12-14-09

Cody, Rascal, Nemo, Banjo and Parcy all loaded up into the trailer for a big day. They are all so very cute and we have really enjoyed having the 4 new boys at the rescue. We are so thankful that they were pulled out of what most likely would have been a painful and short life.


Parcy is staying at the vet as he has some medical procedures that need to be done. He's going to be castrated and dehorned. He is such a little guy, three weeks old and smaller than the day old calves.

We have some very exciting news! All 4 of the calves have been given a forever home at Home at Last Sanctuary. At first they were only going to adopt two, but then they decided to take all 4. Their granddaughter is so thrilled with the new additions to the sanctuary.

We are so excited that Home at Last has opened their home to all 4 of these precious boys. We hope and pray that every calf that is rescued can find its forever home at a sanctuary.

Our hay guys that deliver hay to the rescue so often brought a great big bag out and said "Santa has come early" while he handed the bag to Tawnee. Inside were all kinds of calf bottles and other calf related items that he was donating to the calf rescue effort. Thank you so much Ray!

12-9-09

The calves are all are very cute, and at feeding time when they are all together, they get into a big competition. It's a real feeding frenzy.

Cody is a really cute little guy with his white socks and white tip on his tail. He really loves being able to run around in the round pen and kick up his heels for joy. It's a real gift knowing that these little guys can experience freedom, love and compassion.

All the calves love the great big horse soccer ball. They love licking it more than anything. Sorry guys, that's not where milk comes from!

A little girl spent a lot of time with the boys during their nap time today, just snuggling up with them, letting them know they are loved. She also sang songs to them, it was really cute. When she saw them run, she said "They're like me, they like to get out and run!" How very true.

Banjo really enjoyed curling up in the sun during his nap time. He looked so peaceful.

We have some wonderful news! A sanctuary contacted us, and has offered to give Nemo and Cody a forever home where they can live forever, roaming the hills and eating grass. How exciting! As the program grows, we are hoping to find more sanctuary organizations and sponsors for the calves giving them that wonderful gift of life. It is so wonderful to be able to save them from a life that only knows pain and suffering, but how much more wonderful would it be to offer them the gift of a long and happy life too!

We received many encouraging emails, this one we just wanted to share: "I just wanted to let you guys know that I have been so touched with the new program that has been started for the baby calves. It was so heart breaking to see the way those babies were being treated, its so hard to understand how people can be so cruel. You are truly an angel. I want you to know, that for me, saving these babies to give them a peaceful and loving end is truly a blessing for them and heaven will definitely have a spot for you with many critters waiting to be reunited with you~ God Bless you and your family for all you do." Thank you for your encouragement!

12-6-09

Parcy always enjoys getting out and helping with the morning chores. We've had some people ask if Parcy is in the Last Act of Kindness program. No, our mascot is not in the Last Act of Kindness program and will be living at the rescue. We would love to have some sponsors for him!

It was a livestock auction rescue day, this time the staff were a little more prepared. Tawnee packed little bags with the right ratio of colostrum, electrolytes and milk replacement.

Today's calf rescue was taking place at the Petaluma Livestock auction. We did not make it to the auction in time to bid on the calves, but another person stepped forward to do that for us.

After the calves were all loaded up they all enjoyed their first meal. They were starving little ravenous calves. The calf's, closest to the camera, umbilical cord was not even dried yet he was so young. They're not the typical veal calves, but any day old calve is most likely a victim of the veal industry if not rescued from that terrible fate.

After their tummy's were filled they all laid down for a nice nap on the way back to the rescue. We would like to thank Jennifer G for her generous support in enabling these calves to know love. Thank you Jennifer for saving Rascal, Nemo, Banjo and Cody.

We would like to thank Suzanne M. for donating the funds for another calf to be rescued from that terrible fate. We know many of you may find this mission of mercy hard to understand, but just think, how would these little calves be living right now if they were not at the rescue, knowing love and warm milk? Factory farming is an industry that has a lot of byproducts. These little calves are one of them and they don't deserve to suffer just because they are a "byproduct."

12-6-09

We are excited to announce that our website launched today. We are officially taking donations to save calves from their terrible fate. Click here to visit the website. Our web address is: www.SaveTheCalf.com.

On the donate page of the website there is the opportunity to sponsor Parcy. He is the cute little guy that was first rescued from the auction. We are planning on increasing our sponsorship program as interest develops.

We are very excited that Jennifer G. has donated $500 to save 5 calves from a life of pain and suffering. It costs $100 for the rescue, transportation, feed, medication, and then to give them the last gift of kindness. Any donation will be greatly appreciated as this program is launching. We will primarily be rescuing Holstein and Jersey calves as they are the most common byproduct of the dairy industry.

12-2-09

Parcy is really starting to enjoy morning chores. He just runs along, looking for someone to play with and something to do. Such a cute little guy! He is starting to find his "spot" in the world, knowing that he fits in and is loved.

11-30-09

The day was mostly spent doing office work that had to be done. While the chores were being done outside, Parcy made it very clear that he did not want Tawnee to disappear inside. He tugged at her jacket like a puppy.

Jason had to clean out the horse trailer and Parcy wanted to help. He was told he's a bit too small to move the manure out, but he was welcome to stand around and watch. He felt quite grown up being on top of the hill all by himself.

11-29-09

This morning Tawnee decided it was time for Parcy to socialize a little bit. Off to the mini pen they went. Macho Man was quite intrigued, but Parcy couldn't quite figure out why the black bundle of hair was following him around.

Pretty soon Parcy realized it wasn't the grizzly bear he had imagined, but instead a cute little horse the same size as him. Macho Man thinks that Parcy is really cute, but definitely speaks a different language.

A little visitors at the rescue had fun playing with Parcy. She said "He's such a cute baby horse!" We had to clear that misconception up.

11-25-09

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful that little Parcy's purpose in life is not a piece of veal on a plate. We are also thankful for good old Jack too.

11-22-09

Parcy is now at the rescue and doing great. He is so full of joy and life. This morning he walked up, put his face in the camera and stuck out his tongue: just like a goofy kid.

He got his first walk about the rescue today while the stalls where being cleaned. He kept looking around, you could almost see him trying to figure out where he fits into this great big world.

He kept looking for his mommy, walking up to people and horses, but he just can't find her. Dakota, while feeling sympathy for the poor little guy, had to tell him that he is not his mommy. It is so sad, but we're all glad that this little guy is here and doing so well. Some of you may have watched the Humane Society investigation video we linked to the day he was rescued. If he wasn't here, he probably would have been slaughtered in a slaughterhouse, died from neglect or be a prisoner in a veal crate.

11-19-09

Parcy has got everyone wrapped around his little hooves at vet office. Even Cindy, who answers the phone at the vet, had to come out and feed him. It was her very first time ever feeding a calf.

11-18-09

At the vet, little Parcy was bright eyed and chipper. He seemed to be happy to see Tawnee, at least that is what she says.

Parcy was able to go outside and stretch his legs. He definitely enjoyed getting out and moving around. At one point he took off running at full speed, probably the first time in his life, but it was on uneven ground. He hit a bump and took a spill. In no time he was up and going again. The vet says he is definitely stronger today and she can see a big difference.

11-17-09

Parcy made it through his first night at the rescue just fine. He kept getting disturbed by Tawnee checking on him throughout the night. Parcy would like to thank those that have sent donations on his behalf and for the outpouring of emotional support.

After a good meal, it was time for him to see the vet. Parcy was ready to go and quickly found his blankey.

When Tawnee arrived at the vet Parcy was curled up on his blankey, wondering what this adventure would hold. He sure is a cute little guy!

Parcy was carried into the vet office where Dr Weaver could evaluate him.

Dr Weaver examined Parcy and made up a feeding schedule for him. She also figured out what medications he needs to give him a boost in life. Day old calves that are pulled from their mothers rarely get to drink their mother's milk so they don't get the extremely important colostrum. This makes it very hard for them to survive. We are told his hind legs should be fine as he gains strength. Dr Weaver gave him a couple shots, which he wasn't too keen on, but no one ever said you have to love your doctor.

It was decided the little guy will spend a few days at the vet office. Parcy is all snuggled in with his security blanket ready a nice nights rest.

11-16-09

After a long drive Jason and Tawnee arrived at the Petaluma Livestock Auction, not really planing an rescuing calf.

This is a livestock auction, and Tawnee had in the back of her mind that there would be day old calves there. About a week ago she watched a video by the Humane Society of the United States which showed the absolute horror of an infant calf slaughter house. So many people think that drinking milk doesn't hurt the animals. Only cows that have given birth produce milk. One of the "byproducts," male calves, are more often than not sent to become veal. This video will change your life, but it is very hard to watch. A graphic warning for those that cannot bare to watch animals being butchered alive. They are only babies too. Click here or click the picture below.

Of course, at the auction there is the pen that holds the day old calves. Heart wrenching!

One little calf in particular caught Tawnee's sympathetic eye. He looked a lot like a calf she raised when she was a little girl. When Tawnee was little, her and her mom would go to auctions and buy day old calves. Sadly, all the ones from auctions died from being too weak because of being torn away from their moms at birth. One calf Tawnee did successfully raised was from a dairy that allowed their calves to nurse for a few days before selling them.

The goats, sheep and pigs had been sold off, when a man came into the calf pen and started stirring them up to get them ready for the sale ring. Tawnee made a mad dash for her seat in the auction ring. She sat down, a couple calves went through, and then one special little guy came in and Tawnee just had to spend some of her pocket change to buy him for only $5.

On the way back to the rescue, Jason and Tawnee stopped to check on everyone in the trailer. The little calf was very hungry, but all we had was water. The calf was sucking on Tawnee's fingers, so she brought the water bottle up and it drank it with glee.

The sun was setting as they drove back to the rescue.

At the first Tractor Supply they came to, they stopped to get the milk replacer for the calf and a bottle. Once again, not using rescue funds. It's pretty sad that just the bottle to feed the calf was about as much as the calf.

The baby was so incredibly happy to get some milk in his tummy. Baby's are supposed to eat regularly, not be pulled from their mommy's at birth, tossed in the back of a trailer, dumped at an auction where they are shoved and pushed around for hours on end.

The calf now named Parcy: Tawnee is not entirely sure what the future is for this cute little guy, but she couldn't sit back and let him suffer the fate that is seen in the video when only $5 was in between him suffering or not. He has a limp one of his hind legs, no doubt from being drug around.

Little Parcy is sleeping peacefully now and is waiting for a new day and a new adventure. Tawnee says if we keep going to auctions with day old calves, there needs to be a fund named "The First Gift of Love." Saving these babies from a terrible death and giving them one of love and compassion is the least we could do. They're only babies!