I will be the first to admit it…I moved to Florida for the warmth and the sunshine. I absolutely LOVE to be outside. I absolutely, super-duper LOVE to be outside with animals. I don’t care if it’s 95 degrees and 95% humidity…give me a jug of water or a garden hose and I’m good for the day.

Unfortunately, two weeks ago I was having difficulty remembering just why I moved to Florida and was definitely not thrilled to be outside. The temperature was in the teens as I slowly moved through morning feed at CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm. The horses were served their grain and hay blends…the hogs feasted on fresh fruit and boiled peanuts (a favorite that is sometimes donated from our local Publix grocery store) and the goats dove into their special goat chow mixture and perennial peanut hay. It was now time to feed the farm’s three potbelly pig residents: Betsy, Suzie, and Belvedere.

Belvedere is one of the farm’s oldest residents. Rescued in North Carolina, he was a sweet pig that no one ever was interested in adopting. He spent his days napping in the sun, exploring his area, and enjoying interacting with the other animals he would come into contact with. Year after year he got a bit slower and now, after a decade on the farm; the cold was not a friend to this geriatric porcine.

By far, Belvedere’s favorite food item is juice…specifically, Vanilla Chai Tea from Bolthouse Farms (again, donated by Publix). As I headed out in the bitter cold, I remembered this fact. I doubled back to the feed room and grabbed a bottle of it. And then, I did something, I’ve never done before. The bottle was near frozen in the frigid temperatures, so I put it in the microwave and warmed it into a toasty treat. As I watched “Belly” slurp down the warm concoction, my insides warmed as well.

I don’t know how my life will wind down. I’m unsure who will be by me as I move on from this world. I hope someone will be there giving me a warm drink, a warm touch, or a warm smile. I’m glad I was able to bring warmth to an old friend on a cold day. I hope we all have someone in our lives that can do the same for us when the temperature in our world turns nasty.