“She’s living the life just
like a movie star: Maria Maria!”
—Carlos Santana, “Maria Maria”
Like a stereotypical movie star, Maria’s hobbies include basking
in the Southern California sun, being pampered with regular pedicures, eating
healthy organic produce to her heart’s content, and smiling pretty for the
paparazzi and her many adoring fans. Maria’s life has not always been a
Hollywood fairy tale, though.
Maria enjoying a beautiful sunny day. (Photo by Cameron O’Steen)
When we met her during the fall of 2010, she was temporarily living
at a local animal shelter; she’d been seized by animal control officers, along
with other goats, sheep, and pigs, from an illegal backyard butcher. Although
we were not on scene when she was rescued, animal control relayed tales of
horror. Animals were killed in plain sight of each other. The traumatized but
alive animals were then fed the offal (the internal organs and entrails) of their
recently killed friends and family. Feeders were overflowing with rotten
entrails teeming with maggots. The animal control officers who effectuated the
seizure had never before witnessed such a grotesque scene.
Maria was rescued as an adult and may have spent several years
or more at that hellhole. Given her age and body shape, we can speculate
that she was used as a breeding machine and likely saw many of her children
killed in front of her. How Maria survived this all-too-real horror show is incomprehensible
and something we will never know — nor do we need to know.
Beautiful Maria. (Photo by Aaron Rosapepe)
Providing unconditional love, support, and care to trauma
survivors like Maria is what we do every day. And Maria is one of the most
resilient survivors we know. Despite her horrific past, Maria is one of the
happiest goat residents at our Southern California Shelter. She has the
distinction of being friends with all of the goats and sheep in the herd, and her
docile nature allows her to blend in seamlessly with the sheep, who have accepted
her as one of their own. She and her best pal Sofie goat are as likely to be
found napping with the sheep as they are to be found cavorting with the goats.
Maria with some of her herdmates, including best pal Sofie, far left. (Photo by Aaron Rosapepe)
Needless to say, because of Maria’s affable personality, she
gets around the herd. Much to our enchantment, over the past year Maria has
particularly enjoyed the addition of Paul Harvey, Calvin, and Vince goats to
the herd. When first introduced to these young lads (who, of course, are
neutered), Maria found her groove! She made it clear to the boys and everyone
else that she was not too old to court them, and her odd courting behavior was
the talk of the sanctuary for a short while.
Maria with Vince and Calvin, two of the objects of her affection.
Whether the boys were flattered or simply humored her, they were appropriately gracious
and deferential to their elder. After the initial hormone surge, Maria’s romantic inclination toward the boys declined and now seems non-existent. They now all coexist as different-generation pals.
Bar none, Maria’s greatest asset is her smile. No one can resist
her perfect, mostly toothless grin. Accompanied by her inquisitive wide-set
eyes and long, floppy ears, Maria’s smile could surely cheer anyone up on even
their gloomiest day. This good-natured girl cannot help but smile; whether greeting a
well-worn friend or meeting someone new, Maria is brimming with happy cheer and
grins from ear to ear.
Maria’s amazing smile. (Photo by Aaron Rosapepe)
Luckily for our visitors, Maria is front and center at every
tour and event, spreading her special brand of goat love and cheer. Though we require
nothing of Maria, she takes it upon herself to go above and beyond, and teaches
compassion with every interaction. Newcomers learn her story and are
hard-pressed to not be in awe of the simple, uncomplicated kindness and joy
with which she presents herself. Forgiveness
in the face of utter devastation and sorrow — that is what Maria teaches us. To
forgive is one step; to transcend horror and reach beyond forgiveness to
experience joy is Maria — that is Maria each and every day.
Maria popping up to say hello.
However joyful Maria is ordinarily, her joyfulness explodes
tenfold or more for any manner of treat. She’s particularly fond of bananas. (One
could say she goes bananas for bananas.) One whiff of a banana and Maria’s head
and ears quickly pop up. This blissfully pear-shaped older lady will run down
the hill with the abandon of a toddler if she knows there’s a banana (or other
treat) awaiting her. Watching her wobble down the hill at high speed is a treat
we all enjoy. The cheerfulness and cuteness quotient quadruple every time she
gobbles up a treat with her untethered tongue falling out of her almost
completely toothless (three-toothed, to be precise) mouth lapping up every
morsel of goodness.
Maria demonstrates her deep love of the banana peel.
When the Southern California Shelter recently evacuated due to a
wildfire threatening the shelter, Maria took it all in stride. She was utterly
unfazed; her easygoing nature prevailed. She easily loaded on and off the
trailer, and enjoyed (rather than endured) the several days she spent at the
emergency evacuation site lounging with pals Sofie and Freddie. Indeed, wily
Maria, always on the lookout for a treat, discovered Gatorade while at the
emergency shelter. She lapped it up and begged for more, providing much-needed
comic relief to all!
Maria and pal Sofie enjoying their Gatorade at the evacuation site while Freddie looks on.
Upon returning home, Maria easily went back to her daily routine
of eating, sunbathing, being pampered, enjoying quality time with friends new
and old, and seeking out the occasional magnificent banana treat.
Maria stopping by the sanctuary office for a visit.
We have been smitten with Maria since the moment we met her and
are grateful for every moment we get to spend with this spunky lady. Maria is
the belle of her own ball every day, and we couldn’t be more delighted.
Maria with her human pal Breezy.
Please share Maria’s story of survival, resilience, and joy. Together, we can encourage awareness and understanding about the rich emotional lives of goats like her. With your support, we can continue to promote compassionate vegan living through rescue, education, and advocacy efforts. A compassionate world begins with you!
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