Dudley had a spot on the front of his leg that was rubbing raw and creating a bad fit with his prosthesis. Dr. Anderson from the University of Tennessee took x-rays to see what was going on and saw that Dudley was developing abnormal bone growth in that spot created by his original injury. Dudley needed a minor surgery to correct it. After several surgeries already, we certainly didn’t want to put him through another, but the surgeon said that if we didn’t, it would take many months to heal and would inhibit Dudley from wearing his prosthesis. So, Dudley had surgery last week to smooth out the bone and remove the infection. Dudley recovered nicely and is already back to normal.

While he was going through that process, Dudley’s prosthetic foot was shipped back to Florida to Ronnie Graves of VIP Veterinary Prosthetics and Orthotics to have some adjustments made for a better fit. We got the prosthesis back this week and it seems to fit perfectly.

We were warned that the process to fit and acclimate to a prosthetic is rigorous and lengthy, however, we are so anxious to have Dudley home at The Gentle Barn that it seems like it’s taking forever. We are trying so hard to be patient and know that soon Dudley will be frolicking in a green, lush pasture with other cows loving life and this will be a distant memory. Dudley is being much more brave and tolerant than we are, he is so amazing!

Once Dudley is at The Gentle Barn, he will give hope and inspiration to so many people. The truth is, he already has! Hundreds of people have pledged to adopt a plant-based diet because of knowing about Dudley and his story. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves 198 animals every year. Dudley is already saving animals and people’s health and we have only known him for two months. Dudley is an outstanding ambassador and will continue to be for the rest of his life!

We will continue to keep you posted!

Written by Ellie Laks

Founder, The Gentle Barn