Category Archives: Lewis Site

All about Lewis our farm mascot

Every day a victory!

Posted on by August 19, 2001

Lewis seems to be doing well; he enjoys his back scratches, occasionally visits other llama pals through the fence, and munches grass in his private barn yard. His digs include a shady porch sporting two fans for those hot days. Rubber mats covered by closed cell foam camping pads, with a surface of heavy indoor/outdoor carpet give him a firm but cushioned sleeping area. Now that the awful heat wave has finally broken, Lewis as well as his buddies are enjoying the last of summer!Lewis is still stiff when he first gets up and is reluctant to put weight on his leg when he stands, but he still moves out well when he walks. Without X-ray vision we can only pray that the bone is healing, and his reluctance to fully use the leg will gradually dissipate with time and increased strength. For now, we do not want him to overload the leg anyway, so keeping him separate and avoiding too much exercise is the key.

Thank you to all his loyal fans; he still appreciates your thoughts and prayers, as at some point new radiographs will tell the story of how well he is healing. For now though, he seems content, comfortable, and our old happy Lewis again!

July 22, 2001 Lewis has been home now for about two weeks, and is doing well. The unseasonably cool weather we were having when he arrived home has been replaced by more typical, hot and humid July weather. Lewis enjoys two personal fans on his private, shady porch. He is happy to take short walks with me through his yard, and loves to have his neck and back scratched. Lewis is “talking” to us, something we have not heard since he left home. He has been the only llama to use his voice in short, grunt-like hums when he wants attention or is questioning where you are or what you are doing. It sure is nice to have the old Lewis back!

We are not seeing any change in Lewis’s leg, as we are always alert for swelling or discomfort. His limp is still severe, but he gets around very well and even seems playful at times when we walk. We are hoping he is continuing to heal, and we feel he seems happy at home which should help his body to recover from the months of medications and treatments.

Never saw a happier animal… Home at last!

Posted on by January 22, 2013
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Lewis walking on his own at home

A three and 1/2 hour ride in the minivan ended Lewis’ eight month absence from his own herd this afternoon. While Lewis cannot see, he still almost led me through the gate and to the fence separating his private “barn yard” from his herd mates. I literally had to hold him back, and the entire herd took turns greeting him across the fence. He almost jumped for joy and started to run; we kept him on a lead and kept control until the initial excitement of being home wore off, as the bone is not completely healed and we do not know how much action it can tolerate.When we picked Lewis up at OSU this morning, we were impressed by how well and bright he looked, especially after being in the hospital for almost six months! When we called his name he strained to “see” who we were, and we felt sure he still recognized us. His enthusiasm seemed to show a sense that something exciting was going to happen, though I am sure he did not know he was going home. I could see the “good ole Lewis” there, which I thought might take awhile to return. The wonderful, caring hands that have taken care of him all these months at OSU kept his spirit intact as well as his body!

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Lewis gets a back scratch from Fred

While he is very lame yet, he gets around very well and uses the leg to walk. He stood in the minivan until well past Dayton, and then finally lay down, which was a much safer traveling position. He napped, ate hay, and switched positions on the long trip home, but became very alert and stopped eating even his grain when we began the final two miles up our hill and to the farm. It seemed he may have known where we were; perhaps by smell as we had the windows open. Once out of the van he was sure he was home!

The doctors are fairly confident that Lewis still has some infection, though the drainage has stopped and he appears to be healed up. We anticipate returning him to OSU within a couple months for a checkup radiograph, however he will have to return sooner if and when the infection become apparent. More surgery will then have to be done, but hopefully his leg will have healed enough by then that his recovery at that point we be speedy and complete.

We again wish to thank all the staff at OSU for their terrific care and support. In particular, Dr. Silveria, who is leaving for a practice in his home country of Brazil. We understand it is the natural course of things for him to return to his homeland to practice, but we regret that he has to leave the Midwest. Lewis certainly owes his life to Dr. Silveria, who was willing to work so hard to save him. Lewis will continue his care in the good hands of Dr. Anderson, and again, we feel that Thank You will never be enough!

Lewis comes home Saturday!

Posted on by January 22, 2013
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Some of the Wonderful Vet Students that have cared for Lewis

Lewis will be coming home tomorrow! We are worried about transporting Lewis, as his leg is still fragile, so the thoughts and prayers of his many friends that he has made over the internet will be needed and greatly appreciated tomorrow during our travel. We will update this page as soon as we are home.

Lewis’ break is slowing healing, with the bone bridging the gap and callous formation, but more healing is still needed before the leg is back up to strength. Some outside exercise, fresh air and sunshine should help Lewis continue to recover. We will be watching Lewis closely and taking Lewis back for radiographs in a few weeks.