RELATED: A dying wish
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Edgar’s Mission is a not-for-profit sanctuary for rescued farmed animals, located just outside of Lancefield. Its mission is to create a humane and just world for humans and non-humans. Founder and director Pam Ahern reflects on one rescue very close to her heart...
I named her Faith, because that is what I have had since day one when I created Edgar’s Mission.
Through all of the amazing highs and gut-wrenching lows, through quitting my job, saying goodbye to my successful equestrian career and the only life I had ever known, through choosing a pig over a partner and saying farewell to ever having a ‘normal’ life, I have had faith that I was making the right choice.
Just as I had faith the day I attended the notorious Mernda Market and whispered in the ears of five terrified animals, “Please have faith, I’m going to get you out of here.”
And I did, but not without the help of some amazing friends.
Receiving their second (if not first) chance at life were: a graceful and noble goat I named Gladys, the most gentle and dignified turkey I have ever encountered whom I christened Tony Blair, two resolute ex-battery hens I named Diana and Cherie, in honour of my partners in ‘crime’ (but no, we did not steal the animals) and last but by no means least, a feisty little black and white piglet I named Faith.
Faith seemed such an appropriate name for the little piglet who captured my heart with her gut-wrenching and blood curdling screams and with her steely determination to hold her own in a pen of pigs many times her size.
The words ‘sausage’, ‘salami’ and ‘spit roast’ that were all tossed her way from the gruff voices and rough hands that poked and prodded her did nothing to diminish the tiny manure covered creature’s will to live.
Faith that day symbolized hope, that the underdog (or rather, the underpig) can get up, look a menace in the eye, bring it to its knees and trot off to make the world a better, kinder place for all.
And that is just what she has been doing ever since.
The passage of time and the ravages of old age have, over the years seen the passing of Gladys, Diana, Cherie and dear Tony.
But not before each and every one lead a life truly worth living; one filled with freedom, kindness, grassy fields and every comfort they could imagine.
And they all proved to be damn fine ambassadors for their kind,but none more so than Faith.
Once a rookie to kindness, Faith quickly left that world behind her and she and I would head off each weekend in our van as we crisscrossed the state to champion the cause of animals.
In those early days, helpers were few and on many an occasion it was just Faith and I.
An independent girl was Faith, quietly confident but always obliging, we took to schools and speaking engagements, as well as visiting expos and pet fairs.
Her cute little turned up nose made her even more photogenic and she was to grace the pages of newspapers, magazines and countless people’s photo albums.
All the while Faith and I were not only navigating uncharted waters but so too were we reaching the untouched hearts and minds of many who had only ever considered a pig as food and not a friend.
But thanks to Faith that was to change for so many.
Faith was to become a trailblazer and a confidant and she fueled my belief that I was on the right course.
Faith too became an integral and founding part of Edgar’s Mission, as she predates many of those now who ride our waves.
I loved her then as I love her now, oh boy I love her now.
Over the past month or so the words, “Come on Faithy get up,” were losing their meaning for the aging girl.
And despite my promise to Faith that day at the livestock market all those years ago that I would give her anything and everything she would ever want, I was now unable to give her the thing she needed most.
That ‘thing’ she needed was a new body.
Pigs are so like we humans; they live, they love and they age, they just do all three with a bit more gusto. I prayed that I would awake one day to find my dear friend had not, but that was not to be.
And so once again my faith was to be tested, as it is for all of those who truly, madly, deeply, love animals – to know when the right time to call is.
Right now I have a huge lump in my throat, it threatens to burst in a flood of tears that only my duty to all the animals in my care can contain.
But this sorrow is not for Faith because she had the most amazing life.
She lived a life rich and full, happy and free, she was loved and she loved in return.
She received the very best of care, food and husbandry.
No, my heartaches because I will never again she her smiling face or be startled by her rambunctious snoring.
I have great faith that when my friend reached the point at which all our love and veterinary knowledge could not combat old Father Time, I made the hardest, toughest but right call.
I can assure you it never ever ever gets any easier.
And so today we may have laid a part of history to rest.
She may be gone from our lives, but our hearts will forever be filled with Faith.
To find out more about Edgar's Mission and the work it does, visit the website here.