As I write this I'm sitting on the edge of our pond in Missouri and my heart swells with joy to be creating our third Gentle Barn and making a home for Chico and his brothers. After being raised as objects, sent to their deaths, running for their lives, captured, and losing Spirit, this life serenaded by Cicadas and bull frogs, kissed by the sun, caressed by the breeze, shaded generously by the woods, and healed by our love is everything they deserve!

Everywhere I look there is life! Butterflies float past as if they have all the time in the world. Bees fly from flower to flower with urgency and purpose. The air fills our nostrils with such a sweet grassy, floral fragrance, it's intoxicating. There are flowers and mosses in every color. We have found different types of mushrooms, insects and birds. Every day is an adventure into a magical wonderland of beauty. The energy here is clean and pure and full of possibilities. I cannot wait to bring the St Louis Six home!

We have been here for just nine days and have already accomplished so much. We have set up the house and office; we've cleaned, cleared, posted, gated, and fenced two pastures; and we have begun setting up relationships with local veterinarians. We still have so much to get done, but we're off to a great start! We still need to prepare the barns, build more stalls, create a gift shop, and fence two more giant pastures and woods. If we get enough help from the community, and keep our furious pace, we will finish fencing in August and be able to bring the cows home in September. The boys will need time to adjust and settle in, but we'll hopefully be able to open our doors in mid to late September. All of this is subject to change, but that's our goal.

Meanwhile, Chico and his family are continuing to thrive in their foster home. We have wanted to accomplish as much as possible so we have not taken a break yet to go see them. Next week we'll take a day off to visit them. I cannot wait to see them and share them with you.

We still desperately need your help to complete our set up and open our doors to the community. We need to purchase a truck, trailer, utility cart, and tools. If you haven't already, please contribute to our GoFundMe campaign!

The boys still need names. If you haven't already, please donate any amount and submit a name for a cow. If your name wins, you'll also win a hand made, one of a kind, crocheted cow doll!

Rick Springfield has jumped in to help us by auctioning off a platinum album, concert tickets, and a private meet and greet backstage! Bidding ends on August 15th; don't miss this opportunity to meet your heart throb! All proceeds go to support The Gentle Barn Missouri.

We cannot do this without you. Thank you so much for being in this with us and enabling us to do this work. When the cows come home, when we save many more animals who have nowhere else to go, and when we bring hopeless children in to heal with them, we'll all be so proud of what we did together!