Too Much? Too Many?

From Jim: The reality of operating a 75 horse/mule/donkey sanctuary with some goats and calves thrown in can be a cause to stop and question your sanity. The daily chores require about 6 hours apiece every day. The costs, with no unexpected expenses run into 4 or 5 thousand dollars a month. We always expect unexpected expenses and seldom get disappointed. The scale of managing the place sometimes seems overwhelming. Hay prices are up and will probably rise some more. Donations are down. The economy is not nice to unwanted animals. We are often asked, "Why so many"? Well, our answer is pretty much always the same. You choose who dies. Without Home At Last, these animals have no place to go-NO PLACE TO GO. That means literally leave the planet. If you spend even a day, let alone everyday, with these animals, you would understand that they deserve to live. Their stories of survival and recovery and endurance and resilience are powerful. Their love of life undeniable. I have said before that each of our residents is a beloved pet. Well, that's absolutely true. We have come to know all of our critters as individuals and as friends. It's as simple as this. Around here, things can be inconvenient for us two leggeds. For the four leggeds, it's a matter of life or death. Not much an equation is it? (Note: chickens and guineas have two legs, but don't wish to be counted with us) We have so many folks that help us financially, with volunteer work, with donations, with moral support. Our vet, hay grower, the worm farm, the thrift store, our board of directors, Tractor Supply in Oroville, the rendering plant, our neighbors and friends, our donors, our farrier, and so and so-without them, What would we do? We didn't set out to be a sanctuary. We were led it by the needs that we came to know. So, too much?, too many?, I don't think so.