A beautiful rescue Turkey was given a beautiful “last day” at the sanctuary that took her in.
On May 14, 2024, the TikTok account for The Gentle Barn Sanctuary (@thegentlebarn) shared the Turkey’s last moments, and it’s truly beautiful. Take a look.
@thegentlebarnWe knew our incredible queen cuddle turkey Sun was ready to go, so The Gentle Barn founders Ellie Laks and @Jay L. Weiner threw her one last party to celebrate her beautiful life in sanctuary 🦃 ☀️ Sun lived far past her life expectancy and gave out countless hugs over the years while inspiring people and changing minds about turkeys. In a few months she would’ve turned 9 years old and would have had her annual birthday party, so Ellie and Jay gathered our staff and dedicated volunteers to celebrate her extraordinary life. We gave her all her favorite things: apple pie, birthday cake, grapes, watermelon, corn, and an açaí bowl. She ate enthusiastically as her friends gathered around her, remembered stories about her, and gave thanks for all of her love, healing, and the remarkable life she lived. Her mobility had weakened over the last few weeks, and while she was getting pain medication, she appeared frustrated and stopped being able to walk or stand, so we knew it was time. We’re heartbroken to see her go, but so blessed to have had the experience of knowing her. Thank you for loving her, sponsoring her, giving her cuddles, and spreading her story; we know she felt it all. Please share your Sun stories with us 💚
“Giving our Turkey the best last day on Earth,” the text on the video reads.
Related: Baby Turkey Born at Gentle Barn Sanctuary Finally Has a New Name
In the clip, we see the sweet Turkey curled on the floor, looking very tired. With her is a worker from the sanctuary comforting the sweet Turkey.
The Turkey, named Sun, had a beautiful life when she arrived at the sanctuary. The video clip showed footage of previous birthdays, and the sanctuary celebrated with the beloved Turkey, who always loved her birthday.
So they wanted to give her a very last send-off birthday party. She was surrounded by the sanctuary worker she loved, the room was decorated, and she had a birthday cake and candle, in addition to her other favorite foods, which included apple pie, birthday cake, grapes, watermelon, corn, and an açai bowl.
The sanctuary shared with Sun the impact she’s had on everyone and made it known that she was very loved.
We knew our incredible queen cuddle turkey Sun was ready to go, so The “Gentle Barn founders Ellie Laks and @Jay L. Weiner threw her one last party to celebrate her beautiful life in the sanctuary,” the caption of the post read.
“Sun lived far past her life expectancy and gave out countless hugs over the years while inspiring people and changing minds about turkeys.”
The caption shared that Sun “ate enthusiastically as her friends gathered around her, remembered stories about her, and gave thanks for all of her love, healing, and the remarkable life she lived.”
Over the past few weeks she had weakened despite receiving the tender care from the sanctuary. “
“She appeared frustrated and stopped being able to walk or stand, so we knew it was time,” the caption continued.
“We’re heartbroken to see her go, but so blessed to have had the experience of knowing her.”
In the comments, people shared so many loving and kind words for Sun, and the impact watching her videos had on them.
More about Sun, the rescue turkey who lived at The Gentle Barn
At 9 years old, Sun was the “oldest living Turkey in the history” of the sanctuary, and that’s due to the treatment Turkeys receive on the farms, they shared.
“Before Sun, we had never had a turkey live past four. When Sun turned four, we wanted more time with her and started giving her acupuncture,” they explained.
“Sun had acupuncture each month for the next five years and lived just three months shy of her ninth birthday!”
According to PETA, Turkeys have been “genetically modified” for food consumption, and it’s had a very negative impact on their lives.
The organization shares, “Turkeys have been genetically modified to gain weight rapidly because fatter turkeys mean fatter wallets for farmers.” They describe Turkeys as “social” and “playful” who love to be around others.
