Rescue Bunnies, Adoptive Dog Show, & Soaring Spirits – Winston Junction Market, NC

February 24, 2024

Winston Junction was a hoppin’ and a boppin’ on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Rescue bunnies from Roberson Creek Farm were an irresistible attraction at the market, and the variety of friendly vendors with wonderful homemade products really put the cherry on the cake, not to mention the costumed dog show with the cutest pups you’ve ever seen!

Destiny, the rescuer and rehabilitator of many different animals at Roberson Creek Farm, has devoted her life to caring for abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. Despite the arduous task of raising funds for the intensive care they need, she works extremely hard to show them genuine love and, when necessary, to help them find new homes.

My wonderful friend who runs a farm with her family in the same neighborhood as Roberson Creek Farm connected me to Destiny and this event, and (although I don’t often say this about ‘volunteering’) I genuinely had such an amazing time helping out at the market for a day and sharing in the contagious enthusiasm for animals. Destiny’s attitude of care and concern towards animals was palpable, and her kindness, empathy, realism, and good humor made her energy magnetic. Clusters of children (and many adults!) were intrigued by the adorable rabbits and the therapeutically calm rescue bloodhound (Gertie). Fortunately, there were also some leads on adoptions.

Roberson Creek Farm asks for a small donation to allow people inside the caged area to pet the rabbits, and I have never seen kids as willing to immediately put their own cash on the table as I saw during the market’s hours. I think this is a testament to the good cause that Roberson Creek Farm embodies, as well as to the high value that these kids placed on the wholehearted, and even therapeutic, experiences interacting with animals (not to mention that these are the cutest animals on the planet).

Currently, Destiny has many rabbits looking for adoptive homes, and other animals too! If you are interested in adding a cute little bundle of fluff to your family, learning about her rescues, or donating to the cause (every bit helps – and it’s a marvelous cause at that) please visit her website at robersoncreekfarm.me, TikTok @roberson.creek.farm, Instagram @robersoncreekrescue, and/or Venmo @robersoncreekfarm8, and feel free to reach out to her! I am so inspired by her spirit and drive to not only rescue all these animals, but also to carry out all the very hard work it takes to feed them, support their health, and secure the funds to do so.

In addition to the Roberson Creek Farm tent, where I spent most of my time, there were friendly vendors selling colorful pet bandanas and accessories, food trucks with coffee and tacos, homemade beauty and hygiene products, art, candles, other homemade foods, and much more. One dog who was professionally trained to do countless exercises and impressive tricks also entertained the crowd for quite a while. Inside the Winston Junction building where the dog show was held, there was also a long line of tables with creative (mostly pup-oriented) goods to bid on.

The “Dressed-Up Doggy Display,” as I am hereby naming the dog show due to a lack of knowledge of any official title, was a huge hit. Many of the dogs in the show were looking for adoptive homes as well, and this was quite a captivating and creative way of showing them all off while allowing their caretakers to have some fun too!

While I unfortunately missed the first half of the show because I was ordering a delicious hoagie and a sour beer from “Earl’s,” I can say with certainty that it was one helluva show. The color coordination of caretakers and pets was on point, the creativity of the costumes went off the charts, and the smiles, positivity, and energy of fun filled the room to the brim. My personal favorite pups (out of the ones I witnessed) were the “Corn Dog,” the “Peeved Princess,” “Dorothy & Toto,” “Poofy Purple Skirt,” and Gertie, the “Buddhist Bunny,” of course.

Having had little idea what I was getting into when I was invited to an “animal show,” I’d say this event was a doggone success!

-Josh