In loving memory of Lotus Lumps
This is Lotus’ story. Her memory is the driving force behind everything that we do.
Lotus, named after the iconic sports car, the Lotus Elan, was born on the 11th of May 2021. She was one of a set of twins born to her mum, Lamborghini. Tragically, her twin passed away just moments after birth due to deformities. Weighing a mere 1 kilogram, Lotus was so tiny that her mother rejected her, refusing to nurture her. It was clear that without intervention, Lotus would not survive.
So, Hayley took her home to hand-rear her. She gave her the round the clock love and care she needed in order to survive. She seemed to be taking well to her new home, when one day, Lotus lost the ability to walk and her legs seemed to fail her entirely. The initial veterinary assessment suggested an untreatable internal issue, recommending euthanasia. However, Hayley's maternal instinct and determination to give Lotus a chance at life were unshakable.
Hayley embarked on an extensive research journey, determined to find a solution for Lotus. She would gently lift Lotus by her tummy with a towel to aid her in standing, daily massages for her little legs, and a variety of treatments and steroids were administered. Through her unwavering efforts, Lotus defied all odds and regained her ability to walk, and more than that, she blossomed into a joyful, energetic little girl. Not only would she walk, she would skip, hop, run and jump all over the place!
As Lotus grew, Hayley attempted to integrate her into the rest of the flock in the field at the bottom of her garden. But our princess Lotus was stubborn in her preference for the comforts of her home, & her steady supply of ginger biscuits. So, Hayley transformed a small shed into a mini barn for Lotus, placing it at the top of the garden, as close to the house as possible.
On August 19th 2022, only a few months after her first birthday, Lotus suffered a sudden and unexpected liver failure. At that time, Hayley was away on a weekend trip, completely unaware of the impending heartbreak she would soon face. The devastating call she received, while so far from home, brought her world crashing down. Hayley would have never left Lotus’ side if she had even the slightest inkling that something was wrong with Lotus, but the crisis came out of nowhere.
Hayley immediately dropped everything and made a frantic rush back home to be with Lotus. They sought help from not one, but three different veterinarians. Unhappy with the bleak conclusions of all 3 and desperate to help her, they drove Lotus to the Royal Veterinary College in London, in search of expert care.
Despite Hayley’s efforts, Lotus passed away just past midnight. The depth of sorrow and loss was immeasurable. Lotus was her baby, her little girl. A part of Hayley left with her that night. To this day, Hayley keeps a piece of Lotus’ wool in her pocket.
Through the grief, she decided to name the sanctuary after her. She was the light of Hayley’s life, and her memory is now kept alive by the incredible work Hayley does by saving as many sheep and other animals that we can.
