Determined Lady Crosses the Creek

As we mentioned, Lady has been exploring more of Yard 5, which seems to have boosted her confidence and improved her mental and physical health. Her feet look a bit better since she’s been walking more, as it has been increasing her circulation and blood flow. Though she moves around a lot in the closer yards, she gets much more activity in the larger ones. While she has spent plenty of time in the larger yards in the past, Lady has mostly stayed in Yards 1, 2, and 3 lately.

On a recent morning, Lady was in Yard 5, looking quite content. Scott fed her breakfast and noticed that she was glancing over at Yard 4. He knew that opening the gate into that yard wasn’t feasible, since Bambi was there and Lady is still not sure about Bambi. But she obviously had a bit of wanderlust that day.

About halfway through the day, Scott had Lady walk over to the Yard 5 water trough to ensure she had a good drink, bath, and her foot treatment. On the way back, Lady would periodically stop to graze and look over at the creek. This happened several times. In that area, the creekbed is fairly steep and Maia is the only elephant who we know that crosses it at that spot. Scott told Lady, “That is not a Lady trail; that is a Maia trail.” Maia treats the path into the creek there almost like an amusement park ride, basically sliding down into the water. It is possible for Lady to go down steep inclines, but going down is harder on her front feet than coming back up.

At dinnertime, Lady’s caregivers couldn’t find her where she had last been spotted. To no one’s surprise, she had indeed crossed the creek, just at a different area. We eventually found her on the north side of the creek in Yard 5. It’s a wild and gorgeous piece of land, with a very different atmosphere than other parts of the sanctuary. You feel completely surrounded by nature there, more than in any other place in that habitat. It’s an area that Lady loves and she was obviously very content in that moment.

Lady has never been afraid of exploration. After her first week at sanctuary, we opened up Yard 5 and she went directly across the creek without hesitation. When she sees a space where she is comfortable going, she has no concern about heading that way. It’s a wonderful example of how emotional healing can impact physical healing, even if, in Lady’s case, her physical healing will never be complete. On that particular day, she knew what she wanted and refused to let physical limitations hold her back.

Comments(18)

john says
June 10, 2021 at 2:36 pm
You may have just sent out the greatest post yet! Oh but that keeps happening almost daily.
- REPLY
  Sara says
  June 10, 2021 at 2:57 pm
  Thank you! We appreciate that you care enough to keep track of everyone.
Nancy Shaw says
June 10, 2021 at 2:46 pm
YAY LADY !! ( :
Sidney Hodges says
June 10, 2021 at 2:55 pm
Good for you Lady Bug!
Keep those explorations going. Happy travels 💖
SHEILA says
June 10, 2021 at 2:58 pm
SO HAPPY TO HEAR THE STORY OF SWEET LITTLE❤️🐘 LADYS CREEK CROSSING ADVENTURE👍 I THINK WITH ALL THE FOOT SOAKS! TRIMMING ETC OF THE ROTTEN FLESH AND THE LONG TIME INFECTION LEAKING OUT. PROGRESS IN HEALING HER FEET IS PROGRESSING ALSO AS LADY SEEMS TO BE MORE ALERT TO WANTING NEW SPACE TO EXPLORE👍 PERHAPS SHE IS ALSO THINKING OF BEING MORE FRIENDLY WITH THE 🐘🐘🐘🐘LADIES VERY SOON ALSO👍👍MOST OF ALL IM SO HAPPY LADY CAN WALK GREATER DISTANCE AND IS EXPLORING THE AREA SHE REMEMBERS AS BEING SO AWESOME! GREAT FOR HER MENTAL HEALING AND NOURISHMENT🙏GOD BLESS DEAR LADY 🐘EACH DAY WITH THE DESIRE TO HAVE MORE FRIENDS AS HER FEET AND MIND HEALS FROM PAST ABUSE❗️ 🙏THANKU VET AND CAREGIVERS FOR UR 💕 LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO LADY🙏
Sue says
June 10, 2021 at 3:12 pm
She is such an amazing and brave girl. Knowing that she has gone through horrible things in her past and seeing the fight and joy and confidence she shows now, continues to humble me. Love her so!! Thank you for sharing. ❤️🐘❤️
Suzanne Eaton says
June 10, 2021 at 3:35 pm
That’s our sweet Lady Bug! She knows what she wants and goes for it. So awesome.
I love you so much Miss Lady. Thank you for sharing.
Ellen Bollinger says
June 10, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Daring Lady!! I 💘 this story
Debbie Sides says
June 10, 2021 at 4:17 pm
So happy for Lady still exploring and being brave.
Audrey says
June 10, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Lady ROCKS, this is awesome. Thank you, you made my day. ❤️
Lila Nieto says
June 10, 2021 at 6:47 pm
I love Lady. She’s so brave and endearing. I am just really sorry that she has to endure painful feet forever, no matter how much you help her. But I know you help her greatly and I guess she feels as good as it is possible. Love!!!!
Joyce Mellentine says
June 10, 2021 at 7:23 pm
Oh Lady you are the best and I love your determination. Thanks for the smiles today!!! Words of thanks are never enough to the GSE team who care for these beauties 😘
Julia Mercedes Eden says
June 10, 2021 at 7:35 pm
Go Lady ! What a fabulous positive exploring Lady you are and how nothing will deter you from going after what you’re planning on discovering. Such a heartwarming story. Sending mammoth hugs and kisses 😘🐘🙏❤️🐘
Andy says
June 10, 2021 at 7:36 pm
Loved this post very much. Thank you.
Sunny says
June 10, 2021 at 8:33 pm
That’s the Lady Bug I like!
Katie Howard says
June 11, 2021 at 1:19 am
Oh!!! I’m crying happy tears for Lady! I’m so glad she’s getting in better condition! 🥰👍💕🐘💕
Carey says
June 11, 2021 at 7:09 am
Good to know, thank you
Bertica Valdes Suearez says
June 13, 2021 at 6:45 pm
What a picture of Lady. Brave Lady!

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