Tees for Animal Lover
Add-Free BrowsingHelp keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong.
We are deeply saddened to report that Dudley the three-year-old cow, who was a wonderful ambassador for change for farm animals has passed.
Dudley’s inspirational journey started on a farm with several other calves destined for the meat industry. Poor Dudley’s foot somehow got tangled in bailing twine and completely cut off blood flow to his leg, causing it to fall off entirely. Taking pity on the three-legged calf, the farmer had a change of heart and decided not to send him to the slaughter after all.
As soon as Ellie Laks, the founder of The Gentle Barn, heard about Dudley’s story, she arranged for him to be treated at The University of Tennessee. There, he would get surgery to remove the rest of his injured leg and also be fitted with a prosthetic. The prosthetic limb was a perfect fit and Dudley was able to run, walk, skip to his heart’s delight. He opened up thousands of hearts and more than a 100 people turned out for Dudley’s second birthday party. His light heart and free spirit enabled him make many friends, both at the sanctuary and online through countless social media posts.
Recently, Dudley began having difficulty eating and defecating, which lasted for a few days. Sadly, he died after “a ruptured ulcer tore apart his stomach,” The Gentle Barns heartbreaking Facebook announcement explained.
“There was nothing the surgeons could do to repair it. I don’t know why these things happen, I don’t know why extreme loss is a part of our earth experience, but I’m so deeply grateful to have been graced by Dudley over the last two years, and if we could do it all over again, we would,” Ellie Laks said.
Dudley was resilient, teaching us about overcoming adversity, living in the moment and moving forward. What many people may not know is that cows, just like humans, have best friends. Studies have shown that when cows are with their best friends, their stress levels decrease and when separated from them, their stress levels increase. Like humans, cows seek pleasure and love to play. When let outside after being cooped up for too long, cows run, prance and jump with joy. Cows also have strong maternal bonds and are attentive, protective, and loving parents.
Although Dudley is no longer with us, his impact will be felt for years to come. Please share this video in his memory and encourage others to see cows as the someones they truly are – not somethings.
If you’d like to Support The Gentle Barn and the amazing work they do on behalf of farm animals, click here.
Speechless at the horrendous cruelty animals are subjected to and equally speechless at the and deeply grateful to the people in this video for the level of compassion they express. God Bless them.