Animals Just Know...
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
December 2019

Animals know when the weather is turning, they can sense when someone is hurting, and they even know when someone is sick. They also know when someone needs a little extra help.

Sheep Marble

In every way, animals know more about what is happening around than us humans could ever dream of. They know when the weather is turning, they can sense when someone is hurting, and they even know when someone is sick.

They also know when someone needs a little extra help.

That was apparent last summer during a school trip to Indraloka. A kindergarten group came to visit and take a tour. They had the opportunity to go into the pasture with the sheep and treat them to some fresh fruits and veggies. Usually, when a group enters the pasture, the sheep flock to the gate because they know a group of humans and treats go hand-in-hand. For any of you who have witnessed this for yourself, you know Cap’n Marble the Marvelously Unsheepish Sheep is probably the first to greet everyone. But this time, he didn’t follow the treats. This time, he knew someone was there that needed a little extra help.

One of the kindergarteners was using a wheelchair. He was mostly non-verbal and he had a small, delicate frame. He was intimidated by the sheep and was a little fearful of their size.

Sheep Marble

Marble sensed this and approached the boy very carefully. He stood with him, and gently took strawberries out of his hand, refusing the ones the other children offered him. The whole time the group was in the pasture, Marble stayed, showing the boy that the sheep are kind and gentle, and that they are just as happy to see him as they are the other children.

The little boy didn't need words to communicate how this felt. He let out a giggle that was clear and pure and reminded me of the same joy I feel hearing the first songbird in spring.

Interactions like this are why we are asking for your help this holiday season because we want them to happen more. With you by our side, we have the ability to bring so many more kids and animals together, so they can teach each other, and so they can help to heal each other when they need it.


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