DD Animal Rescue Stories: Some stories regardless how old need to be retold. In 2017, netizens witnessed a heartwarmming story, almost a real life version of Ferdinand the Bull. A man rescued an agressive fighting bull in France and it just turned out that the beast was a gentle giant who wanted nothing but love and a friend. Fadjen was never supposed to know love. Born on a bullfighting farm in France, he was marked from the start for a fate soaked in blood and applause—a life trained for violence, ending in death. But destiny had other plans. Christophe Thomas saw through the myth of the “raging bull” and rescued Fadjen before he could be led into the arena. What he found was not a beast, but a being brimming with warmth, innocence, and gentleness.

Today, Fadjen lives peacefully in Rennes, France, surrounded by a rescued family that includes his partner Gloria and their daughter Iris. His days are filled with soft grass, sunshine, and companionship, not the roar of crowds or the sting of blades. What was meant to be a tale of destruction became a living, breathing story of redemption.

The Truth About Bullfighting: Trauma in the Name of Tradition

For bulls like Fadjen, bullfighting is not sport—it’s suffering, masked as spectacle. These animals are not born violent; they are made victims through isolation, abuse, and manipulation. Bulls are often weakened before a fight: stabbed, disoriented, and set up to fail. By the time they charge into the arena, they are not warriors—they are terrified, confused, and already dying.

Each cheer from the crowd echoes a betrayal of nature’s gentlest giants. These creatures, like Fadjen, don’t want to fight. They want to live, to play, to nuzzle their loved ones, and to feel safe. The trauma inflicted in bullfighting arenas is not just physical—it’s the destruction of trust, dignity, and the natural spirit of an animal that was never a monster to begin with.

Fortunately, more awareness is being created around the horrors of bull fighting with Mexico City banning traditional bullfighting, prohibiting the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects during events.

Not a Monster—Just Misunderstood

Those who trained Fadjen for the ring painted him as a dangerous, untameable creature. But once freed from the cruel mold of bullfighting, the truth emerged—Fadjen is playful, affectionate, and eager for friendship. He uses his horns not to gore, but to gently nudge and play. He seeks affection, not aggression.

They tried to cast him as the villain of their violent drama, but Fadjen refused to play the part. It turns out, the monster wasn’t the bull—it was the institution that twisted his image, suppressed his spirit, and prepared him for a brutal end. Fadjen stands now not only as a survivor, but as a testament to everything bullfighting gets wrong about bulls.

A Symbol of Peace and the Power of Compassion

Fadjen’s story continues to ripple far beyond his quiet pastures. Shared through Facebook and Instagram, his photos and videos reveal a life of joy, bonding, and quiet strength. He is more than just a bull—he is a symbol of what happens when kindness wins. His gentle nature and loving interactions have touched thousands, awakening people to the reality of bullfighting and the need for change.

In Fadjen, we see what all bulls could be—if only they were given a chance. His story challenges us to question cruel traditions and reminds us of the power of compassion. He was born to be broken, but instead, Fadjen became a voice for the voiceless, and a friend to anyone willing to listen.