Settling In

I arrived to a quieter farm this morning. The lambs at last are settling into their new home in the carriage barn, no longer pining for their moms. Less stressed but wistful nonetheless, they were very curious about the change in morning ritual, intently watching me through the gate, as you can see in the following video clip. Over the next few weeks, they'll become more focused on Crackerjack and Buttercup, their surrogate mothers for the time being.

Saying goodbye to Charlotte yesterday was hard but her departure was peaceful and it clearly was the right time. Charlotte was always reserved, intelligent and quick to read any situation. In her younger days she was generally one of the smartest when it came to avoiding hoof trimming or dodging a coat change. An excellent mother, she was fiercely protective of her lambs and insistent on handling everything her own way. We miss her already. Thanks for all the thoughtful comments.

I'm sending all of you my wishes for a safe and relaxing 4th.

Comments

[Jo Jensen]

Hi Barb:it is so good to hear from you again, busy girl. i can feel your sadness concerning Charlotte, we never get used to the inevitabile...she is probably giving ballet lessons to the younger crowd up there. some of the babies are HUGE and some still have the baby look on their faces and in their eyes. what a great life, even tho it is hard work. wish i was there to help you. lots of love to all of you. Happy 4th. i am babysitting the dogs, especially my big German Shep who freaks out at the sound of a fire cracker. Robyn is working at Lake Perris inspecting the boats so there will be no contamination of the water. yes, some try to sneak in.bad bad bad. love you all. jo

[Konna]

I am so sorry to hear about Charlotte. I am crying and I don't even know the wonderful, independent ewe. Thank you for sharing the joys and sorrows of raising beautiful animals.....

[Valerie]

What a moving tribute to Charlotte. It's lovely the way you are attuned to each sheep's own special traits and personality. I'm sure she lived the very best kind of life a sheep can live on your farm under your care.
Glad the lambs are settling in. They still seem to be quite attached to you, as well as to Crackerjack!
My daughters had a barrage of questions when I told them about the lambs and Charlotte. One was can Crackerjack protect the lambs from coyotes and what would he do? Also they're wondering if the wool I have from you might include any of Charlotte's fleece.

~Your girls ask good questions. Regarding Crackerjack's guard skills, his first role is to deter predators from even entering the pen. I suppose he does this by approaching them and giving them the evil eye. I see him do this to people walking their dogs by the farm. I've never seen what he would actually do with a coyote in the paddock, since I've never actually witnessed that. It is said that llamas will actually attack and can stomp a coyote right into the ground. Years ago we had a pack of coyotes run into the electro net grazing paddock after dark one night. Cracker was with a group of 18 lambs. The coyotes ruined the net fence (I think they didn't see it and got tangled up), but didn't take a single lamb. I think Cracker's presence and the fence that bites back had a lot to do with that!

And your second question, I still have Charlotte's fleece from this spring and am inclined to hold on to it for a special project to honor her. But certainly, her wool was part of the Cormo yarns and rovings from last year, and in years before, too. I'll see if I can find a lock to photograph. Thanks for the good thoughts, and good questions.~

[Lisa]

I am sorry to hear about Charlotte. Your lambs are so sweet and happy looking!

[Diane]

Love that you are holding onto Charlotte's fleece to make something in honor of her.
Crackerjack is truly a calm/solid rock for a guard llama. I wonder if he is ever lonely--you know, looking for another llama to validate his 'llama-ness'?
Diane L./Bloomington

[Valerie]

Thanks for sharing the info and story about Crackerjack. He's a very brave fellow!
It's lovely to hear that you have saved Charlotte's last fleece; I'm sure you will cherish whatever you make with it.

[Jody Hamilton]

I'm sorry to hear about dear Charlotte's journey to the Rainbow Bridge. I suspect there are plenty of herders to welcome her into a new celestial flock and guardians to keep her safe in her new everlasting home. On the next clear night, perhaps you'll find her star; Charlotte's message that she's arrived and not to worry.

Jody

[Madeline]

I, too, am sorry about Charlotte. She was a lucky ewe to have lived with you as her caretaker. I enjoyed the video of the lambs growing up. They exude peaceful acceptance.

[Cindy in Happy Valley]

You mentioned how late haying was in the last posting, and Monday on our way to a state park to hike, we passed a farmers field about 1/2 baled. I'm guessing that all the farmers in the northeast are frantically trying to get their first haying done.