HOTELITO’S RESCUE ANIMALS
Without question, one of our greatest joys at the Hotelito continues to be the Farm Animal Rescue.
The very first horse I rescued was an introduction to the local ranchero community. I met Don Antonio who grew organic Alfalfa, (hay grass being almost impossible to find) he gave me my first goat, Betty, a Nubian, who within no time produced twins. One Christmas morning he called me and told me that a one day old lamb had been rejected by her Mum and I’d better come and get the baby or he would die! “You have goats milk, you can bottle feed him, Jenny.” Thus my adventure started.
Since the arrival of El Chapo the baby lamb (now, a very large but extremely friendly sheep) there have been numerous other abandoned animals who have needed bottle feeding, veterinary care, and affection.
Dearest Doris
Don Javier, Doris & Neddy
Terrence, Theodora & Betty
Then, came Colette the pig! A mini-pig, or so Don Javier, my gardener, would have me believe. She is most emphatically no mini pig, She is however, a three hundred pound, movie star, video artist, and piganthropist.
A group of friends came together to make a film about her and her desire to be an artist of the world. After the premiere, here in the village, where Colette raised $14,000 US for the Padrino Children’s Foundation (a medical advocacy group for underprivileged children with health problems.) The movie was selected by the illustrious Mill Valley Film festival. Word was out! Newsweek came to do a story about her.
She is indeed a free-range pig and wanders the property at her leisure, hustling guests for treats. Not, I might add, inside the Hotelito.
One of the most delightful things is observing guests interacting with all these hand reared and very affectionate farm animals. I have witnessed the most sophisticated and debonair clients sitting in the sand playing with the animals. Chapo was also the guest of honor at a returning client’s five year old son’s birthday party. Chapo scoffed almost all the carrot cake.
Learn more about Colette and watch the film here! Featured at the 2020 Mill Valley Film festival.