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Farmer's Prayers

4/26/2013

 
    I know that sometimes things aren't for us to understand.  But I am human and I still ask why.  Today the Question is Why did Juneau have to pass from this life so soon??  I called the Vet this morning after I did chores and he told me the news.  The only thing that we are 100% sure of is that for whatever reason Juneau's blood sugar bottomed out yesterday and he never recovered.  While he showed improvement yesterday, he didn't make it through the night. 
    Mom is going a bit overboard and has all the Alpaca's penned.  She is watching them like a hawk.  And when she isn't checking them she has me running out to the barn yard to check them.  She has questioned everything we have done.  From Shearing to weed control to a vitamin deficiency.  She has even dug up her flowers along the fence line because she read that some were poisonous to Alpacas.  The flowers aren't in the pasture but they are along the fence line and she said she is just moving them because she isn't taking any chances.
  
    I guess it is Mom's way of dealing with what has happened.  Some how I guess she thinks some how she can keep it from happening again.  The truth is we can't prevent it if we don't know why it happened.  So that brings me back to my question of Why.   As for me, I want to try and think of things that I am thankful for.  It kind of puts a good out weighs the bad spin on things. 

As a Son I am thankful for my Mother who is emotionaly Strong.
     And for a Father who corrects me when I am wrong. 
As an Indian I am thankful for the land which I come 
    And for the heavens that watch over me since my journey begun.  
As a farmer I am thankful for the rain and the sun 
    For we need both not just one.  
As a country boy I am thankful for the ground on which I live.
    And for the harvest that it is sure to give.  
As a rancher I am thankful for each animal that we have in our care 
    And I Pray they will always be there. 
And when my time comes to visit the purley gates, I can only Pray
    that I am told that my footprints on this Earth will never be washed away.    
                
                                                                                                        Author
                                                                                                          Christy Straw

    Mom wrote that for me years ago and yes it is simple but sometimes it helps to reread it ... Expecialy when the going gets tough.
    Tonight Juneau was brought home to rest here on the farm right next to Statler.  Before we committed his to the land I did trim the front tough of hair from his forehead for Mom.  As most of you know the alpacas were part of the shares and therefor we never kept any.  I thought Mom would at least want a little bit to hold on to.  And just so you know ... until further notice there will be no flowers along the fence line.  Mom is however saying she will put in a flower spot near the spot where we have treasured loved ones buried.   
    I do need to add one little thing here... And that is a word of Thanks to my "Fairy Godmother"  When we got to the Vet's office to settle up and bring Juneau home we were handed a receipt that said the bill was taken care of by my Fairy Godmother... So to you I say from the bottom of all our hearts,  Thank you ... It was a beautiful act of kindness.

Just Don't know

4/25/2013

 
    So as you read yesterday Juneau was having some issues.  We had moved him into the house to help keep him warm through the night.  Everything went well and last night he was eating and drinking.  He could stand but not for very long and he was a bit wobbley.  Last night he seemed to get better and ate his dinner and took fluids.  This morning he was fine at 2:00am when Mom checked him.  At 4:00am when Dad and I checked him and got him up he seemed to be getting stronger.  At 6:30am Mom had to be at work and he was fine then.  I was in and out of the kitchen where the pen is as I did my school work and waited on Mom to get back from work.  
    I checked him at about 7:00am and he was fine but within 30 minutes he had gone to throwing his head back and not being able to stand.  I called Mom, who was on the way home, and she had me drench (give him electrolytes and Vitamins and Minerals) him and see if he was getting enough to drink then she had me call the vet again While she drove home.  When Mom got to the house we loaded him up and rushed him to the Vet.  There they worked to get him stablized.  They did blood work to see what was going on.  They didn't know what the normal standards were so they had to call K-State University.  The only thing the blood work showed is that his blood sugar that was suppose to be 115 was 14.  No I didn't forget a digit.     
    At this point we have penned all the alpaca and are watching them like a hawk.  Doc is treating Juneau's symptoms as they can't find anything wrong with him other then the Blood sugar and they fixed that by giving Dextrose intravenously along with fluids and antibiotics.  He did find Blood worms in his stool but we wormed when we shear as we always do so that is already being treated.  For now Doc is keeping Juneau over night and trying to figure things out.  While we all are upset Mom has been fighting back the tears all day.  I will keep everyone posted.  That also means that I am going try and encourage everyone to visit the etsy shop to begin covering the Vet bills ... It can be found by clicking QTFarmshop or for searching Etsy for it ... Thanks for your support and helping to try and save Juneau ... Prayers welcome!

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