So as you all know yesterday was our big 4th of July. In true farm fashion not only was the party going on but there was animal drama too. First, When Mom came home on her split we found a train that reminds us of the price we pay for our freedom and how lucky we are to be free. Check this out ...
Over a mile long train, transporting Military vehicals to God Knows where ... We prayed for God to Bless the vehicals and all that would have to use them.
At about 3:30pm I finally got started Mowing. Mom had to go back to work to finish her split and Dad and I had to mow the yard and put up all the livestock. The battery had been dead on the mower. So, it made Dad and I late to get started and that means we were late in putting up the flock as well.
At 5:00pm I finally got to put the flock up and I couldn't find Momma Shetland anywhere. (she had last been seen in the east lot at 3:30pm because I got her out of there because there was no fresh water) We not only walked the entire pasture but miles around the house too. We walked and drove miles from the time Mom got home to the time the first guests started to arrive, but Momma Shetland was just gone. There was no sign of her and Mom had that "we let her down" look in her eyes. Mom took time to call the sheriff's department and report her missing and told them if anyone calls her in to call us and we will go get her right away.
We didn't say anything to anyone and the party went on as planned. Mom called it Bitter Sweet. We are the people who will leave the 99 to save the one and with one of our own flock lost it really put a damper on the night for us. The other reason it was bitter sweet was that it was the 5 year anniversary of the Coffeyville flood. People like Ms. Karen who lost everything in that flood will never forget ... And Mom and Dad who feed the Military who came to help. It is always weird to look back on those days. I don't know why though.
Anyway, No my new GF didn't get to come. She really wanted to but her family had to work goats as they have a few sick ones to deal with. We Bar-B-Qued out and had everything from Steak to burgers and Watermelon to homemede Ice Cream. Mom and Ms. Karen even sat and spun some alpaca for awhile. We topped the night off with some really cool fireworks. The pictures aren't great but check this out ...
At about 3:30pm I finally got started Mowing. Mom had to go back to work to finish her split and Dad and I had to mow the yard and put up all the livestock. The battery had been dead on the mower. So, it made Dad and I late to get started and that means we were late in putting up the flock as well.
At 5:00pm I finally got to put the flock up and I couldn't find Momma Shetland anywhere. (she had last been seen in the east lot at 3:30pm because I got her out of there because there was no fresh water) We not only walked the entire pasture but miles around the house too. We walked and drove miles from the time Mom got home to the time the first guests started to arrive, but Momma Shetland was just gone. There was no sign of her and Mom had that "we let her down" look in her eyes. Mom took time to call the sheriff's department and report her missing and told them if anyone calls her in to call us and we will go get her right away.
We didn't say anything to anyone and the party went on as planned. Mom called it Bitter Sweet. We are the people who will leave the 99 to save the one and with one of our own flock lost it really put a damper on the night for us. The other reason it was bitter sweet was that it was the 5 year anniversary of the Coffeyville flood. People like Ms. Karen who lost everything in that flood will never forget ... And Mom and Dad who feed the Military who came to help. It is always weird to look back on those days. I don't know why though.
Anyway, No my new GF didn't get to come. She really wanted to but her family had to work goats as they have a few sick ones to deal with. We Bar-B-Qued out and had everything from Steak to burgers and Watermelon to homemede Ice Cream. Mom and Ms. Karen even sat and spun some alpaca for awhile. We topped the night off with some really cool fireworks. The pictures aren't great but check this out ...
At about Midnight we told the last guests good by and Mom and I drove the mile sections around the house one more time before heading off to bed with full bellies and heavy hearts.
This morning Dad got called into work so Mom and I got up and made a plan. We were going to use Pistol to get Momma back. Before letting everything back out on the pasture we made Pistol upset. Yes, I know it sounds mean but Pistol's Cry should bring Momma Shetland to her rescue if she is anywhere within ear shot of her baby. And I have to admit by this time It had been over 15 hours and we were worried we might never see Momma again. For the record it didn't work.
We did chores and headed back to the house still upset. We knew we had done everything we could but we still felt like we let her down. It was our job to keep her safe and we failed her. Then my phone rang. At first I wasn't going to answer because it was the 4-H president and I really wasn't in the mood. I don't know why but I did answer and boy am I glad I did.
You see, while on his way to work he saw a sheep playing on the highway over a half mile from our farm. He called the sheriff's office and was told I was looking for one so he called me. I have been on many calls for different animals but you know when that call comes in and it is one of your own you go into a really weird mood. You do everything faster, think clearer. It was like all those calls were just practice and this was the real thing. Mom made me grab a rope and she grabbed the keys and we headed out. We headed to the highway and north like we were told ... And there playing on the highway was Momma Shetland, We pulled up and blocked traffic on one side while stopping the other side. I threw my rope and missed. I couldn't believe it. I could hear Mom pray "Oh, Please God Guild that rope" I don't remember how many times she said it I just remember it ringing in my ears at I threw the second time. And you know what I caught. Mom got the tailgate down and I got my hands on Momma. Her heart was beating so fast I thought it would jump out of her chest. Mom was almost in tears as she got to us. I told Mom about her heart pounding so hard and Mom said we had to get her home and calm now. I told Mom I couldn't get a good hold on her and Mom said she couldn't either. She looked at me with those here we go eyes and I knew to just do what I could. Mom picked the ewe up with one motion and carried her to the truck like a baby. When she got to the truck the ewe paniced. Mom lifted her into the bed but as she did the ewe hit Mom right in the nose with her head. I don't think she meant to but she really hurt Mom. Mom had tears of joy and tears of pain running down her face as she closed the tailgate with Momma Shetland safe inside.
We took her straight home and put her in the Goat Pen. Then we rounded up Pistol and put her in there too. Just think we had all that excitement before 8am .... LOL ... We took a short break from the excitement while Mom went to the house and took some ibuprofen for her face and nose. Mom says it isn't broke but it is going to be a bit sore for awhile and might even bruise.
Then we got on with our day.... today was the day that Libby and Cherokee get to return to the pasture. Little Cherokee is just a day shy of 2 weeks old and she is a strapping good calf. The plan was to put a halter on Lib and lead her to the pasture and Cherokee should follow. You notice there I said the word "plan" and "should". Well, when have you ever know things to work out like we planned?? You see I haltered Lib and set out to the pasture. Cherokee followed .... UNTIL we cleared the gate to their pen. Then Cherokee when wild, bucking and kicking and playing with everything in sight. She didn't follow anything but everything she wasn't suppose to.
This morning Dad got called into work so Mom and I got up and made a plan. We were going to use Pistol to get Momma back. Before letting everything back out on the pasture we made Pistol upset. Yes, I know it sounds mean but Pistol's Cry should bring Momma Shetland to her rescue if she is anywhere within ear shot of her baby. And I have to admit by this time It had been over 15 hours and we were worried we might never see Momma again. For the record it didn't work.
We did chores and headed back to the house still upset. We knew we had done everything we could but we still felt like we let her down. It was our job to keep her safe and we failed her. Then my phone rang. At first I wasn't going to answer because it was the 4-H president and I really wasn't in the mood. I don't know why but I did answer and boy am I glad I did.
You see, while on his way to work he saw a sheep playing on the highway over a half mile from our farm. He called the sheriff's office and was told I was looking for one so he called me. I have been on many calls for different animals but you know when that call comes in and it is one of your own you go into a really weird mood. You do everything faster, think clearer. It was like all those calls were just practice and this was the real thing. Mom made me grab a rope and she grabbed the keys and we headed out. We headed to the highway and north like we were told ... And there playing on the highway was Momma Shetland, We pulled up and blocked traffic on one side while stopping the other side. I threw my rope and missed. I couldn't believe it. I could hear Mom pray "Oh, Please God Guild that rope" I don't remember how many times she said it I just remember it ringing in my ears at I threw the second time. And you know what I caught. Mom got the tailgate down and I got my hands on Momma. Her heart was beating so fast I thought it would jump out of her chest. Mom was almost in tears as she got to us. I told Mom about her heart pounding so hard and Mom said we had to get her home and calm now. I told Mom I couldn't get a good hold on her and Mom said she couldn't either. She looked at me with those here we go eyes and I knew to just do what I could. Mom picked the ewe up with one motion and carried her to the truck like a baby. When she got to the truck the ewe paniced. Mom lifted her into the bed but as she did the ewe hit Mom right in the nose with her head. I don't think she meant to but she really hurt Mom. Mom had tears of joy and tears of pain running down her face as she closed the tailgate with Momma Shetland safe inside.
We took her straight home and put her in the Goat Pen. Then we rounded up Pistol and put her in there too. Just think we had all that excitement before 8am .... LOL ... We took a short break from the excitement while Mom went to the house and took some ibuprofen for her face and nose. Mom says it isn't broke but it is going to be a bit sore for awhile and might even bruise.
Then we got on with our day.... today was the day that Libby and Cherokee get to return to the pasture. Little Cherokee is just a day shy of 2 weeks old and she is a strapping good calf. The plan was to put a halter on Lib and lead her to the pasture and Cherokee should follow. You notice there I said the word "plan" and "should". Well, when have you ever know things to work out like we planned?? You see I haltered Lib and set out to the pasture. Cherokee followed .... UNTIL we cleared the gate to their pen. Then Cherokee when wild, bucking and kicking and playing with everything in sight. She didn't follow anything but everything she wasn't suppose to.
Well, I ended up taking Libby out to the pasture and praying that she stayed near the gate until I got Cherokee there. Cherokee on the other hand had other ideas. An hour later and quite the amount of fuss we came up with a new plan. Cherokee would go out to pasture the same way her Mom did. Lead by a halter. This plan didn't go as easy as it did with Libby because Cherokee has never had a halter on before ...
Finally, I got her haltered and man, did she not want to lead. I wouldn't call what I did leading her to pasture. It was more like dragging her or playing tug-awar with her ....
Cherokee did get better as we went but not much ... She thought it was such fun but after the whole Momma Shetland thing I was wore out ....
Finally, I got Both Mom and baby back together in the pasture .... What a chore that was though. I rode this evening and checked them both and they are doing great. Dad even went with me and we got Cherokee's ear tag put in. As for B'day she is still not showing signs of labor ....
Then later this afternoon we had a special treat for the pasture animals. Mom let me feed them some Watermelon. I think they liked it ...
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