Shetland sheep have changed my life and touched my heart. They have brought me joy, adventure and serenity. Follow along as I live each day influenced by memories of my mighty flock of mini sheep ~ aided and abetted by "Bellamica", the English Shepherd,"Sable", my livestock guardian dog and "Hero" the rescue dog that stole my heart! You'll also meet many of the homeless dogs that I rescue and rehome as part of Bluff Country Canine Rescue.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
I Buried a Lamb Today...
I thanked him and said a prayer over him as I carefully hand-sheared his beautiful, moorit fleece.
It's so sad to lose sheep, like losing a friend. We've done so well here this summer, but then today I went out and found our wether dead in the pasture. Ho-hum, such is life. Terri
Oh, how sad! :( I have to say farm life has made me more appreciative of living things and a little more able to deal with the life and death cycle/struggle. Sending you a cyber hug....
So sorry the hear the sad news, Nancy. You know, I live vicariously through your blog, wishing someday to have sheep. But I know I'd have a hard time seeing the other end of life that happens more frequently on farms. Diane/Bloomington,IN
Yuck what happened? It's hard to be a farmer I even gave it up once but it's in my blood. Just love em when you can and know the pain when they die will ease up soon.
I found your blog through Antiquity Oaks. I have enjoyed my visit, and will return often. I'm sorry for your loss. As has already been said, a loss for any reason is never easy. What makes you a real farmer is that you thanked him and said a prayer.
Oh, I am so sorry! That is one of the hardest things about being a farmer - we love them so much, and it pains us deeply to lose them. You and the rest of the flock are in our thoughts.
Oh, *that* is why you are sad... that's terrible, I'm so sorry! I know how much love and care you invest in each of your lambies, what an awful loss. Hug the rest of your little dears, and remember that you give them a wonderful life while they are here - in the end, that is all we can do for our loved ones, of whatever species.
Nancy there isn't much to say that hasn't been said. That was one lucky lamb to have you as his shepherdess. You are simply amazing in how you care for your sheep and you bless their lives as much as they bless yours. Thinking of you...hang in there.
Nancy, I am so sorry that this lamb died. I know that even if you want to reduce your flock, you never want it to happen in this way. I know that when you find a dead lamb for what ever reason, there is always a lingering fear that more will also die.
I have never sheared a dead sheep. Some of mine might even have had hides worth salvaging. But I have always just buried them as quickly as possible. It is hard for me to touch my lambs who were alive so recently, and even in death seem as if they could awaken and be whole again.
Take care of yourself and love on your living sheep. That is the only thing that has ever helped me to get over my losses.
So sorry Nancy. It's never easy to lose one. I'm glad you sheared his beautiful fleece before burying him. I know that's not easy either, but it's so worthwhile.
I'm so very sorry. Give me a call if you feel like it or share via e-mail or blog whenever you're ready. Those moments are what I dread about being a shepherd, but I guess one gets through it, one way or another.
I lost a precious bottle lamb a few years ago and it still hurts. The only thing good to come out of these situations is hopefully we learn something new that will help the rest of our family as we move forward. Both I and my young vet are now aware that just because they've been vaccinated against something doesn't mean that's not what they are suffering from, so we now never rule anything out.{{{Nancy}}}
Oh! I'm sorry. He was very pretty. Any chance you're going to winter White knight, or is he sold? I want! But can't get him till next year. Oh well, if he's sold, or you can't winter him, I understand. There's always next years lamb crop! ice_armygirl@yahoo.com
Oh, Nancy, I am so very sorry. What happened and who was it?
ReplyDeleteAngela Rountree
It's so sad to lose sheep, like losing a friend. We've done so well here this summer, but then today I went out and found our wether dead in the pasture. Ho-hum, such is life.
ReplyDeleteTerri
Oh, how sad! :( I have to say farm life has made me more appreciative of living things and a little more able to deal with the life and death cycle/struggle. Sending you a cyber hug....
ReplyDeleteAwww Mom... what happened?
ReplyDeleteLove you...
Meem
Oh dear, I'm so sorry! Please tell us more when you are able, and go love on some of your others. I hear tears are good for wool....
ReplyDeleteSo sorry the hear the sad news, Nancy. You know, I live vicariously through your blog, wishing someday to have sheep. But I know I'd have a hard time seeing the other end of life that happens more frequently on farms.
ReplyDeleteDiane/Bloomington,IN
I'm sorry ... a loss, for whatever reason, is always hard to take.
ReplyDeleteYuck what happened? It's hard to be a farmer I even gave it up once but it's in my blood. Just love em when you can and know the pain when they die will ease up soon.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Antiquity Oaks. I have enjoyed my visit, and will return often.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss. As has already been said, a loss for any reason is never easy.
What makes you a real farmer is that you thanked him and said a prayer.
So Sorry! I would love to hear the rest of the story. In the mean time - don't forget to grieve over your baby, friend or whatever it was to you.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so sorry! That is one of the hardest things about being a farmer - we love them so much, and it pains us deeply to lose them. You and the rest of the flock are in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOh, *that* is why you are sad... that's terrible, I'm so sorry! I know how much love and care you invest in each of your lambies, what an awful loss. Hug the rest of your little dears, and remember that you give them a wonderful life while they are here - in the end, that is all we can do for our loved ones, of whatever species.
ReplyDelete(((Nancy)))
Sorry to hear about your lamb, Nancy. We've had too many die over the years, but then one is too many.
ReplyDeleteI sheared the last one who died, and haven't been able to do anything with her lovely fleece... yet. It's very odd to be shearing them after.
Hugs!
Franna
Nancy there isn't much to say that hasn't been said. That was one lucky lamb to have you as his shepherdess. You are simply amazing in how you care for your sheep and you bless their lives as much as they bless yours. Thinking of you...hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI am so very, very sorry to hear of your loss. But, as Kara said, the lamb was lucky to have you as his shepherdess.
ReplyDeleteAgain, so sorry.
Simply sending you a (HUG) It's not something I have had to do yet but it'll happen one day I am sure. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I am so sorry that this lamb died. I know that even if you want to reduce your flock, you never want it to happen in this way. I know that when you find a dead lamb for what ever reason, there is always a lingering fear that more will also die.
ReplyDeleteI have never sheared a dead sheep. Some of mine might even have had hides worth salvaging. But I have always just buried them as quickly as possible. It is hard for me to touch my lambs who were alive so recently, and even in death seem as if they could awaken and be whole again.
Take care of yourself and love on your living sheep. That is the only thing that has ever helped me to get over my losses.
I am so sorry. How hard. Sending you good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you, too. How sad. Too much sadness.
ReplyDeleteOh Nancy - I'm so very sorry. I lost Sara this week. My heart aches for you.
ReplyDeleteOh Nancy - how very heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you.
So sorry Nancy. It's never easy to lose one. I'm glad you sheared his beautiful fleece before burying him. I know that's not easy either, but it's so worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteNancy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry. Give me a call if you feel like it or share via e-mail or blog whenever you're ready. Those moments are what I dread about being a shepherd, but I guess one gets through it, one way or another.
I lost a precious bottle lamb a few years ago and it still hurts. The only thing good to come out of these situations is hopefully we learn something new that will help the rest of our family as we move forward. Both I and my young vet are now aware that just because they've been vaccinated against something doesn't mean that's not what they are suffering from, so we now never rule anything out.{{{Nancy}}}
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry for your loss, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteOh! I'm sorry. He was very pretty. Any chance you're going to winter White knight, or is he sold? I want! But can't get him till next year. Oh well, if he's sold, or you can't winter him, I understand. There's always next years lamb crop!
ReplyDeleteice_armygirl@yahoo.com