Love
February brings Valentine’s Day and with it, flowers, romance, and great appreciation for our loved ones. I will definitely be spending some special time with Jay and adoring…
Teaching People Kindness and Compassion to Animals, Each Other and our Planet.
Dealing With Change
Years ago, one of our wise mother cows, Witness prepared to make her transition. The entire cow family gathered around her and took turns stepping forward, laying their heads on her side to pay their respects. Once the entire family said their goodbyes, they…
A Thousand Reasons
With the fires, evacuations, and deep concern for our oldest animals came lack of sleep, missed meals, fatigue, stress, the flu, and in the end, a three day hospital stay; it…
The Greatest Movement In History
In the style of the late Harvey Milk, my name is Ellie Laks and I want to recruit you! I’d like you to join me in the greatest movement in history! The atrocities…
A Warrior
Bonsai was an enormous, mighty, strong, brave, courageous, opinionated, and feisty giant who ironically came to us in a miniature horse’s body. He was the victim of severe abuse for his first six years of life until he was…
Twenty Years
It feels like a lifetime, and it’s gone by in a blink. I’m so grateful to have served the last 20 years and I am excited to…
Kindness Always
Having a sanctuary is amazing; hearing the animals’ soft noises as they eat and rest, smelling the earthy grass and fur aroma from the barnyard, and of course, getting to spend time with all these mystical creatures is pure magic. Living…
Little Details
This week we brought another one of our horses to the hospital. Caesar is now thirty-two years old. He has overcome past abuse, has opened up and come out of his shell, has become the…
Warrior
Our miniature horse Bonsai has been in and out of the hospital now for about three months. Initially, he had a very painful impaction and over time caused an infection in his intestines. This took a very long time to heal. Horses have bacteria in their gut, including salmonella, which is dormant when they’re healthy and strong, but when they have an elongated illness that bacteria can take over. Bonsai was diagnosed with salmonella last week, which has caused a lack of appetite, severe diarrhea, and extreme weight loss. There is no way to directly treat the salmonella, however with supportive care, like Sun Chlorella, acupuncture, massage therapy, energy work, fluids, tube feeding, probiotics, daily visits and love, and great vet care, Bonsai is finally getting better, slowly.
There was a time where Bonsai had lost so much weight, was so uncomfortable, and was feeling so weak, that I was wondering if he had had enough and wanted to transition...
There was a time where Bonsai had lost so much weight, was so uncomfortable, and was feeling so weak, that I was wondering if he had had enough and wanted to transition...
My Girl
Sasha was terribly afraid of humans. She had been started under saddle in a very cruel way and had lost all confidence in people, afraid that any mistake or hesitation would bring harsh retaliation. And I had an irrational fear of horses then. Sasha and I worked every day to heal each other. I would spend hours petting her and exploring her body with my fingers, uncovering all her sweet itchy spots. I would bury my face in her mane and her warmth and the floral scent would fill me with pure joy. I would brush her tail for hours, feeling like a kid with a new doll...
Upcoming Events
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A Gentle Thanksgiving 2020 - California
Tickets now on sale!
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A Gentle Thanksgiving 2020 - Missouri
Tickets now on sale!
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A Gentle Thanksgiving 2020 - Tennessee
Tickets now on sale!
Spotlight Sponsor of the Month
"Because Animals is a small company with a big mission: to create nutritious pet food without ever harming any animals or the environment. We believe that factory farming has no place in pet nutrition, which is why all of Because Animals' products are made without slaughtering animals. "
"Our ultimate goal is to end the raising and slaughtering of farmed animals to feed our pets.
Until we get to that point, we are so very grateful there are sanctuaries like The Gentle Barn’s three locations to give refuge to abused, tormented, neglected and suffering animals who deserve so much more from the world."
~Dr. Shannon Falconer, CEO, Because Animals