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According to Petpedia, there are approximately 14,000 shelters and rescue groups in the United States. They aim to save 9 out of every 10 animals, though it doesn't always work out that way. The numbers don't necessarily reflect how many are rescued from the farming industry, either. But, for one miniature cow named Winston, he found so much more than a second chance — he found love.
In a now-viral video tweeted by The Dodo, little Winston is shown trying to make friends around Delmar Farm — a Loxahatchee, Florida rescue founded by Claudia Campbell in 1997.
Sadly, "the horses didn't want anything to do with this little cow," Campbell said in the clip. "Winston wants to be friends with everybody. Unfortunately, most of them don't want to be his friend."
She explained that he approaches all the farm's animals, including pigs, donkeys, and more, but he's often turned down. Winston pressed on, visiting all the horses in their stalls to offer kisses, but he only found more rejection.
"They will try to bite him," she said, "and none of them really wanted to give him any time of day."
The farm took Winston in when he was just two months old. And, despite his charm and perseverance, he had the hardest time making friends — until this Romeo's Juliette came along.
"One day, after Ronny had arrived, Winston walked up to her stall when he saw her head sticking out," Campbell said of the new rescue horse. "Ronny was paired with our miniature horses and they were giving her a hard time. So she was very out of place."
She continued: "Winston just kept looking over at her like, 'wow, she's so pretty,'" He's been calling her. She's actually doing something for a change. Winston is very concerned."
Winston approached Ronny's stall after waking in the morning, and that's where things changed.
"He tried to give her kisses like he had tried with so many horses," Campbell said. "To our surprise, Ronny really seemed to enjoy it. There's this kindred connection between the two of them. It was a friendship made in heaven."
Campbell can be heard in the video cooing at the lovebirds as they greet each other every morning.
"Both Winston and Ronny, as well as all the animals here at the sanctuary, have found a really soft landing, and they found a new purpose in life," she said. "Coming here, they're loved by not only myself and my family, they're loved by all the visitors, and all their children and their families."
