By Erin Murphy
Are We There Yet?
When you exit Western Washington's Interstate 5 for the road to Stanwood, it's not long before the hum of the freeway fades into restful rural calm. A winding two-lane back road leads you past rolling pastures, stands of evergreens, and rhododendron trees drenched in pink blossoms. Life slows to a peaceful crawl here ö even the weeping willows seem to trail more gently in the country breeze. As you approach a crest, the road curves to reveal horses grazing in a valley to your left, and to your right, behind a sturdy gate, the Pigs Peace Sanctuary is ready to welcome you.
The sanctuary's entrance
A Happy Obstacle
Turning slowly onto the sanctuary's narrow gravel drive, the first sight to greet you might be Patty the pig, lying in the roadway far ahead, in an act of blissful passive resistance. You can leave your car there, or carefully detour around her and make your way to the parking area beyond. So long as there are volunteers working nearby, offering the promise of belly-rubs, Patty isn't moving. A closer look reveals that she has positioned herself on a direct pedestrian route to the building housing the restrooms, ensuring maximum tummy-pat traffic. It appears that Patty -- like other members of this highly intelligent species -- is an accomplished strategist.
Boots the cat
Every One an Individual
Pigs, horses, ponies, llamas, chickens, turkeys, dogs and cats. There are more than 200 animals at the sanctuary. Each one has a name. And each one has a story, which Judy is happy to share whenever someone asks. Like Molly the pig, left behind with no food or shelter when her caregivers moved away. Or her fellow pig, Norton, who was exiled to the family basement where he lived in darkness and isolation after a baby arrived. Piglets Lola, Winston, Princess and Pickles became part of the Pigs Peace family after being purchased by people who weren't prepared for the demands of raising and properly caring for a pig.
Boots the cat, deaf and blind in one eye, was rescued from the Seattle streets. At first terrified and reclusive, she now thrives on human attention. Quinton the dog, a victim of physical abuse, was submissive and afraid of anything that moved. Now, he rushes to welcome visitors. And turkeys Bonnie and Maggie make their home at the sanctuary, with the blessing of the farmer who raised them for the dinner table!