Wheels enable 3-legged sheep to keep walking

[Jenna]

On a hot summer day in the Texas Hill Country, a variety of animals seek shelter from the sweltering sun in the shade of oak trees on the sprawling 200-acre Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Kendalia.

All of the animals have a special story about how they came to live at the rescue. There's a blind cow, a goat with floppy legs that walks on his knees, a longhorn who nearly ended up mounted on his former owner's wall, and then there's Wylie, the 3-legged sheep.



"A predator had gotten hold of him and he lost one of his legs," said rescue founder Lynn Cuny telling the story of how Wylie arrived at the ranch.

Wylie was just a lamb at the time, but his back right leg was beyond repair.

"An amputation had taken place and he was just not doing well," Cuny said.

She and her staff nursed Wylie back to health, but it became clear he would likely never be able to walk. They were faced with two options, euthanize an otherwise healthy animal or find a way to make his life easier. Cuny chose not give up and began an exhaustive search to find a way to help Wylie get around. The search led to New York where they found a company that makes customized carts for disabled animals. Measurements were taken and casts were made for leg braces. In a few weeks, the cart arrived at the ranch. It was time to see if Wylie could use it.

"He was a little shy about the idea at first," Cuny said.

Once they strapped Wylie into the contraption he settled down and let staff members push the cart slowly as he moved his wobbly legs to keep up. That was three weeks ago. While he's not breaking any land speed records, Wylie is getting used to his new set of wheels.

"This is something very different for him," Cuny said watching the young sheep struggle. "When he actually does get moving, he's got wheels and it's kind of an accelerated pace and I think there's a part of him that thinks that's kind of neat, but it is still an adjustment."

To help Wylie adjust, staffers put him in the cart a few times a day for about 20 minutes. The workout sessions are helping him build strength and stamina as well as confidence. Cuny said she's seen the determination in Wylie's eyes and believes his spirit has been lifted.

"He's up, his legs are under him and he can move about so you know it's a good thing physically and mentally," she said.

The cart has helped Wylie keep up with his best friend Puddin the goat and Cuny said the pair are inseparable.

"If you find Wylie you find Puddin and vice versa, and she (Puddin) thinks it's a little odd but she's coming along," she said.

The cart wasn't cheap, it cost the rescue around $2,000, but seeing how it has changed the sheep's life makes it worth every penny to Cuny.

"It took a lot to do it but every life is worth saving," Cuny said. "His life is certainly diminished because he's not out there just roaming around freely but he wants to live."

Wylie will live out the remainder of his life at the rescue with the other permanent residents. Cuny said if all goes well he could survive the next 10 to 12 years thanks to his four wheeled cart. If you would like to help the rescue cover some of Wylie's expenses, you can sign up to be his sponsor. For more information contact the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation center in Kendalia.

4-Wheeling, 3-Legged Sheep Walks On
Customized Cart Helps Sheep Get Around
By Tim Gerber | KSAT.com

POSTED: Friday, July 10, 2009
UPDATED: 10:17 pm CDT July 10, 2009
SAN ANTONIO --

Video here: 4-Wheeling, 3-Legged Sheep Walks On - San Antonio News Story - KSAT San Antonio

[pgg]

What a waste of $$$ They should have just turned him into lamb chops

[Jenna]

==

[Buttercup]

What a waste of $$$ They should have just turned him into lamb chops

I don't see "customized cart" on here anywhere.

[Jenna]

I don't see "customized cart" on here anywhere.

[Ducky]

They could have worked with an agricultural college for this and gotten it cheaper, along with a study on the plasticity of sheep brains in overcoming physical limitations.

Not sure what the study would be useful for, but it sounds good.

[pgg]

==

You mean to tell me you don't like being eaten?

[Jenna]

You mean to tell me you don't like being eaten?

[Wolven]

You know..there is something really funny to say here...but...damn it..I have got to watch my mouth.

[Wolven]

I have no problems with the article..I think what they did was wonderful. If the life of the little guy could be saved and he can live a happy life...why not? Cute little thing. And the rescue sounds like a lot of what I did when I rescued...if they had a problem...I took them in.

[Wolven]

What a waste of $$$ They should have just turned him into lamb chops

[MacLean]

Anthropomorphism at it's best.

[Jenna]

I have no problems with the article..I think what they did was wonderful. If the life of the little guy could be saved and he can live a happy life...why not? Cute little thing. And the rescue sounds like a lot of what I did when I rescued...if they had a problem...I took them in.

[MacLean]

The money spent on that sheep could have gone towards an artificial limb for a soldier - or any other human.

[Buttercup]

The money spent on that sheep could have gone towards an artificial limb for a soldier - or any other human.

I agree.

[TXCharlie]

...along with a study on the plasticity of sheep brains.

It probably has about the same plasticity as liver pâté when smeared on bread

[Wolven]

The money spent on that sheep could have gone towards an artificial limb for a soldier - or any other human.

True...and so could the millions of dollars we waste on people bilking the welfare system etc, etc, etc....

For a rescue, who incidently rescues animals, this makes sense..this is what they do. Look to the government for not taking care of its own. Its like comparing apples and oranges Maclean. And I am a huge supporter of taking care of our vets but to compare to this doesnt make any sense to me.

(and I am coming to the conclusion that you and I are never going to agree on some issues. LOL I do respect your opinion though...even if you dont mine. )