Link of the month:

www.edgarsmission.org.au

Edgar's Mission recently lost a spark when the eponymous Edgar passed away following a short illness.

His friend and guardian, Pam Ahern, said; "That Edgar was a magical pig is evidence by the profound effect he had on people’s lives, none the least mine.  I remember well his early days as an activist pig. “A pig walking on a lead, now that’s a first”, I would hear over and over again everywhere we went and dear Edgar would grunt out in friendship at everyone he met.  Well, that was while he was awake. Edgar had two great passions in life; eating and sleeping.  I remember the charming and witty picture taken by Reuters that went around the world of the humble Edgar fast asleep in the gateway of parliament house in Macquarie Street in Sydney.  A big burly security guard standing over him, arms akimbo, telling me the pig had to move and with me, arms outstretched palms facing skyward for divine intervention pleading, “but you don’t understand, Edgar is sleeping!”  Even the politicians were smiling as they stepped over the snoring Edgar.

It was escapades such as this that showed me the real way to change people’s hearts and minds about the way they think of farm animals, was the animals themselves. Edgar awoke in me a passion so great that I would forsake all else and find the courage to embark on one hell of a journey. With no road map to guide me and armed with the careful observations of people interacting with Edgar I set out to create a place of sanctuary, empowerment and hope. When you meet a quirky affable pig, a kindly cow, a cheery chicken or a friendly sheep you cannot help but be touched.  There is indeed no better spokesperson for animals than the animals themselves.  Getting people to meet them is the challenge, Edgar’s Mission became my answer.

While his trotter prints will no longer dot the paths of Edgar’s Mission I will carry them in my memory forever, as I will all the other oh so special memories I have of the most amazing pig one could ever meet.  His raucous belly grunts he would offer at the mere sound of my voice I miss so badly.  Edgar my Edgar, I will miss you more than anyone can ever imagine."

We will miss you, Edgar Alan Pig.

Advocates for Animals - Scotland's leading animal protection organisation - www.advocatesforanimals.org

Cat Acion Trust - head office site - www.cat77.org.uk

Cat Chat - information and forums for cat lovers- www.catchat.org

Dogs' Trust - dog rescue and rehoming - www.dogstrust.org.uk

Edgar's Mission - a haven for rescued farm animals near Melbourne, Australia - www.edgarsmission.org.au

Greyhound Awareness League - campaigns against the awful greyhound racing industry and rehomes rescued greyhounds - www.gal.org.uk

Hillside Farm Animal Sanctuary - farm animal sanctuary www.hillside.org.uk

Kat Kabin - makers of weather-proof outdoor cat shelters - www.katkabin.com/euro/

Tinto Kennels - recommended kennels, cattery and dog rescue based in Biggar, Lanarkshire - www.tintokennels.co.uk

Willows Animal Sanctuary - sanctuary for rescued farm animals in Aberdeenshire - www.willowsanimals.com