The Gentle Barn

Since adopting the vegetarian lifestyle and becoming more aware of animal rights, I have taken a great interest in animal sanctuaries. Earlier this month Mark and I visited the Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, CA. The Gentle Barn has over 170 animals that have all been rescued from severe abuse. When you arrive they ask you to sit through a 10 minute orientation explaining the purpose of the barn, how to interact with the animals, and how the organization got started. They also ask that you hug a cow before you leave! Their philosophy is simple, "you can't have a bad day if you've hugged a cow". This, I have to agree with... Once that is over you are free to roam around the facility and spend as much time as you wish with the animals. Here are some pictures of our trip!

This cow (below) is named Faith and she is blind (blind faith). This is her bio from the barns web page:

"Faith was rescued from the dairy industry. She was taken away from her mom at only a day old so the breast milk she needed could be taken for humans, put into a veal crate, and while she was there had untreated conjunctivitis that caused her to go blind. When she came to The Gentle Barn she would spin in circles, never having walked a straight line before. With the help of our volunteers, Faith learned not only how to walk a straight line but how to run, play and receive love. She is now happy, healthy and loves people!"

Reading stories like this make me so grateful that places like the Gentle Barn are around, but they also make me very sad and hurt my heart because I know that for every animal they save, there are another million that are treated even worse all over the world.

This handsome man is named Sir Lancelot and his story goes something like this:

"Sir Lancelot was grossly underweight, lame and almost ridden to death. He was taken away from his abusers by the LAPD and Los Angeles Animal Control. Sir Lancelot was scheduled to be euthanized and at the last minute an officer called and asked us to save his life. We will not stop working with him until he can gallop and play with our other horses and has joy in his eyes."

We spent a lot of time in the horse stalls. I have had a fascination with horses since I was a child. I find them to be one of the most graceful and beautiful creatures to roam the earth.

Our day wouldn't have been complete without a selfie with a goat! 

This is Sir Francis and he is turkey that loves to show off!

This is Biscuit and he weighs 1000 pounds!!!! He lives a posh life that includes belly rubs, sun bathing, and rolling in the mud. 

Visiting the Gentle Barn was truly a touching experience for me. It warms my heart to know that people will go to such great lengths to ensure the lives of animals are just as enjoyable as it is for us humans. This volunteer kept feeding this horse carrots out of his mouth. It was pretty dang cute!

I follow the Gentle Barn on Instagram and Facebook and have been choked up with every single post recently. Two members of the staff went all the way to Tennessee to save a cow named Dudley. Dudley was in such bad shape that one of his feet had to amputated.
You can read all about his journey here.
I immediately get teared up anytime I read an update on Dudley. His story is so inspiring and uplifting. I am so thankful he is receiving the care and treatment he deserves and will live out the rest of his days being hugged, brushed, pet, and loved.

Mark and I REALLY enjoyed the Gentle Barn! Everything was so wonderful... until I met an Arbonne rep named Ziggy. BUT we'll save that story for another day. :-)