Animal Ark Sanctuary – Webster’s Story

 by Lorraine Monfils
    Generally when you think of pigs you don’t think of them as being pets.  Not so in Webster’s case.
    Webster was raised for a 4-H project. It never even occurred to anyone that he would become much more than that. So now the story begins of the special relationship between Webster and the young girl who raised him.
Webster
    I have been told that pigs are very smart creatures, and I believe that Webster is living proof of that.  He quickly learned his name, and followed his owner wherever she wanted him to go.  He loved to have his belly scratched, and loved the young girl that was raising him.
    At six months of age Webster weighed about 250 pounds. The life he knew and loved was about to change for both him and his owner.  It was time for him to go to the fair, be bid on, and go with the winner, resulting in his likely slaughter.
    Everyone could see the love for this pig in the young girls eyes. We all knew she was really struggling with the fate of what was going to happen to Webster.
    A group of anonymous individuals went to the fair and bid on this loved pig. Once they had purchased Webster, they then in turn surrendered him to the Ark Animal Sanctuary.
    Webster will live out his days at the sanctuary being cared for.  But what is more important, he will get to spend time with the young girl that raised him, the young girl we feel that he adores.
    Webster is currently in a foster home until we have a building up on the land.
    No, we have not all become vegetarians since Webster’s arrival at the Ark. We simply wanted to do the right thing for Webster!
    We appreciate the generosity and thoughtfulness of the people who bid on this animal.  Meet Webster, the new mascot for Ark Animal Sanctuary!
    In August the Ark took in 11 cats and adopted 11. We currently are fostering 64 cats. We took in one dog and adopted two. Currently the Ark has no dogs. Our expenses totaled $1,676.04. Donations totaled $245.45 with our fundraising totaling $2,119.17.
    To those people who continue to amaze us with their generosity in all areas, baking for our suppers or sales, working on our events, computer updating, or just stopping into the Hollywood Pet Salon with their positive words, thank you so very much!! Thanks also to Pam Honeywell for her donation of kitty beds. We, as well as all our felines, so appreciate your gift.
    Our photo contest was a huge success! The following are our winners. Casper Abbott with his golden retriever first place. Riley King’s chocolate lab came in second place. We had a tie for third place: Felix Homechuck’s Yorkshire terrier, and Shoofly the donkey. Check out our website for the photos.
    Be watching for details on our local pets calendar for December. Photos can be submitted at Hollywood Pet Salon. We will have pulled pork and nachos in front of Hollywood Pet Salon on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 11-3.
    Thank you for your continuing support, and thanks for reading our column.