Laura Greaves sought a gentle ewe in Saskatchewan through social media to be a companion for her blind llama, Maple, not for breeding. As an equine veterinarian accustomed to caring for animals with special needs, Greaves found Peeps, a talkative sheep from Eyebrow, Sask., to be a suitable match for Maple due to her vocal nature.
Maple came into Greaves’s care to protect her animals from coyotes, arranged by Jacquie Poole, who felt a connection with Maple while caring for a horse together. Despite Maple’s poor condition upon arrival, Greaves was determined to provide the care needed.
Maple underwent surgery to remove both eyes due to a severe eye condition, leaving her in total darkness. Adjusting to blindness was challenging for Maple, requiring sound cues and guidance from Greaves. The llama struggled to find essentials and faced aggression from other animals, leading Greaves to relocate her and seek a companion.
After receiving an overwhelming response online, Peeps was chosen as Maple’s companion due to her compatibility and vocal nature. The friendship between Maple and Peeps is evolving positively, providing emotional support for each other on Greaves’s farm. Future plans include introducing them to the rest of the camelids in the field but, for now, they remain a supportive duo.
