FRANK TALKS: Lovely Lilliana
PIG TALES: Krampus at the Gate
On Christmas Day, this little boar showed up at our front gate. Guess he heard about SARA as a safe refuge with good mud, hay and feed.
We got him into a pen by himself where he is awaiting neutering. Once he is castrated, he will need to be isolated for two months because male pigs continue to be fertile for at least 45 days after the procedure. All of our male pigs are sterilized to reduce aggression in the herd and prevent unwanted boars.
We named him Krampus after the European Christmas creature who keeps kids in line. Our Texas Krampus looks more like a buttoned-eyed pig while the European version looks like a scary goat!
FUN FACT: Why the long face?
The snout of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) has a cartilagnious disk at the end supported by a small bone called the prenasal that allows his snout to act as a bulldozer for foraging.
SARA Mission & Unconditional Life
Your monthly support helps with our mission to take care of any animal that comes to the sanctuary regardless of species, special health needs or temperament. Unconditional life includes surprise visits from pigs in need like Krampus.
DOG VLOG: Sue Ellen & Grover
Chicago dogs Sue Ellen & Grover traveled to live together at SARA in October 2020. After a few weeks of decompressing, they are getting used to their new sanctuary life as Texas farm dogs. To build their update, we have pulled together text, pics and video of their whole Chicago to Texas journey from ALIVE Founder Kristen, volunteer Alexis and SARA Dog Handler Chris and SARA Founder Tracy.
VIDEO: DOG VLOG FROM KRISTEN IN CHICAGO
Dog History Grover
Grover was rescued by ALIVE Rescue in 2016 and was adopted soon after. Almost four years later he was returned displaying a lot of anxiety. “While in the home he exhibited some negative behavior toward humans that could not be corrected through training. We’ve assessed him and watched him closely since his return and decided he would be much happier living in a sanctuary environment,” said Kristen Gerali, Alive Founder and President.
Dog History Sue Ellen
Sue Ellen was rescued by ALIVE Rescue in early 2020. She was completely shut down the first 24 hours she arrived, but soon started exhibiting signs of fear aggression. “We have been working with her ever since trying to get her to trust humans again. She does LOVE other dogs, so we feel is a good candidate for the sanctuary. We just want to give her a little bit more time with the training to see if she can come around,” said Kristen.
“We believe every dog deserves a home. Sometimes their preference is sanctuary life.” ALIVE Founder Kristen Gerali
VIDEO: DOG VLOG KRISTEN ARRIVING AT SARA
Sue Ellen & Grover’s Journey to Texas
There are times when we save an animal and realize they may not be adoptable, preferring the company of fellow canines over humans.
Kristen said, “Luckily, ALIVE Rescue partners with SARA in Texas. SARA takes in dogs who are unsure of humans, but who love other dogs. Alive Rescue has several dogs and one cat currently living their lives out at the sanctuary.”
“In order for SARA Sanctuary to take in one of the Chicago dogs for life, ALIVE Rescue must take 10 of their adoptable animals. That means if both Sue Ellen and Grover go to sanctuary, we will have to bring back 20 adoptable animals.
How are Sue Ellen & Grover doing now?
Founder Tracy matches up dogs to share their living quarters based on size, temperament and bonds. Grover & Sue Ellen were already used to each other and being together has helped them adjust to their new life and living arrangements together.
SARA Dog Handler Chris: “Grover is super sweet and very toy and treat motivated and loves to learn. Sue Ellen is scared of strangers, but has been making tons of progress with us. She used to bark at me any time I’d walk by but she is coming around and is a lot calmer when I’m by her and has eaten treats out of my hand.”
VIDEO: DOG VLOG WITH CHRIS TRAINING AT SARA
Many of the before pics in Chicago came from ALIVE volunteer Alexis. “I volunteer as a shift leader and led a lot of shifts with Sue and Grover. I know SARA is the perfect home for them, but definitely miss those silly guys!”
ABOUT DOG VLOG
This time we had a lot of background information at videos and pictures of Sue Ellen & Grover. Watch for more DOG VLOG videos and pictures from Dog Handler Chris who interacts with SARA dogs daily.
Your monthly support on Patreon helps us take care of dogs like Sue Ellen & Grover who really like other dogs, but are not great fans of humans. SARA has helped save these two and other dogs who are not considered adoptable. THANK YOU!
Unconditional Life: Winter 2020 Newsletter
Unconditional Life is a printed newsletter mailed to SARA supporters several times a year. If you are a SARA supporter but have not received the most recent newsletter or you would like to be added to the mailing list, send us an email with your physical mailing address: info@sarasanctuary.org.
DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION
SARA Unconditional Life Winter 2020 Newsletter
SARA Winter 2020 Newsletter - Website View by Tammie Nolte
Happy Holidays from SARA: 10 Animal Cards
Happy Holidays from 600+ rescue animals in Seguin, Texas.
Since 2020 had a range of emotions, we made SARA animal cards to reflect some of the feelings throughout the year or even just this month. From happy to tired, to annoyed and a little scared, to not worried at all and ready for a break.
If you didn’t have time to mail cards, these can still make it on time. Pick your favorite animal or emotion and share the SARA e-cards with friends.
1. Click on the picture.
2. Hold with your finger or mouse.
3. Save or download to your phone or computer.
4. Share with your friends by email or social media.
Thanks for spreading awareness about SARA animals and for supporting us in 2020 and in the coming year.
Photography by…
1-6 from Mandy at @keepnitwild
7-9 from SARA & Tracy
10 from Shelbi & Madison @shelbizleee
Gift ideas:
Add an animal loving friend to receive SARA on Patreon starting at $2 a month.
You will need their email. Create an account. Add SARA. You pay the monthly fee.
Spend 60 Seconds with Our Donkeys
Sneak peek about SARA animals...
We have 13 donkeys and 2 mules at the sanctuary. Donkeys can live 25-30 years and they are some of...PUPPY TALES: ‘M’ Litter Heads to Chicago
The ‘M’ puppies and mom Marlee have arrived safely in Chicago. SARA had an owner surrender of a young Chihuahua mix family, but dad is still a mystery. Is that the ‘M’?
The pups and mom were transported across several states by Team Fetching Tails Foundation. SARA & FTF have a partnership where we swap Texas friendly, adoptable dogs and cats for ‘unadoptable’ dogs from the Chicago area shelters.
The photo below is from May 2020. All are adopted accepted Batman who is with us at the sanctuary and Moonpie who is still with her loving foster in Chicago. She hasn’t had an application for adoption yet. But she is happy with her fosters and we hope she finds a spot soon.
Learn about our Dog Swap partners.
The ‘M’ crew are available for adoption in the Chicago area in 2 weeks including Mom Marlee plus Margo, Melanie, Misha, Monia, Morton, Maury & Manny.
If you would like to adopt or send puppy food, reach out on Instagram to @fetchingtailsfoundation.
We have more than 30 patrons and some new to SARA Patreon: Leslie, Shelbi & Madison, Michael. And Erin.
Thank you for being a SARA Ambassador and for your monthly support making it possible to care for animals in need like the ‘M’ puppies.
Video Tour with Vloggers Shelbi & Madison
Sneak peek about SARA animals...
YouTube Vloggers Shelbi & Madison headed out to Seguin to donate their pumpkins and catch some lovely moments with our...PIG TALES: Mouse, Biscuit, Poncho & Willy
Sneak peek about SARA animals...
Founder Tracy was able to catch Mouse drinking her water inside the trough. Her new pig friends don't seem to...FRANK TALKS: A GHOST STORY
We recently received an email including a picture of dog in distress with a terrible wound on his shoulder. The dog was in San Antonio, unapproachable, in a lot of pain and in need. The community called him Ghost because he would appear and disappear.
The wound turned out to be a huge cancerous tumor. After radiographs and blood work, we found that the malignancy had also spread to his lungs. The prognosis is terminal. Eventually, he will have to be euthanized.
This photo of Ghost was taken after a week of having a home at the sanctuary. A SARA friend has pledged to cover Ghost’s vet bills and meds.
For now, Ghost is happy and follows us everywhere. He is gentle and gets along well with the other animals despite being un-neutered. There isn’t much to be done other than clear up the infection and give him the usual battery of cancer medications and pain killers to keep him comfortable.
Ghost has to wear an old t-shirt and an E-collar to keep him from chewing the site as he heals. He seems so grateful to have a home. We don’t know how long he has, but whatever it is, he will be surrounded by those who love him.
FRANK TALKS BLOG is a collection of pictures, videos and stories from SARA Founder Tracy Frank.
Thanks to our monthly patrons who are supporting the SARA mission to help any animal that comes to the sanctuary regardless of species, special health needs, or temperament.