Meet the animals of Full Bloom Acres.
We love animals. And we’re doing our small part to make the world a better place for everyone, no matter how many legs they have. This page is dedicated to the animal rescue services of Full Bloom Acres.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of humankind.
Mahatma Gandhi
It all started with a dog named Lakey.
In 2019, my husband, Craig, and I stumbled upon a house for sale in rural Juneau, WI. We weren’t looking to move. In fact, we just finished remodeling our 800-square-foot log house. But when we drove out to look at the property, we fell in love. Little did we know what fate had in store for us.
When we went to make an offer on the house, the realtor told us there was one more thing we needed to know. The owners decided they were not bringing their Saint Bernard with them across the country to their new house. We could either keep him or they would “put him down”. Being animal lovers and having 3 dogs of our own, the choice was obvious! (I’m still baffled that this even happened, but in hindsight, I wouldn’t have it any other way.)
Lakey was not a typical dog. He was huge! And he lived in the barn. The first night we moved in, Craig and his brother Mike scrubbed Lakey’s barn from top to bottom.
They removed all the abandoned rabbit cages from the breeding operation that went terribly wrong many years back. We took down the hen houses and removed animal bones from the backyard. We put up a fence to give Lakey access to the outside as well as the lower part of the barn.
Before, Lakey was kept in a tiny, dark 12x12’ room covered with about 18” of filth. It was an upgrade from being chained to the silo for years as we were told. Lakey never went back into that room and eventually, we closed it off. That room has since become the room where we bring our newest herd members before integrating them with their kind. So many amazing memories have since been made there.
This was the first time we rescued an animal. I always wanted to, but didn’t know if I could do it. I can’t even watch the movie, Bambi!
Lakey taught me just how strong I am. He taught me how to care for someone who had never felt love. How to love unconditionally. And, most importantly, how to say goodbye.
Lakey passed away in the spring of 2020. We wished we had more time with him. A year wasn’t long enough to know this gentle giant with a heart of gold. But he was tired. He had been through so much abuse and suffered for too long.
But Lakey’s work on Earth was done. What he did for me I can never fully explain. He changed me and he opened my heart. He showed me that I am strong enough to handle the tough times, to make the difficult decisions, and to say goodbye - over and over again.
He showed me that it doesn’t matter how long you are with someone, all that matters is the amount of love you give in that time.
A few months later, Craig and I decided it was time. It was time to resurrect this old dairy farm and finally put the dark history of this property to rest. It was time to take Lakey’s story and share it with the world.
Lakey gave us so much and taught us how to truly love animals. He helped us turn Full Bloom Acres into the magical, restful place it is today.
Today, we care for just under 30 animals, but that number is always changing! We decided to be the voice for the voiceless, a home for the homeless, and a heart for the broken. We provide care to animals who have been forgotten, tossed aside, and mistreated for their mere crime of being “farm animals”.
And some of our animals simply were looking for new homes. Not every story of rescue involves abuse. Some stories begin with beautiful humans who want the best for their beloved friends. We love those rescues and those humans!
We have said goodbye to some amazing souls over the past few years. But they are never truly gone.
In fact, I am certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the reason this property feels so magical is that Lakey is watching over us. He welcomes each and every soul, when they cross the rainbow bridge, with a giant smile and big sloppy kisses.
If you ever wonder if all dogs go to heaven, I’m not so sure.
I believe they go to be with Lakey and forever live on in our hearts.
How you can help the animals of Full Bloom Acres
If you are moved by the work we do on the farm at Full Bloom Acres and want to support our ever-growing herd, click the button below to learn how you can help. Stay tuned for other ways you can help coming soon!
Meet the animals!
Meet the animals of Full Bloom Acres. Without Lakey, none of this would have been possible. One giant dog saved so many lives. Read their stories and get to know them as the special individuals they are.
