Helping a little Bug

Another senior dog I sponsored through Old Dog Haven, was this sweet little thing called "Bug". Well, my sponsorship was up this month, and I just can't resist that face, or name. So again, thanks to recent print sales, another small amount will be sent their way.

Bug was basically abandonned at a large shelter, with a dislocated hip, heart murmer, horrible teeth with oronasal fistulas which are being worked on. Still, Bug has a sunny personality, say the family that took him in for his forever home. We are so glad Bug found you!

Please consider donating to Old Dog Haven or other animal rescue organizations in your area.

Helping a little Bug

Helping Hewitt

Thanks to recent art/print sales, I can donate a small amount to one of the Final Refuge Dogs helped by Old Dog Haven. Old Dog Haven helps senior dogs by placing them in forever homes, or helping adopt them and get medical care. They are located in Washington and have a network of foster homes that help the dogs in need.

This month I will sponsor Hewitt, an old Chihuahua who was found emaciated on the streets, and hairless. He is fighting seizures and has a serious heart murmur. Despite this, his Final Refuge home says he is a snuggler. No matter what time he has left, he will go out with a full heart and caring home.

Please consider making a donation to Old Dog Haven or the animal rescue organization in your area.

Helping Hewitt

Morning dust bath

These pictures [by Jan Harris who visited awhile ago, taking some wonderful Apifera shots]really capture the spirit of a good donkey dust bath.

Morning dust bath

Help a donkey rest in peace

NOTE: If you have trouble opening the link here, I pasted the entire post, with email addres where you can help, in the comment section.


The absolute horrific case of animal cruelty in Spain had me writing a letter, and you can do if it moves you.

A donkey was tortured by teens, then had a broom shoved up it's anus, tortured more, caused massive internal bleeding, and died.

The local courts are saying these teens [whose parents are saying how terribly sorry they are...um, yes, now that the media is involved and found them out...]should not be tried for animal cruelty, since the donkey officially died of a'heart attack."

The people over at one of the donkey sanctuaries in Spain that we like to promote, are encouraging people from all over the world d to write a letter to the judge, to ask that these teens be tried for cruelty to animals.

this link will share the story and details, and give you the email [we wrote in English, but they have a letter in Spanish which you can cut and paste].

It won't take more than a minute. Please share this with all your friends.

Help a donkey rest in peace

Gertie and Georgie are adapting well to Apifera and their new senior facility [also in resideance isOld Guinnias. These two ladies are real talkers, and enjoy hobbling out to the sun, where they usually lay down to eat. It is very hard for them to stand more than about 1 minute due to joint deformities casues by improper fot care.

I created this teeny little film to show the consequences of not taking care of a goat's feet. We adopted Georgie and Gertie this past month from New Moon Farm and Goat Rescue in Washington. This is the same wonderful place where we adopted our first senior rescue goat, Old Guinnias. These two senior ladies came from owners that neglected their feet and didn't trim them. This caused them too walk improperly which over time caused crippling effects. I am giving them daily massages and hope to see if an animal therapist might give me tips on getting Gertie to bend her front leg over time.

This is not uncommon. Sadly, many equines, sheep and goats are left in fields or wet barnyards without foot care. These creatures need their feet trimmed on a regular basis. We trim the sheep 2-3 times a year due to our rocky terrain. Our horse is trimmed by a farrier every 2 months. The donkeys are trimmed 3-4 times a year, and I am learning to d that.

If you see an animal with long curled toes, try to get it help, or call your vet to see if they can intervene. And if you plan on buying any animal, remember it is a commitment. It's heartbreaking to see so many 4H projects turn into rescue cases. Goats can live well past 15. Donkeys from 20-30 years, and horses often live past 20. You don't toss Granny away.

Paco's serious smile

Thank you to Jan Harris for letting me use these pictures from her recent visit to Apifera.

Each donkey has a unique expression. Paco rarely cracks a laughing smile, like his barnyard mate Lucia. Nor does he talk as much as Pino, the local spokesperson. But to me his sort-of smile says, "I'm trying really hard not to worry so much."

We love our Paco and some might be surprised he is so wonderful at Pie Days. But he loves attention and like any grumpy character, there is often a wounded little creature lurking inside.Perhaps this is why he is such a hit at Pie Days - the wounded hearted ones connect with him. And who doesn't have a bit of a wounded heart?

Paco's serious smile

Send a Pino e-card

Pino is creating little 2 minute movies now. There are three movies available right now - a lullaby, a Neil Young song and a birthday song. Visit the Apifera Farm movie station to view them.

I'm hoping Pino can do some movies that might bring help to senior critters, or the elderly or the sick.

He will also do Private Pino Movies for $25 at your request. If you have a sick friend that needs cheer, a special birthday, or other occasion, let Pino the puppet do a e-greeting for you.

Send a Pino e-card