There are so many simple pleasures this time of year...the sight of trees filled with blazing colors, the hum of combines in the field gathering the harvest, the feeling of cool breezes making outdoor chores, well, less of a chore! There's the sweet smell of just-delivered hay or the scent of wood smoke, and the delicious aromas of pumpkin bread and pumpkin pies coming from the kitchen.
Along with all those country pleasures, surely one of the sweetest is just being outdoors. My daughter and I love to take what we call "an adventure road" through the countryside just to see what we'll discover...along the back roads (some we've never been on before) we'll see fields of cattle, sunbathing cats, flocks of chatty ducks, and hillsides filled with sheep, donkeys, or horses. We both share a love of farm animals, often laughing about which ones might fit in our back seat and would the farmer really miss them?!
Recently she found an animal sanctuary that rescues abused, neglected, and abandoned farm animals, and soon we were off to visit during their open barn day...helpful volunteers opened gates and introduced us to the animals, telling us their stories. Some animals were very welcoming of the love we couldn't help but show them, while others were a bit more bashful.
I wanted to share some of their sweet faces with you...from retired race horse Alice to Willie the donkey, and Moo Moo Lilly the cow, all of these animals have probably seen a lot of things, which makes having their affection so special; it needs to be earned.
Heartfelt thanks to those giving their time, attention, and funds to support these animals. From the volunteers to the farm owners to the vet...as one volunteer told me, "It's a labor of love."
And while you may not be in the market for a Jersey cow, there are so many loving animals at shelters who need a good home. If you can, visit a shelter...you'll leave with a new best friend.
What a heartwarming visit that must have been. I too love the critters. Glad they are being taken care of.
ReplyDeleteHello, lovely friend! I also love to drive through the beautiful trees and enjoy nature this time of year. Thank you for sharing the sweet photos! What a wonderful day! Have a cozy evening!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are angels amongst us everywhere and those who take in abused and neglected animals are angels. Such a sweet story. Am loving the colors all around us lately, but am not looking forward to the next season so much. Hope you have a great week! Janice
ReplyDeleteLady Locust...it was such a nice time. They were only open for two hours, and we spent every minute of that either loving on them, if they'd let us, or watching them from a distance. I so appreciate those who do such wonderful things to make the animals comfortable.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo - so nice of you to stop, I know you've been enjoying time with the family! Hope you're back and settled in...unwind, kick up your feet, and enjoy this beautiful season. So appreciate getting to know you!
Janice, you're so right, thank you for the reminder of angels among us (an old Alabama song if I'm remembering right). Yes, me too...the colors are gorgeous, but I have a gut feeling it may be a cold winter. Usually I like winter to just kick back and have less work to do, but I do feel a need to get ready sooner than I might normally. We have snow in our forecast for Tuesday! Enjoy your weekend, Mary
I LOVE animal sanctuaries and have always wanted to have one. I've always been surrounded by animals - they all have my heart. 😊 We visit a sanctuary a couple hours south of us from time-to-time and they have a female mule named Diane. For some reason she loves us. The workers have told us that she doesn't usually connect with people, but she follows us everywhere. I keep telling her I want to fit her into our backseat and take her home. 🤣
ReplyDeleteHappy fall to you and your family!
What a wonderful discovery! I imagine it would be quite satisfying to volunteer at a place like that. Animals ask so little of us.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful fall weekend!
What a wonderful and beautiful post!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and Best Wishes to these wonderful people!!!
🎃🍁🍂🌰
Staci, kindred spirits...yes, tuck that sweet mule Diane in your backseat!
ReplyDeleteBeside a babbling brook...thanks so much, the work they do is so important, glad for caring people like them.
What beautiful animals. I often consider if the farmer will miss any of his sheep when I'm out walking in the fields. I love a Herdwick.
ReplyDeleteI visited a different kind of rescue centre just last week ;)
Jules - we think alike! Herdwick is so pretty...I always love a Jersey cow with their long eyelashes. You'll have to tell us about your visit to the rescue center - so appreciate the people giving their time to these sweet animals. Mary
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