On Saturday night we took a call to assist a cow downed in a bog. 🐮 A mirky mire that had claimed her for at least a day. Claimed her and all of the strength that had run through her parasite-riddled and emaciated body. Making this picture of helplessness even more heart-wrenching was the sight of her wee and hungry calf who refused to leave her side. For an animal classed as a food-production animal, things rarely end well. And although we still do not know which way the tea leaves will fall on this one, we know this dear cow will be loved forever more. And therein we found the inspiration for her name, Cher, which means dearly loved. Something which she was the instant the kind-hearted Krysti from Rescue Rehabilitate Release came upon her whilst attending a routine wildlife call-out. Such a concern, too, for Cher’s well-being, was palpable the instant we drove through the gate to the paddock where she lay, for instead of the three or so Emergency Service volunteers we expected to see on hand to assist, there were at least a dozen. And so today, as we have worked tirelessly to get Cher back on those little black, not quite so muddy hooves of hers, we give thanks to the kind-hearted everywhere. ❤️ Our team, aided by our tractor, bought through donor funds, has lifted dear Cher up multiple times during the day, massaging those limbs, whilst this stoic little lady is giving us reasons for hope. Eating grass and hay that is slowly fuelling life into those once-lifeless limbs, whilst her bub, whom we have named Cherish, is never too far from view. At just over one year of age, what this hapless animal has been through is something no animal ever should. The irony of this, though, is that this tragic circumstance has secured a bright future for Cherish and could be the key to a long-lived and much-loved life for Cher. So for now, we are fighting the good fight, because that is what one does when those we dearly love are in trouble. Our sincere thanks to the volunteers from SES Whittlesea Unit, Woolert CFA, and Arthurs Creek and Strathewen CFA, for without their kind assistance this rescue would not have been possible. 🙏 #animalrescue #farmsanctuary #friendsnotfood