Today was a big vet day. We started at the house and vaccinated all the barn cats. Then we went to the barn and they did the dogs. Next came the sheep.
I had a pen of frail sheep separated out that didn't need to be jostled around in the main pen. We left Maisie in that pen as well as she's, um, a little mentally frail and no one wanted to get rhinoceros-ed by her, especially as she'd recently sharpened her fangs ;-). Everyone else was crowded into a small working pen so they were easy to catch without any running around and in no time at all everyone was done.
From there we went to the other end of the barn where Rocky and Jared, the two Nistock rams that had been at Tring Farm for the last few years, have now moved. They needed a retirement home and our place seemed most obvious. Family takes care of family. To live here though they needed to be castrated.
After that...we gathered up our supplies...and our nerve...and walked back into the main barn. I knew what I'd see. I just knew.
I don't know what Muffin and Pepperpot knew. Maybe Muffin was just a little stressed from getting her booster shot and was only looking for some comfort and reassurance. Maybe Mrs. Pepperpot knew she was in a bad way and something was going to be done. Maybe they'd both understood what I'd tried to tell them last night.
As I stood there trying to get up my courage to open the door, Mrs. P. turned her head and tucked it over Muffin's. I quickly took this one last picture because I was afraid I'd regret it if I didn't and then laid my head on the wall and sobbed. I can break my own heart...but I've never had to break someone else's.
I opened the gate so everyone would go out to graze. Muffin went out with them. We had a little apple and Cheerios party and Mrs. P. went easily. Muffin was one of the first sheep back to the barn and she came right in to see her and I think understood.
Muffin is a big girl. She grew up loved and encouraged and nothing is going to stop her. That she grew up at all is a testament to her toughness. And it was that love and devotion and toughness that made everyone fall in love with both of them.
It was an honor, Mrs. Pepperpot. We will all take good care of your baby. And we'll all miss the heck out of you.
30 comments:
Aw. I am so sorry. She was a good old girl, and did so well by her last baby, through thick and thin.
Thank you for giving her such an excellent retirement, and for sharing her with us.
Sending much sympathy.
I saw that “was” on Instagram. Oh so sad. Poor old girl. (You may apply this sentence to females
Of different species.)
Sigh. You gave her a lovely retirement home, with lots of love from you and her daughter. You gave her the best of end of life care. Of course, it’s still dreadfully hard. So painful.
Virtual hugs and virtual shoulder to cry on.
Dear Mrs Pepperpot, Rest In Peace.
I'm so sorry....Poor Muffin. Bless you for making Mrs. P's last year so comfortable and loving. I'm crying along with you....
I'm crying with you, my friend. Never never easy. But its the humane thing to do. Such a tragic Spring this year :( ((((hugs to you and Muffin))))
Sara, thank you for sharing Mrs. Pepperpot and Muffin with us since their arrival at your great farm. I guess we all knew she was poorly but hope still persists. Now you will really become Muffin's Mum and she will be looking for consoling from you. Thinking of you with tears.
Awww...so sorry for you all. poor Muffin..poor you. Better to love lots than not love at all:)
Vaya con Dios, Mrs. Pepperpot.
It's times like this I could take up swearing. Damn. Damn death. Damn old age and infirmity. Damn broken hearts. DAMN.
Sigh. Goodbye dear Mrs. Pepperpot. I will miss you. 🙏❤️🙏
Such a sweet, tender image.
Yours is not the only heart broken...
~kim
I'm so sorry, Sara...I wish it was a perfect world where our loved ones lived forever. She was a sweet girl. 0
You too are a very best momma. Part of loving someone is being able to say goodbye and wish them well. I'm sorry for your loss... but ever so happy that you gave her a great retirement. And that Muffin has such a wonderful flock to comfort her.
This is one of the hardest things that I’ve had to do in my life. I feel for you. Take care.
So sorry. she was such a special one.
What a sweet old sheep. She loved her baby and even took Biscuit under her wing. What a true testament to motherhood. Rest in peace, Mrs. P. I hope the pastures in Heaven are forever green and the breezes cool and gentle.
Oh, so sorry for your loss. Brings tears to my eyes. What a sweetie she was. She contributed well and had a good life. She'll be in heaven now with all the other angels.
Damn.
)))♡(((
Sending big hugs to you and Muffin. This was so sad to read but I’m so glad that Mrs. Pepperpot had such a loving home with you.
awww, bless you for being such a good mama yourself, and i'm sorry for the loss of your dear old friend. i have a kitty who is declining now, too. --suz in ohio
I just want to thank you for letting us share in Mrs Pepperpots life and to send you great big hugs. (I'm sobbing too)
Dear, dear Sara, I had to wait until this afternoon to write my comment. I haven't cried like that for years.
"stupid, stupid" I kept saying to my husband "I've never met Sara and I'm the saddest I've been for a long time". Those two have warmed my heart and cheered me up since they arrived at your farm. I can only imagine your grief. Sending a hug to you and Muffin.
Shelley
Sara, I'm so sorry. I'm crying too. I'm so glad that you got that last picture of her and Muffin though.
Gulping sob the 3rd time I read this. I have so much respect and admiration for you and your "crazy" life ♥
Oh gosh, this is so sad. But I am happy she had the best final year of life with you, and Muffin is in safe hands. *hugs* <3
We all love the cute lambie pictures, but I am glad you share these difficult farm moments with us too. The balance of life. Love to all.
I read your blog every morning, you are my "mother earth" fix. You have a great heart.
Dear Sara, My tears join with yours and the other readers. You gave Mrs. P. a loving year with her daughter and adopted son. She could not have found a better home.
i hope the rest of Spring is kinder to you and your family on the farm.
Sorry to hear about Mrs. Pepperpot. She was a good Mama and we were privileged to know her and her lamb.
Thank you for sharing the highs and the lows of your sheep-filled life.
Deb
A hug from the tundra! I know your animals have a wonderful life! It is sad no matter what—hugs!
Thank you so much for all your kind words. Muffin is doing fine. If you follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook you've probably seen some pictures and videos of her and Biscuit. They've been very sweet together. She was very, very sad and nervous the first night. I sat with her for about an hour but couldn't tell if it helped any. The next morning we sat together again and she put her head on my leg and relaxed a little. We've sat together several times since and this morning she seemed pretty happy :-).
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