We have had a sad couple of days...
Yesterday morning Dolly (our pet sheep for those who don't know) gave birth to a healthy lamb. This isn't her first lamb, she has had several over the years. All looked to be progressing smoothly and Kym suspected there would be another on the way, so we left her to it. Dolly has successfuly given birth to and raised two sets of twin lambs so there was no cause for concern.
On checking on her yesterday afternoon Stephanie discovered that Dolly was in trouble. The second lamb had died and was stuck. But Dolly seemed strong and not in too much discomfort.
Being the brave farmers wife that I am I did the only logical thing and called Kym off the header. He came as soon as he could and helped Dolly deliver the dead lamb.
Dolly got up, had a bite to eat and a drink, fed the living lamb (who Stephanie has named Kibbles) and settled down on her bed of hay.
Kym checked on them both late last night and found that Dolly wasn't well. She couldn't get up unassisted, but was still feeding Kibbles and was still drinking and eating. Kym took her to the shearing shed were he shore her, hoping that shedding the excess weight of a full fleece would help her out.
This morning we discovered that Dolly had died.
Stephanie is quite upset, but comforted by the fact that we have a new (and very demanding) lamb to feed.
Normally a sheep in the paddock wouldn't get this much attention lavished upon it. But this was no ordinary sheep. She has been our pet for around 6 years, which is pretty old for a sheep.
So, the life cycle continues....
I've just fed Kibbles his lunch (I'm home to shower and change to go to a funeral, but that's a whole other post) and he is strong and hungry and feeding well. The couple of feeds that Dolly was able to give him have given him a good start.
Here he is...
He is one day old and quite strong so we are hoping that he will be ok. I was taking these photo's one handed while feeding him and couldn't quite get the angle right to show you him wriggling his tail as he suckles. I love the way lambs do that.
Of course he will be no replacement for the rose eating, toilet paper stealing Dolly. But we will remember her fondly as we raise him.
7 valued opinions!:
Oh how sad. I'm so sorry Sharon. And she cared for her little one right up to the very last not thinking of herself as much as the baby lamb. Animals are such a wonder to me. What an adorable little lamb. I hope she eats your roses and steals your toilet paper just like her mama. Ha! Kidding about that part. :P
Oh, I'm so sorry about Dolly!! I remember you posting pictures of her, and she was a lovely sheep!!
But, what a mother--taking care of her little one so he could have life. And Kibbles is a cutie!! Be sure and keep us posted as he is growing!!
I"m sorry about Dolly too. I'm so glad we all had a chance to meet her in a previous post, to know you're love for her.
May Kibble help fill the void left by Dolly. He is a beauty!
Oh, Mother animals are so amazing! It's such a shame she died, but what an effort she put in for her little ones! Kibbles is a darling, so please, more pics, and get that tail in;), and we look forward to stories about him, my boys and I...
My heart is deeply touched by the loss of dear Dolly... She was Dolly the Delightful to me! :) Yet, my sadness cannot compare to what you and the family are going through right now. It's always so difficult to those a pet... I'm thankful she was able to hang on and give birth to Kibbles and get him started. May he be strong, healthy and nearly mischevious as his mother! ;)
Praying for peace, hope and a time for healing - for all of you! We'll miss you Dolly ~ thanks for the memories...
Kibbles is three days old now, and doing well. We were worried yesterday when he seemed quite weak and didn't seem to be gaining weight, but today he is fine. It's a bit hit and miss raising a lamb so young, getting the formula strength right, but so far so good.
I'm so sorry to hear about Dolly. It's never easy losing a family pet. :(
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