Laura Greaves sought a gentle ewe in Saskatchewan to be a companion for her blind llama, Maple. Unlike a breeding ewe, she wanted a friend for Maple. Greaves, an equine veterinarian experienced in caring for animals with special needs, found Peeps, a talkative sheep from Eyebrow, Sask, to be a good match for Maple due to her vocal nature.
Maple came into Greaves’s care when she was searching for a guardian llama to protect her animals from coyotes. Jacquie Poole, a friend of Greaves, connected them with Maple, a blind llama in need. Despite Maple’s poor condition with broken teeth and a deteriorating eye, Greaves decided to take her in, feeling they needed each other.
After Maple’s eye surgery, where both eyes were removed due to a severe condition, she faced challenges adapting to total blindness. Greaves used sound cues to help Maple navigate her surroundings, as llamas have a limited sense of smell. Maple struggled to find essentials like water and food, facing anxiety and isolation from other animals.
To alleviate Maple’s loneliness and stress, Greaves sought a suitable companion and found Peeps, a sheep known for her escapades. Peeps, a vocal presence, guides Maple around the pasture, helping her locate necessities. Their budding friendship offers comfort and support to each other, promising a positive future together on Greaves’s farm.
The ultimate goal is for Maple and Peeps to integrate with the other animals, but for now, they enjoy being a close-knit pair, providing emotional support in their shared journey.
