Meet Dude and Dilly, who came to this farm in late April 2020, in desperate need of medical attention, love, and care, after experiencing a hell that most humans would never understand. They were dehydrated, starving, and obviously malnourished for a long period of time. Especially Dude, who was certain to have suffered years of abuse.
Sadly, they had no human voice to ask for food, water, or kindness. They only possess defense mechanisms, an instinct to run from danger, to hide from pain and abuse, and the drive to survive in anyway they could.
Dude had serious skin, weight, and health problems, he had trouble catching his breath, and he still pants to this day, I’m sure in part to a continual lack of nutrition. The veterinarian wasn’t sure he would survive and he lived in a horse trailer (with his pal Dilly) so that I could check on him every few hours. His skin was pink with only little patches of hair, he was skin and bones. Also, he had gotten a wire caught around his back foot, which was seriously infected, swollen, bleeding, and made it extremely difficult for him to walk – there was no way to tell how long it had been there. He was in really bad shape.
Dilly was sick as well, but not at as much of a health risk as Dude, as he is younger, and must have been on that monstrous farm for a shorter time.
They were rescued when a kind soul saw their plight, while driving by that farm. The day before they were rescued, the owner had forced them into a small wooden (enclosed) box for over 24 hours to allow easy access and transport -but they had no access to food or water, or even fresh air. Dilly’s tail was broken in that box, they were squeezed in so tightly together.
This story ends well, thank goodness. After living isolated from my original sheep, Andy and JoJo, and the trailer for easy access to the vet, they began their long journey to healing.
At first, they were completely unapproachable. If a hand wanted to show them kindness with a pet, they bolted, getting as far away as possible from the suspected danger.
Since it was spring, there was delicious green grass in my inside yard, so I began letting them out for grazing spurts, and they would ravenously get as much as they could with each bite, but they would keep at least 6-10 feet away from me, or anyone else, and frantically run away if approached. I began a very healthy eating regimen of grain, sheep minerals, and high protein ‘Timothy’ hay. They gobbled it up as if they’d never eaten before.
I persevered in trying to build trust, and visited them for hours each day, bringing special treats such as apples, cucumbers, and molasses licks, and they slowly allowed me to get a little closer each time I was with them.
Honestly, it took weeks for them to allow me within 6 feet of them. But quarantine time was over after 30 days, and it was time to move them to the pasture, where they had ample grass, freedom to run, and the opportunity to bond with the other sheep. The move went well, and they seemed to enjoy having more space, and being with the other sheep they’ve gotten to know through the fence.
Dude has serious food insecurity and eats like a horse… so he’s ended up with a huge hay belly, which warms my heart, because he is getting enough. The vet said it could take up to a year for him to feel secure there would always be groceries.
The two of them eventually began to heal, and began to trust, and after three months, here are the results:
They are healthy, happy, running, jumping, and filled with gratitude, evidenced in their excitement to see me, to be near me, and to be loved. They lay their heads in my lap and over my shoulder for hugs. I have never seen such changed sheep, and they deserve every single bit of this happiness. They seem to CRAVE love, as it is something they’d missed out on in their lives, and cannot seem to get enough… and it is priceless.
I’m so incredibly lucky to be having this experience… of being loved completely unconditionally, and 100% trusted by these sweet souls who have never known love, kindness, or security. I feel lucky to be in their lives. They love me, they show that every single day, and I have fallen in love with these gentle souls. I ache to spend time with them, every chance I get.
FARM ANIMAL HAVEN SANCTUARY 
They’re just like us, they need love and a life free from harm.
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