All I have to say is that when I saw these two goats, Ansel and Petal, my heart immediately melted.
It is always nice to see a happy ending for animals, like these rescue dogs who touched the hearts of prison inmates or this gaggle of rescue pugs who take an unforgettable trip to the beach.
However, when I read how these two came to know each other, I was filled with rage!
Ansel and Petal were raised together in horrible circumstances. They were abused and neglected with hundreds of other animals. The terrible owners had two properties devoted to neglecting, young, innocent animals, ranging from goats and sheep, to pigs and cows.
Fortunately, someone tipped off the local authorities in New Jersey. While many animals were found dead, nearly 200 had survived the torture farm and are able to live healthy lives today.
The Barnyard Sanctuary and the New Jersey SPCA rallied together to save, heal, and protect these poor creatures!
However, it was Ansel and Petal, two Lamancha goats that stole everyone's hearts.
See their story below, and SHARE if you believe animals should be loved against all odds!
This is Petal and Ansel. These cuties have become inseparable friends and it's adorable. “They curl up and sleep together. They think they’re brother and sister," Leanne Lauricella, a Barnyard Sanctuary volunteer, told The Huffington Post.
Though they are happy now, their story began in tragedy.
When the New Jersey SPCA was tipped off to animal abuse on a private property, they teamed up with The Barnyard Sanctuary to rescue nearly 200 animals.
It's hard to fathom who would ever take in innocent animals just to hurt them like this, though we're glad there are people out there who make it their duty to save them.
“I didn’t notice anything when I first walked into the house,” Barnyard Sanctuary Director Tamala Lester said. "The house was normal, until [officials] said, ‘Go back into the bedrooms.' ” That's when they discovered the dozens of neglected animals.
The Barnyard Sanctuary took in around 150 survivors but it was the two baby goats, Ansel and Petal, who needed special care. The photo below shows Ansel and Petal, sickly, moments before the rescue.
“They were so skinny," Lester said. "Just bones."
While Petal recovered quickly, Ansel was critically ill suffering from an E. coli infection. Vets didn't think Ansel would make it.
Today, Ansel is pulling through. Though he is still struggling with the infection, he is being taken care of by the kind folks at Barnyard Sanctuary and is being comforted by his good friend Petal.
Though it may sound cheesy or cliché, sometimes during tragedy, all we need is a friend to get through!
SHARE if you wish Ansel, Petal and the other rescued animals the best of luck!
