04/05/2026
HAPPY EASTER!! We first posted this on Easter weekend of 2014 and so many people have enjoyed it, have retold it and have asked us to post it again, that we gladly oblige:
Raleigh and the Easter Egg - The past several days here at Southern Sun Farm Sanctuary had been very windy, dark and cold, but yesterday brought sunshine with milder temps, so things were very busy. On this day, there was too much to do and I was behind. So while attempting to multi-task, I stopped by the chicken house en route to do chores. Spying two lovely eggs…I couldn't help but be pleased with the timing of our Ameraucana hens to present us with pastel Easter eggs as a treat. So I retrieved the eggs and placed them at the base of a nearby oak tree. They’d be safe there and I surely wouldn't walk by and miss them on my return. With stalls mucked and hay dropped, I began my way back up the path from the pasture shed toward the barn. However, there at the oak tree where I left the eggs was a very large Golden Retriever happily wagging his tail and staring at only one egg. “Owen…where is the other egg?” I asked out loud. Seeing no broken egg or shell I silently worried that the big guy had swallowed the egg whole. If Owen hadn't chomped or swallowed my other Easter egg…then where was it? I picked up the remaining pink egg and made my way to the barn where I was met by Raleigh, the Border Collie. Assured that the usual suspects were now lined up, I showed Raleigh the pink egg and repeated my plea for the missing blue one. Apparently, Raleigh was happy to oblige because he trotted over to our Polaris Ranger, where he keeps most of his treasures and returned to place a perfect blue-green egg at my feet…unbroken! Realizing the territory this little egg had already traveled in the mouth of a Border Collie, I thanked Raleigh for his honesty (and soft mouth) and apologized to Owen.
With the pretty eggs safe in my pocket, I couldn't help but think of how the dogs had treasured them and wanted to bring them somewhere for safekeeping. I was gratified that this time it was pretty Easter eggs because the last time it had been a live possum! Still, it had caused me to think about what I treasure, Easter is a season of renewal for us and even though the blossoming may be slow to come here in the mountains….the love is not. I know what I treasure most and it can’t be found in my pocket…it is in my heart. Each day I thank God for John, for friends and family and for the animals. With gratitude, love and blessings to all…….Happy Easter! Ann at SSFS
