The Sheep Detectives

 

We watched The Sheep Detectives movie today and I loved it - except for the part where George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) is found dead. If you have the opportunity, watch it. 

It reminded me so much of my own experiences raising sheep in 1983. I had purchased a small herd of ewes that had already been bred and were to begin lambing the first part of February. I kept track of the ewes and their lambs in my journal so I have it for reference, but for the two most memorable experiences of that time, I don't need any reminders, I remember them very well even though it was forty-three years ago. 

When the movie was over we both agreed that we had really liked it. In all the years we have been together, I had never told Bud how it had been for me caring for my flock when I had never before had any experience with sheep and lambing. Today was the day.

The first lamb was born on Groundhog Day with no assistance needed. Three days later when I got to the barn, ewe #14 was straining to give birth but couldn't. All I knew about lambing I had learned from reading my Raising Small Livestock book. Which is how I knew I had to reach up inside the ewe, grasp the lamb's legs and pull. Either that, or let them both die. The lamb was already dead, but the ewe survived. Per my journal: "My first time ever for such an experience. Really got to me."

Around the same time the first lamb was born, another ewe, #51 had gone down with what is referred to as "downer sheep syndrome" which can be the result of various issues but leads to the result of the sheep being unable to stand. So the day after the experience with #14 I had #51 giving birth to a healthy little male which surprised me because she was so weak. Then three hours later she birthed another one which did not survive. But I had to do something because she had no milk for her baby and I didn't want to have to bottle feed him.

Solution: Pen #14, who had milk, with #51 and her lamb. But #14 didn't want anything to do with another mother's baby. I told Bud how I had backed the healthy ewe into the corner, held her there, looked her in the eyes and explained: "You've got milk and that little guy needs milk. You have to let him suckle." It took a day or two of forcing her to stand still for the lamb to feed but she finally accepted his nursing. When he was done, he went back to his mother and curled up next to her. This went on for a week or so until #51 died and her lamb and #14 stayed together with no further problems.

After I told Bud this, he said: "You should write a story about it." I told him I had tried, making several starts, changing my mind for the arc and beginning over anew. I still have those pages with at least three different versions of scenarios and characters. The writer I wanted to be isn't going to be, but at least I finally shared those two lambing experiences - and I still like movies with sheep in them. 

Some of my ewes and lambs in the background with my first grandson, Brock, in the foreground.

Those were the days my friend.