Gilbert’s Story
We are so grateful Gilbert joined us instead of being a “project” for FFA. The Murray Family are a former #FFA family that had a change of heart when their sweet lamb, Gilbert, showed them that love was more important than profit and ribbons.
This is Gilbert’s powerful story.
“When Braeden bought Gilbert, a gangly 4-month old lamb, our family stepped into a world that we’d never spent much time thinking about. Rosy in our somewhat willful ignorance of the future, we ventured to the FFA barn twice a day where I’d call back to the bleating sheep and bucking goats, moon over the young steers and sneak carrots to the behemoth breeding hogs. We greeted each one by name as we trekked down the long line of pins, offering the occasional handful of hay or a scritch behind the ear. I watched from afar as the neighboring steers, Ranger and Moose, nuzzled each other through the bars separating them. Seeing the obvious love they shared sent a lightning bolt through me. All those animals, so trusting and innocent, are mere children, looking back at me through curious, glassy eyes. The way Gilbert would lean into my leg to get a good scratch, the excitement that lit him up when we’d arrive and call his name – there was no way we could surrender him to his doom. At first, we contemplated how to bring him home. Would our yard have enough space? Would our dogs terrify him? Would we know what to do if he got sick? The questions mounted as our desperation grew.
Then we found Rowdy Girl Sanctuary and Gilbert’s salvation. I only wish we could have saved them all. Instead, I have adopted a plant-based diet and I tell my story in the hopes that others will find their lightning bolt as well.
I’m a proud member of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary because they gave us hope when we had none, and as a former FFA family we encourage other families that love animals to join us in giving animals like Gilbert a second chance.”
