We arrived on a Friday and fished…and toured your wonderful town of Jacksonville, Oregon. Everywhere we went we chatted with people and when they asked us why we were there, we said “We’re here to fish…and pick up a pig and a handicapped goat.” When some heard it was Sanctuary One, they gasped and said, “Not Lisa! You’re not taking Lisa?!” We assured them it was not Lisa, but a slightly grumpy little pot belly pig named Rosie whose elderly owner couldn’t keep her. Rosie had bonded with a very handicapped goat named Stevie who had been crippled by neglect – but was helped by the Humane Society in which an operation helped him walk again.
Each year since ’07, our Apifera Farm has had a fundraiser called Pino Pie Day where we share the healing powers of our little donkey Pino, the farm and other animals, and my homemade pie. Aprons are collected from all over the world
Aprons? Pie? Donkeys? How did this come to be, you might ask? It started with the artist’s broken heart and evolved into a cherry pie of love which led to…well, you can read a quick illustrated overview and see a real Pino Pie Day at http://tinyurl.com/7hby9mn
We loved Sanctuary One – and met with both Sansa Collins and Robert Casserly. I stay in touch with them both, and Rosie and Stevie are also part of an illustrated book I’m writing about our barnyard “misfits.” The Rosie-Stevie story has also been featured on my essays for Huffington Post.
I just thought it might be an event you’d enjoy sharing- it connects two parts of Oregon, both farms trying to help the land, and animals, but also bring others in to share and experience the beauty and healing of it all. We are not a 501c and I raise my money to help my animals through my art and writing, but i consider Sanctuary One a real model for me- I’d like to bring in veterans and others to share the love here.
Stevie and Rosie lead a very simple, sustainable life. All they need is within the barnyard- companionship, shelter, warmth, hay, weeds, dust to roll in, and the open sky.
Stevie has such a wonderful personality. He still gives daily kisses – which I was told he did when we adopted him, and it is true. he is a very strong fellow and while he is no wussy around feeding time pushing, he has the heart of an old hippie- mellow, just hanging out and enjoying the breeze. Rosie is my little grump, but I love her. Her mood depends on which part of her nap she is in. She loves belly rubs, sits for cookies, and snorts around the barnyard like a vacuum cleaner on a mission. She occasionally gets swept up in the flock of sheep as they leave the barnyard to go to their pasture, but she stands her ground and doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone. She sleeps in the same area as Stevie and although they are independent during the day, they sleep near by each other – I guess similar to many couples!
Katherine Dunn
Apifera Farm, Yamhill, OR
http://apiferafarm.blogspot.com/p/pies-donkeys-love.html
I am so thrilled to read about Stevie’s new life. We rehabbed him here at the Duchess Sanctuary after his surgery, and I delivered him to Sanctuary One. He truly is an old hippie soul, and deserves nothing but the best for all his days. Thank you!
I am the Oregon director for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). My wife, Jackie, and I assisted the Douglas County Sheriff in seizing Stevie and the many other animals who were so badly neglected on a Sutherlin farm back in 2009. Despite being able to only move about on his knees, Stevie was a good-hearted fellow who thrived on human affection. The HSUS paid to have surgery on his front legs so he would have the chance to walk again. We are so grateful to all the people who stepped up to help Stevie and the other animals, including the Douglas County Sheriff, Saving Grace Animal Adoption Center, Sanctuary One, and of course, Katherine Dunn, who has provided Stevie and his beloved pig, Rosey, with a wonderful forever home. I hope to visit Stevie and Rosey someday soon – there’s just nothing quite like watching these two sweet, gentle survivors hang out together, loving every moment of their new charmed life.
Scott Beckstead
Senior Oregon Director
The Humane Society of the United States
I want to thank both of you too! I invite you both to the farm to see him again. For as many years as they have they will be well loved here.