Here's my two cents, for free. lol
Shannon's information is valuable, as to the fact that he can still fertilize the hens, and that he can even still perform! And that he is still alive, and didn't get infected. Especially in the extreme cold temperatures of her area (hmmm, what time of year did it happen? I don't know.) Those are all great things.
Maybe the Vaseline aided his eventual recovery - nobody knows whether it helped or hindered. So the choice of using Vaseline, in my opinion, is up to any owner. I still don't understand why a vet said to use it, but that's not my place to question.
The case also showed us that some can go months without solution, but also without infection. But I do think a lot of luck happened. Why didn't his get infected? Because he is well taken care of overall? Important points! Infection could have easily happened... I mean its a body part that is meant to be "inside" the body. Any number of things could have happened to it while it was hanging out.
Now, would I recommend that someone wait 2 months, let it dangle, "maybe" it will go back in, or say that they can just cut it off later with no problem?? Absolutely not. But its all still useful information for the situations that arise here. I just think it needs to be shared with full understanding, and not "do it this way because it worked for me" type of attitudes. We're here to help others, yes?