Well.
I've tried to find the inspiration to post a blog. I've even gone out on three occasions and taken some good pictures specifically for the blog. I write "BLOG!" on my daily To Do list. I don't know.
I've kept the Instagram/FB feed going, which has been nice. Sharing pictures and videos of the normal craziness of the farm is a respite for sure. The ups and downs of the 2020 Iknitarod - no, I didn't finish...yet. Rebecca Boone getting sick again...and now doing better again. Frankie and Lancelot rolling in the mud. Billy Belly sleeping with his head on Woolliam's back.
Billy Belly. Billy Belly flew under the radar here for years, just another one of those crazy Jacobs who, while they might sneak up and take a cookie from you, really didn't want any other sort of attention. He was probably 10 years old before I realized that whenever something was wrong with someone, Billy Belly was always there.
As Renny lay with her head in my lap that last morning, Billy Belly stood next to her. He looked at her and then turned and looked at me. I hope he wasn't looking for me to do something to help her and was disappointed that I couldn't. Hopefully it was a look of understanding. Maybe it was nothing more than a look.
I wish I could explain "looking". I think about it a lot. Cheeto lives here because she looked at me several years ago. She still looks at me. Lancelot looks at me in a way Frankie does not, even though Frankie does look at me all the time. I never walk into the barn when I don't lock eyes with Maisie. Everyone watches me, but only a few actually look at me.
Billy Belly is the sheep looking at me.
He was the caretaker of the flock, especially the old sheep.
I'm glad I took these pictures last week. He got down the other day and couldn't get up on his own. I was able to help him up the first day and he could then get around. The second day he could no longer stand on his own...and he was completely over me trying to help. He was older than the blog. To the best of my recollection he'd have been 15 next month.
I hope everyone is okay. I really don't have any words...but I can share pictures. And a new puzzle.
25 comments:
So grateful for every one of your pictures. I'm dosing myself with regular pictures of sheep, cats, and goats to keep myself going right now.
And I do know what you mean about "looking". Of my four cats, I have one who LOOKS (Georgie). The other three - they look in my direction, they respond to me, they might even meet my gaze periodically -- but it's not LOOKING with intention.
I took a "woo woo" animal communication class a few years ago, and Georgie was also the only one I could clearly communicate with. I think I am conveying info to my other cats, but I'll never know for sure. Georgie and I can actually have a conversation (although it's more pictures than words).
Fascinating that you see the same thing in your flock.
Hang in there, and thank you for being a sustaining light in these trying times.
RIP dear Billy Belly. You were a good and faithful sheep.
Empath. It's a word I deal with every day. It is both a blessing and burden. Sometimes I wish I didn't feel as deeply. But I guess it makes up for those who don't feel enough. God bless, give you comfort and hope.
I completely understand the look. And I’m so terribly sorry. I’m sending you a big virtual hug.
I am so sorry about Billy Belly. Thank you for sharing this. I find it comforting that you care so much about your animals and so appreciate you sharing these stories with us.
Ah such sadness, poor Billy Belly it is hard to get old. Good of you to take such good care of him. I wonder who he passed down the looking part to in your herd. 15 is a faiulry good age for a sheep...he had a good life!
So sorry to hear of another loss. Billy Belly had a great life on your farm. Thank you for sharing all of your flock with us.
If ever there was the perfect place for old sheep to live out their days, it is your lovely farm. So sorry you've lost another golden oldie. Take care of each other.
Aw, Sara. Good boy, Billy Belly.
Sending much sympathy.
So,so sorry. Hugs.
I’m so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful sheep. I will miss hearing about him.
I hope you have a sweater’s worth of his wool to work up.
Sending hugs and love and more hugs.
♡ Billy Belly ♡ One of the special ones. Sending )))hugs(((
Awwww... rest in peace Billy Belly. Sometimes those quiet ones are special.
Yes I know the lookers. My Tess is one.
At times like these- heck, at any time, at every time, to dismiss a death, whether sheep or human, Covid19 or who knows what as so what the patient was old - shows a sad lack of feeling by the commenter. You have no such lack of feeling. Billy Belly was your friend, your pal, the friend and pal of others in the interesting and peaceful flock that is Equinox Farm. It is sad that he has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I am sad for you and the rest of his family. Virtual hugs.
So sorry you lost Billy Belly. I think he has been looking at you and thinking that even when he's gone you'll still be taking care of his friends. He was thinking, "Yep. It's OK. She'll still be here."
You have had such a changing of the guard this year in the barn. So sorry. I hope Woolliam will find one of the youngsters in need of a pillow.
Oh Sara, I guess fifteen years is a long time if you are a sheep. And he wanted to rest. I know he will rest in peace on your farm, at home, the home he was meant to have, always with you. Hugs
Btw, pictures and puzzles work for me. I've had to limit myself to one puzzle a day.
(I'm not saying it's an addiction...nope not sayin that).
So sorry about your loss. I was a volunteer at Bright Haven before and encountered animals who would always be present at another animal's passing. Kind, old souls, who have also passed on and are greatly missed.
Hugs to you and all your critters.
thanks for the photos, stay safe and well!!!
💕
Sigh! I'm so sorry. It's so hard to lose our fur/wooly kids---terribly hard. I know, for I am watching a sweet little elderly Beagle in decline. My heart goes out to you.
I am so very sorry for your loss of Billy Belly. It is a testament to your loving care that he had such a good, long life.
Your blog and photos help even more during this totally unsettled time.
Stay well
So sorry Sara. Sending so much love.
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Sara, I'm so sorry. You have the best place for sheep to come and live out their lives and 15 years is a very long time. I know what you mean about looking. I have a few sheep too that do that, it means a lot when I realize they are doing it.
Thank you for the blog post and all the pictures every day on Facebook.
I read this post on my iPhone at work this week, and started to peck out a comment but gave up. Between the tears and the tiny keyboard, it was just too much. The IG post you just put up about looking reminded me, so I'm back. (Appropriately distant) hugs for the loss of your 'looker,' Billy Belly. Lance looks at me like that; that's why he will live out his days here; to send him elsewhere (like I retired Russell) would be to betray him. Jackson always watched me....
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