On the last day of 2008 (December 31), Farm Sanctuary lost Maya, one of our oldest animal residents. Maya lived a long, fulfilling life at Farm Sanctuary and happily outlived Lancaster Stockyards where I found her abandoned in 1987. As a frail young calf too sick to walk, she had been discarded in the stockyard’s unloading dock.

Maya recovered and became our first cow ambassador, initially at a temporary shelter near Avondale, PA, then later in Watkins Glen, NY. For more than 20 years, Maya welcomed and nurtured scores of young calves when they first arrived at Farm Sanctuary. And she remained a caring mentor, even after they grew up. My book, “Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds about Animals and Food”, contains a section about Maya.

In her last hours, laying in the cow barn under a blanket, Maya was surrounded by Larry, Kevin and other bovine friends who she had comforted and welcomed to Farm Sanctuary. They always returned Maya’s affection and friendship and loyalty, and they stayed with her until the end. We’re all better for having known Maya and will remember her always.