We turned the boys out into fresh pasture today.
I think they look very handsome in their summer hair cuts.
Particularly Roquefort.
I just love this picture of Bay Leaf and Cumin hugging. They are best friends.
All of our nannies are still taking great care of their babies.
Hannah and Jester.
Doesn’t Fettucini look like he’s doing a photo shoot for Esquire?
This rainbow bright butt belongs to a ewe named Lundy who very nearly died while I was in Texas. She was suffering from flystrike in her fleece. Flystrike is so disgusting that I’m not even going to link to a definition for you. Google if you must, but be warned- flystrike is every shepherd’s worst nightmare. The first time I saw it I was alone and I actually fainted. Dead. On the ground. And when I woke up, I still had to treat it.
Patrick and Erin did an amazingly good job of treating her last week but we brought Dr. Hammond in today just in case. Dr. H was shocked by how amazing she looked. I could tell that he had been steeling himself for telling us that we were going to lose her because his relief was palpable. Lundy is going to be A-OK. [the rainbow colored stuff is three different medicines.]
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Poor thing! Was she a docked ewe originally?
I see she was one of the Cormo ewes you got over the winter so she was docked.
Yes, she was docked. The flystrike was caused by a little bit or scouring and a wet fleece. This rain we’ve been having is really not good for sheep. Luckily everyone is now sheared!
I wondered about all the rain. Scouring from being shorn?
So, it’s medicine and not the latest MVFF colorway?
Seriously, I’m so glad she’s doing well. The shepherding is such a joy until the inevitable day that something bad happens. If you’re the hyper-responsible type, like you and me, it can weigh you down terribly. But you’re doing everything right – controlling what you can and letting go of what you can’t. That’s the hardest. Hooboy.
“Rainbow HooHa” kinda has a ring to it, though, doesn’t it?
i’m glad lundy will be ok
when you described how disgusting fly strike is without describing it…i had a feeling what it was but googled anyway! (although i DID NOT look at any photos, the text confirmed my suspicions)
i too thought lundy had sat in the dying colors!
well at least the meds are PRETTY!
and hopefully she is not feeling too much pain as she heals
life is good
when your shepherds love you
for sure
beautiful photos
)
of everyone
i’d love to come squish and hugs them all! (well maybe i could wait till lundy is free and clear to really get TOO close!
love
rona
So glad Lundy is on a mend.
Oooh, flystrike is scary stuff! I’m so glad she’s doing better. I can imagine how horrifying it is to see in person. We had a dog at the vet’s once that had no wounds/injuries, but still had maggots all over him, and that very nearly put me out!
Judging from the other comments, I’ll take your advice and not google. Good news that she’s getting better. Is she pregnant?
Wow. I’ve heard of this but never seen it. Patrick and Erin are rock stars to have treated this so well. I hear it’s almost always fatal–they end up getting like toxic shock syndrome or blood poisoning or something like that that ends up killing them. Your animals are beautiful Susie . . . you can tell you all are really doing right by them!
Wow. These pics are amazing! I love all the parallels. Poor baby in the last photo, though.
I’m glad Lundy will be ok <3.
wonderful pics (tho last one is a bit ucky as we are greatful that she will recover!), give her a healing hug from me!
(shudder) I had a pet rabbit as a kid that was put down due to flystrike. I am definitely NOT going to google.
I’m glad Lundy is OK and going to recover but I just have to say that description of your first view of flystrike had me giggling. Good thing that no one told you about flystrike at the beginning of this shepherding adventure. (I would probably have had the same reaction but never been able to treat it once I woke up.)
Fettucini just knows he looks good! What a handsome boy!
i’ve never seen flystrike on an ewe, but i’ve certainly seen it on rabbits – and i can certainly understand why you’d faint. i can be all macho when it’s other peoples’ animals but if my angora rabbits ever get it… i’m so glad you caught it in time & she’s recovering so well. sending healing thoughts to her bum!
The most gorgeous ever taken by anyone online. The bucolic beauty, the peace, etc. And then a dose of reality and why not all of us could handle doing what you do. And may I say here. Bless you for doing it.
I didn’t have to google flystrike, as I’ve heard of/seen it before. You’re right, it is pretty gross the first time you see it! I’m glad she’s getting better.
My favorite pic is the two sheep above Fettuccini; they just look so content and peaceful!
You’re right…it is a nightmare. My first time caused me to throw up. I’m fanatic about watching for it now. Our climate makes it way too easy to happen. Glad she’s on the mend.
I commented aloud about how cute the lips are on Hannah and Jester. My husband looked over my shoulder and remarked “They look like Jar Jar Binks.”
Very pretty rainbow hoo-haw. I am so glad she is recovering. One of my horses had some nasty scabs in her nose (how??) and the medicine was a very bright pink. She was the perfect circus horse! I’m getting a new horse today!!! a rescue……..wish me luck!
LOVE all the goatie and sheepie pics.
Wow, thanks for all the new photos!!! Miss seeing those babies every day.