them — and with your support, the sun may shine through and brighten all of our hearts and lives for the better!

No, that’s not eye makeup that Westley’s donning! Thankfully, his condition looks worse than it feels, and he and his friends are recuperating nicely.

Ringworm makes us all sad, but thankfully, Carlton is also healing well.

 Farm Sanctuary Celebrates National Pig Day!

At Farm Sanctuary, we see each individual as someone, not something — and we support each being we encounter according to their unique needs, preferences, and personalities. In this way, they receive the individualized care they need to thrive as the remarkable individuals we know them to be!

While every day is cause for celebration, it’s always exciting to honor these incredible ambassadors for their species whenever it’s their time to shine. Earlier this week, we celebrated National Pig Day as well as National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day! As it turns out, the pigs at Farm Sanctuary love peanut butter — a tasty treat with a surprise dual-purpose. Since pigs are bred to reach 250 pounds by the time they’re just six months old — and are not intended to live beyond this point according to industry standards — this excessive growth wreaks havoc on their growing bodies and paves the way for health problems down the road (if they are given the chance at life they deserve). At Farm Sanctuary, we medicate the animals according to their specific healthcare needs — and for the pigs, a spoonful of peanut butter makes the medicine go down! This keeps them health and happy as long as possible — allowing us to celebrate these incredible ambassadors for their species on Pig Day and every day!

National Shelter Director Susie Coston talks peanut butter with some of her friends in the pig barn!

As you can see, all of the festivities left our pig friends a little tired the next day! As the cold front moved in, they welcomed the opportunity to snuggle with their loved ones and savor the blissful lives they are finally free to enjoy.

Perhaps no one embodies this more than Honey — a pig who’s endured unspeakable loss throughout her life, but has learned to love again. Sadly, Honey was born for one purpose: to become a breeding sow, forced to produce babies who were then taken away and slaughtered for pork. But all Honey wanted was to be a mother. It was in her blood — and thankfully, at Farm Sanctuary, she has achieved just that.

In 2008, the Iowa River overflowed and floods ravaged the region. Pig farmers abandoned their farms, forcing these innocent, frightened beings to fend for themselves. Thankfully, Honey broke free, and we welcomed her to Farm Sanctuary. Here, she met Nikki — another girl from the rescue — and she helped Nikki raise her family until Nikki’s passing last year.

Sadly, Nikki’s death left the family in disarray, and Honey once again found herself without a family to call her own. And once again, this sweet girl endured more heartbreak than she could bear. But then, something amazing happened: we introduced her to two piglets, Cameron and Ben David, who desperately needed a mother. And with that, the trio became a family.

Side by side: as though their hearts and bodies were meant to fit together, like perfect pieces of a puzzle. Honey, Cameron, and Ben David savor the peace and warmth they were born to have!

*Yawn!* “I need my beauty sleep before I’m ready for my close-up, thank you!”

Honey and babies all tucked away in their nest — a beloved ritual that mother pigs perform for their children each night!

Nearby, Nikki’s son Chuck prepared a nest of his own in his bachelor pad. Chuck responded poorly to Nikki’s death, growing aggressive towards his family in order to assert his dominance — so we needed to separate him from others for the time being. But just as Honey found her perfect fit, so will Chuck. It’s important that we pay just as much attention to an animal’s emotional well-being as their physical health, and we’re excited to find a good match for Chuck — an individual or group who will help him feel valued as the magnificent being he truly is.

Chuck proudly makes his bed!

Searching for that sweet spot.

Aah! Sweet dreams, Chuck!

Nothing Stirs Things Up Like a Little Wind!

Of course, not everyone responds to cold in the same way: just as each being has his or her own unique personality, different individuals approach life in their own unique ways!

For the goats, especially, windy days are exciting opportunities to show off their silly side! Sometimes, we’re just blown away by how invigorated they feel — and we’re honored that here, they can be the carefree, spunky individuals we know them to be!

Benedict, for example, inspires us to find the good in every day — and to express gratitude for the little things in life that bring us the most joy! When we met Benedict, this sweet boy was ill, weak, and terrified after facing unspeakable cruelty. Sadly, Benedict and his friends were only valued as commodities, and were not offered the individualized care they needed to thrive. Benedict developed neurological issues that went untreated, and as a result, he sustained irreparable damage to his rear legs. But of course, he doesn’t let that stop him! We fit Benedict with a special wheeled cart that allows him to run, frolic, and play to his heart’s delight! And while he spends some time outside of the cart to rest, he still has some pep in his step — enjoying every opportunity he can to live life to the fullest.

It feels good to be at the top! Benedict plays “King of the Mountain” on his hay bale — and your support helps farm animals just like him feel on top of the world each day!

Benedict’s best friend Chucky is also feeling a little silly. Seems like he’s celebrating “Tongue-Out Tuesday” a little early!

Across the farm, Olive — whom we rescued from the same cruelty case as Benedict and Chucky — showed how playful, strong, and proud goats can be, when given the opportunity to simply be themselves! Some of the goats in Olive’s barn came from the same cruelty case in New York’s Hudson Valley; others lived on a “humane” farm-to-table operation, yet had never even stepped outdoors before coming to Farm Sanctuary. But here, we value these incredible beings as someone, not something — and they demonstrate how rich our lives become when we put compassion first.

These days, Olive, the leader of our main goat herd, loves being the center of attention — and she relishes each opportunity to remind her friends who’s boss! Returning to seasonably-appropriate weather was a welcome change for our goat friends, who won’t shed their winter coats until the weather is consistently warmer. Olive and Ian released their pent-up energy through gentle play, reminding us how glorious it feels to “take charge” of our lives and savor the beautiful opportunities we all deserve.

Ian, the challenger, prepares to take on Olive, the reigning barn champion! Olive’s friend Archie “manages” from the sidelines.

Olive rears up for the charge!

Ian became less impressed with her signature move as time went on. Don’t worry Olive, we’re always a fan!

No “butting heads” for long; at the end of the day, they remain the best of friends.

 Of course, when the weather gets a little too nippy, our rescued residents are free to head back to the barn to snuggle with their loved ones and call it a day. At Farm Sanctuary, the animals have access to everything they need to live their greatest lives possible — and we’re so thankful to have you with us every step of the way.

Good night, Chucky! Getting ready to turn in for the day.

With your support, we can protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the society promotes and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living. A compassionate world begins with you — and we are so thankful to have you by our side, no matter what the season brings.