Barn on the Web
  • Who am I
    • Lessons Learned
    • Contact Me
  • My Animals
    • Animals For Sale
  • My Horse training
    • Training Photos
  • My Blog
  • The Farm Shop
  • The Family Farm
    • Spring Farm Event
    • Fiber Notebook

Momma

5/2/2013

 
    As most of you know the weather is going crazy here.  For one thing it is May and it is snowing.  Folks, I live on the prairies of North Eastern Oklahoma.  Snow in May is NOT Normal.  With that said it is also taking a toll on the some of the animals.  Mostly the older ones.  One older Ewe is in trouble tonight.  If you remember we got Momma and her baby, Pistol, Last year.  Momma was coming here because her health was really bad.  Well, not bad for an 11 year old Ewe but bad by our standards.  
    Her owner basically asked up to bring her here to die.  She had been kicked by a horse and wasn't able to get around well.  In true Straw fashion, we identified the problem and got her going again and she has been on special feed for her health ever since.  She wasn't even supposed to have been bred this year but the Ram got to her without us knowing it.  She has gone from on her death bed to back to normal in less then 6 months.  
    The sad truth is that we know that she won't last forever and tonight we found Momma under the shed half frozen.  Pickles, her baby from this year, was staying by her side.  Mom was still at work so Dad and I moved Momma into the barn.  No, we didn't bring her inside.  There are a few things you need to know about Momma.  First, she hates that inside pen.  No matter what she will kill herself trying to get out of it.  Second, Momma hates everyone but Mom.  For Dad and I to get her into the barn with Pickles was quite the chore.  We put a heating lamp on her and gave her food and water.  She seemed to be doing better and even stood for a short time.  
    When Mom got home, we ate a bite and headed to the barn.  There we found that Momma had gone down again.  Mom got her onto the pig blanket (a large heating pad that is used to warm litters of Pigglets) and then lay down beside her to use her body heat to warm her.  Momma Laid there and took Mom's kisses as if it was normal for the two of them to curl up together and go to sleep.  I lay down on the other side of Momma and used my body heat to warm her other side.  In a little bit we had her warm again and she was holding her own.  
    Pickles isn't quite sure what is going on but when ever we tried to kiss on Momma he would come up and headbutt us and try and protect her.  We know Momma can't live forever, but Mom isn't ready to lose her so soon after Juneau.  However, I did hear Mom tell Momma, while they were curled up together, that if she had to go Mom would understand. 
Anna B
5/2/2013 03:20:19 pm

I have to say it again. Any animal that finds itself on your farm is lucky in deed. I have no words to express how much I respect your continuing compassion even through hardship and disappointment.

KateJonze
5/3/2013 01:23:02 am

You are the most amazingly caring people. ♥


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Alpaca
    Angora Goat
    Birth
    Carrie Clothes
    Cattle
    Deaths
    Dorset
    Everyday Life
    Fleece Police
    Give Away
    Horse
    Merino
    Mom
    Projects
    Rodeo
    Shearing
    Shetland
    Video

    Archives

    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    RSS Feed

    Plurk.com
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.