Category Archives: Sheep

Sheep, “Fit the Second”

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Last night after supper, I went back to the sheep shed in the pitch dark (I am scared of the dark) and quickly checked there was no more fighting.  Everyone was peaceful.

This morning the weather remained truly revolting.  Not to be trifled with.  Floss and I threw food at everyone and ran back indoors as fast we could.  We did the whole lot in under 3/4 of an hour, which is quite an achievement.

Later, I went out again.

Even though I had left the field gate propped open, the sheep hadn’t gone out, preferring their shed along with three full haynets, and two lick buckets.

They were happy and calm, so I found myself a spot and sat down on the straw.

(Even Barrel was behaving himself).

First up were the new double-act – Maggie and Gussie.  They are the best of friends.

Lambie is in love with Dahlia, who is not in love with Lambie…..

… even though he is an obvious catch.

And this was as near Madge got to me.  The words “Hell freezes over” sound familiar.

But Gussie was surprisingly chatty.

And this is as near as Lambie got to me today.

Maggie was also demanding attention.  She smiled so sweetly, it was hard not to be her friend.

Bert snuggled up on my left side.  I gave him many hugs, pleased to see he was feeling happier.

….. while these two were on my right.


And then Gussie plonked himself down and settled into the task of chewing his cud.

And then Bert plonked himself down on my left and was very settled too.

Lots of cuddles and stroking.

I stayed for an hour, playing classical music on my phone so we could relax.  I always enjoy being with the sheep like this.  So peaceful, even though it was raging outside.  The gap between Gussie and Bert was where I was sitting, propped up against the wall.

Barrel vs. Bert

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When I went to feed the sheep their breakfast, I found Bert and Barrel knocking seven bells out of each other (fighting). It was serious.  Bert was almost unconcious, wobbly on his legs, his sides heaving while Barrel kept having another go, refusing to give up.  I separated them by pushing Bert into Lambie’s private diningroom (oh, the vapours from Lambie) and gave him a bowl of food.  Even then, Barrel was waiting by the gate trying to get in.

So I shut the door on them all and went to help Floss feed the horses and ponies.  We are currently in the middle of a three day gale with lashing rain and lowering temperatures.  I needed to think what was the best thing to do next.

I decided to separate them.  My plan was to keep Bert, Lambie and Ster back around the house/stable. They could have a Duvet Day with haynets while the others went outside to enjoy the revolting weather and Barrel could calm down a bit.

I took my bribery (rattly food box) and the rest of the sheep followed me into their field. Hastily shutting the gate, I shouted at Barrel to “cool down or you’re outside for life!”

Lambie, Bert and Ster now had free run of the place all day.

Later I went to visit them.

I sat down but Bert wouldn’t come and chat. But that was ok. He was happily eating the haynet.

Ster never left my side and Lambie came past for a scratch.

After a nice chat with Lambie and Ster, I gave them all a second breakfast which was received gratefully.

Bert happily tucked in.

The others have just come home, the weather is vile now and I watched Bert and Barrel in the shed together.  Nothing.  Apparently, they are now good friends. I think I will go out later to double check, though.

 

In My World

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This is my Night Nurse who finally turned up having cleared up the supper things first.

And this is my Day Nurse, who likes to sit on my arm, gaze at me (probably to check I am still breathing) and ruin my sweater with his pummeling claws.

I went for a little walk this afternoon, and met a kind friend bringing us hay to replace all that the horses and ponies ate while living in the shed.  We had run out and were down to nothing. I am so grateful for the kindness of everyone who has helped during this difficult time.

And then there are the sheep who came home tonight to a lovely new bed – four bales of straw were also delivered (2 now down) – and the horses’ old haynets to finish up.

Now, the snow has gone things are beginning to get easier as there is less work for me to do.  Floss is still here and she does all the daily lifting and carrying, which is helping hugely.

I am still spending most of my day lying on my bed resting up and listening to a very good version of Lord of the Rings on Spotify.  We are just leaving the Shire and entering the Old Forest.  The Black Riders have not arrived yet but they’re coming……

(I wonder if I could have LOTR wallpaper in the bedroom – or maybe even a map?)

Lambie’s Not Right

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Lambie has been acting strangely over the past few days. How do you tell, I hear you ask.  Well, as his Muzzah, I just know.

I am telling myself it’s the weather, and everyone is cooped up which Lambie particularly hates.  He likes his personal space and avoids hassle.  He not eating his regular food, says he can’t use his private dining-room and just stands there looking even more confused than usual.

So he is now eating a combination of horse beet flakes (dried) and a handful of hen food (whole wheat grains), plus TumerAid and he seems to like that better.  As long as I can keep him eating, I think there is hope.

This afternoon, Floss said Lambie was grinding his teeth when she saw him so tomorrow, when I’ve got him by himself, I will give him some Inflacam – painkiller.  Maybe it is the cold weather affecting his arthritis, which he’s had since he was a very young lad (bone on bone, the vet said after many bouts of Joint Ill).  Maybe Lambie has come out in sympathy for me and this sciatica.  I don’t know so today I let him have a Duvet Day along with ‘Ster for company.  I left them a big bowl of food and the end of the haynets to finish. I think he just stayed indoors, a bit like me then.  I don’t like when Lambie’s not himself.  Hopefully as the weather turns back to normal and so do all the routines, he will feel himself again.

We are one. ❤️    ❤️ (he did manage to choke down an Animal Cracker or ten which I gave to him when no one was looking).

Not Great

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Currently, I equate my life with the game, Snakes and Ladders.

Today I fell down a long snake and am back to square 1 with leg and back pain, etc.  I am very miserable, especially as yesterday it felt like I had turned a corner and things were going to get back to normal.

There is nothing I can do about it. Just keep on resting and doing gentle exercise – only getting up to help do the horses. OH and Floss are being marvellous.  I could not do any of this without them.

Of course, no horse or pony of mine is helpful, though today Kolka managed to swallow her pride or ego and let the little ones share a haynet.

Vitamin was being forced to share her’s (though I don’t know if she can actually eat it, but she was trying) with Gussie, who thinks all this food around is great.

Iacs, at the back, has been standing by himself a lot and that worries me.  He does eat, though.

Floss kindly gave him his own separate haynet which I limped over and specifically showed him, but he ran away saying Haakon had looked at him funny and he would rather starve.

Ditto Fivla but she had just finished a massive bucket of food so she was probably just digesting after eating herself to a standstill.

Newt has a death wish and just goes around secretly sniffing equine ladies’ derrières.  Big mistake.

So that’s me. Not great. The animals are all outside which I tell myself is actually much better for them. They have food, water, shelter and rugs.  Please be outside horses!