Chester Valentine

Click HERE to read about Chester's arrival.
Use your browser's "back" button to return.

Little Chester Valentine had a rocky start to life when his leg was broken by an inexperienced cow on his first day in the world. Saved by JW's kind heart from certain death in the jaws of a coyote, he arrived cold and weary to a new home and a new beginning. His leg was broken high up near the hip where it was not possible for us to wrap a splint. We determined that the best plan of action would be to keep him confined to a stall for at least a month. Immobility would allow the bone to set as best it could. I also used Hilton Herbs Equine Leg-Aid, an herbal liniment, which greatly reduced the swelling and helped his tiny bones to heal.
Chester was able to stand with difficulty, but had the determination to keep trying and grew stronger by the day. Throughout the first few weeks, I sat on the ground beside him to feed his bottle. As he grew stronger, he was able to stand on his own and greet me as I approached the barn. As his appetite grew to two and three bottles twice a day, I began to graze for him by bringing bunches of fresh grass, clover, and dandelions. Delicious!
After about five weeks, we brought him out of the stall into the wide world. He seemed to look forward to these outings where he could smell the flowers of Spring and play with the dogs. All four of them had taken to him immediately, and he gained strength through exercise by following them through the tall grass. At one point, he gave a little hop and a kick and discovered that he could run - albeit it slowly and awkwardly. The look of surprise on his face was priceless. He and Dot became fast friends and his leg grew even stronger as they played. Dot jumping and bouncing around him, and he chasing her in circles.
I soon began leading him to the yard every morning where he could graze more and more, as well as take long naps in the green grass and sunshine. As the months went on and Chester grew, I began to realize that I could not bear the heartbreak of taking him to a sale barn where he would invariably end up on his way to a feedlot and slaughter. His sweet and gentle personality should be rewarded with love for many years to come. A spark of my imagination envisioned him as a sort of ambassador for children on field trips to learn about farm animals. Surely those pink ears and nose couldn't be irresistible only to me! I searched the internet for animal sanctuaries across the state of Texas and sent a letter far and wide requesting any sort of help that I could find.
The next morning I received a call from Lynn Cuny at Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia. She welcomed Chester with open arms and we began to make arrangements for the four hour journey to the Hill Country. I'll just bet I have the only husband in Matagorda County who would agree to that! Lynn also made a request that brought a leap of joy to my heart. Animal Planet is developing a television show called "My New Wild Life," and would be filming at the sanctuary over the next few weeks. Lynn thought that Chester's story would be a wonderful feature, and asked if I would be willing to participate. Not being known for shyness, I agreed. My little vision of Chester being able to educate children would materialize into a documentary for a national audience! The show is scheduled to air sometime in the Spring of 2007.
Wildlife Rescue is an amazing place, with a staff of people who show such love and devotion that it must surely seem like Heaven on Earth to the animals who live there. We were greeted by a gaggle of geese and a curious little vulture who watched over the filming and goings on with such wonderful curiousity. It was not easy to leave Chester behind and I will miss kissing his fat little cheeks, but I am ever grateful that he has a new home that he won't ever have to leave. So many new friends with which to spend his days! Cows, goats, emus, geese, pigs, rabbits, antelope, deer, mules, donkeys, sheep, raccoons, opossums, bobcats, mountain lions, bears, monkeys, lizards, snakes, countless varieties of birds, and more that we have not yet met. I look forward to returning to visit my sweet little guy and his newly extended family.

Don't you just love a happy ending?


	Click HERE to read about Chester's arrival. Use your browser's "back" button to return. Little Chester Valentine had a rocky start to life when his leg was broken by an inexperienced cow on his first day in the world. Saved by JW's kind heart from certain death in the jaws of a coyote, he arrived cold and weary to a new home and a new beginning. His leg was broken high up near the hip where it was not possible for us to wrap a splint. We determined that the best plan of action would be to keep him confined to a stall for at least a month. Immobility would allow the bone to set as best it could. I also used Hilton Herbs Equine Leg-Aid, an herbal liniment, which greatly reduced the swelling and helped his tiny bones to heal. Chester was able to stand with difficulty, but had the determination to keep trying and grew stronger by the day. Throughout the first few weeks, I sat on the ground beside him to feed his bottle. As he grew stronger, he was able to stand on his own and greet me as I approached the barn. As his appetite grew to two and three bottles twice a day, I began to graze for him by bringing bunches of fresh grass, clover, and dandelions. Delicious! After about five weeks, we brought him out of the stall into the wide world. He seemed to look forward to these outings where he could smell the flowers of Spring and play with the dogs. All four of them had taken to him immediately, and he gained strength through exercise by following them through the tall grass. At one point, he gave a little hop and a kick and discovered that he could run - albeit it slowly and awkwardly. The look of surprise on his face was priceless. He and Dot became fast friends and his leg grew even stronger as they played. Dot jumping and bouncing around him, and he chasing her in circles. I soon began leading him to the yard every morning where he could graze more and more, as well as take long naps in the green grass and sunshine. As the months went on and Chester grew, I began to realize that I could not bear the heartbreak of taking him to a sale barn where he would invariably end up on his way to a feedlot and slaughter. His sweet and gentle personality should be rewarded with love for many years to come. A spark of my imagination envisioned him as a sort of ambassador for children on field trips to learn about farm animals. Surely those pink ears and nose couldn't be irresistible only to me! I searched the internet for animal sanctuaries across the state of Texas and sent a letter far and wide requesting any sort of help that I could find. The next morning I received a call from Lynn Cuny at Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia. She welcomed Chester with open arms and we began to make arrangements for the four hour journey to the Hill Country. I'll just bet I have the only husband in Matagorda County who would agree to that! Lynn also made a request that brought a leap of joy to my heart. Animal Planet is developing a television show called "My New Wild Life," and would be filming at the sanctuary over the next few weeks. Lynn thought that Chester's story would be a wonderful feature, and asked if I would be willing to participate. Not being known for shyness, I agreed. My little vision of Chester being able to educate children would materialize into a documentary for a national audience! The show is scheduled to air sometime in the Spring of 2007. Wildlife Rescue is an amazing place, with a staff of people who show such love and devotion that it must surely seem like Heaven on Earth to the animals who live there. We were greeted by a gaggle of geese and a curious little vulture who watched over the filming and goings on with such wonderful curiousity. It was not easy to leave Chester behind and I will miss kissing his fat little cheeks, but I am ever grateful that he has a new home that he won't ever have to leave. So many new friends with which to spend his days! Cows, goats, emus, geese, pigs, rabbits, antelope, deer, mules, donkeys, sheep, raccoons, opossums, bobcats, mountain lions, bears, monkeys, lizards, snakes, countless varieties of birds, and more that we have not yet met. I look forward to returning to visit my sweet little guy and his newly extended family. Don't you just love a happy ending?

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation receives no city, county, state, or federal funding, they rely entirely upon donations to help care for the animals. If you would like to help Lynn in her mission, please do not hesitate to click the link below.

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Copyright © Tracy Shiflett Last updated on Monday, September 4, 2006 Website designed and developed by Girl Friday Online