Animals can overcome incredible odds, even when they are at the earliest stages of life. Despite abandonment, abuse, sickness, or strife, they will fight to become healthy and happy once again — so long as they're shown a little love and compassion, like this little abandoned kitten.
This was the case for the couple that happened upon little Elma, a lamb abandoned on the side of the road. Having just been born with no mother to provide her with the nutrients that she needed, Elma was given a severely slim chance at living. Though she suffered through sickness and pain, Elma managed to survive and become healthy.
Now, she resides in a farm animal's paradise where she is cuddled, loved, and clothed in some seriously cute fleece, resembling nothing of the sad little newborn she once was.
Thanks to the determined couple and the expertise of the Edgar's Mission staff, she's living, thriving, and slowly shaping up to be the most photogenic lamb on the homestead.
Learn more about Elma's amazing recovery below.
[H/T: The Dodo]
Elma was discovered on the side of the road by a couple passing by in Victoria, Australia.
Mysteriously, there was no other signs of farm life around. No other lambs, no goats, no pigs — not even a nearby farm!
She was still covered in amniotic fluid with an umbilical cord attached, indicating that she had just barely been born.
The couple rushed her to the nearest vet, determined to save the poor abandoned animal's life.
Though they tried to nurse Elma with formula, her health had rapidly deteriorated with the time she spent uncared for.
She quickly contracted calf scours, a nasty infection that affects the stomach and digestive system.
On top of that, she had not been nursed by her mother during the earliest stages of her life, which is paramount to a baby lamb's immune system.
Since they are born without any antibodies, lambs rely on their mother's until they begin to build up their own immunity.
Infected and vulnerable, Elma seemed to be quickly approaching death.
But the couple continued to explore their available options for saving her life and contacted Edgar's Mission.
They were skeptical when they heard Elma's condition, but they decided to take her in.
Though they were painful to the struggling little lamb, the sanctuary began injecting her with antibiotics to see if they could boost her immune system.
Then, the unbelievable occurred — Elma got better!
She got over her infectious symptoms and, slowly be surely, began to morph into a healthy lamb.
Though she is watched intently to make sure that she stays healthy, Elma has grown up to be lively and lovely.
The sanctuary staff says that she acts like a delicate doll. She is quiet, doting, and well-behaved.
Now that she has survived the peril's in her life's early stage, she is now happy to reside with the sanctuary's other inhabitants, all while rocking some seriously cute sweaters.
Thanks to her amazing saviors and the Edgar's Mission staff, Elma has a happy, healthy life ahead of her with plenty of new family and friends.
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