Laura Greaves sought a gentle ewe as a companion for her blind llama, Maple, not for breeding. An equine veterinarian experienced in caring for animals with disabilities, Greaves found Peeps, a talkative sheep from Eyebrow, Sask., to be the perfect match due to her vocal nature.
Maple, a llama, was initially discovered when Greaves was searching for a guardian llama to protect her animals from coyotes. With the help of Jacquie Poole, who identified Maple as a suitable match, Greaves embarked on a 17-hour journey to Alberta to bring Maple home. However, Maple was underweight and had dental issues not revealed in the photos.
After Maple’s arrival, her eye condition worsened, leading to the removal of both eyes due to severe pain. Adjusting to blindness was difficult for Maple, as llamas heavily rely on their sight. Greaves used sound cues to assist Maple, but navigating the pasture was challenging for her.
To alleviate Maple’s loneliness and stress, Greaves sought a suitable companion and found Peeps to be an ideal match. Peeps, a vocal sheep, guides Maple using sound cues and helps her locate food and water. Their relationship shows promise, with Peeps serving as emotional support for Maple.
Greaves aims to integrate Peeps and Maple with the other animals in the future. For now, they remain a supportive duo, providing comfort to each other in their new environment.