A rescued
animal's first “song”
Here at Pasado’s Safe Haven, we have witnessed the emotional scars of abandonment and abuse. When companion animals are mistreated or simply cast aside, there is a lasting impact on their hearts and souls.
It often takes awhile for our rescues who come through the gates of Pasado’s sanctuary
to realize that they are free and safe. Their eyes avoid
our helpful gazes - they are silent, withdrawn, and despairing.
Pasado's will never forget the day we rescued 1,000 chickens from deplorable conditions at an egg farm.
We were struck by the chickens’ eerie silence. We couldn’t imagine the atrocities that these normally social and gregarious animals must have experienced.
Their silence spoke volumes.
This silence is shown by other animals, as well. Abandonment is especially difficult for middle-aged and older cats, who become deeply depressed in shelters. They cry at first, but when their cries go unanswered by a master or mistress who will never return, they
too, succumb to silence. At area shelters, the
dogs who we rescue look out from behind their
cage bars with only glints of hope left.
Our rescued cows, goats, horses, and donkeys get into the trailer willingly, but with no light behind their eyes. Many of them, like Bessie the cow, are terrified and don’t realize that they have been saved. They are resigned to their fate and have little “fight” left in them. But that first moo,
bleat, whinny, bray, mew, bark, or cluck – is beautiful music to our ears.
We always rejoice in that first “song” – when one of our rescues finally realizes that he or she will never again have to worry about being abandoned, starved, or
abused. Those calls resonate from the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, through the forested slopes of Dog Towne, and across our grassy pastures. To find one’s voice is no small feat. It is the audible sign of becoming whole, and it is an important part of the healing process. That’s why we work so hard for the animals, devoting the time, love, and attention that each of them so deserves.
That initial silence is a stark reminder of what can happen to an animal’s heart when he or she is mistreated. Here at Pasado’s, rehabilitating our rescues means helping to undo the pain of abandonment and abuse, instilling a sense of hope in them once again. We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of all companion animals, but we need your help. If you would like to help save a life and help an animal find their voice again, please
click here to make a donation or
purchase a gift sponsorship.
From all of the animals here at Pasado’s Safe Haven, Happy Holidays and Joy to the World.
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
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