By Eden Hynninen
Esme the ewe has been given a new lease on life after Edgar’s Mission workers saved her and taught her to walk again.
When Edgar’s Mission founder and director Pam Ahern met Esme, the ewe arrived in the back of a van laying on her side and unable to lift her own head.
“When I started to treat her I actually didn’t get her out of the van because I thought within the hour, I’d have to take her to the vet to be euthanised,” she said.
“But I put her on a drip and gave her some glucose and injections. When I came back in half an hour, she was sitting up and looking at me – I couldn’t believe it.”
The weak and malnourished ewe had all staff on deck to help her stand again through the use of a special sling.
Edgar’s Mission workers Kyle Behrend and Paula Jewell said it was difficult for her to even stand.
“She’d been unable to stand or move for a while. She was quite emaciated and weak,” Mrs Jewell said.
“In the beginning, the standing harness helped just to get the blood back in her legs. Within a week, she took her own weight and then we were all laughing, convincing her to slow down.”
Ms Ahern said she had never seen an animal recover as quick as Esme.
“Every staff member and volunteer has been really invested in her story and followed her progress – it’s the whole community that has come together to save this animal,” she said.
“The funniest story was when we had her out here in the sun with a red blanket over her and a tour group was here. Everyone had heard about this sheep that was unable to walk.
“Then Red Barron, the cheeky rooster, came over and pecked her.
“All of a sudden she got up and walked over to the barn – that was the first time she’d walked on her own.
“I ran over and just saw this red blanket and no Esme! The tour group couldn’t believe it.”
Staff said Esme loved eating grapes and kiwi fruit from Ms Ahern and licked her lips when she arrived.
“She’s now got some other sheep friends that she likes to play with every day,” Mrs Jewell said.
Edgar’s Mission is set on 153 acres near Lancefield where staff and volunteers rescue and provide a sanctuary to more than 450 animals.
“We never tell people what to do or what not to do, but I truly believe in the goodness of the human heart,” Ms Ahern said.
