This summer has been a rough one for farmers all over the country and I am certainly no exception. The unrelenting heat and lack of rain has been so brutal. It’s also been expensive. I’ve had to spend a small fortune on fans, additional wormer, electrolytes and vet visits; money I was expecting to have to spend and hadn’t budgeted for.
But the worst part has been losing animals. In addition to losing Nan, a couple of weeks ago Daisy, my Babydoll Southdown ewe, one of the very first sheep I ever bought passed away. Daisy was suffering so much in the heat. She was big girl and I lost her during a week when the heat index reach 116 degrees day after day.
I was with Daisy when she died and I think I went in to shock for a few days. I was just numb. You have to understand that Daisy had been with me for 7 years and she had such a big personality. She had a big everything, actually. One of our friends dubbed her the Sheepapotomous. Daisy was always the first to scold me if- God forbid- I was ten minutes late feeding.
She was a good ewe and I will miss her mightily. I am so grateful to have Alabama and Willoughby and Bennett. Although Alabama was wethered (castrated) Willoughby and Bennett will be bred next year, and in that way, a piece of Daisy will always exist at Juniper Moon Farm.
I wanted to share some of my favorite Daisy photographs with you.
This is the classic Daisy pose. I wish this were video so you could hear how loud she was.
Daisy and Alabama. He was her first lamb and she was crazy about him.
Daisy and Bama.
Daisy and Alabama.
Daisy and newborn Willoughby
Willoughby and Bennett nursing.
A few days after Daisy died the heat broke for a few days and I was looking forward to a few easy days of peace. Unfortunately, it was not to be. After returning from taking a friend to the airport in Richmond one afternoon, I found that Miss Linda, our beloved, ancient nanny goat, had passed away. In all honesty, Linda’s death was not a surprise. She was so very old and every morning when I went out to feed a braced myself for the fact that she could be dead.
I really want to honor both of these animals that meant so much to me, so I will do a longer post tomorrow about Linda, but I want you to now that Linda died peacefully of old age in one of her favorite sunny spots on the farm. Even though I expected to lose Linda, her death hit me kind of hard. I miss her every single day.
In happier news, Ethel has gone brooding again and is sitting on eight eggs. Michelle re-started the countdown to the hatch up in the left-hand column.
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Susie,
It is always so hard to lose any animal. My mother & I both cried for 2 weeks after we had to put her little dog of 14 years to sleep because of cancer. The vet even offered to drive us back home. Alabama has a special place in my heart, too since I lived in Florence, Alabama.
Hugs and prayers to you.
I’m so sorry for your losses, especially for the loss of Daisy. She is such a lovely girl, and I’m a sucker for that teddy bear face Southdowns have. I’m glad you have her little ones to remember her by.
The realities of farming, this is a bonus of reading your blog. Perhaps we will become more sensitive individuals from reading about your connections with these beautiful creatures. Thank you for sharing!
ack. it’s like an arrow through the heart. thoughts with you, hope the weather will turn more favorable for your herd and this rocky road will become smoother. continue to credit yourself for being the good shepherd that you are, you do good work!
oh susie… i hope it doesn’t make you mad… but the first words to come to my mind were “shit” and “son of a bitch” and “stupid effing heat.” I will miss Linda dearly… but I knew she was old. Daisy, though… Daisy was the first one to greet me from the field at shearing… and her lambs were the first babies I held. She holds a very special place in my heart.
I’m so sorry for your loss, and now I really, really want a sheep – or two. Those photos of Daisy are charming.
I’ve been away from your blog for over a week and just read this news. Devastating to lose Daisy and I had no idea about Linda. Susan, my mom & I are so sad for you. This loss will take time. Even though Alabama is wethered, Daisy’s sweet face will forever shine through in him. Hugs, hugs, hugs.
Also have been away and just heard the news. They will be missed by their many fans!
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