Wednesday, July 25, 2007

We met Whisper!!




Some of you might remember Whisper, the Thanksgiving miracle turkey that we adopted back in the Fall. Well, we finally got to meet her at Farm Sanctuary this week! (Look how she's grown up, awww.)

Words can not express my love of this little bird and all of her companions that live here. So I'll just let pictures do most of the talking!



My favorite picture of Whisper and me. The turkeys love being rubbed under their wings. I really dig the blissed out expression on her face!



The turkeys were so playful and friendly on this day! You haven't lived until you've touched a turkey's wattle (the red fleshy skin under their neck). I was shocked at how incredibly soft it was- softer than a baby's finger!



This turkey is preening the way a male turkey would. The male turkey is kept separate from the female turkeys, and some of the female turkeys in turn take on male behaviors such as this.

And now, some animals other than turkeys that we got to meet and play with!

















If you ever have the chance to visit a farm sanctuary, you should do it. There is something so profoundly peaceful about hanging out with calm, contented farm animals living a happy life. As vegans, we too often associate farm animals with the suffering that the majority of them go through, so it's nice to be able to see what is possible, in a better world.

Oh, and if you visit Farm Sanctuary, you better come visit me in Syracuse!



Last but not least, a vegan ice cream cone from Great Escape ice cream shop in Watkins Glen. This was the only vegan flavor left the day we went (black raspberry), but I didn't mind- it was super creamy and delicious.

To read about our last visit to Farm Sanctuary, click here.

P.S. A special thanks to Dan at Farm Sanctuary, who led us on a leisurely tour and made sure to know which one Whisper was, even though we showed up too late for regular tour hours!


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32 comments:

radioactivegan said...

Is it just me or is that pig smiling?

bazu said...

I know! We had just finished giving the pig the rubbing of a lifetime, and he just sank back into the hay with this ecstatic look on his face. I'd be smiling too if 3 pairs of hands had just massaged me! =)

Nicole said...

What sweet animals! It sounds like a fantastic day :-)

I know the Great Escape! I had no idea that they had vegan ice cream... I'll have to check it out the next time I go to Elmira (my grandpa lives there).

Unknown said...

so lovely! I want to go there. now.

Neva said...

Such beautiful guys! Whisper is a star.

I've never been there, I really hope I'll make it all the way up there someday.

Kati said...

Awesome pictures - I can't wait to visit Farm Sanctuary. And vegan ice cream...from an ice cream shop...in upstate NY?? I'm so impressed and it looks delightful!

laura k said...

Ohh, how special!!! All those animals are so beautiful... Whisper included!

Theresa said...

What gorgeous photos. So great that you get to live so close to Farm Sanctuary!

Bridget said...

Oh Whisper is so beautiful! All of them are. But the pigs, they hold a special place in my heart. And I am so appreciative of Farm Santuary. I want to make it up there before the summer ends.

urban vegan said...

How timely of you to post this...did you see the HUGE article in today's NY Times food section?

I wonder if your Whisper and my Macadamia are friends....I want to go to FS one day and meet my adopted babies, Macadamia the Turkey and Agnes the Hen.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: you are adorable, Bazu.

Anonymous said...

i absolutely love the smiling pig !!

aTxVegn said...

What wonderful sweet pictures of all the animals! I've got to see right now if there's a farm sanctuary anywhere near me.

Susan Voisin said...

Oh, that smiling pig! I think I'm in love!

Anonymous said...

I was just wondering if any NY bloggers I knew had been there, after reading the NYT article today.

Did you happen to see Kathy, my adopted turkey?

I like the turkey photos, but I have to say, the cow photos are the best!

Crystal said...

Yay - you look like you had so much fun there and the animals really seemed to like the attention. Cute!

-Crystal

vko said...

Oh Bazu- you and Whisper are the cutest!

I love all these happy animals- I need to get up there soon and when I do, will definitely let you know since you have the "in" at the farm, heh heh.

I heart all their little animal faces in this post!

Unknown said...

Awwww! That is the sweetest thing ever! I am so glad you got to go & that you had fun!

Anonymous said...

Bazu, stop me if I've told you this--but when I adopted the turkey, they sent an email that said that my order would be shipped soon. I was like...huh? And when I told my teenaged daughter I'd adopted a turkey, her eyes got big and she said "Does Dad know?" She thought the turkey was actually going to come here. Then I sort of wished it could!

bazu said...

Kathy, that is hilarious! When we told our family members we had adopted a turkey, a lot of them thought it was like adopting a pet- as in, we are bringing her home with us! Ha ha- not only would the city not allow that, but the cats would probably not know how... to behave if we brought a turkey home!!

Anonymous said...

Your animal pictures are great! I bet that if people were to see pictures like yours up in the grocery store, they would think twice about what they were going to eat that night. How do you adopt an animal/turkey? I'd love to do something like that and save an animal from someone's dinner table. Thanks for a great blog, I always enjoy reading!

bazu said...

Thank you so much for your comment, Anonymous! I really do think that some people would be shocked to see that the animals we eat are so social and intelligent and cute- just like their pet dogs or cats.

To find out more about Farm Sanctuary's animal adoption program, click here: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/adopt/sponsor.htm
There are lots of animal rescue organizations, but this is how I adopted Whisper, and it's a good place to start!

KleoPatra said...

Bazu, i love this post!!! So wonderful in all ways. You are shining in the photos with the animals. They look so happy with you... obviously they know not to be in fear around you, that it is safe for them, that they are loved by you...

i just can't get over the great photos! So awesome!! The ice "cream" is great, too. But i keep lookin' at the live kids... made my day, you did! THANKS!

i really want to visit Farm Sanctuary and Best Friends Animal Society SO bad... worse than ever now!!

Anonymous said...

I love the photo of you and Whisper. You both look radiant and happy. Did you meet Sunflower, my turkey?

It is my goal to get up to the sanctuary this fall. I don't know for sure if it will happen but if it does a visit with you and Daiku is definitely a priority!

TB said...

bazu bazu bazuuu, i loved this post! look at that gorgeous smiling pig (i love pigs)! look at you and your whisper! i would love to go there so much. gorgeous.

Vegan_Noodle said...

Oh what an awesome post!! That is so cool that you got to meet your adopted turkey Whisper. How cute you two are together. I would love to visit a farm sanctuary, need to make some time for that soon.
Thanks for sharing!!

Emilie said...

Still can't believe we missed each other! It's so funny looking at your beautiful pictures and knowing that I basically took the same ones maybe just even hours from you taking yours!

Next time, right?

MeloMeals said...

I have been wanting to take a trip to the Sanctuary for a while now... so when I do.. I will definitely hope to hook up with you!

The animals here literally brought tears to my eyes... and you look so happy and beautiful with them...

I loved your massive zuke in the last post... those big ass dudes beg to be stuffed.. and yours looks to die for!

Kuntal Joisher said...

visiting farm sanctuary was one of the best experiences I had when I was in US.. I'm glad I did that..

anyways how r u doing??

~kunsjoi

meesh said...

Some day I am going to make it up to the Farm Sanctuary near Sacramento, CA. I am, I am, I am! :)

It looks like you had a wonderful day with all the critters. I love the happy cow pics. Those great big brown eyes just do me in. SO do the little goats...and the pigs...and..the chickens...and...awww geeze. They're all precious. Thanks for taking such terrific pictures and sharing them with us.

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

Awwww.... just awwww.....

Love the pictures! You look happy and the animals look happy that you're there to see them! HOW SWEET!

dreamy said...

I didn't knew turkeys can have blue head and neck :O The sheep looks so funny! Like he/she was shock or something hahaha...
And the piggy is so sweet when he/she is sleeping :) It must have been a lot of fun to be able to interact with the animals!

Jen said...

You and the animals just look so full of peace and love and goodness--free from fear, the way things should be. Thanks for sharing your visit with us!