These former slaughter pigs are some of the lucky survivors of the Cedar Rapids Iowa floods in 2008. They are good natured sweeties who love people and were happy to receive my tasty offering of crunchy carrots. Gladys grunted and munched away while I giggled and gave her big hugs covering my LDCRF t-shirt in fresh mud.
It is difficult to imagine that these gentle giants were once confined to small cages and darkness. That they survived being swept up in flood waters and somehow didn't drown like so many others is amazing. I loved meeting them and am happy LDCRF has given them a safe place to be loved and happy!
I got to meet two other groups of piggies while I was at the ranch, both much shyer than the social bunch that met me at the barn gate. The shyest pigs were roommates with the most social of goats! The pot bellies watched us suspiciously as the goats all crowded around for pets and carrots.
I was warned, not to turn my back on señor Paco... So I proceeded to keep a watchful eye on those big ole horns. Thankfully all he seemed to want was extra scratches on his forehead. Charlotte was instantly my favorite goat, a social butterfly who followed us around looking for love and snacks. She also had those floppy ears that I truly adore. I felt like a little girl in a petting zoo.
A local fitness center donated some aerobic steps for the goats to play with so we got them going on it and this guy was a natural! It was so much fun to watch them play and learn.
After saying hello to the pigs and goats, it was time to take care of business. Sweetheart needed some attention and a little extra TLC! Sweetheart is one of the friendliest horses that I have ever meet. She greeted us at the gate of the stall and watched on happily as she got sprayed with fly spray and brushed down. She gently picked up each foot for Sarah as I rubbed her nose and scratched her ears. Sweetheart was the perfect name for her. She proceeded to use me as an itching post and rubbed her face up and down my side as I started to crack up.
Oreo, the older gentleman of the herd, kept more to himself and Holiday, the big thoroughbred, reminded me of home with her long long jumper legs. I'm from Ocala, FL. It's horse town and thoroughbreds are essentially the signature of our town. The mule and donkey kept a safe distance and watched the activities from afar. The shy mule eventually took a carrot from me as I looked away towards the cat house, which would be my next stop.
As Sarah finished up some barn business, I headed off to explore the cat house. The dogs commenced to barking their heads off at my failed attempt to sneak by them. I opened the door and was greeted by a little crowd of kitty faces and a chorus of meows. I used up most of my phone battery camera happy in the kitty room. It was great to get in some extra loving time with all of the ranch cats on their patio while they waited to find their forever homes.
Before we went to leave I took a peek into the dog runs and checked in on some shy pups on my foster list. It's a long list, but I'm getting through it one by one. Lost Dog and Cat Ranch is the wonderful place that I hoped it would be when I first started volunteering. It is a peaceful sanctuary for a few lucky barn residents and for so many dogs and cats it is a pitstop before their new lives begin.
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