Goodnight Edna. It was the right decision. I know that. The vet came and she agreed there were no miracle cures and it was time. Edna went to sleep in my arms and she will rest in pain-free peace.
I shan’t forget Edna. She was one amazing lady.
Floss and I first met Edna and Madge, her daughter, in January 2020 wandering on the hill road looking out of place and starving. Hill sheep survive fairly well in winter while Edna and Madge stuck out as very obviously not hill sheep. They were emaciated. I asked around and was quickly given permission to take them.
Apparently both sheep had been dumped with their ear tags cut out – I would like to put on record there is a special place in Hell waiting for the person who did that. It was obvious that Edna was a caddy (tame bottle-fed sheep) who had probably out-lived her useful purpose and was thrown out to die in the harsh environment of the hill in a Shetland winter. Someone knows who she and her daughter were.
Anyway, when Floss and I went with food to work out the logistics of moving the sheep off the hill and take them home, Edna immediately came up and put her front hooves on my shoulders, gazed into my eyes and willed me to take her and her daughter away. If sheep could communicate, she jolly well did that day. I could not refuse her. She needed me.
So they came home, put on weight and joined my little flock. They have stayed here ever since. For five years Edna has told me she has three breakfasts, yes please and thank you, with possibly a fourth. Her determination as well as a huge amount of wanting to live was what got her through.
My thoughts now are with Madge who I thought would never cope with this. But, at the moment, she has joined the rest of the sheep and seems fairly calm about the situation. I will keep a good eye on her.
I will miss Edna. She has taken a piece of my heart with her.
A photo from better days
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Sleep weel, dearest. Many of my cats are waiting for you with purrs. Be kind to yourself, Francis. This was the right choice but at a high cost. Edna will be missed but how luck was she to have had you to love her.
Thank you Sam. Right choice but hurts like hell.
The deeper the grief the greater the love.
So true. They get you.
Dear Francis, you gave Edna a good home when she needed it most for both her and her baby.
You are so kind….when your time comes, there will be a special place up there waiting for you.
Both Edna and Madge would have died in that Winter without you and she is now at peace knowing you loved her. I feel so much for you at this moment and tears come so easily remembering our own experiences.
Looking back , you have rescued so many little ones and given them security and a happy life.
Love and hugs.
Edna (and Madge) have come a long way. Edna was so determined to live that when she said she was ready to go, I was sure. xx
You are one brave lady . . .
I’m sitting here crying, and bet I am not the only one of your “regulars” who sheds a tear for both you and Edna today. I did not realise I have been reading you for so long, but I remember when you found Edna and Madge and how your love and kindness brought them to a life they could not have imagined before finding a home with you.
With love and blessings, x
Edna was (mostly) a joy to be with, apart from the endless breakfast nagging.
I’m sorry that this day has come. Your unstinting care gave her more years of life and a gentle passing.
I doubt this thought is of much comfort today, but hopefully it will some day.
To rescue and care takes both effort and courage. Please know that you and your family are an inspiration, and as such are giving aide well beyond your Shetland farm.
Sending love from New England, USA.
Thank you xx
Such sad news. You gave her the best life for her latter years but it’s always heartbreaking when our beloved animals go. I’m sure Madge will be fine after a period of grieving. Over the years we found our ewes coped better than our wethers when they lost their mums. x
That’s interesting. Tbh, Madge seems to be far more resilient than I initially thought.
Oh, you must be feeling very sad. A tough decision – but we shouldn’t keep animals hanging on in pain. God bless you x
It was time. She said so. xx
I read this with tears. not just for Edna, who did get to have joy, but for Madge as well, and with anger at those who would be so cruel to her.
Yes, anger. Xx
Could any of us wish for more than to go to sleep in the arms of someone who loves us? I think not. Bless you and Floss and the vet and Madge and the rest of your sheep.
It was so peaceful. Xx
OH so sorry about dear Edna. She was special and really took to you, Frances. So sad that she is gone. Thank you for all the kindnesses you showed to her and Madge through the years. God bless you and your beautiful heart.
I hope she’s with Missy, her daughter who wa here briefly.
Be assured, there’s a special place in heaven for people who save the creatures – like you.
And for those who dumped her and Madge – karma is a bitch.
I sincerely hope so. The karma bit.
Edna was a special ewe and so lucky that you found her and her lamb and gave them a home. You are an especially wonderful person for doing that sort of thing! I’m glad that Madge is adjusting well. I too hope that Karma metes out justice to the person who turned out Edna to die with her lamb Madge! As you said, someone knows.
A case of them and us. No one will ever say.
You have done the right thing. I know it must have been a very hard moment for you. Sending love over the Rainbow to Edna and also to you. xx
Hard but the right one.
She knew to wait for you to come find her. I’m so sorry.
At the end, she knew it was time.
So hard to let them go Frances! Sending big hugs.xx
Hard but it was right for Edna. She is at peace. All I want.
It’s so hard to make that decision and say goodbye. I know. But you did incredibly well by her, and she surely appreciated it, the life you gave her and the peaceful death. Still crying for you though.
There’s never a good time but it is done and now I feel relieved (and guilty that I feel relieved). xx