The Sheep Who Lived…
In early spring 2015, a hiker spotted a bizarre-looking sheep wandering in the Australian bush, His overgrown wool coat looked like massive lumps of cotton slowly moving through the grass. After capture, experts determined that “Chris the sheep” had survived alone in the wilderness for 5 or 6 years and probably never been sheared. So tragically, this sheep’s coat grew until it engulfed his entire body; almost hiding it’s owner from view.
When discovered this sheep badly needed a life-saving haircut.
Chris’ Health Problems
- All the wool’s excess weight damaged his hooves.
- Urine trapped by his coat burned and irritated his skin.
- With 4 or 5 extra layers of wool worn year round, this poor creature risked overheating during the summer months.
- The wool falling in front of his eyes made it difficult for Chris to see clearly.
- His heavy coat made it impossible for this particular sheep to move freely.
- If he ever toppled over, Chris be unable to get up again. He’d either starve or be killed by predators.
Shear Relief!
When this stray Merino sheep finally got sheared, the fleece set a new world record, weighing 42 kg or 88 lbs. His fleece now hangs in a museum.
Little Oak Sanctuary adopted Chris.
The following year, during a normal shearing, Chris’ fleece weighed just 5.89 kg or 13 lbs.
His human caretakers described him as a gentle soul who enjoyed head scratches. Chris died of old age on October 22, 2019, 4 years after being set free of his “woolly prison.”
What’s the Point of this Woolly Tale?
Our home-grown prison isn’t wool. It’s the sinful behaviors we hug to ourselves and refuse to give up. Like the humans who rescued this poor wool-crippled sheep, we have the Good Shepherd, who wishes to rescue us.
Jesus clearly sees the sin that’s destroying people He loves and died for.
If we will submit our lives to the Divine Shearer, He will set us free, but it’s our choice.
All three images came from Pixabay.com and not one of these sheep is named “Chris.”
But if you’re curious to see what Chris originally looked like, carrying 88 lbs of extra wool, click on the first link under “Resources.”
Resources:
A life-saving haircut: images of Chris the sheep ‘before and after.’
Why Sheep Shearing is Absolutely Necessary
A 2 minute Sheep shearing video on YouTube:
