Life’s sweetest moments

There seems to be a somewhat universal notion that the moments of significance in our lives are those that can be measured. The rise of social media and selfie culture have seen many feel the pressure to measure their worthiness by way of popularity or ‘likes’ whilst the tried and tested fundamentals of traditional success such as financial power, material goods and luxury travel all still reign supreme.

In sharing our lives with rescued animals, we are constantly reminded to redefine what exactly constitutes success and to consider perhaps some of our most meaningful moments can be found within the journey, given that so often we cannot predict where exactly the final destination will be.

Some of our sweetest moments of late have come courtesy of a tiny goat named Tim Tam who was found in the bush at only days’ old, unable to use his hind legs. With a veterinary examination inconclusive, yet pointing toward a birthing injury, we set out on a journey with Tim Tam toward a destination that was far off in the distance and blurry at best. Exactly what we would encounter as we fitted the immobile yet enthusiastic boy with a custom cart we did not know but one thing we were sure of was that Tim Tam needed us to try.

Tim Tam has since touched the hearts of many worldwide, the images of him navigating his world rarely fail to bring smiles to all who spy them. And whilst we are certainly making progress with Tim Tam’s mobility, it is in those quieter, behind the scenes moments that our greatest successes become evident. A playful head butt with his buddy Harriet that sends Tim Tam head over hoof, yet does nothing to diminish his spirit… An enthusiastic bleat as his favourite human passes by… And, just yesterday, an ambitious (albeit failed) attempt to do what goats do best and scale a mountain in the form of a straw bale… These fleeting and seemingly insignificant moments are what Sanctuary is all about. The road ahead for Tim Tam may be long and we can never know exactly what it will hold, yet we’ve already succeeded by ensuring Tim Tam’s spirit and zest for life are never diminished.

Animals like Tim Tam, who astound us with their resilience and ability to live in the now, truly serve as our most noble of teachers. They remind us that our greatest successes aren’t always those that can be measured. Sometimes they’re the small, in between moments. The moments we barely even notice. The moments that can so easily pass us by. Indeed, if a tiny goat named Tim Tam has taught us anything, it’s that life’s sweetest moments are those that can be felt by the heart.