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Thursday, December 23, 2010

A Tail Of Two Rennys

When I first saw Renny, lying in the back of a pickup truck, I have to admit I wasn't sure the Right Thing had been done. The extent of her injuries, the permeating smell of infection, her coat covered thick with burs and dried sludge was just overwhelming. I remember calling Tim in tears on the way out of the animal shelter thinking I was just going to drive her to the vet and Do The Right Thing.

Dr. Baron met us out at the car in a cold, misting rain and agreed that maybe the Right Thing had not been done. However, as Renny hadn't given up, we decided we wouldn't either and she started cleaning on her, scrubbing and cutting away horrid necrotic tissue that even saying something horrible like "horrid necrotic tissue" doesn't come close to describing. We were there for about two hours. She'd work awhile, go in to see appointments, come back out.

Dr. Cleveland and Lou Ann returned from a farm call just as she was finishing up. Lou Ann had seen the story on the news as well and was also touched by the story. I think she took one look at her and then me and knew I was overwhelmed and offered to come out the next evening to help me with the first at-home treatment. It was one of the nicest gifts I've ever been given. She made numerous trips out to help and she and Dr. Baron even came out on Thanksgiving Day.

So many people made Renny's care possible. Saved her life. The first responders, animal control, humane society, vets, techs, Saint Tim, friends from all over and most responsible, Renny herself. She is truly a sheep of character and I know we have all been blessed.

Much of Renny's hair was falling out on its own, but what was left was either caked with mud or filled with burs. Not only was this an infection worry, but surely uncomfortable for her as well and made catching her to doctor on her a painful chore. A nice couple came out and sheared her as best they could to clean her up and I bagged everything up and tossed it in the garbage.

It sat there for a few days and Renny started showing signs of improvement and I wondered if there was any way to salvage anything of her fleece to make some thank you gifts. I didn't have much hope for the mud washing out (and it didn't), but knew that while the fleece was still wet after washing, the burs would be easier to remove (and they were).



For Dr. Baron and Lou Ann.





Squeamish Alert...

This next picture was taken a couple days ago. I outlined where it started size-wise and if you know where to look (I'm not going go into that much detail) you can see some bumps where severed muscles and tendons and even an exposed vein have healed over. I am still just amazed.



I don't think Renny ever had a doubt.

23 comments:

Susan said...

This would definitely come under the heading of Christmas Miracle. Or even the Miracle of Love. It's very humbling when we see the strength and will to live in any creature. Renny is amazing. And so are you and all the others who stepped up to help her. Bless you all. Those felted Rennys are just beautiful!

Lori Skoog said...

Renny has a gigantic heart. I love the little Rennys you made. One sweet miracle for sure.

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

You are surrounded by some wonderful folks, and you and Saint Tim are just beautiful people. Wonderful Christmas present for me to witness such love for animals.

junelle said...

Love this story. I should really dig in and write more stories about the "healing & help" that come from spending so much time with the sheeps.

I am so sorry for your loss this week as well, it is hard to have friends leave. My little freckles left as well this week right before a monster snow storm and I have struggled with his leaving. We have to have huge hearts for this?

Love to you always~
Junelle

Alice said...

What a wonder heartfelt gift you have made with Renny's fleece. Sometimes the miracles we witness aren't instantaneous or singlehanded, but the work of many earth angels. This is a true Christmas blessing.

Deb W said...

Renny may not know if she's alive or has died and gone to heaven - her life is so different now: friends, protectors, good nutritious food, and plenty of it, warmth, and most important, shepherds who love and care for her.

You've done a wonderful thing here - and I'm sure Renny would be the first to agree.

(the felted sheep are wonderful, and such a great idea for her 'medical team'!!)

Ed said...

GO RENNY GO!!! Saint Tim, more like Saint Sarah...:-))

amyfibre said...

Hallelujah! That is all. Love to all of you.

Linda said...

I'm happy that Renny just keeps getting better and better. I love the felted sheep.....LOVE THEM!!

Shula said...

Those are precious. I am glad Renny is doing so much better. What a great story.

Jody said...

Those little sheep are wonderful..you are very talented!
It makes me wonder....if people have done this to Renny....what kind of punishment do they recieve, if any? The laws on animal abuse are just not tough enough either in Canada or the States.

Michelle said...

I think Renny knew because her guardian angel told her she had it all arranged, with all the right people, just in time. Bless you, Friend!

Gayle said...

You have a very amazing family. I cannot imagine. Merry Christmas to all.

Tammy said...

The character you capture in your little felted sheep is just amazing. I think Renny's vet and Lou Ann will be very touched to receive them. I'm glad you chose to post more of Renny's story, now that she has made such huge strides towards recovery. Since my imagination is a horrible thing, I looked up her story when you first posted. I am so very glad you stepped up and took Renny in. She must think, as someone said that she has indeed died and gone to sheepie heaven. I hope you have a blessed Christmas!
Tammy

Christine said...

I'm so happy for Renny that she was cared for by your team of angels. She is an inspiration.

I love your little Rennys, a perfect gift for sure.

CathyD. said...

Oh Sara,
This story just keeps getting better and better. I'm so grateful there are so many caring people in the world. I hope the first responders and the animal control folks have seen a recent picture of Renny and heard how well she's doing. They deal with such hideous things every day, this would be a real boost. Blessings to you and St. Tim. You done good. The little Renny's are just wonderful, can't believe you pulled them out the horrible mess it must have been.

Beekeeper Barbara said...

God Bless you for opening your heart to take a chance on Renny. I'm sure she gained strength knowing so many were rooting for her.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

flowerweaver said...

A wonderful Christmas story! The felted Rennys are great, and I'm sure they will be cherished. Glad you were able to salvage a little wool to make them. Best of all, Renny is getting well! We are all blessed by her healing.

Pam said...

I just keep thinking about how hard this was for you the first few days you knew Renny. You really went out of your comfort zone, and you were rewarded. God bless Renny. God bless Sara. Boo. Hoo. Merry Christmas.

Eleanor P said...

Where there's a will, there's a way!

I need orange said...

What gorgeous and PERFECT gifts for those who helped save Renny.

Thank you for sharing her story with us.

patchworkfibers said...

Every time I hear someone say "sheep are just animals looking for a place to die", I have to think about sheep like Renny that are not willing to give up. So glad you gave her a chance to show just how strong she is.

DayPhoto said...

This story brings tears to my heart and a glow to my soul! A big THANK YOU to you and all your friends and an even BIGGER THANK YOU to Renny! You are one very amazing sheep. And I will always remember you, as I too have been gifted by your new sheep Mom!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com