A whole new ball game as they say here. The outside winter conditions are not only beautifully harsh but can be full of life, especially at Chenoa Manor. Every morning, excluding the first week I was back when everyone was becoming familiar with me, the animals would run up and greet me. In particular, Bette and Gina - the two new additions to the swine group since I was last here. Gladys, Margot and Hernando remembered my footsteps and the good old sound of food swishing around in the little green bucket.
General life at Chenoa Manor hasn't changed much in the last two years. I say that things haven't changed, but as the weeks rolled by more and more things began to appear differently. My memory of how Chenoa Manor functioned kicked back in but by the end of February the changes were becoming apparent: the old milking parlor had taken shape into something spectacular, and all the animals appeared to be relieved that the snow storms were over and seemed to be anticipating spring. As before, the horses and I have gotten along very well - Lorelei in particular became my favourite. There is no particular reasoning, just a feeling of strong bonding. Rob had mentioned that she had minor problems with people. When I heard this, it sparked my interest and made me pay more attention to her behavior and character, hence strengthening our relationship.
What I found amazing was the way the rabbits lived in the snow-storm. As soon as the storm was over they were busy digging a network of tunnels which allowed them to keep warm during the freezing nights. Surprisingly, their neighbours, the chickens, flew over to join them for a little cuddle in the night, where both parties would rest happily throughout one of the harshest winters experienced in PA. This goes to show how two completely different species can live in harmony during a stressful time without having any major problems.
The group of pigs impressed me this winter, bouncing about creating paths in the snow as I approached them with their breakfast. They did not complain at all. As I stood there watching them shovel a mixture of snow and food down their throats I was amazed to see how energetic they were. Probably even more so than in the summertime, as they have no thick hair coat, they have to keep running around in order for them to stay fairly warm. I remember one Sunday they even joined in on a snowball fight with the Church Farm School boys. Fun times!
Lastly, one of the things I really appreciated during my visit, were the continuous visits from the Church Farm School crew. The enthusiastic, mischievous boys were, and still are, very supportive in terms of taking care of the animals at Chenoa Manor. There were some regular faces at the weekends, and the new ones would learn quickly from their colleague leaders. I recognized that some of the students had never been exposed to such creatures and it was amazing to see the initial reaction of some of the boys. The curious ones always had repeat visits, even if they were still unsure about the daily life at the sanctuary. Their help was especially valued during the time after the February snow storm when the list of activities became endless. These lively, curious boys learned an enormous amount, from basic moral values to the treatment of their fellow friends. The relationship which the boys built with the animals was based on trust and respect and so, with a little bit of the animals' history and therefore some concept of an animal's life, the boys were then able to project this understanding into their own lives and social situations.