Wednesday 15 April 2009

Life - for a limited time only.

I'm so sad today. Robina's gorgeous little spotted lamb who was born yesterday is no more. Despite the fact that Chris and I have been checking the girls every four hours day and night, she must have been taken by a predator some time in the small hours of the morning. We suspect a fox but it could have been a badger, pine martin or even an eagle. There is no body, it is as though she vanished into thin air. Absolutely heartbroken and poor Robina just wanders around the field bleating for her lost lamb. I know that lambing outdoors is healthier but at this moment I do miss the security of locking the newbies in a building over night. I don't blame the predator, whatever it was, but I've been doing my best to look after them and now I feel awful. I suppose it was just one of those things. Chris will be sitting off tonight to keep watch over them all.

8 comments:

Nancy K. said...

Oh, Jenny!

My heart is crying for you and your lost little lamb. What a sad, SAD thing to have happen! I finally got to see the video of the little Angel.

I am SO sorry!

Sending hugs...

Donna said...

I am so sorry- I know shepherds are really good at feeling guilty when things go wrong but you did your best.

Mim said...

What a sad thing to happen!! Lambs are the best of times and the worst of times. May Robina soon forget. Hugs

thecrazysheeplady said...

Oh, I am so sorry. My heart aches with yours.

Michelle said...

My heart sank like a stone when I saw your post title on my dashboard. Unfortunately, it meant just what I was afraid it did, that you lost one of your beautiful lambs. I pray you can keep all the rest safe, without getting sick from lost sleep in the effort!

Alaska Shetland Shepherd said...

I'm so sorry Jenny. I insist on locking mine up at night. There's too many predators here and I refuse to loose lambs to them again. One year I lost 10. That is 10 too many. Really, putting them up at night is rather nice. They get used to it and look forward to it now. Whatever you decide tho is best for you! Not everyone can do the same! I'm sorry for your loss. :-(

Jenny Holden said...

Thanks for all of your kind words and prayers. Chris slept in the field with the girls last night and we have the local game keeper, who happens to live almost right by the field, keeping an eye out. All we can do is hope that we're doing enough.

Tammy W. said...

Oh Jenny - my heart goes out to you.
Lambing can be a wonderful - and a heartbreaking experience. But to not know what happened - and to not find a body - that's the worst.
May the rest of your lambing go well.