Safe and Sound!

After making a few wrong turns, stopping for lunch, gas, and back pain breaks, I arrived about 5 hours later at Farm Sanctuary. I met Becky, the intern coordinator, and joined her in meeting some of the pigs with the tour-guides-in-training. They are too cute! I love how pigs always look like they're smiling. Just after such minimal interaction I could tell each one has a distinct personality. I think if people spent more time "meeting their meat," they would think twice before their next meal.

(Most) pigs love belly rubs just like dogs and snort with glee throughout! It's positively precious. Sebastian and Andy both remind me of Sugar and Tonka in different ways (personality-wise that is; physically they are HUGE!) I am looking forward to spending a lot more time with all of the pigs and all of the other animals. I mostly observed since I'm the strange new human, but I did give one a nice scratch since he came up to me curiously! 

After meeting the pigs, Becky showed me to Vegan House, where I'll be living. I had barely gotten my bedding all set on my bed before both cats made themselves right at home. I mean, it IS their home after all! They are super friendly. Their names are Sophia and Gabby. I am going to have a LOT of names to remember over the next few weeks...humans and animals alike! It's important to me to get to know every animal as an individual because that's what they are, just like us!

The other new intern will be here next week. There are two other girls here now, and a third who I believe just has the day off and isn't here. Right now I'm in a room with three beds by myself. Well, plus the cats, but the three of us are all on the same bed. :P 

I just saw the assigned house chores for this month on the refrigerator. I'm on Bathroom and Trash duty. Fun, right? :P I was hoping to never have to clean a "community" toilet again since 4H camp. No such luck. I'd much rather scoop animal poop than go anywhere near human's! Haha.

Tomorrow I have orientation with Becky at 8:30 AM. Days will typically start at 7 so that's nice. The shelter schedule on the fridge says that on Thursday I'll be doing checks, training to close sheds, and on security. I will have a 40-hour/week work schedule but it will change every day. I will also have two days off per week. I might go exploring the surrounding areas or just hang out with the beautiful and amazing animals right here!

And now...it's almost 10. Meant to be in bed by 9. Oops! Goodnight.

Here are some photos of Sophia & Gabby (before I knew who was who!) They are cuddlebugs! I didn't get any pictures of the pigs I visited because I didn't have my camera or phone on me at the time, but don't worry....I'll get TONS of pictures of each and every animal here :) 

A New Adventure

It's strange to think that for the next 32 days I will be sporting old tshirts, jeans, muck boots, and work gloves instead of my usual leotards, tights, character shoes, and mics...

In a couple hours I will be heading off to Watkins Glen to begin what I believe will be a life-changing experience: My internship at Farm Sanctuary! For those of you not familiar with Farm Sanctuary, it is an animal protection organization founded in 1986 by Gene Baur and Lori Houston, and serves as a home for various rescued animals while also promoting animal advocacy, welfare, protection, and vegetarianism/veganism. You can learn more at www.farmsanctuary.org

I'll admit I'm pretty nervous. Working with and caring for animals is one of my greatest passions, so I know this will be a wonderful opportunity for me, but I always get anxious about going to new places and doing new things. To be living somewhere else not in the comfort of my home, missing my family, and to be out of my usual routine of random odd-jobs, rehearsals, performances, and auditions is a bit of a scary change for me. (Who ever would have thought that I'd find "comfort" in constantly auditioning?) :P

I get some panic attacks when thinking about trying new things, but I'd rather be a little scared and go for it (and mostly likely have an amazing time) than not do it and regret it forever.

This cause is so important to me. I have been a vegetarian for years and recently began the transition to veganism. I have been an animal rights advocate my whole life, have worked as a shelter volunteer, rescue transport volunteer, have always had pets from various shelters and rescue organizations, and recently took my test to become a licensed Wildlife Rehabber. Animal (and human) rights are beyond important to me. While a lot of people claim this, many of them don't actually do anything to back up that claim. I'm not saying I'm trying to prove anything, I just realized "Hey, there is SO much more I could be doing to help out." This is just the beginning.

The internship I was accepted for is the Shelter Projects internship. This means I will be working very closely with the animals and will probably be covered with mud and poop every day. I honestly can't wait! As much as I love the world of theater, (performing is my other strongest passion, after all), it will truly be wonderful to have a break from the drama, the egos, the stage makeup, the perfect hair, the judgement, the competition, and the pressure to always sound and look exactly right. Not only will I be doing something extremely worthwhile and rewarding, I will also be getting in touch with another side of myself. Growing up with my dogs, turtle, and horse, of course I've had my share of messy days. But to not even think or care about what I look like or who is judging me for an entire month will be something I don't think has ever occurred in my past! Animals don't judge and love unconditionally, after all. :) If only all humans would return those sentiments.

Well, I'm off to finish packing up the couple things I have left, feed the squirrels (my mom is rehabbing 2 right now and I'm training under her!), give Shelldon some treats, walk Tonka and Sugar, and check in on Joey. I'm so sad to be leaving my own four-legged friends at home! I will miss them, my parents, and sister a lot but when I think about it a month isn't all that long. Broadway Theatre Project was 3 weeks and that pretty much flew by. I've just got to calm down my nerves, take a deep breath, and face everything with a positive attitude and embrace this new journey with open arms.

Quote of the day: 
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
-Mahatma Gandhi