Once helpless and struggling alone in a Welkom mine dam, one calf’s journey unfolded into the most touching miracle thanks to a stranger who refused to look the other way and an animal carer who nurtured and gave him a second chance.
Virginia, South Africa (11 November 2025) – Compassion cares, and it perceives what many may overlook. Sometimes, it offers healing and restoration. For one young calf that had been left all alone to fend for himself, compassion did all this and more. It saved his delicate little life.
The poor calf, just a few days old, had been found in a mine dam in Welkom. He was too small to graze and far too young to fend for himself. His mother and herd were nowhere to be found, and his future looked uncertain.
Until one kind-hearted Samaritan saw his struggle, gently lifted this helpless baby into their vehicle, and brought him to the Virginia SPCA.
“The first few days were touch-and-go. Valentino [as he was named] was dehydrated, stressed, and confused,” Virginia SPCA said.
“Yet, through the tender care of Team VSPCA, and especially our very own ‘Farmer Brown’ Samuel, who has been part of our family for more than 15 years, Valentino began to heal, to trust, and to shine.”
Today, this calf, who almost didn’t make it, is a bright-eyed, playful, affectionate young bull with a huge personality!
“He’s proof that farm animals, too, have feelings, emotions, and a deep will to live and love.”
Thanks to the animal hero who intervened and Samuel’s relentless dedication to nurturing Valentino back to health during his time of desperate need, Valentino’s journey highlights how compassion can make a way and save a life.
As the SPCA eloquently puts:
“These precious moments between Samuel and Valentino remind us why we do what we do. Because every animal matters. Because compassion has no boundaries. Because heroes walk among us. Often quietly, doing extraordinary things for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Sources: Virginia SPCA, Free State, South Africa
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow
GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good
news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the
Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things
Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes
there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes
& hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans
balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are
still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more
proudly South African.
by 