Jacqueline and I are pensioners who live on a small hobby farm. We keep a few sheep and chickens.
Recently one of our ewes had triplets. One was very small (Tiny), and the other was average size (Buster), and the third was average size, but could not even stand up (Bart). We took him into the house and cleaned him off, gave him colostrum and settled him into a playpen in the living room. This was March 8, 2023.
Bart could not lift his head, stand up or walk. But Bart was such a fighter. We continued to nurse him in the playpen. We continued to work with Bart and within a week he could stand, though very shakily and not without help. We prayed daily for Bart (we are believers). The vet would have put Bart down but Jacqueline had a lot of faith Bart would walk even though the vet said that his condition was incurable and he would not have much of a life if he did live. At three weeks Bart took his first steps on his own and his condition continued to improve. At five weeks Bart was jumping and kicking up his heels, but he still couldn’t get up on his own. Now Bart was close to 30 pounds and we knew he could not continue to live in a playpen inside or out in the field with the other sheep in his condition as they would bully him.
We continued to pray that God would give us some direction. We contacted several rescues but they were unable to take him. From out of nowhere someone told Jacqueline about a sanctuary for special needs animals in Val D’or Quebec run by an amazing lady named Amelia. The sanctuary is called La Petite Fermette du mieux etre. We called Amelia and she said she would happily take Bart in. So after many phone calls and videos and tears, Bart arrived at his new home. At Amelia’s sanctuary Bart will have his own vet and physiotherapist. Recently he went to a school to help bring a smile and peace and joy to special needs children and they can relate to one another.
If a little helpless lamb can bring so much happiness to children, just imagine what you can do!
Bart, the worthless, helpless little lamb has become the ‘star’ of our little farm. Special thanks to Pat from Sandy Pines, our vet Dr. ken, Audrey who transported Bart from Ottawa to Quebec and especially Amelia for her incredible desire to love and help special needs animals.
Jacqueline and Jim Wood
Bart the lamb. Submitted photo.