His name is Miles! After a several week long naming auction and submissions from around the world, we picked one name from a hat on Thursday night and pulled out his name. We are so grateful for everyone who donated to support our work and participated in this little guy’s happily ever after. The name is perfect!

For a prey animal, lying down is the ultimate gesture of trust. Maybelle and her baby have started to feel so safe with us that they lay down right next to us. We can brush and pet them each morning along with the other animals before they go out to pasture each day. At first, when we led them in and out of pasture, Miles had a hard time, fearing being taken away from his mom and not trusting our intentions. But we gave him lots of time to figure it out and he soon realized that he goes out to pasture in the mornings and into the barn for dinner each night, and will never be taken from his mommy again. Once he learned the routine, he lets us clip his lead rope on and away we go with him following us like a puppy dog.

On Saturdays when The Gentle Barn Tennessee is open to the public, Miles lays down next to his docent and watches the guests brushing the animals, the children playing, and Dudley allowing visitors to hug him. His mommy, Maybelle, is always close by watching him. Miles and Maybelle will be excellent ambassadors one day soon! Have you met them yet? Visit the Gentle Barn, TN page to get tickets and directions to meet them, or the Tennessee Virtual Barn sponsor them

Written by Ellie Laks
Founder, The Gentle Barn