inspiration

The nineteenth of March 2020

goats, pigs

We are going to pause our March of Pigs for an opportunity for some quarantine fun and fundraising.

Cooped up inside, being socially distant, canceling plans, routines and holidays can be a huge bummer. Take a break from the chaos and enjoy a virtual tour of The Haven Zoo!

Just like everyone, the Haven is doing its part to support social distancing to stop the spread of coronavirus, and have closed their gates to in-person visitors. However, the Haven relies on donations to keep the animals healthy and fed. So you can support the Haven AND continue to practice good social distancing by booking a virtual tour of the zoo plus a special viewing of feeding time! Book your virtual tour here.

Scientists and public health experts have asked that we all keep at least six feet or two meters apart from one another. That can be a bit difficult to visualize. Perhaps some of our camelid pals from the Haven can help us out – a llama is about six feet long, so maintain a llama distance apart to stay safe and stop the spread! And of course, keep washing your hands.

The eighteenth of March 2020

pigs

Social interactions are a little weird lately. The very few times I have ventured out, I have made sure to keep a safe distance, even from my good friends. These are simple adjustments we all have to make to stay safe. Social distancing supports your community and keeping that 2m or 6 foot distance will help stop the spread. We will all be able to share in an epic high five and hug eventually, but for now keep your distance and wash your hands.

The sixteenth of March 2020

goats, pigs

It seems strange to keep writing little things and posting pictures of pigs and then goats, but here we are. I assure you, I fully intend to carry on; however, at some point, I may run out of photographs. So, please send me your goat photographs, pig photographs, and whatever else you got to goat.of.the.day.blog@gmail.com

That said, I have been told to limit all non-essential social contact for at least three months. It is really hard to have to stop going to work and doing a lot of things I love to do out and about and in the community, BUT maybe something wonderful will come out of all of that. Maybe, with all of the time I will create something beautiful, or develop a new skill, or read and learn about fantastic things. And most importantly, I will be doing my part to stop the spread of the coronavirus. What a time to be alive.

The fifteenth of March 2020

pigs

Think of something happy and wonderful today. It may be hard, but there is always SOMETHING. Even if it’s as simple as you enjoyed a wonderful meal, had a good cup of coffee or saw something funny on the internet.

The fourteenth of March 2020

pigs

There is so much information out there about how to handle current events. The best advice is of course, stay calm and wash your hands. Washing your hands protects you, your loved ones and your community and is generally just a good idea. Even in normal circumstances, hand washing is important to prevent the spread of disease and to stay healthy – and to help keep your loved ones who may have compromised immune systems healthy.

The twelfth of March 2020

pigs

Feeling overwhelmed? The past week it may have felt like an overload of information. It is perfectly ok sometimes to switch off, turn off your phone, ignore social media, and shut down notifications. Rest comes in many forms, and even when the news seems to change every hour taking a mental break is key to staying sane.

The fifth of March 2020

goats, pigs

Meet Avery, the official spokespig of the Haven Zoo. She is a friendly, miniature pot-bellied pig who enjoys a few special privileges such as spending time in doors. She helped promote the Haven before they acquired the land that the goat herd, pigs, llamas, donkey, horses and a few primates now enjoy. When she is not promoting the Haven, she enjoys sleeping, eating, hanging out with her puppy friends, and getting into shenanigans like opening cabinets and rifling through the trash. To be fair, I also enjoy sleeping, eating, hanging out with puppies and shenanigans too. Avery is such a character that even her parrot friend has learned to yell “Avery!”

The second of March 2020

goats, pigs

So, much like caprices, pigs are fascinating creatures. They often get a bad reputation for being dirty and gluttonous. On the contrary, pigs actually don’t wallow and eat their own filth, when given an opportunity to live freely as their wild boar cousins do, scientists have noted they practice food hygiene and clean things before they consume them. It is only when pigs are kept in small enclosures without much space to do their thing that pigs get mistaken for being willing to eat anything. In that way, pigs are just like any other creature, just trying to make the best with what they have.