Dulce Has A Ewe Lamb

Finally! The long awaited birth of Dulce's lamb just happened. I did my pre-night-night barn check and Dulce was walking up and down the corridor on the side of the East End barn addition, baaing loudly to her unborn lamb. I watched her push for a while then realized it would be a long delivery. She pushed and pushed and the little hoofs showing wouldn't turn into legs, face and shoulders. I tried pulling gently to move things along but Dulce wouldn't have it. I decided to make myself some chamomile tea, fold the laundry, get my birthing kit together and let Dulce do her thing. When I came back to the freezing end of the barn, there was a HUGE ewe lamb - up and prancing around in the cold, but Dulce was stretched out and not moving. I feared she was dead. Dulce is an "aged ewe" and the lamb is so big, I thought it did her in. I picked up the lamb and put it by her nose. She immediately started talking and licking it. I squirted some Nutri Drench into both their mouths, dried off the lamb and put one of Auntie Jan's sweaters on. Tight fit, but just fine. I decided to check Dulce for a possible twin inside, but nothing there that I could feel. It was years before I could put my hand inside a sheep, but sometimes it has to be done. Nursed out colostrum for the baby and gave it to her. I pulled Dulce's head up, swung her around and she jumped up. As soon as she was on her feet she started fussing over her lamb. Good girl, Dulce. I led them into a pen on the warmer side, got the bucket of hot molasses water and a flake of hay. Wished them good night - same to you. One AM and work tomorrow.