Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/caretakers-calf-dwarfism/
Getting bullied is painful.
It can break someone’s heart when he cannot find friends, much less get avoided by everyone for being different. The experience makes you cringe deeper and deeper inside, even though you’re not to blame for the imperfection that makes others shun you — even sneer at you and say words intended to demean your character.
Getting bullied is painful even for animals like Watson. He’s the oldest but smallest calf in the Knuckle Bump Farms. No, we humans have no idea what the other calves are gossiping about or saying to him. But they definitely don’t include Watson in their games and get-together in the farm.
Because of it, Watson always feels sad and alone. And he has no understanding of the disorder that afflicted him since birth: Chondrodysplasia. But what he’s certain of is that he’s not a normal calf. Ouch! That hurts!
What is Chondrodysplasia? It’s a genetic mutation that causes defective growth of the bones. Animals with this unique disorder appear large-bodied but with short legs, that’s because affected chondrocytes (special cells in cartilage tissue) ossify to become bones. The dwarfism is not consistent, with some animals appearing proportionate and attractive while others suffer from disproportionate development and look like dwarfs.
But, no defect in the world can keep this mom from loving Watson with all her heart! She makes sure to spend more time with the calf, making him warm, comfortable, and happy. She makes him feel as important and as normal as the others, no matter what those other calves are mooing among themselves. And to Watson, it’s the love, hugs, and kisses of his mom that matter the most.
@knucklebumpfarms Watson was born with a form of dwarfism known as Chondrodysplasia. Depsite being the oldest calf in the pasture, he gets picked on due to his small size. We make sure to spend extra time with our sweet boy, to remind him how loved he truly is❤️
Watson never misses a meal of good hay along with his mom’s affection every day. And getting groomed by her is surely among those exciting activities he looks forward to.
And never mind the bullies, there are other animals in the farm who don’t shy away from him just like sweet pig Jolene.
Watson feels that he’s actually the luckiest calf in the world for having a forever home that’s full of cuddles and sweet love!
@knucklebumpfarms Y’all asked for more Watson content!!!
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
