Rescuing animals has always been second nature to me. I grew up in a household with a mom that rescued everything from mice to possums, raccoons, birds, deer, stray dogs and cats. Up until my mother's death, any animal that I found needing a helping hand immediately went to her. Things have changed now and I've been somewhat left to my own devices!

Upon moving to Middleburg in the early '90's, I quickly realized that Hileary Bogley was the go-to person for an animal in distress.

What I didn't realize was that Hileary, with her highly persuasive powers, would soon enlist me to take on some of her rescue projects... Multiple dogs, draft horses and cats followed in rapid succession. As the years went by, I had to admit that financing these wonderful animals was quickly exceeding my means. I began to face the fact I probably wasn't the only person in the world who would give a good home to a needy animal. I even gave some of my guys away to good homes. It was hard but I knew I had to do it.

Then one day something quite miraculous happened. I received a call from Dr. Betsee Parker. I knew her slightly from some photography projects. I also knew that she owned a lot of very successful show horses and ponies. What I didn't know was that she had a heart of gold when it came to animals of all kinds...

She had been told that I had a sweet little miniature horse named Rosie and wanted to know if I thought she would pull an antique goat cart. Although I wasn't sure it was a great idea, she wanted to come out to my little farm in Millwood and see for herself. I said fine, and out she came.

The first thing that happened was she decided that one of my goats (rescues all) might be able to her daughter, Rose's, little cart. Dr. Parker wanted to photograph Rose in the cart. This was right up my alley. So Betsee began coming out and leading the goats around after she put them in a little goat harness. Next thing I knew, she offered to adopt all my goats if I would consider letting them go. There were three of them and I was confident she would give them a good home, but before the deal was struck, she expressed worry about rumors of Mountain Lions above her land and asked if I would board the goats for her… I agreed.

Then, Betsee decided she would need a burro who would live with the goats and protect them. Seemed reasonable to me so we did some research and found a burro for sale in Southern Virginia who sounded perfect for the job. Next thing I knew I had another boarder, a wonderful white burro named Hannah.

What the former owner neglected to tell us was that Hannah was in foal! And Betsee had purchased another burro whom she named Moses.

The plan was that they would all go to Delaplane Manor, the goats and the two burros. However. Winter was approaching and we began to realize that they should all stay with me for the time being. Winter turned into Spring and Betsee's little herd seemed so happy here that we put off the move again.

Then one day I received a call from a friend who was having financial problems and needed badly to find a home for several animals that he had rescued.

He remembered that, at one time, I had a wonderful pet pig, an 800-pound Yorkshire named Wilbur. Would I consider taking his two Hampshire pigs, both very large and very friendly.

Seemed like an awfully "big "undertaking to me but I admit I was curious and I really did miss Wilbur who had died several years before. I mentioned it to Betsee who immediately wanted to go with me.

So, off we went to meet these pigs who needed a home. Not only were there two very large pigs, but a very tame young Jersey cow named Moo, two sheep who were very attached to the cow, one elderly llama, and two elderly Swiss milking goats. Next thing I knew Betsee offered to take them all, gave my friend a check to help compensate him for taking care of all these critters and arrangements were made to ship them to me.

We decided that one of the pigs, the older one named Happy would be mine, although, actually, she belongs to Middleburg Humane Foundation who had rescued her from a very abusive situation. The younger pig, a very social young lady named Mary Lou would belong to Betsee. She would also take on the cow and the sheep! Luckily I had the perfect set up for these critters: a couple of goodsized stalls and an adjoining shed that opened into a large pasture.

Overnight I had something akin to Noah's Arc.

Now, when I do my barn check at night, especially in the winter, it truly is a site to behold. They all come in and usually huddle in one stall, lying down and munching on hay. It's wonderful and comforting to behold!

Last year when Middleburg Human rescued a young Yorkshire pig named Mildred, I told Betsee about her and before I knew it Mildred was in residence here as well. This time Betsee built Mildred her own 'luxurious' shed complete with fly system and fans. All three pigs now spend most Summer days snoozing under a cool breeze.

Just when I thought our Noah's Arks were pretty much complete, ads started appearing in the local papers saying MHF had rescued an Emu who needed a home. Her name was Patricia and she too was "very social!"

You'll never guess where she is now. Walking around like she has been here all her life, eating out of the same bowls with the goats. Betsee comes out almost every day to visit her and calls her Patty!

We were trying to keep her in until we figured out how to best take care of her when Moo decided to lift her stall screen off its hinges and out she went.

Luckily it's worked out fine and everyone is living happily ever after thanks to Betsee's love of animals and her generosity.

Probably the single most important person to tell you about before this animal tale concludes is the person who singlehandedly takes care of all these creatures. His name is Dave Thomas, my neighbor who dropped in about five years ago and said he'd like to give me a hand.

He had retired and looking for something to do. I still wonder if he knew what he was letting himself in for. This place absolutely could not operate without him. He comes at the crack of dawn every day, and I know he's arrived because the burros start braying at the sound of his truck! He looks like the pied piper because the animals absolutely love him, even the Emu. They all follow him around every single day.

Dave somehow manages to get everyone in the right place to eat, keeps the place impeccably clean and makes sure that everything stays in working order. He was truly a gift from above!