They say lightning never strikes twice. But when it comes to kindness, it certainly does — and sometimes, it strikes exactly when it’s needed most.
Meet Alex, a sheep whose story begins with heartache, but ends with hope, thanks to the kind heart of a bushwalker.
Found alone on a mountain
It all started when Alex, weighed down by a suffocating coat of wool, was found atop Mt Alexander in central Victoria, Australia. The images that came through to the team at Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary were heart-wrenching, bringing back memories of another sheep they had saved from a similarly poor condition.
But Alex’s situation was worse. Much worse.
When he was discovered, Alex was so weak that he couldn’t even stand.
His wool was so matted and dense, it was almost impossible to find a way through to administer the vital fluids he desperately needed.
The grazing in the area was sparse, and Alex’s emaciated body was a stark reminder of how much he had suffered. At first, the rescuers at Edgar’s Mission didn’t know if his life could be saved. They even wondered if the kindest thing would be to let him go peacefully.
He wanted to live
But then, as they lifted the heavy wool off his face, their eyes locked with his — and something in that moment told them that he wasn’t ready to give up.
Alex wanted to live.
Back at the sanctuary, the task ahead was daunting. The fleece — 88 lbs of it — was so tangled and soaked with rain, urine, twigs, and even maggots, that it seemed impossible to remove.
But with determination and care, the rescuers began to shear away the heavy burden that had kept him captive for so long. It wasn’t easy, but step by step, the wool came off, revealing a once-silent and suffering sheep now ready for a new chapter.
Look at his makeover
With the fluids pumping through his body, Alex’s head slowly lifted, his eyes meeting ours. He was confused, afraid, and unsure of where he was, but in that moment, it was clear he had a will to survive.
After his makeover, the kind-hearted people at Edgar’s Mission wrapped him in a warm jacket, and with the help of Chloe and Molly Brown — two of their wise old sheep — Alex began to show what he was made of.
The next morning, everyone watched in awe as Alex stood up on his own, stamped his feet, and devoured his first full meal in who knows how long. It was a small victory, but for Alex, it meant everything.
I cried watching this video. Bless everyone who had a part in his rescue and recovery:
It hurts my heart to see a precious animal in such pain and distress. I’m grateful to these wonderful people for helping this poor guy out. What an awesome sight seeing him up and at it after recovery! Share this video if you agree!
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