Picnic at Peaceful Prairie

 Posted In: Everyday life — May 22, 2005 @ 9:35 pm — Peter

Friday night we made a quick decision to trek out to the Picnic at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary. We’ve been wanting to check the sanctuary out for a while now and this was a great event to attend for our first visit. We arrived right when things got started around noon and took a quick walk around the farm. After more people arrived, we got more brave about approaching the animals. I was very uneasy around some of these large guys, especially the ones equipped with horns that could do some damage if they got upset. We brought some produce with us to help us make friends and we quickly became popular with the goat crowd. One feisty goat named Michael was especially fond of Stephanie and kept following her around despite running out of carrots. I’m surprised we didn’t find him hiding in the backseat of our car when we got home!

Most important to me was the opportunity to get up close and personal with a cow. Well, in this case a bull. I’ve been vegetarian for 7 years now and vegetarian for longer… During this time, i’ve never had the opportunity to be around farm animals knowing I don’t contribute to their suffering. It was amazing to pet Sherman’s head and tell him “I would never eat you.”

I’m so happy we went to the picnic. After seeing how hard the crew works, we’ll massage our budget a bit and see about sponsoring a chicken next year. Thanks to Peaceful Prairie for giving these wonderful animals a second chance!

more pictures…

2 Responses to “Picnic at Peaceful Prairie”

  1. Mom Says:
    May 24th, 2005 at 7:20 am

    Hi Pete, Hi Stephanie,

    We loved the picnic pictures….and yep, Sherman is a cutie….looks like he liked you, too. Dad and I will sponsor an animal, too…..let us know the details….we will sponsor one for Baby 2.0 - it will be his/her farm pet.

    Stephanie, we hope you’re feeling better and better every day….I’ve been shopping for baby - it is so special when you are shopping for your very own grandchild - I spend hours in the baby departments lately and love every minute…get plenty of rest and eat whenever you can.

    Love,
    Mom

  2. Koenraad Says:
    May 26th, 2005 at 6:26 am

    Trying to find some information on the Web, I walked into your world… and I felt home…
    So much home that leaving it made me sad… But I think that your virtual footprint even so familiar is not the foot that printed the impression. So I wonder if we could have the chance to meet you? I red about the love for animals and the happiness about travelling… and the yesterday-mail of your mother… My sons are 8,6 and 1.8 years old and just a thought about them makes me smile. We live in Limburg, Close to Maaseik (www.maaseik.be)! And if our thoughts can help you … with anything…

    Koenraad, Ann, Pieter, Toon and Dries

    P.S. Today the weather is marvelous, with just that gentle breeze to sail with the 18 ft old Bergumer on the Maas-lakes, and if you (1 , 2, 3?) ever decide to visit the Netherlands or Anti-Bush-territory-Belgium you are very welcome.

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