I have been umming and aahhing these past few days about ‘Bert.

And I think my diagnosis is correct.  He has pink-eye too.

So in he went with ‘Ster and off I went to the vet to get some more antibiotic injections. I was sold a whole bottle this time as it will probably go round the whole flock. Ster is thrilled to have a friend and is eating better now because he can hear Bert enjoying his food.

So now I am obsessed with eye health and am inspecting everyone thoroughly.

Madge (and this was the closest we’ve ever been without force) has lovely clear eyes.

As does Edna (those lovely eyelashes).

Barrel was up close and personal and difficult to photograph (I love his head tuft).

Lambie did his usual village idiot look!  God alone knows what he is wearing on his nose.  Let’s tell ourselves it is hay.

Maggie is fine.

And back with Lambie, still smiling.  He is enjoying himself enormously and always seems to know when I have treats about my person, which I carry to bribe Bert and Ster to like me again, after the horrid injections that sting (‘Bert actually lay on the floor and had a tantrum – I have never seen a sheep do that!)

So here’s hoping the rest don’t get this.

This is Newt.

He is a little pony – 26″ to be precise.

He is also a little…..

💩

(but this is his trying-to-look-cute face)

It won’t wash with me, Newt. I know you – 👀

Newt has a revolving bottom that lashes out at his friends when he doesn’t get his own way or their food/carrots.

Manoeuvres, such as creeping up on Vitamin to swipe her bucket, do not work – Vitamin is happy to kill him for such a heinous crime (and we are happy to stand back and watch because Newt has it coming).

Newt also tries to annoy Vitamin by standing very close touching her with his nose.  She sensibly ignores him.

Totally undeterred and very determined, Newt then hones in on Fivla as his next victim

He is now just “happening to be in the area” of Fivla’s bucket.

So I go and stand between them both.  Newt is “resting” (possibly with teeth) his nose on my knee.  We have words and I warn him to make sensible choices with his teeth.

Fivla continues to happily munch on, never lifting her head from the bucket because that is a sign of weakness.

This time of year, life is very hard work with Newt around.  Winter does not bring out the best in him, which is odd because he is enchanting for the rest of the year.

Last night, when checking on ‘Ster, I decided that I hated the idea of him being blind and in a field, no matter how little, and that if he couldn’t see, then he could possibly hurt himself. So I moved him to the small stable and I am glad I did that.  Not an easy job – he wasn’t cooperative.

This morning, I got a better idea of the damage to his eyes.

My poor boy.

Water is in a hi-viz yellow bucket and I am pretty sure he has found it and is drinking – I also syringed water down him last night, just in case he hadn’t.

And ‘Ster is being pretty stoical about it all.  He knows he needs care.

After lunch, I went and sat with ‘Ster as I know he doesn’t see me as his friend anymore. I took treats. I wanted to work on our relationship.

And obviously a small dog.

I sat down and waited.

It didn’t take long and ‘Ster poured his heart to me.

I gave him a good hug, while Pepper sat on my legs – not an easy feat.

(well, she sat on my legs in a supportive way)….

And they both lined up for Pasture cookies.

I am writing this early as I am off to the airport with Floss to deliver her back south. I shall miss her hugely.  She has been such an immense help.

Poor ‘Ster has pink-eye or snow-blindness or Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis.

We have been treating ‘Ster for a couple of days now once I noticed his right eye was opaque but sadly it has spread to his other eye and he is finding it difficult to see, let alone get around.

Today he was utterly miserable and keeping apart from the others, preferring to be on his own.

When I found him by himself (and more than a little hysterical – he is prone to the vapours), I moved him into the little paddock behind the house, where I can see him from the kitchen, opened up the shed for his bedroom and gave him ‘Bert as his seeing-eye sheep companion. My fear is that he would fall into a ditch and not be able to get up.  It is better to keep him where I can see him.  I am not sure how much actual vision he has.

Hopefully ‘Ster’s eyesight will return but it can be a long process with treatment (so far we’ve tried ointment, an injection and now spray). The weather is to blame. It is just one of those things.  ‘Ster is feeling very sorry for himself today.  I am feeding him regularly too – so he can easily find food.  Sheep are a constant worry, as are ponies, dogs, children, cats……

I shall just leave this here with you.

It is titled “The Struggle is Real”……

’nuff said, I think.

(Floss took the video – Monster will be suing her for defamation)