Challenges

Farming is a challenge...We have had many obstacles to overcome in the last year. Do I dare question why? We lost many animals in a barn fire last March and several shortly before that due to age, birth related or accident. My most favorite ewe Squall ,who is pictured with Julia, we discovered had gone into labor Thursday morning. I had been dreading her labor because last year she was unable to deliver her ram lamb and we had to call the vet to help. I called to Steve to help me get her inside a lambing pen so I could evaluate her progress. It was obvious that the placenta had been delivered but no lamb! Steve had to leave because it was time to pick Julia up from preschool and then take her birthday party which was to be at a local restaurant with a magician! I was alone! I had to check her so I tied her and tried to check to see if I could feel the lamb and I could just barely feel it...up to my elbow! I called my neighbor and she came down and tried and tried to pull the lamb out to no avail. I called the vet and told them we needed help. She, mind you she!, was there within a half hour and she tried and tried she eventually was able to pull the lamb out but of course it was too late. Poor Squall I know it hurt her terribly but it was at least finally over! I took care of getting her comfortable said goodbye to the vet and my neighbor and then raced inside to shower and get to Julia's party (1/2 hour late!).

Well at least we thought it was over! Next day we discovered Squall with a foul discharge and shivering...something was up. Called the vet. The vet came and told us that he thought their was another lamb and that he would have to induce her and that the best thing to do would be to take her to his office/barn to be able to remove the lamb where it was warm. Oh boy was I worried...first off I had already lost what we thought was our first animal, the lamb, that was born this year now they tell me their is another! Then we were terribly worried about her!

Well it turned out that they were able to remove the lamb and that she seems to be okay. I pray as we wait to see how she is and then wait for our other ewes and does (13 more to go) will have an easier time of it and that the babies will be okay. I try to remember the things that we do have to be thankful for but it isn't always easy!