"There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It's why you were born" -Oprah Winfrey It's hard to believe another year has come and gone. For me, personally, 2014 will be the year that I truly discovered what I am here to do. To help save animals. A discovery I feel lucky to have made.
The other day, in a stall of the barn sitting with a couple of the goats, I had a moment. As tears filled my eyes, lost in a moment of thinking about the loss we have experienced, the sadness of what wasn't meant to be this year, I was reminded in that same exact moment of all the good we've seen and done. The lives we saved, the progress we made. Lost in my moment I was brought back by a cry from the next stall over. It was Rocket. Who seeing me sitting down, took it as an invitation to come hang out with me but there was a gate in his way. He made me smile, he always does. I turned to see Luna laying next to me. Luna, a goat who has taken up more and more space in my heart in the time she's been with us. Likely a retired dairy Saanen, sent to auction, pregnant, purchased by a slaughterhouse, rescued by us and now being completely spoiled.
It reminded me of all the goats and sheep, young and old, who came through the rescue this year; how entertaining, loving and innocent they are. How hard it was to see them go but how heartwarming it is to see how happy they make their new families. The spring that brought countless breeder cull babies bouncing around the barn, bright eyed and full of energy. The summer that was so hot none of us, 2 or 4 legged, wanted to even move. (We are wimpy about heat in the NW) How the goats were sunbathing in pools in October and just a month later how the whole place froze over and the goat kids experienced their first snow.
I remembered the goats who we didn't think would survive after what they had been through only to see them recover, thrive and find their lifelong homes. The goats who were so shy and apprehensive upon arrival who now love attention and seek out a scratch on the cheek. The numerous photo shoots with amazingly tolerant goats that had us all laughing. The rescues where going to rescue 5 or 6 goats turned into 18 goats coming back.
I was inspired by this place and Barbara's work and it's led me to help bring a fundraising and social media presence to the rescue. We were humbled by the support both monetarily and simply by words of thanks and encouragement. The love of goats is truly a powerful connection.
That moment the other day was a time to reflect, accept and move ahead. Because just as so many lives depended on us this year, so many more will next year. I got up and went about what needed to be done. Rocket and Luna reminded me that the good outweighs the sad and I have been given a gift. And the best thing I can do is share that gift and help prepare PSGR for whatever 2015 has in store.
I also wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this blog these past 6 months. I have truly loved being able to share the stories of PSGR with you and can't wait to share our adventures of 2015. Happy New Year!
