snicks/ June 23, 2017/

An Animal Awakening

It’s been almost a year since I wrote something here on my blog. My career took over leaving very little creative juices to pull from. I promised myself after our vacation I would get back at it. I planned to write something about our vacation this week but then I found out Dudley, the cow with a prosthetic died. I started to draft my visit with Dudley last year but it got lost in my life’s shuffle so I’m going to finish it here today. Here is the short video of Dudley’s super cool life.

In a time where everything seems so divisive and violent I’m reminded that my passions need to persevere. I’m a peace loving yogi who has a deep compassion for animals of all kinds. I feel the human race has taken liberties in determining the fate of animals with little to no regard. Neglecting the idea that animals have real feelings, that they love their family and are super smart. I wanted to get closer the animals that suffer and sacrifice as a result of our righteousness. I wanted to share whatever I could … a hand for a belly rub, loving attention. Whatever I could.

We decided to the visit the Gentle Barn in Tennessee on our vacation last year. I read that Dudley and Destiny (below) were getting married and just had to be a part of it. Not the wedding itself but the place where people believe that animals can love and rescue them so they have a chance to.

The Gentle Barn

We drove from Nashville to Knoxville where the farm is located to meet Dudley and Destiny along with the rest of the animals. When we pulled up I was caught up in a wave of emotion I did not see coming. I was stifled by it. I couldn’t speak without being choked up. I visited with the animals in silence with my loving partner knowing exactly what was going on. I knew I was somewhere special and I was surrounded by all sorts of “specialness”.

The Gentle Barn

Henry (above) and Horton invited me in to rub their bellies. They were so peaceful and grateful. I felt them thanking me for my kindness.

This is Miles my namesake. His mother Maybelle was brought to the Gentle Barn so she could retire versus being slaughtered. What the GB didn’t know is she had just had a baby. Maybelle would not stop crying so they went back to find Miles who was just as distraught. Now Maybelle, Miles and his little sister Destiny all live together as a family.

The Gentle Barn

I also got watch Miles flirt with Destiny. I’m sure Dudley was not happy.

This is Adeline. I began sponsoring her last year for Thanksgiving. I actually met her at the Gentle Barn in California (which I hope to share with you soon) but she recently moved to Tennessee.

The Gentle Barn

Adeline is not the average barnyard turkey; she is a cuddle turkey that enjoys spending time with humans, nestling against their faces and falling asleep in their laps. If you don’t believe me check out this video.

I stopped eating animals as part of an effort to remove all violence from my life. Violence liken to a short temper and fighting with loved ones. That kinda thing. Ahimsa is what it’s referred to in Hindu. Many yogis believe that if you stop eating violence you will find a peace to lend to those around you. It worked. Then Jersey quit eating meat and we have never been closer. We have a new found patience and understanding with one another. He even recognized it and he is no bullshitter.

Something else changed for me after my visit to the Gentle Barn. After I connected with the animals and looked Dudley in the eye, it’s how I see meat. Meat on anyone’s plate or in the store – wherever. I see it as death. An unwilling, unknowing sacrifice. A living being died, scared and more than likely treated with no respect along the way. Treated as a something versus a someone. Lilly sure looks like a someone to me.

The Gentle Barn

How did we get to this place where we don’t think twice about how food gets to our plate? Why do we see some animals as pets and worth rescuing but others we don’t even consider as living beings? We see puppy mills as pure evil but factory farms we turn a blind eye to what is really going on. The challenge for all of us is to get closer to our food sources. I really believe this would change the way we think and what we eat. And save the planet and our health.

Dudley was a gentle giant. He laid down for the guests so we could all give him love and a good scratch. Getting to look into his eyes changed me and I’m forever grateful. I’m even more grateful to the Gentle Barn that they give him a couple years of peace and love.

The Gentle Barn