What a beautiful story. Reminded me of sitting for three hours with an older horse in my lap waiting for the vet to come to help him leave this world. My kids brought us a tarp to sit under and a blanket on that cold Halloween Day. While I sat the other members of the herd came to calm this poor fellow. Turkeys came out of the woods to watch. Our dogs laid with him. It was the closest I have felt to nature ever. And PS. You chose an excellent novel to take along. One of my favorite reads.
Wonderful! Thank you for my arm chair travel to your farm for the big day! Felt like I was right next to you... complete with my own silent joyful yelp!
I’m a sucker for birth stories from all mammals! How beautiful you got to witness this. See how they bjrth without fear, without aid, without anxiety, without epidurals?! We can learn from them.
Holly - it was my husband who chose to bring cows, bulls and calves into our lives here on our range located in the wilds of BC. And, yet, like you I have been “called upon” to perform various animal duties beyond my comfort level. Loading 2 bulls into a truck when they didn’t like each other and having to climb the sides of the loading shoot to avoid a nasty trampling was a scary experience. Pulling back on a rope tied to the tiny hooves of a calf being delivered by a cow mired in muck up to her belly had a happy ending but made my heart ache the whole time. Being a mother whose daughter died from cancer at age 23 makes me super sensitive to the cruelties of the unexpected. So, Holly, many parts of your story resonates with me. Especially the part where the ewe delivered her baby lamb without the help of human hands. Your Human heart and concern was enough. She was not alone. I love watching the miracle of birth. And, the fact that a new calf is standing and suckling on its mama’s teats within minutes of its birth blows my mind every time. Signed: the reluctant cattle caregiver
Crazy beautiful story Holly! I was so jealous that I couldn’t come with your dad or instead of him , to help with the lambing. But now that I just read that I feel like I was there . Thanks for imprinting that in my mind. It makes me so happy!
It's an amazing and visceral reaction to watching labor and knowing what it feels like to be on the working end, and now the watching end. I find I still "push" when my ewes are doing the work. Good job!
What a beautiful story. Reminded me of sitting for three hours with an older horse in my lap waiting for the vet to come to help him leave this world. My kids brought us a tarp to sit under and a blanket on that cold Halloween Day. While I sat the other members of the herd came to calm this poor fellow. Turkeys came out of the woods to watch. Our dogs laid with him. It was the closest I have felt to nature ever. And PS. You chose an excellent novel to take along. One of my favorite reads.
Wonderful! Thank you for my arm chair travel to your farm for the big day! Felt like I was right next to you... complete with my own silent joyful yelp!
“She would, while lying on her side, often point her nose straight up to the sky and close her eyes.”
When I get to Heaven, this will be on my list of questions - what was going through that ewe’s mind and heart?
Thank you for this powerful piece of writing; the connections between life and death oscillating like an atom. Unforgettable!
How I'd love to know.
I’m a sucker for birth stories from all mammals! How beautiful you got to witness this. See how they bjrth without fear, without aid, without anxiety, without epidurals?! We can learn from them.
Holly - it was my husband who chose to bring cows, bulls and calves into our lives here on our range located in the wilds of BC. And, yet, like you I have been “called upon” to perform various animal duties beyond my comfort level. Loading 2 bulls into a truck when they didn’t like each other and having to climb the sides of the loading shoot to avoid a nasty trampling was a scary experience. Pulling back on a rope tied to the tiny hooves of a calf being delivered by a cow mired in muck up to her belly had a happy ending but made my heart ache the whole time. Being a mother whose daughter died from cancer at age 23 makes me super sensitive to the cruelties of the unexpected. So, Holly, many parts of your story resonates with me. Especially the part where the ewe delivered her baby lamb without the help of human hands. Your Human heart and concern was enough. She was not alone. I love watching the miracle of birth. And, the fact that a new calf is standing and suckling on its mama’s teats within minutes of its birth blows my mind every time. Signed: the reluctant cattle caregiver
I love this Pat! And yes--when the lamb stood up within 10 seconds and started nursing within 30 seconds, it was joy multiplied. ❤️
Crazy beautiful story Holly! I was so jealous that I couldn’t come with your dad or instead of him , to help with the lambing. But now that I just read that I feel like I was there . Thanks for imprinting that in my mind. It makes me so happy!
Magical ❤️
PS: beautiful baby!!
So beautiful and heartwarming.
Amazing, Holly. I was on the edge of my seat. Sorry for the death of your father-in-law, delighted for the birth. ❤️
It's an amazing and visceral reaction to watching labor and knowing what it feels like to be on the working end, and now the watching end. I find I still "push" when my ewes are doing the work. Good job!
Of his birth. Thank you!
Wow, what a beautiful story and so well told. I have a wonderful picture in my mind of hi
So beautiful Holly! Amazing story. How's the lamb?
He's great! Zooming around out in the field with his two other half-siblings as we speak.
Thank you Holly. I can relate to many of the feelings. ❤️
Holly, hey what a great story.. i love to hear your sheep tales.. still following along from over here in the U.K. xx