Happy Cow and Friends Hangout

06/01/2026

05/30/2026

Flurry is a top tier camouflage expert. She knows how to blend in. 🕵️‍♀️🫆 You’ll only see her when she wants to be seen! 😉🐈‍⬛

05/29/2026

When you’re still livin’ off the high from the time Daisy ran along the fenceline with you. 🏃‍♀️🐄😍 But this time she said “naaaaah, pass” so she could eat the freshly watered grass. 😂🤪

05/29/2026

Regina earned her wings. 🌈

By this afternoon, her breathing hadn’t improved. She experienced respiratory distress when the veterinary team tried to perform diagnostics, so they had to stop multiple times to give her a break. X-rays revealed the presence of free fluid. An ultrasound showed a liver tumor. The prognosis was poor, and she was clearly suffering. Her passing was peaceful. She was loved.🪽

I know she’s gone, but it hasn’t hit yet. I had to stop myself from looking for her in the crate when I got home. I counted the chickens at bedtime and had to remind myself that there are only three now. This process takes time.

Today was heartbreaking and difficult. But it was also powerful and positive. While we waited for the sedative to take effect, Regina sat in my lap and I opened Facebook. I read the comments on this morning’s post, and I felt lighter. You guys understand. You gave me the reassurance I needed. It was very helpful, and very appreciated.

Dr. Burke and Dr. Cooner were also incredibly kind. Their practice had a very long, tough day. They helped three pets pass over the Rainbow Bridge in the span of an hour. They never rushed me, regardless of the fact that our appointment went past closing.

Euthanasia is one of the most sacred parts of pet parenthood, in my opinion. It’s someone’s last moment with their beloved family member. A special memory that carries a lot of emotional weight. The experience can be largely impacted by the environment and the people involved. And sometimes you can’t put things into words - it’s too difficult to really explain. The warmth and genuine compassion these doctors show is exactly that. It’s a really comforting feeling.

✨ Regina was met in Heaven by Alfreda, Robbie, and Karen. Another angel to watch over us. ✨

05/28/2026

When I opened the coop for the Motel Chickens today, Regina was awkwardly positioned adjacent to the ramp. She was open mouth breathing. Thinking she was overheating, I took her into the run and sat her down. I must have touched her abdomen when I picked her up because she excreted egg-like material. Then she wobbled and fell down. My heart sank. I watched her head slowly bob backward. “No, no, no” I said to myself, remembering Karen’s nearly identical symptoms.

I called our vet, who said to bring her in.

Thankfully, once I brought her indoors, she stopped open mouth breathing. Regina has had pasty butt in the past, so it wasn’t surprising to see excrement on her rear end. I washed her off and noticed that her abdomen was noticeably moving with her breathing, which also felt abnormal.

I asked Ryan to take a look at her, and he agreed that her presentation was very similar to Karen’s.

On the ride to the vet, Regina sat on a p*e pad in the passenger seat. I stroked her feathers. She looked around, then rested her head and closed her eyes. I nestled my hand under her wing and gently clasped her bone like I was holding her hand.

I asked the vet to run a bunch of diagnostics - ultrasound, xray, bloodwork - and to review Karen’s necropsy report. Since they were in the same flock, it’s possible Regina has the same illness.

Before I left, I started to cry and asked what I’m doing wrong. Since 2023, we’ve lost Alfreda, Karen, and now Regina is sick and I’m afraid we may lose her too.

These chickens are my family. My heart hurts every time they’re sick or they pass away. It’s painful. It sucks. The grief, self doubt, missing them, wondering if/what/why… it never really leaves you.

There’s a lot I could say about that. For now, please keep Regina in your thoughts. I hope this is something she can recover from. 🙏

05/28/2026

Following a week of much needed rain ⛈️, we took the opportunity to clean. Just like caring for our homes, cleaning is a constant at the sanctuary. We clean bowls, water troughs, stalls, pastures - sometimes even the animals themselves! 🛁

It’s a lot of work but it’s meaningful work.

It’s also fun to use the piggie sponge Elizabeth won through a fundraiser for Eastern Snouts Adoption and Rehoming. (Truly on theme! 🐷🧽 ) And we love using ecoscleans because it’s a plant-based dish soap that isn’t tested on animals.

05/28/2026

✨ Our Chewy wish list has been updated! ✨

To celebrate Wish List Wednesday, we’re asking for two of our most needed items:
➡️ Mini Pig Treats
➡️ Mini Pig Skin & Coat Supplement

Ali and Frazier love when we toss treats into the straw for them to find!… but we’ve run out! 🙈

June and Mama Mariama asked about their skin and coat beauty supplements, and we don’t wanna let them down! 🧖‍♀️💅

To check out the wish list, use the link below. All orders ship directly to the sanctuary!
🛒 https://www.chewy.com/g/happy-cow-and-friends-hangout_b111987223

05/28/2026

There’s a clear winner every time! 🏆🥇😜 If you know who that is, drop their name in the comments. ⬇️

05/27/2026

Freedom is a sentient being’s power to exercise their will.

Factory farms are not freedom. Sanctuaries are.

You will never find a 20-year old cow grazing a pasture in animal agriculture. But you will find a team of compassionate people doing everything possible to maintain a 20-year old cow’s quality of life at a sanctuary. And when it comes time for that cow to cross the Rainbow Bridge, the process will be done peacefully and the cow will be surrounded by love.

There’s a reason factory farms are shrouded by secrecy, and there’s a reason sanctuaries provide tours. One has something to hide, the other values transparency.