July/Aug 2015 Dog issue

Page 69

together since birth. It’s truly amazing to see, and certainly a quality I wish more people would emulate! MM: What’s been your most Maniac Moment since starting Hope Haven? KP: A memory that always makes me laugh occurred soon after we took in Rigby, the adolescent emu, from a farmer in Plum that had to get rid of his farm animals after he lost his job. Rigby has free range of the property since all 7 acres are perimeter fenced keeping the animals all safely enclosed. When I started the Hope Haven I put my own home up for rent so I could live in the little ranch farm house and care for the animals. I was still adjusting to living alone in a new house in the middle of the woods when Rigby joined the family. So one evening around dusk i had just put on my pjs after a relaxing shower. I shuffled into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water when I was abruptly face-to-face with wide-eyed, frizzly-haired creature in my window! I am still not sure if Rigby peeking through that window scared me more than my blood-curdling scream frightened her! MM: What does the future hold in store for Hope Haven? KP: We have spent every ounce of energy making the farm safe and comfortable for our deserving animals, but we now would like to bolster the educational aspect of the Haven. We hope to add more displays and signage to the property to elevate the experience for our visitors and impart as much knowledge as we can about the plight of Pittsburgh’s abused and neglected farm animals, as well as all the voiceless farm animals worldwide. We also dream of expanding to help more animals and create a lively and productive volunteer center. With enough support from compassionate and generous Pittsburgh supporters we can even aspire to purchasing a larger farm with more amenities for our incredible farm animal ambassadors! Won’t you join us? Find out more by visiting www.hopehavenfarm.org/index.html, and be sure to like them on Facebook, and follow them on twitter @hopehavenfarm.

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