When Lewis the baby cow without a mother arrived at The Gentle Barn, he was very sick and struggling to stay alive. Sky the therapy dog played a vital role in Lewis’ speedy recovery.
In the year 2020, Ellie Laks and Jay Weiner, the founders of The Gentle Barn, rescued a calf that had been orphaned. They saved him from a slaughterhouse where his mother had died, and he was just a week old. They named him John Lewis Thunderheart because he was also a fighter.
When Lewis first arrived at The Gentle Barn, he was not in good health. “He was suffering from severe pneumonia. He had loud, raspy breathing. He had a deep cough. He had an extremely high temperature,” Ellie explained.
Because of the stressful conditions he was born in, Lewis did not receive enough colostrum to build a stronger immune system. This made it even more difficult for him to fight off pneumonia.
Knowing that he wouldn’t survive in the barn, they brought him into their air-conditioned home, where they could provide him with a clean and cool environment and care for him around the clock.
There was also another animal that resided in the house and would prove to be a great help for Lewis. The name of this animal is Sky.
Sky was adopted by The Gentle Barn from his previous owner who found it difficult to keep up with his energy level. Although they did not plan to adopt him, they later discovered that Sky was an amazing therapy dog. He had the ability to make people laugh, soften the hearts of those with anger issues, and calm the nerves of those who were anxious.
That’s why Sky was an ideal companion for Lewis during his recovery. “Sky protected him, comforted him, and would lie down next to him, curling up beside him,” Ellie explained. “We just kept giving him love and comfort until he gradually began to recover.”
After Lewis had recovered, they allowed him to go outside, where it became clear that he and Sky had built a close bond. “Despite their physical differences, they play together all over the yard. Sky is very energetic like a puppy, while Lewis moves awkwardly like a cow, but they seem to have a mutual understanding,” Ellie said.
As Ellie showed Lewis around the farm and introduced him to the other cows, Sky accompanied them to help Lewis settle into his new home.
When Lewis arrived, he weighed only 50lbs at one week old.
Currently, he is two years old and weighs over a thousand pounds. He is now much larger than Sky.
Due to their significant weight difference, they are not as physically playful as they used to be. However, this doesn’t prevent them from expressing their affection towards each other.
Lewis will lie down on the ground, and Sky will climb all over him, lick him, and snuggle up beside him.
“Observing Lewis and Sky’s bond, there is so much to be thankful for. What I appreciate the most is that no matter how old or large they become, their affection endures,” Ellie stated about their connection. “To us, we see a cow and a dog. But to John Lewis and Sky, they only see companions, they see kin, they see affection.”
Experience the compassionate affection between these two by watching the video below. Please SHARE this heartwarming story with your loved ones.
