Busy Morning

A Sunday morning that started out with anxiety and trepidation is looking better and better. My beautiful purebred Bluefaced Leicester ewe had a vaginal prolapse that required fixing or we would face dire consequences. I pushed it back in several times and it just slipped out again. After talking to the vet about what to do, we couldn't find the "spoon insert" we needed to put in. The trusty Sheep List provided me with an alternative and much suppport from member shepherds. We tied a harness onto her using Ron Parker's (list dad and "Sheep Book" fame) baling twine method. We got her back legs up on a bale and followed Ron's instructions step by step. The harness is holding! She is standing up, a little shaky, but no grapefruit sized red ball hanging out of her! We have to monitor her carefully, as she is tied up in the back and a lamb cannot get out now. The twine will have to be cut. I am very thankful...Everybody say, "Thank You Jesus!"

Now, another drama is taking place on the other side of the barn...Arabella is straining and looking very uncomfortable herself. We led her into a jug (lambing pen) and shortly after a little white slippery bundle pops out! Then another one! Twin ewe lambs! After waiting for mom to do her tongue washing and mothering routine, I did my clip, dip and strip, popped sweaters on (20 F. in the barn - minus 8 outside) and nursed some colostrum out for the little ones. Nothing lights fire in the belly and helps the lambs get started like that magical first milk.