Animal Sanctuary from B1

life: childhood afternoons spent swimming in creeks, throwing mud and playing with animals until dinner was ready. Today, her ranch is open to the community, and teaches kids about 4-H care and the importance of outdoor play.

“This whole project is just adorable,” said equine massage therapist Carol Townsend. “I couldn’t do it, but DK has the wherewithal and empathy. She got to know a lot of the kids sitting at the 4-H booths. One of the steers came up to her and licked her nose and she couldn’t resist.”

Each year, kids in the 4-H program purchase young livestock with the goal of growing the animal to a specific weight. At the Junior Auction at Cattlemen’s, they show their animals and sell them at a final auction — often using the profit for college funds or spending money. If their creatures fall short of the desired weight, however, they often go home with less profit or none at all.

A.J. Alton’s pig, Twig, which he raised with the help of his grandfather Steve Secofsky, fell short by five pounds this year.

“I know DK through the food pantry, and I made sure to tell her our tale of woe,” Secofsky said. “We barely missed our target weight. But DK goes, ‘Oh, I can buy it, I want to start an animal sanctuary.’ So A.J. got really excited, because he could come and help D.K. and see Twig. This will be a lifelong thing. I think A.J. found his niche.”

Hawk’s ranch is now the home to horses, steers, pigs, sheep, goats, donkeys and dogs. On the banks of a bubbling creek, the animals roam pastures and play in watering holes. Adjacent to the pens, shaded beneath a cottonwood tree, is a cobblestone area for storytime. Hawk hopes to bring groups to her ranch and introduce them to the friendly creatures. Currently, special education groups from Gunnison High School and Six Points make trips to the property, alongside the neighborhood grandkids and 4-H participants.

“I just turned 55 this year, and all I wanted for my birthday was to support kiddos in this Valley,” Hawk said. “I want kids to come out and pet a donkey and a cow and learn more about living in a ranching community. But when the kids come out we climb trees, we have water fights, swim in the ditch and throw water balloons. We get to be kids outside.”

In coming weeks, Hawk intends to name the ranch with the help of the community. She plans to use a voting system or raffle to determine the winner.

Even before the official name is announced, the ranch is already having an impact on local 4-H participants.

“We haven't worked out a schedule, but I'll regularly bring the kids out,” Secofsky said.

“They'll help DK with upkeep and care, and DK will teach them all about the other animals. I remember her repeatedly saying, ‘I bought the pig because I love the kid.’”

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)