For years, Tonya And Dave Edwards dedicate their days, energy and resources to saving animals in their sanctuary Wilson's Wishhas Luxembourg in Wisconsin (United States). An adventure that began with the adoption of a Patou in distress called Wilsonand which is about to end because the couple is no longer quite able to take care of their charges.
The shelter in question today welcomes 57 animals: dogs and cats, but also goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens, ducks, cows and donkeys. They are creatures that are old or that no one wanted for various reasons.
THE Edwards are finding it more and more difficult to take care of themselves on a daily basis and feel that it is high time for them to hand over the reins, while ensuring their well-being and thinking about their future.
2 years of happiness with Wilson, mourning, then welcoming other dogs
So it all started with the rescue and adoption of WilsonPyrenees mountain dog victim of neglect. Tonya And Dave Edwards lived then Appleton60 kilometers away. He shared their daily life for 2 years, until his death from cancer. After he passed away, they began fostering other dogs.
Subsequently, they decided to accommodate animals of various species. They first settled on a 1.2 hectare farm in Seymour. 13 months later, realizing that they were starting to feel cramped, they moved to Luxembourg.
The new 2-hectare property lacked facilities suitable for housing animals. They had to put in place the enclosures, the water and electricity circuits, redo the roofs… Davea retired lawyer, handled legal and administrative matters, while Tonyawho continues to work in sales and marketing, organized fundraisers and events. The sanctuary only functions, in fact, thanks to their own resources and donations.
“We do everything ourselves”
The couple's daily life is therefore very busy. From sunrise to sunset, they perform all tasks, including feeding and cleaning, because it is difficult for them to find volunteers willing to clean the boxes.
“ We never travel because we can't find anyone to take care of the animals; so we do everything ourselvesexplains Tonya to Wausau Pilot & Review. Dave spends all day working outside and we do the chores together. We get invited to a lot of things, but we almost never get to leave to attend them. »
Their efforts are rewarded by the love and life lessons offered to them by their protégés. “ We can learn a lot from animals about resilience. We learn about love and acceptance », confides thus Tonya.
Animals which also brought them comfort during particularly difficult ordeals, notably when their benefactor had suffered a miscarriage and had beaten cancer twice.
Hand over
THE Edwards will therefore leave the region in the coming weeks, a decision reinforced by the extremely difficult winter that they have just experienced with the loss of several animals weakened by age or illness. In addition, they no longer have the energy to keep up, especially Dave who complains of increasingly intense back pain.
They are therefore looking for other structures that can accommodate their residents, even if they plan to move with several of them: their 5 dogs, a few cats, 7 chickens, 2 ducks and 2 goats.
“ We took a risk and we managed to accomplish something very special, something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Whatever your dream, find a way to say yes. I will never consider all this a waste of timeu,” concludes Tonya.