Promised Land Animal Sanctuary

15/06/2026

I spent last week at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and this weekend volunteering at The Berkshire Yoga Festival.

The contrast wasn’t lost on me. At Kripalu, my biggest responsibility was remembering which workshop I was supposed to be in and taking the longest showers I’ve enjoyed since 2017. I learned that self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s necessary maintenance. Like changing the oil, except with yoga bolsters and lentil soup.

Then I headed to Jimminy Peak and immediately slipped back into volunteer mode. Helping check in guests, answering questions and generally doing my part to keep the wheels turning.

I had a chance to see what it takes to put on a great festival and meet its founders Andrew Tanner and Scott Kleinfeld. Like every good event organizer, they spent most of the weekend doing non-stop laps, solving problems nobody else knew existed. When a festival runs smoothly, people assume it just happens. It doesn’t. There’s always someone behind the scenes finding a missing microphone, rerouting traffic or preventing a minor catastrophe involving tents, weather or hoomans.

It reminded me a lot of sanctuary life. Visitors see peaceful horses grazing, happy pigs napping and a calm tour guide talking about compassion. They don’t see the spreadsheets, the feed deliveries, the broken fences, the vet calls and the occasional emergency that arrives just before dinner. Funny thing is that serving comes naturally to me. Caring for animals. Helping guests. Volunteering. That’s the easy part.

The harder lesson came from a yoga bolster at Kripalu. It’s okay to support yourself. It’s okay to let other people support you too. For the first time in nine years, I stepped away from the sanctuary because I trusted others to care for the animals while I was gone. Judy held down the fort. Eric and Raquel spoiled my velcro dog Billie. The animals were loved, fed and completely unimpressed by my absence.

Turns out the world doesn’t fall apart when we take a break. Sometimes the most important service we can offer is allowing ourselves to receive a little of the care we spend so much time giving away.

I return home rested, grateful and now carrying a new title: Grandma. May my grandson grow up in a world where kindness is stronger than fear, compassion is louder than division and peace is more contagious than conflict. May there be peace in Israel. Peace in Gaza. Peace in Ukraine. Peace in Sudan. Peace in our communities. Peace in our homes. And may there be peace for all beings, everywhere. If you haven’t yet, please do check out the book I wrote for the lil peanut : promisedlandsanctuary.org/kidskorner

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a sanctuary to get back to and a shower standard that has become completely unreasonable. 💚🚿🐐

09/06/2026

Everyone needs a break sometimes. Especially the rescuers. So we’re officially hitting pause until June 21 for some much-needed rest, recovery and self-care. That means: no farm stays, no tours, no intakes, no meetings, no screens, no solving everyone else’s emergencies.

For the first time in nine years, I’m taking a little me time. If you call and can’t reach me, please don’t worry. Nothing is wrong. I’m probably sitting quietly in a lotus position by a mountain lake and very intentionally ignoring my phone. The animals and I will be back on June 21, rested, recharged and ready to save the world again.

Until then, be kind to yourselves. We’re trying to learn how to do the same. ❤️🐷🐴🐑🐓

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

Thanks to The Eric S. Margolis Foundation , this old barn is finally getting the facelift it desperately deserves. The south-facing side has taken a beating over the years, with rotting and missing boards that have seen better days. We’re incredibly grateful that the foundation has our residents’ backs… and now, apparently, their side too. ❤️

03/06/2026

Noble. The one thing I’m powerless to save him from is getting old. There are subtle and not so subtle shifts. From taking longer to settle at night to full blown panic attacks. One of the hardest promises to make in sanctuary is “forever.” Not because we don’t mean it, but because eventually “forever” asks something of us. I can’t save him from getting old. I’ve watched my dad age and now i watch animals age and there is no difference. So I’m watching. Listening. Paying attention. Not just for signs of dying. But for signs that he’s still living. Lesson from an old sheep.

01/06/2026

🌈 ROCK OUT WITH YOUR C**K OUT 🐓
It’s Pride Month and here at Promised Land Animal Sanctuary, we’re proud supporters of love, acceptance and fabulous roosters of every shape, size and attitude. Whether you’re rocking rainbow feathers, a questionable haircut or a personality that can be heard from three concessions away, you’re welcome here. Our sanctuary is home to a whole flock of rescued roosters who were abandoned simply for being who they are: loud, dramatic and always convinced they’re the main character. This month, we’re celebrating diversity, compassion and the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to belong.

So strut your stuff.
Shake your tail feathers.
And remember:
Love is love.
A c**k is a rooster.
And every rooster deserves a happily-ever-after. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

P.S. No c**ks were harmed in the making of this post. One’s ego was slightly inflated. 🐓

01/06/2026

A huge tail-wagging, hoof-stomping thank you to our pawsome friends Paulmac's Pet Food Campbellford for hosting this fundraiser for us for the third year running! We are so grateful for your continued support and kindness.

Get ready to make a difference! 🐾

​It’s Pet Appreciation Month, and we are thrilled to support the wonderful animals at Promised Land Animal Sanctuary 💚

​Our goal is to raise $2,500 to help improve and replace the roof on their pig barn! 🐖 These animals deserve a clean, dry, sheltered place to stay when it's raining, so come in the store today and donate to this INCREDIBLE local rescue!

We also have our raffle table out and all ticket donations will go towards this amazing rescue also! 💚

​🗓 Mark your calendars: The fundraiser is ALL MONTH. Keep your eye out for some pretty awesome upcoming events also! 😉

​All proceeds go directly to Promised Land Animal Sanctuary, so please help us spread the word and reach our goal 💪🏻