Couple quick photos

Not a whole lot to report tonight, just wanted to post a couple photos from my walk back to vegan house after close.
 

 

Secret cow love at dusk

Tomorrow I help with santa cruz health care and then head to San Francisco for a couple days!

Pondering in Pastures

The sun came back to the farm today and it was lovely! I had a pretty easy day. I opened, and then barn cleaned, fed out produce, raked, and did waters. After coming back from feeding out the produce I found a little dove near the shelter office that had some sort of injury, we couldn't quite figure out exactly what happened, but we called the wildlife rescue place and he/she will be all fixed up there.

After work Stephanie and I went to spend a little time with the cattle. Everyone looked so relaxed and happy. Made my heart smile :) Here are a few pics from the afternoon:

 

Susie Moo and Loretta

Handsome man Edwin

 Big boy El Nino

Edward: best mohawk on the farm

And then there was Chrissy. She was being absolutely zen out on the hill today. So much so that she got a video out of it. Check it out:

Last Week

I abandoned blogging for awhile, but today I really need to do my taxes so blogging has suddenly become very interesting again.  It was hard to get out of bed this morning because I rolled over and the cattle were grazing right outside my window. Watching them is sometimes like watching reality tv...in a foreign language. I can tell very interesting things are going on in the herd. I can see the cliques, the relationships, the friendships, the drama, but I don't quite understand the dialogue. I wish I could be a cow for a day and get in on their secret life out there in the pasture.

Highlights from the week:

Stephanie and I went to Sophia's class "Why Vegan?" and helped out with the sales of books and cupcakes. It was really interesting to go and see people be so responsive to the talk, people asked great questions and despite knowing a lot of the information I actually learned quite a bit! There is another class next week about how to move towards a vegan diet. I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend this one yet because I might be headed to San Francisco for my two days off in a row. 

We watched the movie Fowl Play last week too which is one I've wanted to see for quite sometime. This documentary focuses on all aspects of the egg industry. There is undercover video that is hard to watch, but it's spread out nicely between rescue stories. Because of this movie I've been doing a little bit of research into hatcheries and egg laying facilities. I found a website of an egg farm who is so confident their practices are "humane" that they have six live cameras you can watch at any time. It just focuses on the birds in the cages. I found it extremely interesting that they are calling themselves a humane facility based only on the livelihood of the hens in the cages.  I really would like them to put a camera in the hatcheries, more specifically on the sexing process of the birds that are born to inhabit those cages. I think anyone who could see the video of male chicks (deemed worthless by the industry) being ground up alive, suffocating to death in huge piles, or being tossed into plastic bags to suffocate would be appalled. Regardless of the treatment these egg laying chickens receive the sad fact of the matter is that male chicks are just a "worthless bi product" to the industry. I was going to post the link to this facilities live cams but I'd rather not accidentally give them free advertisement. Anyways, I just went off on a tangent, check out Fowl Play, it's definitely worth the watch. If you have Netflix it's available as a "watch now" option.

I'll try to keep updating throughout this week. I really need to get some more photos but the weather has been terrible. I even went out and bought myself a pair of rain pants....overall style. Yeah, I've got the farm fashion down. Speaking of bad weather though....even when the weather is awful we always end the day on a good note:

 Shubah took this picture. I didn't even get to see the rainbow! But it was just so gorgeous I had to share!

Sugar and Sheep

Holy moly. I'm tuckered out. Today was healthcare for the sheep. I literally feel like I just played in an intense roller derby bout. From 7am to 12:30 today I held sheep horns while Ashley checked their eyes, ears, body, trimmed their hooves and gave a shot. It was intense. My arms and back are sore from being bent over all day and being tossed around by a few of the really strong ones like Zeus. Because the Santa Cruz and Iso Santa cruz herds are pretty big I really don't know too many of their names but I was able to learn a few today. My favorite, mainly because he gave my arms a rest, was Ed. He just laid down and rolled over for us. Thank you Ed.

After healthcare I went up the people barn and started on a crazy baking project! Sophia is teaching a "Why Vegan?" class tomorrow in Chico so I was put on baking duty! Which is always fun because I love baking. I rocked out to a little Lady Sovereign and made brownies, two batches of marble cupcakes, peanut butter cupcakes and rice crispy treats. Phew! I'm sooooo tired! Will probably spend the evening with the Desperate Housewives :)

Just Say No!

I hate role playing conversations with all of my being. It's probably one of my least favorite things to do, next to vomiting. It just always takes me back to the elementary school D.A.R.E program. I remember having to stand up in front of the whole class and turn down marijuana, beer, and other "gateways to evil" all while ridden with complete anxiety that everyone was looking at me. Besides that, it just feels stupid. I mean if I HAVE to have a conversation with someone, I'd rather it be a real one. But I understand how helpful role playing can be. It's great to practice before you speak. We did this at Ed Lunch today. Practiced answers to questions we are constantly being asked as vegans. I need a whole hell of a lot of practice that's for sure :) But what is frustrating is I know the answers to these stupid questions like "Well what about plants!? Don't plants have feelings?" but there is some mental block that goes up the second I'm put on the spot. My whole mind erases! Soooo annoying. Anyways though, I think I learn really well by hearing others responses. The more I hear it over and over the better I am at remembering and eventually communicating. Anyways, I've also found a few books online I want to get that deal specifically with vegan activism and how to tactfully answer some of the tougher questions. It's just frustrating to feel so passionately about something and feel completely unable to communicate it effectively.  I think I'll look into Toastmasters when this internship is over. Just thinking about that makes me want to hurl, but I feel way too old to have an issue with public speaking. Isn't this something you are suppose to grow out of?

Anyways, this morning I helped with the sheep again. And one in particular named Emmett. Which made me smile because my dog's name is Emmett :) Then I helped Leanne trim Kanbar's hoof (one of the goats). She was super sweet. I pretty much just had to hold her head while she was getting trimmed and Noel and Squishy (two of the tinier goats) kept coming up to sniff and nibble on my jacket. I love those guys! I then drove a goose to the vet for a quick visit and then picked up feed at the feed store. 

This blog post is brought to you today by Calvin:

No music necessary....this guy is just pure awesome all by himself:

C'mon cows! Let's Mooooove!

I opened this morning, and as usual, it was a delight. My first stop was the rescue barn. Here are housed the turkey girls, rescue pigs and a couple Iso Sheep...so imagine my surprise when I walked in and was greeted by several "Moooooos"! I'm still not exactly sure why there were cattle in there. I think the barn had been opened up for them because it was raining last night. Anyways, it set the tone for the day. Tomorrow is the second round of cattle health care so we had to move the herd closer to the Cattle Barn. All 26 of them. Mike and I took the mule out to the pasture and began calling to them "C'mon cows!" this is a phrase they respond to best and clapping. Mario and Linus led the way and most followed, taking frequent snack breaks along the way. There were only about 5 lingerers so we worked with them one on one. Offering pellets, giving little behind pats and showing them the way. It was really cute to watch the heard that had already headed to the other pastures call out to the slower ones. We got everyone all set up and ready and out of the pasture....and then there was....El Nino. I really wish I had a picture of this guy (putting it on my to do list for my day off). He is HUGE. Biggest guy of the herd. And he was not budging from his spot. I showed him pellets, even let him have a few and he started shaking his head (that's cow talk for back the heck up lady!). Once Nino saw that the rest of the heard was no where near him he got a bit confused and started calling out to everyone and trying to find a way out. We led him back to the gate. That sounds way easier than it was. In total it took about an hour to get him on the right path, but once we did he was happy to rejoin the herd. And now, I'm super tired from clapping my hands and saying "C'mon Nino!" But it was a great day! I love any time I get to spend with the cattle because I don't feel like I get to hang with them all too often. And the more I hang out with them the easier it is to see how they communicate with each other and with humans. It really is such an awesome experience, looking into the eyes of a cow. They are soooo beautiful!

Turkey Girls in the Key of Epic

I've got another video for you all! This one was WAY more thought out than Breakfasting with Bovines. I started it about a week into my internship here. And while it began as somewhat of a joke, I've fallen in love with these birds.  I always liked the turkey girls, despite their pecking and mini bruises they'd leave on the backs of my legs. They just seem so fearless and bold in everything they do.  I wanted to make a video of them that showed how epic they truly are. If you look closely throughout, you can see the visible signs of their past and the horrific truth behind factory farms. Several, have been severely debeaked, detoed, and desnooded. I didn't want that to be the main focus of the video though (which is why the second scene is a lucky turkey girl with all her lovely toes). These girls have been through a lot. I hear them saying "You can take our toes, beaks and snoods, but we will not be afraid!" That's what I wanted to show here....their fearlessness, their will to carry on as one of the strongest creatures I've ever met! Long live the turkey girls!

Epic as defined by Urban Dictionary: To describe something that is so amazing that no other word is able to describe it's awesomeness.

Breakfasting with Bovines

I got totally distracted here on my day off and ended up making a short video with the cows. Enjoy! And ignore the complete color fade mid way through...I pushed some button and it screwed things up, which is sad because Harrison is a beautiful red head! This is a rough vid, horribly edited, and poorly shot, but it was just for fun and a bit on a whim! Stay tuned for the next episode which will be much better!!! Also be aware that this video is dripping in complete geekiness hahah! I can't help it! Farm Sanctuary brings out the geek in me :)

You Gotta Be....

This morning I opened. *deep and wonderful breath* I LOVE opening. It was such a crisp morning everything smelled dewy and I always enjoy my morning walk to the shelter office when the sun is just coming up. I look behind me to see the cattle already grazing on the hilly pasture and look below to see the geriatric cows, Joni, Neal, and Hank doing the same. Then I try to contain my giddiness. I would have thought, a month into this internship, that the excitement would wear off, but it seems to be growing. When I played derby, after practice I would always say that my lungs felt happy from such a good workout. They really did. They felt filled with fresh oxygen and really strong. I felt my best after practice. Anyways, Farm Sanctuary is to my soul what derby practice was to my lungs. Whoa check that analogy out...haha! So yeah, still loving every day here.

After I opened I helped Leanne wrap Curly's busted horn, one of the sheep from the Iso Santa Cruz herd. I had to pretty much stand with him between my legs and hold his good horn with one hand and his chin with another. He did a really good job :) I really am enjoying any time I get to assist or just watch the caregivers with different treatments.

I then drove the scary van to Chico to drop of fecal samples at the vet and pick up feed. There was also a failed pit bull rescue mission between Orland and Chico. Two of them were running up and down the farm street and I tried to get them but they were scared and ran off. Hope they are okay.  As I was driving into town "You gotta be" by Des'ree came on the radio. Nostalgia! Took me back! That was my first ever cassette tape. I remember cleaning up all my barbies that were scattered around the room to that tune. Let us reminisce:



By the time I got back I had a couple hours of barn cleaning to do and then we had our monthly Chico shopping trip.

I'm going to throw in a few more photos. These are nothing new to people who I'm friends with on facebook, but to all you other readers out there:

 

Me and Coco. This is that goat hug I was talking about in a previous post. YES they hug, and it's the best thing in the whole wide world! Far better than any human hug!

Buddy and Chili playing with my shoe laces. 

 I don't know who this pretty lady is but I think the picture turned out well.

If that isn't just the best smile ever...and that's coming right out of a nap! That's Johnny :)

 Bo looks a little freaked out here! Hahah!

Okay, more photos later. Blogger uploader is being super slow!

Bold Native

Friday, in place of our typical ed lunch, we went on a field trip to Sacramento to see John Robbins (author of Diet for a New America) and watched a screening of the film Bold Native. I really enjoyed hearing John Robbins speak because he seemed to tie in the spiritual side of being vegan, how we have lost our connection with nature and the animals, and the disconnect that exists between our ideas of "pets" and food. I've never read any of his books but I was looking at the list and there were a ton that caught my eye. The Awakened Heart and The Food Revolution are now going on my reading list.

I also wanted to talk here about the film Bold Native. This movie focuses primarily on the ideas of the Animal Liberation Front. I'd like to make a whole post about the ALF one day...once I've done more research on the topic. One of the ALF's guidelines is to do no harm to animals, human or otherwise. They are a nonviolent group known for illegally breaking into laboratories and factory farms and freeing the animals. They frequently engage in property destruction as well. We had a lot of discussion about this in the van on the way back. The ALF does not harm humans or animals...does this alone make them nonviolent? Or are the damages they inflict on buildings and equipment considered violent actions? I have a lot of conflicting thoughts about that. On the one hand violence is typically directed at one or more beings, not inanimate objects. I don't really feel you can commit violence against a computer or lab equipment. Sophia did bring up a good point though, that if someone came into your house and destroyed your things wouldn't you feel like a violent act had been committed against you? I'm not sure. I still consider the ALF to be nonviolent in their practices, but it did make me think a bit harder about the definition.


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(also, I'm finding I didn't explain this too well. This movie is not a documentary it's an actual movie, full length feature film...or whatever you call it)

By far the most controversial part in the film is "the feral child" scene. It's definitely hard to watch.  One of the ALF members goes a bit rouge and captures a man involved in factory farming, ties him up and shocks and beats him. Treating him exactly as the animals are treated.  It's a vivid scene. A baby piglet runs free around the tortured man, while horrible undercover investigation videos are played on the wall. I'm going to give it away and say that in the end, the main character (not the person who originally captured the guy) frees the man. So, now that that is out of the way....apparently there was a bit of an uproar about this scene at the conference I went to last summer (I went to bed before this film was over so I didn't get to hear the commentary). Here are my thoughts. I think it was a necessary scene to put in the film. It connects the audience to the horror of  reciprocating in anger and frustration.  I can't say how many times I've heard or seen posts on animal investigation videos: "this is awful, I hope this person dies a painful death", "someone should hang that guy by a hook and make him bleed out...see how he likes it". Do we really want to see that? Really? It's extremely hard to watch the feral child scene in the movie. And I think that's WHY it's there.  To show us that we may FEEL like retribution is justice...but actually seeing it, we are able to understand how horrific that idea truly is.
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Anyways, check the movie out. And understand that it's portraying only one part of the animal rights movement. Then tell me what you all think. I really want more feed back about this movie from non vegans. How did you react to the film? What are your thoughts?

This film can be rented or purchased on iTunes as well as the Bold Native website.

You can also purchase this super soft hoodie for the animal rights activist in your life *points to self and smiles*

Raking Muscles and Sugar Highs

Yesterday I cleaned small barns for the first time by myself. This includes the chicken and turkey barns, the duck and geese hutches, and the hospital hutches. It was a really nice day out yesterday so it wasn't too difficult. I however, have the puniest arms EVER! But I think after raking a bunch here I may be able to break my 1 push up record. My favorite part of the day was when I had moved to the duck and geese hutches, began raking inside and Blaise decided to join me. That's him down there...though from a few weeks ago...but I'm trying to enhance your mental picture here :)

He started curling up in the patches of hay that were in the sun. Oh, the life of a vegan house farm kitty.

After work Stephanie, Shubah (our new roomate), and I took Byron to the airport in Sacramento, but not before stopping at Sugar Plum for dinner, an all vegan bakery and restaurant. Stephanie and I split the yam and veggie quesadilla and the tempeh reuben. Both delicious! I took pictures of all these amazing foods on my phone because I forgot my camera, but they turned out horribly....so you are going to have to use your imagination. For dessert I got the double coconut cupcake which was, in the words of Will Ferrell impersonating James Lipton, Scrumtrulescent!  I LOVE coconut! I also brought home a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie pie for another day. Here at the vegan house we've decided we are cutting back on Sugar ASAP! Because we have been indulging in baked goods like you wouldn't believe! So, soon, Stephanie, Shubah and I will be doing a one week sugar cleanse! (one week was all we could commit too hahah!). Byron couldn't part with the Jelly in his daily PB&J so he's out! Should be a good challenge I think! I'll keep you all posted when we start! 

I've got the day off today, so I'm bringing Melvin some apple and hopefully will get some more pictures and video clips of the turkey girls!

Great Photo Day!

 I got some wonderful photos today. After trying to climb the ant ridden oak tree in the sheep pasture I walked over to see Bonnie and Waylan the donkeys and got this awesome picture:

 He reminds me so much of Grandfather Twilight. This is my new favorite angle to take pictures from. Makes the animals look all knowing and epic!

 Neal in the Tunnel Pasture

 Chili. This guy reminds me of the Mystics from The Dark Crystal

Linus, he was following me and Stephanie all through the pasture begging for more love today! What a cutie!

And finally a video of my favorite guy on the farm...Melvin! I put some fitting music to it:

What a great day off! Tomorrow it's back to barn cleaning!

Uncharted

It's going to probably be a two post kind of day. I woke up early this morning and was super excited because Sara Bareilles's new music video for Uncharted was being released. Sadly, I was kind of disappointed in the video. I love the concept behind it and Sara's commentary, but it was a miss for me. What does this have to do with interning at Farm Sanctuary you ask? Well, her recent cd, and more importantly the song "Uncharted" was pretty much my mantra while out of a job, completely broke and totally hating my life. All I knew was I wanted to really do something that I was passionate about whether it made me money or not, because finding a job to just "have a job" seemed so meaningless and depressing. I remember sitting in Brewed Awakenings, doing nothing with my life, angry with myself for giving up my only independent source of income. I think I'd lost any hope in doing something I really loved with my life. I started filling out job applications for cleaning services, fast food joints, gyms, the temp agency, and grocery stores. At this point I'd been out of a job for around 7 months and my bank account was begging me to grow up. So, I was filling this crap out, beboppin' to Sara's new cd, Kaleidoscope Heart. And Uncharted came on in the mix. There were so many inspiring moments in this song. Most notably: "Compare where you are to where you wanna be and you'll get nowhere". I do that all the time...and not only that, I also look at where everyone else is in their life compared to where I am. That's a recipe for disaster.  I kind of took that entire song to heart. And amidst all my crappy applications I decided to fill out the intern application for Farm Sanctuary for the second time. Because THAT is really what I wanted to do. Forget that I didn't have any money and there was no way I'd be able to fund an unpaid internship. That's what uncharted is about...going for it. Being "scared shitless" as Sara so eloquently puts it :) Anyways, so I guess the rest is history. But between filling out the app and actually getting the internship there was a lot of self doubt and wonder about whether or not I'd have to give up on a dream purely for the sake of money. "Everybody has to get their hands on gold, and I want Uncharted." I still have no clue what I'm doing with myself after this internship...that's the uncharted part. And yes, I'm a little scared about that, but I feel that if getting this internship was possible so is whatever else I decide to do. So, that's why this song is relevant to the internship. Here's a performance of Uncharted that I really love:



And you can click here to see the official video. While I didn't like the video, I really loved what Sara had to say about it and I'll leave you with that.

"This video is about my journey as an artist who looks up to the people around them. This is about being a fan of people who take chances, who are fearless, who have integrity, and go off into the world saying yes to what's around them."