Family dog and baby cow saved from a slaughterhouse become a bonded pair during the pandemic
You wouldn’t think that a dog and a cow could become best friends, but such an unlikely pairing has occurred in Santa Clarita, California. When Ellie Laks and Jay Weiner saved a lonely calf from the slaughterhouse, they had no idea it would end up with a brand-new family member.
Saved from a slaughterhouse
Named John Lewis Thundertree after civil rights icon John Lewis, the calf came to the non-profit animal rescue “The Gentle Barn” in bad shape. At just a week old and at only 50 pounds, the calf was taken in by the family who had been living mainly at home during the pandemic.
John Lewis gets an unexpected friend
Things were touch and go when the calf first came to the shelter, but thanks to the love shown to him by Laks and Weiner, and the attention of an unexpected friend, he was able to pull through.
“He had severe pneumonia. He had loud, raspy breathing. He had a deep cough. He had an extremely high temperature,” Laks told Fox 11.
Moved into the house
Quickly realizing that the calf wouldn’t survive in the barn, the family moved them into their air-conditioned home, placing him in the living room inside of an oxygen tent. Beside him was his newest friend, his older brother Sky, an Australian shepherd who had taken the calf under his wing.
“Lewis was so sick, having Sky’s help — cuddling with him while he slept, cleaning his mouth, just nurturing him I think it’s one of the main factors that saved Lewis’s life,” Laks said.
Best buds
In addition to spending most of their time together, the two also share a bed, their toys, and their snacks.
“They run all over the yard and tussle. Sky is very mouthy like a puppy and Lewis wonky like a cow, but somehow they make it work and understand each other,” Laks said.
What the future holds
But it can’t last forever. By the time Joh Lewis is five years old, he will weigh around 3,000 pounds. Laks admits that eventually, something will have to be done about it. Until then, though, the calf will be allowed to stay in the house with his friend sky.
“I’ve never been a cow mom before. I’ve never had a cow live in the house so this is an adventure,” said Laks. “We’ll see we might end up with a cow in the house forever I don’t know what’s going to happen!”
Check out the video below for the two friends hanging out together.
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