Sanctuary Groupie: Yoga Animalia Project Blog

Jake: Old Man of the Moon

Yoga Animalia: Caprine - Jake, New Moon Farm Goat Rescue & Sanctuary, Arlington, Washington

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Yoga Animalia: Caprine - Jake

New Moon Farm Goat Rescue & Sanctuary

Arlington, Washington

Jake with sanctuary founder & farm director Ellen Felsenthal

After having met thousands of sanctuary residents from coast to coast, I've come to realize that certain individuals will instigate relationships that stick with me, despite perhaps only meeting them for a brief visit. Rather than think of this as favoritism on my part or theirs, I have come to think of it as no different than the humans with whom I have varying levels of relationship. Certain individuals feel like they have been part of my world for ages.

Jake goat was one such who demanded a level of intimacy from our very first meeting. He struck me as the kind of grandfather some experience: the one whose adventures continue unabated into elder life, unmitigated by concerns about leaving gates unopened or potential treats undiscovered. He was bold in character and in body, with his massive horns and toothy smile. My two visits to New Moon included following and being followed around by Jake, enjoying his company and his elder goat wisdom and moxie.

Jake assisting in the demolition of sanctuary property, aka the best goat scratching area, or rather, anywhere convenient when an itch occurs.

The actual goat scratching device. Apparently good too.

When I first arrived at New Moon, it was Jake who greeted me, despite being in an area where goats were not supposed to be. A gate was no obstacle for him however, as he figured out how to open them. He assumed the critical responsibility of being the greeter goat, and this extended to ensuring my time at the sanctuary was full of goat scratches. Jake was also frequently instrumental in the goat care classes that Ellen leads, and he helped educate so many humans as to the appropriate number of treats to be offered (all of them, obviously), in addition to the details about proper caprine care such as hoof trimming and anatomy and toxic plants.

Dandelion treats since the humans seem to have run out of decent offerings.

When I saw New Moon post about Jake's death, it struck me intensely. Though there was deep sorrow in learning this, he had a long, amazing life, and knowing him fills me with joy, as I know it does the many people with whom he was connected. I am honored to share these images and stories about his life. What also struck me were the beautiful tributes that poured in to the New Moon Facebook post about his death, testament that Jake touched many lives, so much so that a wake was held at one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle, No Bones Beach Club. A powerful figure was Jake in the sanctuary world, and one who will be dearly missed.

Jake's life and his celebration after death reaffirm for me the importance of sanctuary: holding space for connection. And treats, don't forget lots of treats.

The very first image from New Moon I edited, and still my favorite, showcasing his grin and reminding me of traipsing about learning his caprine ways.

Resident Spotlight: Owen

Yoga Animalia: Bovine - Owen

Kindred Spirits Sanctuary, Ocala, Florida

Your resident spotlight this week focuses on a handsome bovine who resides at Kindred Spirits Sanctuary where I am currently staying. Sometimes I look out my bedroom window and Owen and his herd are casually grazing nearby. My first visit to Kindred was with the intent of photographing Owen specifically for LAIKA magazine. I have had the great privilege to photograph him on many occasions now.

Yoga Animalia: Bovine - Owen, Kindred Spirits Sanctuary, Ocala, Florida

Yoga Animalia: Bovine - Owen, Kindred Spirits Sanctuary, Ocala, Florida

Born on a small beef farm, Owen’s mother likely had a disease or deficiency that led to his eyes improperly developing. Blind at birth, the young calf was seen as a waste of time and money, but rather than shoot him as many would, they contacted Kindred Spirits to take him. This unexpected bout of compassion extended to them allowing Owen to stay with his mother for a month before coming to sanctuary, but sadly did not include them surrendering her. At Kindred Owen has bonded with his small herd, including subsequent generations of calves. He can often be seen gentling and lovingly licking herdmates.

Owen Kindred Spirits Sanctuary Ocala Florida
Betty and Owen

Betty and Owen

Yoga Animalia: Bovine - Owen Kindred Spirits Sanctuary, Ocala, Florida
Brownie and Owen, with wild egret friends taking advantage of what the steers' hooves unearth.

Brownie and Owen, with wild egret friends taking advantage of what the steers' hooves unearth.

Editing, Editing, Editing

Yoga Animalia: Caprine - Jack, Skylands Animal Sanctuary & Rescue, Wantage, New Jersey

Yoga Animalia: Caprine - Jack, Skylands Animal Sanctuary & Rescue, Wantage, New Jersey

A reality of how I edit photos: it makes very little logical sense. I'll confess it. I have found in the past if I am very regimented and work through them methodically, there is a lack of creative juice that I believe dilutes the potency of the individual's portraits. Or maybe I'm just too finicky and need to get the darn photos edited!

So I have been compromising a bit - editing a few from each sanctuary, doing small steps here and there. It very likely is far from the most efficient, but then I come across a photo like this one, demanding immediate full edits. 

I distinctly remember capturing this image because Jack is a goat who most assuredly does not want humans in his space. Patience and luck were the source of this sunset capture: patience to let Jack be Jack and me not to be a totally obnoxious interloper whilst I watched the sun dip lower and lower, and that hefty dose of luck that let it all work in time to catch the sun through the trees.

Sunset and sunrise photos are a particular favorite of mine, and given the opportunity, I love staying at a sanctuary to attempt to capture them. I find it highly amusing that Jack is one of the Skylands residents with whom I managed this feat. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that another one I might have gotten of Grover sheep will be equally as magical. It is hopefully somewhere among the 3400 photos of Skylands residents!

East to South to West and Back Again

Frosty, Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, Angleton Texas

Frosty, Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, Angleton Texas

Oh, the Places You'll Go! Wisdom from Dr. Seuss that I recall as July finds me writing to you from San Francisco. Back in the middle of May I traveled south from my winter abode in Pennsylvania to Full Circle Farm Sanctuary near Atlanta, experiencing the beautiful new property to which they moved. Driving through southern parts new to my eyes, I trekked west in time for the New Orleans VegFest to bring some sanctuary love to NOLA, a city of many people who needs must travel 6-8 hours to find the nearest farm animal sanctuary. Then it was south of Houston to Rowdy Girl Sanctuary located in Angleton, Texas. My Prius got some long overdue doctoring before I headed northwest to Santuario de Karuna in Tijeras, New Mexico, very near Albuquerque. Afterward I trekked in to my home state to celebrate at Oakland VegFest.
    June passed in a beautiful SoCal fog of newborn human baby time as I stayed in Ventura, California and helped my best friend as she birthed my newest niece. The festival season is just ramping up though, so back on the road I go!
    I will be wrapping up my Northern California travels with a stop to visit Sweet Farm in Half Moon Bay this Friday. NorCal has seen a sprouting of new sanctuaries, and earlier this week I visited Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary in Santa Rosa, Flip Side Sanctuary in Sebastopol, and Rancho Compasión in Nicasio, all very near San Francisco. I hope you enjoy the first photos of these visits in this blog post!
    Thank you for your continued support, and if a sanctuary resident's portrait can fit in your life or the life of someone you love, visit my Etsy page or send me an email at Cameron@YogaAnimalia.com. May so much joy find you!
    Cameron

Joon, Rancho Compasión, Nicasio, California

Joon, Rancho Compasión, Nicasio, California

Ryan Gosling, Full Circle Farm Sanctuary, Warm Springs, Georgia

Ryan Gosling, Full Circle Farm Sanctuary, Warm Springs, Georgia

Hondo, Santuario de Karuna, Tijeras, New Mexico

Hondo, Santuario de Karuna, Tijeras, New Mexico

Betty, Flip Side Sanctuary, Sebastopol, California

Betty, Flip Side Sanctuary, Sebastopol, California

Noll, Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary, Santa Rosa, California

Noll, Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary, Santa Rosa, California