I will be the first to admit it…I moved to Florida for the warmth and the sunshine. I absolutely LOVE to be outside. I absolutely, super-duper LOVE to be outside with animals. I don’t care if it’s 95 degrees and 95% humidity…give me a jug of water or a garden hose and I’m good for the day.

Unfortunately, two weeks ago I was having difficulty remembering just why I moved to Florida and was definitely not thrilled to be outside. The temperature was in the teens as I slowly moved through morning feed at CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm. The horses were served their grain and hay blends…the hogs feasted on fresh fruit and boiled peanuts (a favorite that is sometimes donated from our local Publix grocery store) and the goats dove into their special goat chow mixture and perennial peanut hay. It was now time to feed the farm’s three potbelly pig residents: Betsy, Suzie, and Belvedere.

Every day at CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm, the caregivers are surrounded by happy animals. At morning feed, the horses prance around the barn knowing that fresh grain and hay will soon arrive in their stalls. The pigs squeal with delight at the prospect of getting fruit, vegetables and juice delivered right to their feed bowls. The ducks jockey for position to secure the best lettuce and get the first drink of fresh water.

Later in the day, the goats happily sun themselves on elevated decks. The barn cats joyfully stretch in-between (what else) catnaps. As dinnertime approaches, the chickens and turkeys merrily peck and scratch at the grain and corn thrown on the ground. The mood is positive, even though their pasts may not have been.