You may have missed this in your grade school science classes. The center of the universe is not the sun, or the flat earth...
The center of the universe would actually be Graham Lamb. And by being the center of the universe you are entitled to many perks in life...such as always getting to sit right. in. front. of. the. fan. Every day. Reliable as the sun. Yeah, um, I don't know why you are always getting beat up, Grammie.
Even I don't get to sit there. And he eats my dog food too.
Poor old Esther. She's hanging in there in every way except her feet. We can't find a thing wrong with them and maybe it's actually arthritis in her ankles, but she's having a hard time getting around. I'm wondering if she could have some aspirin. Any thoughts?
Ewen McTeagle. My big baby. My dearest child. No question who his momma is. We are both miserable in this weather. I think standing in the hay manger is a good strategy. Close as possible to the fan. No one else can crowd you...
I know I'd be using that horn for something other than a back scratcher, Emily. Seems like Caspar Belly is old enough to go sleep somewhere else. Like the hay manger.
The center of the universe would actually be Graham Lamb. And by being the center of the universe you are entitled to many perks in life...such as always getting to sit right. in. front. of. the. fan. Every day. Reliable as the sun. Yeah, um, I don't know why you are always getting beat up, Grammie.
Even I don't get to sit there. And he eats my dog food too.
Poor old Esther. She's hanging in there in every way except her feet. We can't find a thing wrong with them and maybe it's actually arthritis in her ankles, but she's having a hard time getting around. I'm wondering if she could have some aspirin. Any thoughts?
Ewen McTeagle. My big baby. My dearest child. No question who his momma is. We are both miserable in this weather. I think standing in the hay manger is a good strategy. Close as possible to the fan. No one else can crowd you...
I know I'd be using that horn for something other than a back scratcher, Emily. Seems like Caspar Belly is old enough to go sleep somewhere else. Like the hay manger.
21 comments:
Love it! Lucky, lucky sheepies. Mine just have to tough it out under the shade trees. It's not much help, but I did see on another blog where they were feeding herbal meds or something like that to help their sheep (or goats?) with athritis. If you find out something please let me know and I'll do likewise. I have an old girl who is okay now, but when winter rolls around she really has trouble with stiffness.
Tammy
Hi - I'm new to your blog. We have a small flock of sheep in W. Oregon. Have you read Pat Coleby's book on natural sheep and/or goat care? She is all about the minerals (boron for arthritis.) Her horse book suggests a celery seed, cod liver oil, and cider vinegar concoction. Haven't used it, but sounds relatively inexpensive and might be worth trying. Good luck.
Marianne
Well I gave 1/4 a tablet of baby aspring to a chicken who was having trouble. It worked for her. It also seemed to have made her a little sleepy. I only had to do it about 3 times.
What I did is mix is with some cream cheese, let is set until is melted and she pecked it right up. Right off the spoon.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Don't quote me without checking with your vet... but I do seem to remember we were asked by our vet to give one of our GOATS aspirin for a few days for something... However, I think we were not supposed to continue it because it could affect acidity in the rumen...
Have you any stinging nettles on your property? Our goats and some of our sheep really enjoy eating them and I think they may have anti-arthritis properties?
Isn't aspirin derived from willows? I could be totally off there... I wonder if willow leaves/branches would help her. There must be SOMETHING in a natural form that could help, and which wouldn't be toxic to sheep...?
Our local "natural goat and sheep" lady recommends organic, live cider vinegar for all ailments. I know the goats love it...
Maybe the vet has something you could put in a mash for her. Good luck!!
Wintergreen essential oil will help arthritis, so does eating cherries (for humans! Do sheep eat cherries?)
Also, devil's claw is an anti inflammatory and analgesic. Wendal's Herbs makes a liquid that can be poured on feed.
NO idea about this, but:
http://www.woodlandnaturalremedies.com/canwebsite/livestock_homeopathy_canada.html
http://goat-link.com/content/view/149/157/
And that last one didn't post completely so here it is again:
http://www.woodlandnaturalremedies.com/canwebsite/livestock_homeopathy_canada.html
Hope it came through this time.
I thought wintergreen oil was toxic?
If you try any of these and they work, let me know so I can give ol' inky some!
And it not even the dog/sheep days of summer yet..:-))
Great shots..
You have some seriously spoiled sheep. :) Poor Esther. I feel for her, sometimes my bones just ache.
I think you should ice each of her ankles for 20 minutes, about every two hours. Do that for a couple of weeks along with morning and evening massages. I'd say that a 1/2 hour massage, per foot, would be adequate. Playing soothing music will also help her relax and loosen up her muscles and tendons. You could try singing to her as you are icing and massaging...
If that doesn't do the trick, I have used baby aspirin (1 per dose) with good results and my sheep will eat them right out of my hand. I've never given them for more than a few days at a time though.
Good luck!
I've used asprin for an old dog with aches and pains....seemed to work but I didn't use too much or too often. Shirley's idea is probably a better alternative.
I've use baby asprin on my dog too, and as long as it's straight asprin then it's usually fairly safe. Willow bark is where it is derived from and I know my sheep love willow branches etc. I also recommend this lady's herbal products: www.firmeadow.com. Super fast shipping and very knowledgable lady (a master herbalist.)
GL is just protecting the other "not as smart" sheep from getting their ears or hooves stuck in the fan. Besides, he thinks he doesn't stink in all this heat!!!
Well, Keebler is looking like he's enjoying that fan, too. Still the cutest face in the bunch.
I also think standing in the feed trough is a great strategy. For what, I'm not sure, but a great strategy nontheless. What a hoot. I love how Hank manages to get his mug in almost every shot...
Since you hate the heat so much, maybe YOU should stand in the feed trough in front of the fan. Saint Tim could ice and massage your ankles and sing to you.
Hey...I'm just wondering if you might know someone who would want to adopt a great pyrenees puppy (or two). I am fostering two 9 week old girls right now for central kentucky boxer rescue (they still don't know they're not boxers). I've been a long time reader of your blog and thought you might know someone who needs a great big fuzzy dog. They are listed at Petfinder.com and you can see their info on WWW.CKBR.org It says "inside pet only" on the adoption page, but mainly we just want to make sure they're treated like pets and not thrown out in someone's yard and forgotten or out laying in the road. The girls would appreciate it if you could help spread the word. Thanks!!
I've passed the dog info on to two people I know might be interested. Good luck!!!
Thanks for all the interesting ideas!
Thank you!!
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