Blind Cow Cries Herself To Sleep Every Night Until Someone Realizes Exactly What She Needs
We aren't so different from the animals who roam this planet. They get lonely and sad just like we do. They also can be lifted out of a dark place with a little bit of help from a caring friend.
This is the story of Baby, a blind rescue cow who was so down on her luck that she was crying herself to sleep every night... until someone figured out what the problem was. Sometimes it takes a bit of animal intuition to figure out why someone is feeling blue.
Meet Baby, The Blind Cow
This is Baby. She was rescued when she was young and for a long time, she lived at Don't Forget Us Pet Us animal sanctuary in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Because Baby was blind, she wasn't able to live her life as a normal, sighted cow would. She would need around-the-clock care that she wouldn't be able to find at an average farm. That's where Don't Forget Us Pet Us came in.
The Sanctuary Went Above And Beyond
Even though she was blind, Baby was actually a very lucky cow. She wound up at the best possible place for a disabled animal. Don't Forget Us Pet Us is owned by Deb Devlin (who's pictured here on the left).
Deb went above and beyond to give Baby the best care possible. Deb is extremely dedicated to all of the animals at the sanctuary. One day, she noticed that Baby wasn't being her usual happy-go-lucky self.
Baby Was Lonely
Even though Baby was getting excellent care at Don't Forget Us Pet Us, there was something the sanctuary couldn't give her: the company of other cows. Baby was completely isolated.
There were no other cows that were in need of rescue in the area, but Deb had an idea. What if another kind of animal could be Baby's friend? She had seen different animal species form unlikely bonds before, and she was hoping that she could create something similar for Baby.
Meet Lulu, The Friendly Pig
This is Lulu. As you can plainly see, she's a pig and not a cow at all, but Deb thought that Lulu and Baby's personalities might just mesh perfectly.
Lulu came to the sanctuary after her mother accidentally broke her legs when she was a piglet. Lulu and Baby both had special needs and they had taken similar journeys in life. There was a chance that Lulu could be the answer to Baby's loneliness.
Similar Origin Stories
Baby and Lulu were alike in a bunch of ways. They both had disabilities, but they were also both rescued from slaughterhouses in America. They also seemed to have similar temperaments.
They were both patient and sweet, although they could sometimes be mopey. They both enjoyed food more than just about anything else, and they both liked getting their backs scratched in the same place. It was like these two animals were meant to be together.
The First introduction
Deb thought that these two might be a match, but there would be no way to tell until she actually introduced them to each other. The staff at Don't Forget Us Pet Us put Lulu and Baby in a pen together, and the two animals bonded immediately. Baby wouldn't leave Lulu's side.
One of the workers explained, "I had tried to pair Baby up with other animals, and it just didn’t work." Fortunately for all, this time it worked!
Deb's Plan Actually Worked
Even though Deb wanted these two animals to be friends, she wasn't sure if it was going to work out, so she was over the moon when she saw how quickly Lulu and Baby bonded. Deb said, "I didn't think the pig would be aggressive to the cow, and the pig was plenty sturdy. If the cow accidentally bumped into her, [Lulu] would be OK."
It was a solid plan, and it seemed to be working. Terrific!
A Friendship That Went The Distance
Lulu became something of a seeing-eye pig for Baby. She would guide her around the pen and make sure that she didn't bump into things. Baby and Lulu lived together for eight years. Over that time, they formed a very close friendship that only got stronger as the years progressed.
These two were inseparable. They seemed to be able to communicate with each other even though Baby couldn't see and Lulu was a totally different species.
Staying Close To Home
Some of the other animals at the sanctuary were able to go off into the fields and explore the area beyond the rescue farm. Because of Baby and Lulu's disabilities, they had to stay closer to home.
Baby would get lost in a big field and Lulu couldn't get very far on her broken legs. These two lived in a smaller world, but they liked their small world. It was comfortable and safe.
Lunch Buddies Are The Best Buddies
Baby and Lulu did pretty much everything side by side. They slept together, they walked together, and they even ate together.
Lulu helped Baby get around and Baby helped Lulu feel like she had a purpose in this life. These two were living the good life, but good things don't last forever. Everything is temporary. Eventually, Baby and Lulu's eight-year-long friendship came to an end. One of them just couldn't keep putting one foot in front of the other.
A Sad Day For These Two
Lulu was an older pig, and she had lived a long and pleasant life, even after getting a rough start to life in the slaughterhouse. She was so lucky that Deb found her and took her in, but her time on this earth had come to an end.
Lulu passed away peacefully with her friend by her side, but now that Lulu was gone, everyone at the sanctuary was worried about Baby.
Baby Mourned The Loss Of Her Friend
After Lulu died, Baby's whole demeanor changed. She went back to being the lonely cow that she had been all those years ago. "After Lulu’s passing, Baby mooed for two days. She also walked in circles frantically, hitting the fencing", Deb said. “I tried [to pair her with] a sheep, a goat, but nothing worked at all.”
Clearly, Lulu wasn't a friend who could be easily replaced. Baby had to experience her grief at her own pace.
Attempts To Find A New Friend For Baby
Deb was starting to get worried about Baby's mood and overall condition. She had heard stories about animals dying from grief, and she didn't want that to happen to Baby.
Deb tried to pair Baby up with other animals, but she didn't bond with any of them the way she bonded with Lulu. Deb was starting to lose hope, but then a new rescued animal arrived at Don't Forget Us Pet Us...
A New Baby For Baby
The new rescue animal was a baby calf. As soon as Deb saw the little cow she was hopeful that this animal and Baby would hit it off. They even kind of looked alike. She was so happy that Baby would finally have another cow to play with.
Deb said, "The day the calf arrived, I had set up two small areas divided by an eight-foot gate. I was hoping to acclimate the two side by side first."
A Slow Start To The Friendship
Deb didn't want to take any chances with this introduction. Baby needed a friend, and Deb wanted to do everything she could to ensure this introduction went smoothly.
Deb said, "Baby could get used to her noises, movement, smell, sounds… She was so in tune to those things, not having her sight." Slowly but surely, Baby and the calf walked towards each other. It looked like things were going well.
They Were Happy To See Each Other
"When the calf unloaded into her small pen, she was nervous and timid. She quickly saw Baby and she blasted that gate off its hinges." Deb said. “It was still secured on one side by a chain so she jumped the four-foot width of the gate and ran to Baby's side.”
These two had just met, and already they were acting like old friends. Deb was happy with the way things were going so far.
Baby Knew A Friend When She Smelt One
As soon as Baby sensed that the calf was galloping towards her, she seemed happier. Her ears perked up and then she took off running, just as though she were a calf herself.
The staff at Don't Forget Us Pet Us hadn't seen Baby that excited since Lulu died, and all the worries the had about these two creatures not getting along just melted away. This calf escaped a slaughterhouse just like Baby, so maybe they were bonding over a shared past.
Baby Pays It Forward
This calf could never replace Lulu, but she could give Baby the friendship and company she so desperately needed. This calf was new to the sanctuary and there was so much for her to learn.
Baby took it upon herself to show the calf the ropes. She showed her where the best place to graze was and guided her around the pen. She took everything that Lulu taught her and passed it on to the little cow.
Every Friendship Is Unique
"The bond was immediate, the love instant, and even though Baby has never had a baby… she takes care of, protects and nurtures this little calf… all the things Lulu did for her. It is so incredible!" Deb said happily.
These two have their own unique bond. It's a bond that's different from the one Baby had with Lulu, but it's just as special. They make each other happy and they keep each other company.
A Happy Ending For Baby
These two rescued cows could live out the rest of their lives together at Don't Forget Us Pet Us sanctuary. Baby's friendship with Lulu was one of a kind and it will never be replaced, but this calf gave Baby a reason to keep living.
Lulu will live on forever in all of our hearts, and Deb and all of the staff are truly grateful for what Lulu gave to Baby.
