Merciful Maiden

Seven, the Cow

Pamela — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:57:34 +0000

Seven is a rescued cow at Merciful Maiden Critter Haven. She is young here in this picture. She has really grown also. Seven is extremely friendly, loving to lick your face if she can. She comes when her name is called, and her moo is quite melodious. Her best friends are the llamas and the donkeys. Merciful Maiden Critter Haven is so grateful she is here and able to have a quiet life.

Gertrude Update

Pamela — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:06:06 +0000

Gertrude has really grown!!! She is now about 900 to 1000 pounds. Her favorite treat is vegetables and she loves to play in the water to have a mud bath. As you can see from the picture, her favorite pastime is getting her beauty rest. Merciful Maiden Critter Haven is eternally grateful to Carol L. from Portland for financially making it possible to rescue Gertrude. Gertrude’s nose is a very powerful bulldozer, and she loves moving boulders. She could really build you a great rock wall. Gertrude is looking forward to the new greeting cards with her picture on them.

Cole & Robespierre

Pamela — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:52:29 +0000

Here’s Cole , the Nubian goat, and Robespierre, the rooster. The owners of Cole did not want to sell him at auction for slaughter, and since they had heard that the Merciful Maiden Critter Haven helped friendly goats, they called. Cole is quite a friendly character, and Robespierre, the rescued pet rooster agrees. He habitually sits on Cole for the ride. Cole is so good-natured that he almost enjoys Robespierre’s antics. What a pair!

Gertrude the Pig

Pamela — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:39:49 +0000

Gertrude has quite a an incredible story! Merciful Maider Critter Haven was called out on an emergency. A vehicle towing a very rickety home-made trailor flipped over on a busy two-lane highway throwing the pig 200 feet across the pavement and jamming the trailor into the back window of the small SUV. The Merciful Maiden was called to help with the pig, who,miraculously, was alive! Three hours later with the help of three other people, Gertrude was coaxed and cajoled and pushed into the Merciful Maiden’s small horse trailor, only to result in the Merciful Maiden being told that the pig, Gertrude, was destined to be the main course at a party that night. Not wanting to be arrested for theft, the Merciful Maiden tearfully drove Gertrude to the address given. Luckily, of the five people at the house, one young man was a vegetarian, and unbeknown to the Merciful Maiden, the son of the people holding the party. To make a long story short, he called that night and asked the Merciful Maiden to come get Gertrude! But his parents wanted to be paid what theyhad paid for her. A phone call later and due to the generosity of Carol L. in Portland, Gertrude was paid for and rescued. She is a Happy Happy Pig now. She is content in her new shelter, digging up boulders and moving them daily! Thanks again Carol L in Portland for contributing so generously to her new shelter. Welcome Gertrude to Merciful Maiden Critter Haven!!

New Arrival!

admin — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:14:27 +0000

Welcome Keesha Dawn! Born January 28th, 2011, to Augusta Dawn in a snowstorm no less. It was touch and go for awhile as Keesha was very very small, but mom and babe are doing well now. They will stay together at Merciful Maiden Critter Haven. For more cute pictures of her, please go to the Photo Gallery and enjoy. The Merciful Maiden had to meet a kind lady in bad weather in order to obtain some colostrum for Keesha as mama llama Augusta had no milk for Keesha at first. Without colostrum, Keesha would probably not have survived. Thank you Donna for meeting up with us to help Keesha.

Llama Shearing

Pamela — Wed, 05 May 2010 00:53:23 +0000

Half Shorn & Waiting

Purr Baby Sheared

Llama shearing time is here. Every spring all of the llamas are sheared, given vaccines,and hoof-trimmed. Given their origins, llamas tolerate the cold (to a limit, of course), but they cannot tolerate the heat well. Furthermore, llamas are very stoic animals in that they do not express pain or discomfort obviously to you. So, unsheared llamas will suffer silently in the heat. Humane treatment of llamas demands that they be sheared for summer/heat comfort and shade and water provided.

My llama shearer is Lori Chowning from Montana (406-222-1553) who quietly and calmly shears the llamas. They are NOT roped or thrown to the ground and traumatized. They are gently secured to panels and quietly sheared and treated. What a difference this type of treatment makes for them. Donations to help pay for the llama shearing would be greatly appreciated!

Lori Shearing

Our Donkeys

Pamela — Wed, 05 May 2010 00:22:28 +0000

Big Shy Jack

Elvira, Emily & Captain Jack

Big Shy Jack was given to Merciful Maiden Critter Haven. He had been purchased by his owner to be an “ornamental” donkey; that is, the owner wanted “something to look at” outside his kitchen window. When the novelty had worn off and he was tired of feeding the donkey, Big Jack needed to go. He had never really been socialized much, so he was extremely shy and reticent to let anyone approach him. In time, he began to trust, and now he willingly seeks love and attention. What a great guy!

Elvira and Emily came to Merciful Maiden Critter Haven because their owners were unable to brave the winter weather to care for them. They carefully sought a home for them. Elvira was very very shy, but Emily was very friendly. Luckily, Merciful Maiden Critter Haven had room for them both. Next to Emily is the mini-donkey Captain Jack. His owners decided to move to the city and needed a home for him quickly. So here they all are! Donations are needed and much appreciated for the farrier who comes every eight weeks to trim their hooves. The donkeys thank you in advance – hee-haw!

Beautiful Bertha

Pamela — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:18:57 +0000

Now, a Happy Ewe!!

After years of birthing offspring for slaughter, Bertha’s time had come. Trembling in fear, limping badly, and filthy, Merciful Maiden Critter Haven intervened and brought Bertha to her new home and Merciful Maiden Critter Haven. The vet indicated that her leg was permanently damaged, but that she was not in pain. Now, Bertha is a happy, gentle ewe spending her last years in comfortable retirement.

Bottle Feeding Baby Goats

Pamela — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:03:39 +0000

Ollie & the Baba

At this time of year, Merciful Maiden Critter Haven gets many calls to help motherless baby goats and lambs. They must be bottle-fed on a regular schedule. In Ollie’s case, his mother died en route to slaughter. Ollie and his baba ( bottle) are such a joy!

Llama babies

Pamela — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:42:48 +0000

Llama mothers carry their crias for 12 months and generally only have one cria. They are very private during the birthing, but it is a very big social event for the llama group! The other llamas will come over to meet the new member to their group and will help the mother protect the cria from predators.