Last December, Dan was notified of a 10-month-old bull, Hopper, that suffered a brutal dog attack. The young cow was in desperate need, and we were able to go on site and pick him up the very same day. When we first met him, his head had been covered with gauze which had hardened to his wounds and stuck in place.
He had serious injuries to his ears, was significantly underweight, and he was frightened. We rushed Hopper to Michigan State University for medical attention where he has stayed for the past 8 weeks since his rescue. His care has been expensive, but Hopper is worth it.
Dan and Hopper
Hope for Hopper
We could tell right away that Hopper was special. He has such a big heart, and he even sports a heart on his forehead to show to the whole world. Although he was timid at first, he was able to trust his MSU veterinary team by allowing them to debride and clean his ears daily along with other therapies.
Despite losing over half of each of his ears, he has stayed sweet and spunky throughout his recovery. He has steadily developed strength and gained weight after being so malnourished. He still has some more weight to put on to be at optimal health, especially in these freezing temps, but he has a voracious appetite! His remaining ears have fully healed, though we will need to monitor them closely especially in cold weather (mini cow earmuffs?).
Hopper Comes Home
Finally, the day has come. Dan is going to pick up Hopper from MSU and bring him to his forever home at Barn Sanctuary. We’ve been busy preparing a clean, comfy setup for him so he can adjust to his new home and finish his recovery here.
Despite the traumatic circumstances of his rescue, he is trusting and gentle. He also has a very rambunctious streak, and we know he is going to love frolicking with his new herd. He will be joining some of our other cow rescues like Mike, Dexter and Joey — who all seem to know something is in the air.
For the Future
As we take stock of all that Hopper has been through, and how far he has come, we know that his rescue would never have been possible without YOU. You donated, you commented, you shared his story, you sent your positive energy — and we can’t thank you enough. Please continue to support Hopper by sponsoring him, donating to his medical bills, sharing his story, and sending your love. It means the world to us and to Hopper.