There is no shortage of poignant animal stories at the Sanctuary, whose mission includes educating the public about the impacts of agribusiness on both animals and the planet and making a case that these animals, which are raised to end up on our plates, have intelligence, feelings and emotions just like our household pets. In this regard, there was no better ambassador at the Sanctuary than Rambo.
When the ram first arrived, he would knock down pens to get free. The staff soon realized, however, that he never left the barn, and they made him a cozy bed of straw from which he could roam at will. “He adopted the entire place, human and animal,” says Stevens. “He clearly was trying to tell us he had a job to do, and he did what a lead ram does, which is protect his flock.”
When new rescues would arrive at the farm, Rambo often slept outside of their pens until the animals acclimated. He was generally folded up comfortably at Stevens’ side as she led talks at the property, allowing children to snuggle up. Since Rambo’s passing, his free-range sheep companion Lumpy has become “unglued and completely inconsolable,” according to Stevens. “Because Rambo would ram the doors down, we had to give him a different living situation; and in doing, so it allowed him to express his very deep need to protect and watch over everyone here,” she says. A memorial marker is being planned near the property’s entrance.
For more information on the June 9 Shindig, other CAS programs or directions to the property, visit the organization’s website, www.casanctuary.org, call (845) 336-8447 or drop by during tour times for your own cozy moments with the critters.
Andrea Barrist Stern
