Sometimes, when you meet someone, you just click. Love, friendship and bonds that last a lifetime aren’t formed on a whim, soul mates warm together like two magnets pulled by an invisible force. We meet new face after new face, sometimes we want to nurture a budding companionship, other times we just want to back away slowly.

Farmed animals share our desires to have someone by their side. Many of Edgar’s Mission’s residents have found their special somebody, here are a few of their stories.

Lombard and Jewell

Lombard was rescued as an adult and so is flighty around people, he prefers to keep a safe distance – safe meaning the furthest side of the furthest corner of the paddock. That was until he met Jewell. Jewell was born with a congenital hoof disorder and needs a lot of care and medical attention to ensure they’re clean and trimmed comfortably.

While Jewell is having her pedicures, Lombard is always right by her side. Sheep are prey animals and instinctively run away when humans are in their flight zone, but amazingly Lombard stays close to the ewe he loves, selflessly denying his instincts to flee and bravely standing in the face of his greatest fear.

Leo and Imogen

Leo once ruled the roost in Chicken Village, that was until age got the better of him and plucky younger roosters strutted into town and toppled him from his reign. Lonely and still eager to share his golden years with a lovely lady, Leo was introduced to Imogen and it was love at first sight.

Imogen was once a battery hen, confined to a wire cage, unable to spread her wings, sit in comfort or feel the sun’s warm rays. She arrived at Edgar’s Mission with osteoporosis and a broken leg, so it was important she stay out of the hustle and bustle of Chicken Village and retire in the expanse of a rural dwelling. This match made in heaven has been a blessing for both – as they have found a tranquil companionship in each other in their private abode.

Thumbelina and Leon Trotsky

Thumbelina was once one of the many pigs born and sold as “mini pigs” – however these little piglets more often grow bigger than expected and have even bigger personalities, seeing them abandoned in pounds or worse. Thumbelina is smaller than your average pig because some unscrupulous breeders often advise new owners to underfeed the piglets, starving them to stunt their growth.

The day after Thumbelina arrived, a tinier piglet with a broken and dislocated hind femur came into our care. Little Leon Trotsky was in need of a wheelchair to keep the pressure off his tiny bones while they healed. When Thumbelina first met Leon Trotsky, he was a tiny pipsqueak and she twice his size. Today, Leon has grown and Thumbelina not so much – yet she still loves his drooping features, wobbly belly and floppy ears. Every night they can be found lying in the sweet and soft straw, snout to snout.

Hansel and Gretel

A golden-hued calf opened his wide eyes to the big, bright world and felt the warm caress of his mother. All knobbly knees, he struggled to his trembling legs and suckled in his mother’s milk. Within a few hours he would be taken from her, she chasing and bellowing in grief, and penned awaiting a truck bound for the sale yards. While the rest of his ilk likely suffered a grim fate, he was to finally be dealt the kindest blow. This young calf would be lucky enough to be given a name, Hansel, and a life worth living at Edgar’s Mission.

Hansel was bundled into the back of a horse float where he came face to face with Gretel, a fellow dairy calf who had been born with only three legs. Both were lovingly bottle fed and grew to be the most gentle and majestic creatures. Together they greet each sunrise and see the sun set. They eat, sleep and play together – Gretel doesn’t let a small issue like a missing leg get in the way of a good dance.

Watch a video of Gretel’s playful dance.

Tarzan and Cheesecake

Cheesecake, a confident young sow, found herself in an outer Melbourne pound through no fault of her own. There she made the acquaintance of a skittish but dainty little fellow who would be called Tarzan. It was clear to the pound workers that whenever Cheesecake was taken out of his sight, the young buck would become erratic.

They formed a bond in the pound that carried them to Edgar’s Mission, where they’re now free to spend the rest of their days as a dynamic duo. Some might say they’re an odd couple, but there’s nothing peculiar about the love and enduring friendship they show. Tarzan and Cheesecake like to feed from the same tray, even though they have two, sun themselves side by side and play games of chasey.

All of these heartwarming bonds show us that, regardless of how we look, everybody finds comfort in a good friend. Love endures through the years and across species, it transcends beyond what we once thought possible and truly shows us that farmed animals have rich inner worlds and emotions. Animals yearn connection and life’s joys – you only have to look into their bright and soulful eyes to see it.