For several years now, Chris Alley-Grubb of Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary has been putting in very long hours and doing the heavy lifting that running a rescued farmed animal sanctuary with a couple of hundred nonhuman residents requires, and amazingly, until recently in 2007, has been doing all of this work without a tractor. In addition to all of this work at the sanctuary over these years, Chris has been working over 40 hours per week helping human dialysis patients at a nearby hospital.
As a result of this literally back-breaking work – including the winter of 2007 dumping more snow in eastern Colorado than they had seen in 20 years, with snow drifts up to 8 feet high and still without a tractor – Chris underwent back surgery during the summer of 2007 and was unable to work for several weeks during this time. Fortunately, Peaceful Prairie was able to acquire a tractor before Chris’s surgery, and with the help of the tractor and the many hours of numerous and generous volunteers, the sanctuary was able to continue running through Chris’s surgery, complications, and long recovery period.
On top of the long, demanding physical labor Chris has undergone to care for the rescued residents, sanctuary work is emotionally demanding and stressful, with some of the most abused animals in the world ending up at the sanctuary, and so many thousands of abused animals who need homes, but for whom there are simply not enough resources to rescue. And this is not including the billions of animals intentionally slaughtered for human gustatory preferences. Many of us will not allow ourselves to hear even one or two of the life-stories of these innocent beings, often as a psychological defense mechanism for what it implies about consuming animal products. Chris and Michele Alley-Grubb, the long-time vegan co-founders of Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, have their lives filled with these heart-breaking stories.
There are some people who give so much of themselves and excel to such a high level morally that they serve as a brilliant beacon of inspiration and hope in a dark and cold world. Chris and Michele Alley-Grubb are such people – they are a great moral inspiration for the rest of us.
Last week, due to the physically and psychologically stressful work that Chris has undergone over many years, combined with hereditary heart problems, Chris had a heart attack. He is at home resting, but added support at this time, even if only in the form of a kind, thoughtful note, would be greatly appreciated. You can visit Peaceful Prairie’s website in the link above for mail and related information, as well as information about the sanctuary.
