The power of teamwork

Access to a high-walled dam and grassy paddock was his too for the wanting. This was made possible due to several holes cut in the cyclone fence, thanks to the looting efforts of those who had come in pursuit of copper.

He was affectionately known as Jimmy by the construction workers who he kept a watchful eye over as they went about their day. Such a familiarity saw him habituated to all of the busyness and cacophony of his rather odd world. When not doing this, Jimmy was either ruminating lazily under the sun or missing in action.

Something, we were told, he had been doing for several years.

Perhaps Jimmy was once destined for backyard slaughter, which could explain why he ended up in a heavily built-up area where sheep should not be. 

After a reconnaissance of “Jimmy’s” digs, it was quickly determined that this would be a tough one. And one that would require many fleet-footed bodies. 

Although escape routes could easily be blocked off, large mounds of dirt meant the sheep could easily slip from view, mud that was better described as a heady mix of concrete and clay would bog us down, while piles of debris would hamper our navigation but not the agility of a sheep.

All of this stood in the way of an easy “come and collect”.

That, and Jimmy’s fear of humans.

However, in the true spirit of “we’ll find a way”, we did. 

It went something like this. Enlist the help of kind-hearted volunteers, who, at a moment’s notice, were in their cars and ready to go, call for as many of our sanctuary team as we could, prepare safety vests, transport vehicle along with collars, leads and snacks, and we were ready.

Almost.

Our secret weapon!

Kansas.

For those who do not know Kansas, she is one affable, cheeky, and beyond-confident sheep who would do just about anything for her beloved Lady in the Hat. But would she do this?

With our hearts in our mouths, we soon found out.

With everyone at the rendezvous point at just the right time, the plan rolled out, the capture pen was set up, and Kansas was in place.

And Jimmy would have none of it!

Heading in the opposite direction was Jimmy. His rescuers in hot pursuit.

Take #2.

Kansas was tied to a tree, along with plenty of delicious hay laid out to make it worth her while. And then we stepped away, lying stealth-like in wait. 

Would Jimmy take the bait?

Giving us every hint he would, we slowly, ever so slowly, rounded in from behind and inched our net around Jimmy. As every single one of us worked in perfect symphony without a word needing to be spoken, the true hero, or rather heroine, was about to shine.

Kansas briefly stopped eating, let out a little “baa”, and Jimmy rolled on in.

“Closer, closer, closer, hold it,” was the collective thought.

And with a well-placed strategic leap of faith and love made, arms were flung around Jimmy. We are still not sure who let out the bigger sigh.

Signalling his uncertain life was about to end, the words, “You’re safe now, buddy, you’re going to Edgar’s Mission,” were whispered into his very woolly ear.

But that was not all that would be left behind, for Jimmy needed a new name to mark the start of his new life. 

A name that he would learn to know as his very own. A name that would honour the efforts that brought about his rescue. A name that would serve as a poignant reminder that when we work together, we can do amazing things. And a name that would give hope in a world where sometimes we feel lost.

We named our new friend Unity.