You would think I would learn from my last encounter trying to save a sick sheep. After the heartbreak of losing Daisy I swore I would not do it again....until a ewe found its way onto our property and delivered a little baby girl lamb named Flossy....
Flossy's Mum was thin and in poor condition and had not one drop if milk to feeb her baby. We tried to get her to suck and the little bub tried hard to get some milk, so we went and got some bottles and lamb formula and set to raising her. She soon followed us around the house and would cry if we put her back in the stable with Mum, so quickly became our house pet.
Last night I held her like a baby and fed her a bottle and she fell asleep in my arms. I placed her in front of the fire in a laundry basket, all rugged up with a nappy on. She didn't wake to feed and I saw at 2am she was asleeep but moving about. Greg woke at 4.30am and I heard him sigh...Flossy was dead. She was still warm so we tried massaging her chest a little but she was gone and once again we are heartbroken.
It seems that 80% of lambs die if not fed by their mother, no matter what you do. The good news is Mum is still alive and the other sheep we also found half dead has stood up today but I know better than to get my hopes up. I just wish owners of livestock would at least keep watch over and care for their animals. As we discovered next door 4 more dead lambs and a heap more dead sheep. Its not on.
On a brighter note I also saved 9 ducks from the chop as their owner didn't want them. Now we have 11 ducks , 8 chickens and an unwanted rooster but at least they are thriving here. Needless to say I have become vegetarian as I can no longer bear to eat meat when I have so many furry and feathered friends..who knows perhaps I will grow out of it.
