The Gentle Barn, a sanctuary for animals, has raised many abused animals over the years and given them better lives. One of their famous residents is a cow named John Lewis Thunderheart (or just Lewis for short).
Lewis’ mom was killed at a slaughterhouse, leaving him with no one to look after him. He suffered from pneumonia and needed special care as a result. So, the Gentle Barn took him in and nursed him back to health. But little did the volunteers know, Lewis would make an unlikely friend at the sanctuary.
Dog Comforts Cow
Since Lewis grew up in a stressful environment, he hadn’t been given the nutrients needed to build a strong immune system. So, catching pneumonia put him at risk of death, especially if faced with the outdoor elements for too long.
Ellie Laks and Jay Weiner, the founders of the Gentle Barn, kept Lewis in their air-conditioned home while he healed. During Lewis’ recovery process, he made a new friend: a dog named Sky!
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The Gentle Barn took in Sky, an Australian Shepherd puppy, after someone surrendered him. His previous owners couldn’t keep up with his high energy levels. At first, Laks and Weiner weren’t planning to adopt Sky, but they realized he had therapy dog qualities that made him a great addition to the organization.
When Sky met Lewis, the two formed an instant connection. Sky always comforted Lewis by cuddling with him and giving him lots of kisses. The founders believe that Sky’s love and dedication to Lewis helped the calf heal.
Best Friends for Life!
Once Lewis was strong enough to go back outside, his bond with Sky grew even stronger. At the time, the two were about the same size, so they would run around and play with each other just like two dogs would. As Lewis adjusted to life near the other cows, Sky was always there to support him.
Lewis is now significantly bigger than Sky (weighing around 1,000 pounds), but that hasn’t changed their friendship. Now, Lewis is more careful when playing with Sky to prevent hurting him, but Sky still cuddles with him and gives him kisses occasionally.
“Watching Lewis and Sky together, there’s so much to be grateful for. What I enjoy the most is no matter how old or big they get, their love still continues,” Laks said. “To us, we see a dog and cow. But to John Lewis and Sky, they just see friends, they see family, they see love.”
Sky and Lewis might be unlikely friends, but nothing can break their bond. To see updates on them and their animal friends, you can follow the Gentle Barn on Facebook and Instagram.
Watch Lewis and Sky’s Friendship Evolve Here:
Featured Image: Instagram
Toledo, United States.
