It's Worth It Sat Jan. 30 2010

Most of the days at the ranch have a peaceful rhythm and pace. Before the sun is up the calves are bottle fed and turned out to graze if the weather is calf friendly. Then fed mid day and again at night. Then it is time for Jim to load 4 bales for the morning feeding (and later 4 for the evening feeding). While he is doing that I am filling pails with grain, supplements and medicines.

First come Pilgrim and Dancer.

Then come Levi and Daisy.

It's up the hill, hand carrying the flakes to Chance, Rico, and Pedro. Ruby is taking some time away from the boys while her abcess heals

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Then on to Breeze Bay and her boys, Tory and Cash. Braveheart and Jesse are camera shy

On to the big herd on the side of the road.

Around the corner to Belle and Charles' temporary pen.

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Toward the front and up a little hill is another part of the big herd. Today Aurora, Chardonnay, Sunny, Harmony, and Jenny and Jessie were waiting. Usually Cajun and Breeze Summer are there, but not today.

Posey , Maggie, and Sugar are next.

Turn around again and back to the side herd and big barn . There are still a few horses in the barn until we can build new pens.

If I remember to turn on the water by Chance and friends then I can water while I feed. If not it's back up the hill, turn on the water, and back down the hill.

While feeding and watering we do a well-being check on everyone. Who is where? Who is eating with whom . Are there new injuries? What is their body condition? Do they have hoof needs?

It may not seem like much, but it usually takes an hour and a half each morning and evening. In the winter we also dig trenches to let the water drain, move muck, mend fences, move hoses, manage batteries and the energy sources.. There is always hay and feed to be moved and stored.

Is it worth it? A thousand times yes. There is the peace, the beauty, the love and the sense of purpose that we feel daily. There are kind, gentle hopeful faces greeting us every day. There is the knowledge that many of these wonderful animals would have been slaughtered if they had not come here. There is a comfort in knowing they will have a good life and a good end to their life. It is definately worth it.