Blind lamb meets his new forever family

Funky Chicken animal rescue welcomes Woolson

Excitement ran high Sunday as a family of three waited on the tarmac of the Nut Tree Airport, eager to meet the newest member of their family.

Within moments a Cessna whizzes by, takes a turn on the landing strip and taxis to a stop a few feet from the anxious trio. The door of the Pet Rescue Pilots plane pops open and Woolson, a petite blind lamb, is gently lifted out.

He is home and the Smiths of Funky Chicken animal rescue in Vacaville are more than happy to welcome him into the fold.

“I love you so much already,” cooed Darcy Smith, petting and cuddling the cute lamb.

Her husband, Eric, patted Woolson’s head, making sure to massage his ears.

Their daughter, 14-yearold Jessalyn, also cuddled the animal, who enthusiastically lapped up the attention.

Pilot Julian Javor explained that the lamb’s life was due to be cut short.

“He, because of a birth defect — he was born blind — was set for slaughter,” Javor advised.

But a 4-H youth at the Riverside facility where the lamb was located couldn’t let that happen.

“He pulled money out of his pocket and bought him for $50,” the pilot recalled.

The lamb ended up with

All Things Hooved Animal Rescue, which began a search for a permanent home.

Word eventually filtered down to Funky Chicken (funkychickenrescue.com), which is home to chickens, emus, alpacas, sheep and more. Some of the animals have special needs, includ

ing missing limbs, blindness and other conditions. All are well cared for and adored.

“I heard about him and I knew he would fit in with our family,” Darcy remembered. So she got the ball rolling, received the OK to take him in and started looking for a way to get him

to NorCal.

Pet Rescue Pilots (www. petrescuepilots.org) stepped in and, on Sunday, delivered the precious cargo to Vacaville.

“Here we are and we’re so grateful,” Darcy emphasized, already enamored of her charge, who seemed to lean into all the adoration.

“I can’t thank you guys enough,” she continued, addressing Javor and his human passenger, Sarah Meiches. “This is amazing.”

She embraced the lamb, formerly named Leonard, once more.

“You’re gonna have such a good life with everybody,” she told him, running her fingers over his softness.

Making Woolson happy, apparently, is a priority.

“If you can give back to an animal and help them reach their potential in life, you can reach your potential in life,” she said.

PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY K. FU, THE REPORTER Jessalyn Smith, 14, holds Woolson, a blind lamb, as mom Darcy looks on. He is the newest member of the Funky Chicken animal rescue family, which includes a bunch of special needs animals.

Woolson the lamb poses with his new family, from left, Eric Smith, Jessalyn Smith and Darcy Smith with Funky Chicken animal rescue in Vacaville. Julian Javor, right, founder of Pet Rescue Pilots, flew the youngster from Riverside to the Nut Tree Airport.

Woolson, a blind lamb rescued from a SoCal slaughterhouse, arrives at the Nut Tree Airport to meet his forever family, the Smiths of Funky Chicken animal rescue in Vacaville. Dad Eric, left, gives him some love.