KARMA

In rescue there are many emotions. In fact, you experience them at the drop of a hat and with every conceivable action. Happiness, sadness, elation, depression, amazement, frustration. Some suggest that the longer you are in rescue the more you become hardened, that you are able to control your emotions to the point of no surprises. Whilst you do become harder to shock, and you appear less likely to openly cry, your emotions are still deep within as well as close to the surface. When you see something so abusive, so cruel and callous that has been done to a defenceless animal, your check on emotions can still reach fever pitch.

At the end of March, 2024 we would be faced with meeting a helpless and tortured little 11 - 12 month old lamb that would send our emotions to sky high!

The unfortunate thing with animals like sheep, and other farmed animals, is that whilst it is SAID they are entitled to welfare, they truly and legally have no rights. This means that injuries, diseases, illnesses that are compulsory to treat in our domestic animals are deemed to be "at the discretion of the owner" where farm animals are concerned. That means, and more often than not, that a rescuer and sanctuary owner will come across the type of sickening atrocity that came to us recently.

Fights and attacks between animals are common. One could well argue not as common as the disaster that is human entwinement. But, a lot of the time attacks can be prevented with common sense and proper property maintenance. The lamb in question, through no fault of his own, would become victim to a dog attack via the ignorance and laziness of a human. We could well go on regarding the human of species, but let's digress for the time being as the important being in this tale is that of the lamb. Arriving to our loving doorstep we would carefully cradle out of a vehicle an animal in sufferance. Pain, anguish, discomfort stared back from every fold of his pretty little face. Blood and bodily fluid ran from a leg wound and the unmistakable stench of infection and disease hit our nostrils. We peered in raising the rear leg in question, aiming to obtain a good look at the wound at hand. What we discovered would shock our 'hardened' hearts and spit anger and tears deep within the pit of our stomachs.

The attack had savaged the leg completely and continued up into the stomach and groin of a lamb too disfigured for us to even sex. But our red hot detestation would be reserved for the infestation of maggots that crawled the skin and flesh of this poor dearly soul. So thick were these maggots that a solid wall of writhing white covered the injury of the lamb. We boiled with anger, we shattered with sadness, but we did what we steel ourselves to do each time. We sprang into immediate action, it is what you must do. This poor boy was so weak, so sick, so beaten that every minute, each second was of paramount importance. Maggots such as the infestation that covered this lamb do not get this thick and this far advanced in a 24 hour period. No, this boy had been left to suffer by an individual, who when we spoke, declared he was not going to spend any money on "the animal".

As we removed the unsightly maggots we were able to get a decent look at the damage beneath. The attack was savage. It was so savage that we knew not of the expectancy of survival of this dear boy. The flesh had been torn down to the bone throughout the leg. His wounds on the undercarriage we severe. Black, bloody and leaving a surface not of nature. We did all we could for the sweet boy and immediately raced him to veterinary care.

It was instant, the plan of procedure and prognosis. The leg simply could not be saved, and the belly and groin would be tidied up as best as surgeons could. The vets, too, could not yet decipher this boys gender, that would come later post surgery. An amputation was planned and conducted quickly, time was of the essence in saving the lambs beautiful life. Surgery is always a risk, especially for these delicate ruminant animals, these farmed animals with zero rights. You see, it is only the few that care, compassionate enough to provide expensive lifesaving efforts to beings that matter. The sector, the industry of animal farming does not give one breath of thought to the wellbeing of these precious souls. To them they are just a number. The vets gave the boy a chance, but it was slim as they could promise not the survival of anesthetic in surgery.

They are strong, these animals abused. Their tenacity is remarkable and challenges our skewed notion of being the superior species. They overcome obstacles, pain and torment that we as humans would fold within minutes. This courageous little boy would not only survive surgery, but hit the ground running with enthusiasm and gusto. Oh, and by the way, this boy would become Karma. Named such because we thought he deserved some good karma to come his way....and for appropriate karma to go the way of his aggressor. In beating the surgical knife, Karma would not immediately escape that called pain. His ordeal was simply too large. His initial attack, his lack of treatment and following infection, His after care and recovery. All things of great agony that naturally, sadly, would take time to heal.

It would be in the confines of a sick pen indoors that Karma would eventually come of age. Initially slightly timid and depressed, and who could blame him, he would gently, slowly warm to his rescuers and daily existence. Even the dogs and cats that walked beside his temporary enclosure, initially greeted with Karma's defiant hoof stomp, would become his comrades, his friends and warm family. Once savaged by a dog at the hands of a human, Karma now did what only animals can do. He forgave, he welcomed and he embraced. We have seen many many animals over time and never shall we digress in our belief that they could teach the world a million ways of peace.

Karma is now recovering in his pen. His time ticks and he will relish his release, although he has become the dog he once feared! They stand and watch. They learn and mimic that of those within view each day. Karma, recovering, is now extremely super friendly. His timidness and fear has been replaced with love and acceptance. He feeds straight from the hand, he accepts pats, cuddles and even leans in for lambie kisses. Karma will try his best to shove his glorious wet nose through the pen bars to sniff the dogs and cats beside him. He views without missing a beat. As we venture to the cupboard to retrieve some potato crisps, Karma pricks his ears and stands on his three legs bolt upright. Yes, he wants, and loves, crisps and biscuits! Karma is getting there. He WILL recover, we will see to that, and he will expand on his short but tormented life. He will experience good, he will be given love without question, and he will fit straight in with the three legged sheep of Furever Farm once he is ready. Devotion and placing these animals first is all it takes. It can be done. He is simply beautiful. His skinny frame requires weight to find, but his woolly face and head are pristine to the eye, and delicate to the touch. He is loved by all who meet him. But love is not enough. Karma needs luck to go his way after being declared still critical by treating specialists. Because of the massive infections fought, the disease requiring dispersing, and flesh that is dying but trying so hard to replenish, Karma's life remains 50/50. He requires specific nutrition and muscle building feed. Karma will require ongoing physio to replace the steps outdoors that, at this point, he cannot risk or take.

But, the surprise for Karma awaits outdoors upon his very first steps.

The only negative to a good surprise is the waiting to unveil it by the people who know! We know, and we could not wait. Upon the rescue of Karma there was a burning unease. Sitting right down in the gut and eating us up inside. For it was known that the property that held and abused sweet Karma, continued to hold more sheep. These sheep weren't just any sheep (as none of them are), but rather the family that Karma had grown around, that he had spent his biggest part of 12 months forming bonds and relationships with. Yes, it takes but a fool to attempt to deny that sheep, along with other animals, are part of loving groups. The science of sentience appears to be conveniently blocked by the perpetually blind when it comes to admitting that animals feel. We know that this is the case. It is the proven case. In fact, as part of their sentient marvel they can love, they can understand, they can plan, they can problem solve and they can feel happiness, joy, infatuation. Sadly, they can also feel pain, sufferance, agony, fear, trepidation. This, humans are more than guilty of exposing them to. From the property of Karma we were well aware of the infliction of mistreatment and extreme pain. Cruelty to simplify. The desire to remove these sheep from a situation out of their control was paramount. In fact, there would be no rest until something was done. As far as we could see, the only feasible and correct outcome would be for these remaining souls to be surrendered to Furever Farm. If not, then action would need to set in motion.

Three sheep. One destination. Operation reunite was the priority, aside from the nursing of Karma to health. Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you know you are white lying, but the seriousness of the outcome overrules the time for niceties? When you speak to an individual you already have reason to detest, telling untruths, or simply saying what needs to be said, becomes like water off of a duck's back. You almost become a politician! We would speak with the landowner, convincing him of the high costs associated with care for farm animals. We would remind him of the family bonds they form, especially after 12 months. The importance of getting these sheep back together was no fabrication, it was correct and of the highest moral decision. this man did not want to spend money on the veterinary care of his animals. Therefore, we reminded him, he really shouldn't have them. But, if we were searching for the golden arch of reasoning, the person would offer it himself. He was not a citizen. His visa application was in the system, and after 7 years of living in Australia he wanted no drama, he wished no trouble with the authorities. Bingo. We had our path to success.

Upon stressing that we would not seek authorities interjection regarding Karma, we reaffirmed that we wanted the remaining sheep surrendered. It boiled down to his choice. One knows that we could have involved police, could have phoned immigration, but our one and main priority was the release of the sheep. That late evening we would be successful in having the individual sign our legal surrender agreement and allow us to catch and remove the sheep, taking them all back to the safe stables of the sanctuary. The catch would be difficult. Three sheep with no love or attention afforded them in their lifetime. But, we would not leave this place without all three on board. When we did, as we drove from the property knowing that we carried three now safe animals we beamed, our emotions stirred from ecstatic, to overjoyed, to almost childlike! But also we frowned at the treatment of all of these babies. Anger in rescue is an everlasting emotion, it is just often overshadowed by stronger emotions, or exhaustion. These were Karma's family in the float. This fact slowly dawned on us. We mean, it was always at the forefront of our minds, but the buzz and importance of the task had us temporarily sidelined. We were taking the family back to the one place that all would eventually be rejoined, where all could be as one forever.

Of course you need to name these beautiful animals, these creatures previously afforded zero importance. There is no way that any being should be referred to a number punched through their highly sensitive ears! Such a procedure. What is of the human ignorance? But, primarily, there needed to be checks and balances. Baring in mind where these sheep had come from, the treatment and torture of another, and the disregard from a wannabe farmer, there must be a thorough examining. Even in a 4x4 stable the frightened babies had but one initial response. To flight. Exceptionally fearful they wanted no part of human interaction, so as the sun shone on a new day we would observe and place hands as one could. Surprisingly, all appeared to be in moderate health. They were skinny, just like their fourth family member, but otherwise looking to be in passable condition. Naturally, as with any wonderful soul that enters a sanctuary, unless proven otherwise we assume that vaccinations, drenching and backlining have not been done. In this instance, we could lay money on it. So, as soon as it was possible they were  given their yearly shot, protected from the myriad of VERY nasty diseases that can be picked up. Their drenching will cover for internal parasites and worms. Lastly, they are backlined to rid and prevent of any lice or mites that frequent the grasses of paddocks. Healthiness is a key. These being just three more necessary costs that their former captor refused to pay.

And so, remarkably and stupendously, suddenly three sheep would find value. They would sit nervously as they took in the daily goings on, but they were here in secluded paradise. Now, the time would come! As everybody does deserve, the threesome would be gifted their very first, and only name. It shifts with amazement the projected merit depending on the source. With people supplying love, in no unfashionable expectation, the three sheep, 2 boys and 1 girl, became Kiah (new beginning), Tristan & Myrtle. To genuinely accept and make decent the notion that every being is someone not something, their must be a name, a means of identifying with a mode of respect. Now, after their first year of life having been begrudgingly and apathetically stolen from them, Kiah, Tristan & Myrtle had arrived. The work ahead to garner trust form the discarded will begin. The slight of hand that possesses nothing but friendship will thrust forward. They will be shown that they have worth, that they are valued far from the dollar sign hoisted upon their head, and they will be taught, at their pace, that they matter. Oh, how they truly matter. For they are the innocent of this earth, someone that we could well learn from. There is no word nor description to describe the love they are now afforded. Except, of course, that word itself; love.

Just meters now separate a warm devoted family bond. The time grows. They will be together someday.

The gloriously wonderful, the act of right would have us hoist dear Karma from his indoor confines to meet with his awaiting brothers and sisters, a meeting they all deserve. But that would be selfish and careless. As much as these four sheep warrant being together, they must sadly wait. Karma has much healing to do, healing so delicate. Karma's battle is far from over. His willingness and fight to overcome reoccurring infection, necrotic flesh and deteriorating muscles is so grave that there is no assurance of his survival, not yet. His brothers and sister are at least healthy. They will spend time in the introduction pen where they will slowly make friends with other animals. They will, at their own speed, become used to humans. It is our job, aside from the priority that is Karma, to spend time with Kiah, Tristan & Myrtle, to reassure them that not all humans are that of where they came. We will gain their trust, before we gain their love. Waiting, will be their brother, who has found the love that they will hear of but take time to feel.

This entire story, from the despicable cruelty afflicted upon Karma, to his literal life endangering fight of recovery, to the rescue of his beloved family has been one of many emotions. We have listed some as we have relayed this tale, but key sentiments have been shock, desperation, anger, love, determination, focus.....and hope. It is such a small word with huge importance. But if we do not have hope then these animals stand no chance. They need us to live in hope. Where there is hope there is a way. They ask not to be abused, cast aside, beaten, disregarded, degraded. But they ask of those of us who care to apply some compassion and hold enough hope to try to fix them. They demand nothing, for they are pure of mind. Just some help.

And someone to give them a voice.

Darren, Hayley & the Furever Farm Team.