Ninety-nine percent of the time life on the farm is idyllic.
The animals are happy, peaceful, healthy...
and life hums along in its rhythmic ebb and flow.
But then there is that one percent...
when injury or illness befalls us...
making the day hard...
chores are done with the yolk of a heavy weight around our necks.
Yesterday morning I stopped by the sheep yard as I do each morning
to open the gates for the sheep to head into the front pasture.
I opened the gates and headed to the barn.
Moments later I heard such of ruckus of "Baaaaa-ing" that I thought
it prudent to go check on the girls.
I found only Gracie in the sheep yard under the trees.
Her daughters had headed out to the front pasture but were calling
and calling for Grace to join them.
I called Grace...
but she did not look at me.
Normally she comes to me when I call.
This time it was quite different.
She was leaning between two tree trunks...
and hardly noticed my presence.
Her mid section looked a little bloated.
I called our local farm vet and they suggested that I give her some mineral oil
just in case she had the "bloat" from some obstruction...
they also said that a vet would be out to see Grace that morning.
I gave her the mineral oil with a large syringe and she took it fine.
The vet arrived a little later and examined her...
finding her to have a fever and some excess air in her intestines.
He thought perhaps she had an upper respiratory infection.
He gave her an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory by injection
and told us to watch her and repeat the injections over the next four days.
It is all a mystery...and at the time of this writing she is not looking any better.
Gracie is 10 ½ years old... I had hoped to have her for a few more years yet.
I am praying that will be the case.
Although another part of me fears we might lose her.
I'll keep you updated...
time will tell.
I did not take any photos of Grace in her "crisis" ...
it didn't seem right to do so.
The above picture was taken at a happier time.
Addendum: Gracie died last evening...we still don't know why.
Our hearts are heavy.
Faith and Hope have never known life without their Mama...
it's all so very sad.
Addendum: Gracie died last evening...we still don't know why.
Our hearts are heavy.
Faith and Hope have never known life without their Mama...
it's all so very sad.
Comments
Karla from Coal City, IL
I know you are all sad. I am too. I loved seeing them all together. Hopefully, the other 2 girls will be okay.
Gracie was a favorite . . .
The sudden and unknowns are a challenge . . .
Thinking of you . . .
Carol
Mary
Meghan Grace
xo, Kaye
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