Animals of Xanadu
Meet our rescues and read their stories!
Bruno
Sick and skinny, this 6 month old Jersey mix bull calf was dumped at a slaughter auction to be sold off to the veal market. He was suffering from pneumonia and a severe case of pinkeye, and completely withdrawn never knowing a human touch, and we battled it out at auction with the Veal dealer--determined not to let that be his final fate.
As we got him home, he went through intensive vet treatments for his first 6 weeks at the sanctuary. His immune system was compromised from the horrible conditions we rescued him from, and he just couldn't lick the pneumonia or pinkeye despite multiple treatments. After staying in the Vet Hospital ICU and treated with IV antibiotics and fluids and other supplements, he finally started to turn the corner on the pneumonia, but his pinkeye continued to worsened. He already had scarring when we rescued him, but we started treatments immediately hoping we could lick it. At one point the ulceration covered the entire eye and the vet thought our sweet boy would lose his eye since it wasn't responding to any antibiotics, but we were going to try everything first to give him his best shot. Luckily, with some creative treatments and support from all his followers, he rounded the corner and the stabilized. Even on his road to recovery, he continued to show signs of thriving at Xanadu!
Now, his appetite is great, and he and Lucille are quite playful out in the pasture. He loves head rubs and chin scratches! He follows us to the barn for eye treatments and apple snacks and chin rubs. We're doing all we can to give this sweet boy the life he deserves, and we couldn’t be happier to have him as part of our Xanadu family!
Crimson
This sweet 2-3 month old kitty was rescued by a Good Samaritan after being abandoned—thrown from a car.
Luckily, her overall injuries were fairly minor save the lip avulsion from orofacial trauma common in vehicular incidents, especially when an animal is thrown from a car. Crimson was treated for her injuries and lesions from her ordeal and has officially moved in with our other kitty rescue-Clover in Xanadu’s kitty haven!
She is definitely a little spitfire! They are playing and bonding and she is eating well and being cooperative with her lip treatments. So glad we could take in this precious little soul and count her as one of the lucky ones. And many thanks to the Good Samaritan who stopped to save her!
Woody
Rescued in Feb 2019 at just 2 weeks old, Woody’s mother was shipped to slaughter while still pregnant. She gave birth just hours before her slaughter and despite how much baby goats need mama, at the very least, a few days, she was sent on and he was left orphaned, thrown in a tiny cold pen and bottle fed occasionally just enough to survive to make it to the livestock auction the next week. While the auction was so scary for him and all the other baby goats auctioned off that day, after all the yelling and bidding, he took a short nap on the ride home and woke up in a warm bed with his 3 new siblings and all the formula he can eat. He had to be treated for several weeks for a bacterial infection, but after that, he turned into the bouncing happy baby goat we always knew he could be!
Lucille
A young little girl dumped at the same slaughter auction as Bruno--but by mistake! She was set to sell off for veal until we stepped in and refused to let that happen. She was also suffering from pneumonia; and so filthy covered in animal waste head to toe from being contained in such tight quarters for so long. We didn't even realize what a beauty we had stolen from the auction until we got her home. A good bath, some antibiotics and all this fresh air have just perked her right up! She is still standoffish with the staff but coming around a little at a time, and she eats like a horse. She likes head rubs ONLY if you sing to her first. She especially likes Kenny Rogers "You Picked a fine time to leave me Lucille". :) Because they were rescued together, Lucille and Bruno are almost inseparable--they bonded quickly and do everything together. Even when we have to stall one of them for a short time for medical treatment/care, the other one lays right outside the stall-halting all daily habits until they are back together. They may be an "odd couple", but it makes perfect sense here with us!
Speck
This precious little boy was only 1 week old when we rescued him. Like our other goat rescues, he too was orphaned at birth, and bottle fed just enough to keep him alive. He was suffering from a bacterial infection and respiratory infection at the time of rescue, and because his immune system was so fragile from lack of proper care, he suffered from respiratory infections on and off for several months despite residing in the best accommodations of the Indoor goat suite of the welcome center. While it breaks our hearts to know that he and so many of our others never got a chance to even meet their mamas, and had such a cold and cruel start in this world that may affect their health the rest of their lives, we do know they will never know a day without love again. Speck is a Facebook sensation, and when he is well, he is one Jumpy Bush goat! He may be little, but he is mighty-jumping up on surfaces 3 times as higher as his older goat friends. Given enough time, he may rule the roost one day soon.
Clover
Clover was an indoor cat who was put outside and abandoned by her family when they moved away. She fended for herself outside for approximately a year in a local neighborhood--avoiding the coyotes from the surrounding woods, seeking shelter in the storm drains; finding food where she could and catching the occasional good meal from the neighbors’ kindness. Lucky for her, and for us, she will never have to worry about any of those things again! Rescued in 2017, she is happy and healthy and reverted back to an indoor cat as if that entire year never happened. She enjoys afternoon naps, constantly playing with toys, and her favorite pastime-breakfast in bed on a rainy or cold day.
Shyner
Like so many other male cows, Shyner was considered a byproduct of the dairy industry. Born at the end of 2019, at just 2 weeks old, he was sent to auction to fetch a small profit. He was born with a condition called contracted tendons in his front legs meaning that his feet bend inward when he walks making it hard to get around or grow appropriately. Life dealt him a bad hand, but we wanted to give this boy a 2nd chance at life. Shy and withdrawn at first, Shyner was true to his name and kept to himself a good bit but enjoyed any bottle feeding time, and a few rubs then. He worked with us through all his physical therapy like a champ, working to straighten those legs out. With hard work we were able to avoid surgery, and Shyner did all we could to strengthen those muscles and tendons all on his own! He came to enjoy the company of Lucile and Bruno, and wormed his way into the goat herd at hay time. He is growing fast into a healthy and beautiful boy, and we are so excited to get to watch him live a long and happy life here at Xanadu.
Archimedes
Another resident of the Xanadu farm-while rare for us to actually see him up close, he has been out for a visit or two in the cow barn, where we were able to get this glorious shot of him.
He can be seen flying through the lower woods near the entrance to the sanctuary, and he can be heard nightly from the front porch of the Welcome center. We do not interfere with the local wildlife routine and habits (short of leaving out leftover fruit/veggies for snacks), but we do enjoy capturing their movements and enjoying all that they add to this magical place.
Trumpet
Trumpet was another victim of “Easter present gone bad”. She was adopted by a family at Easter time, and as soon as she grew to 2 months old, she was confined to a small cage with little room to move around and offered no supplements to her regular bagged rabbit food.
The family ultimately dropped her off at Animal control, and because of her physical state no one wanted to adopt her. We swooped in and rescued her, and after thorough evaluations, she was completely feral and scared, dirty with broken fur and injuries consistent with long term confinement with little to no sign of human or other contact. She was a good bit underweight for her size, and she had muscle damage to one leg and unable to use it at full capacity, and a potential heart condition that limited to her activity significantly.
Soon after arrival at Xanadu, she began quickly to enjoy time outside. Her heartrate finally stabilized, and she dropped her “feral and scared” exterior very quickly. She is still a bit standoffish, but doesn’t run from her handlers and caretakers. And now that she has been introduced to a variety of cuisine—she has fallen in love with spinach and carrots that we’re not sure she ever had the pleasure of enjoying before.
She will make a great ambassador of our rabbit rescue program, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to rescue her.
Mollie
Rescued at the same the same Livestock auction along with Chevy-Mollie was just 2 weeks old and orphaned and sick with a bacterial infection as well. It took several weeks and multiple vet trips and antibiotic and scour treatments to get her well again, but once she was well, we really got to see just how special she is! Always the lady, she is “dainty” in her goat play. She jumps and hops and runs with the best of them, but always does so in her Mollie Lady-like fashion. She has a great appetite and truly seems to love her life here at Xanadu.
Stella
In late 2016, Stella was dumped by her owners in the woods at the age of 4 months due to her early onset hip dysplasia, Because of her shallow hip sockets, she would have constant pain and displacement for the rest of her life. Luckily, we were able to treat this surgically with one hip and keep her healthier hip strong, treating with meds and laser therapy. Now she enjoys running and playing and swimming like any other young lab pup! Due to ongoing treatments she will need the rest of her life, Stella is a permanent resident of Xanadu and was officially adopted by our founder. Stella certainly earns her keep around here as our official welcome wagon! She is always wanting to visit with volunteers and visitors, welcome our new rescues, and participate in farm chores.
Rascal
This little guy is not an actual rescue, but he is a resident of the Xanadu farm. He is consistently seen waiting for the nightly snacks the staff leave out of fruit/veggies/seeds for the congregation of squirrels, raccoons, turkeys, chipmunks, possums, armadillos, and deer that live here with us. While we do not promote or allow actual human touch contact with the local wildlife, we do want them to feel just as safe and loved, and are working towards providing wildlife rehab soon for any injured wildlife in need. Rascal wants to be the program’s ambassador!
Chevy
Rescued at a Livestock Slaughter auction, Chevy has a mysterious past. He was only 2 weeks old and sick with a bacterial infection when we rescued him, and that’s really all we know about him—EXCEPT…that he is a Lovebug! He enjoys playing with his other goat friends here at the Sanctuary, but comes running for visitors, treats, and head rubs. He is a big talker and is constantly seen saying what appears to be “What What”-which is now his unofficial Nickname.
KitKat
Kitkat also has a mysterious past. He was found as a kitten in the woods, and would climb the legs of strangers begging for attention, a meal or just help in general. He and his beautiful long coat were adopted out and he now spends his days sunning or sleeping anywhere the sun hits and monitoring the yard for varmints. He also prefers naps inside under the fan or heat vent depending on the season. He is a beautiful kitty, and we were lucky to play a small part in his rescue story.
Little Mac
Little Mac was dumped by his previous owner at a local McDonald’s. For several days, he ran from car to car begging for his meals before we finally caught him to get the care he needed. He showed signs on ongoing abuse with battle wound scars on his face and chin, and a broken tail. It never dampened his spirit though. Little Mac loves all people once he warms up to them, and enjoys the company of other large dogs. He is also our best “snorer” at bedtime around the farm. He battles it out with the pigs!
Flap
This sweet little guy got tangled in some fishing wire someone left behind in a lake at a local park near the Sanctuary. It caused an infection in his foot that would have become more serious had we not caught it in time. Flap stayed with us for several weeks, getting 1st class room and board and treatment, and then working with the Park employees, he was re-released to join his flock back on the lake. We were excited to have the means to help him, and we visit him often at the park with so many of his feathered duck and goose friends.
Hank
Hank is a dapple dachshund who somehow mysteriously ended up as a pound puppy. Because the shelter was so overcrowded, he was in danger of not having enough time to be adopted out. We were able to rescue him literally minutes before the vet’s arrival for the weekly visits to thin out the shelter. He now lives a healthy and happy life as an indoor/outdoor dog with several other dog and kitty friends to constantly play with.