The sky today was clear cobalt blue, there was no sign of threatening grey clouds on the horizon and as the sun rose over the Pacific North West it's golden rays spread warmth over the hills pastures and creeks that are Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch. Last night had been cold, very cold. This morning a crisp, sparkling white frost shrouded the big cedar barns, the ranch pond was still with a sheen of wafer thin ice which extended from the island pond to the grassy banks. The pastures glistened and frosty crystals sparkled on the frozen tree limbs. Down in the sheep barn, Baby Doll, the big white Coupworth ewe tended to her twin mini-me's, Dotty diligently nursed her fuzzy little black legged lamb ( now affectionately known as Susie) and Momma Bear the big woolly Oxford ewe fussed over her tiny offspring unaware that her reluctance to lose sight of her lamb meant that her hungry baby was unable to latch onto her swelling milky bar. Baby Bear was getting weaker, clearly our first time mom was challenged by the responsibilities of her new status. Mother Nature ... Momma Bear and her newly born little lamb needed some human intervention and, in the barn kitchen, Greg prepared a bottle of creamy "milk replacer" fortunately purchased.....just in case. A very feeble little Baby Bear soon latched onto the little red teat and before long, air bubbles rising in the plastic bottle indicated that Baby Bear had accepted her alternative "mom". Momma Bear continues to mother her lamb without allowing it to nurse from her swollen udder and little Baby Bear has come to accept the impersonal synthetic teat and the human cuddles as her "normal".
This evening, as the sun was setting, Erin arrived at the barn to care for Ky and Fiona, her two equine charges. Of late, any visit to the barn has required a quick check of the residents of the sheep barn. Erin found Alice our Katahdin ewe with a tiny brown lamb at her feet and clearly in the process of delivering it's little twin. As we watched, Alice cared for each lamb and without fuss or drama quickly dropped little brown baby number three into the soft bedding of the sheep nursery. The miracle of birth will never grow old....each little arrival is welcomed, bottle babies are special but it is even more special to watch a new mom bonding and caring for her tiny, dependant offspring...be it one, two or even three.
Time to go and give little Baby Bear her evening bottle. A nearly full moon is in the sky illuminating the barn and pastures with an eerie glow. Down in the sheep barn, little Baby Bear will be stirring...and waiting for her humans to arrive. Take care, keep safe, M
This evening, as the sun was setting, Erin arrived at the barn to care for Ky and Fiona, her two equine charges. Of late, any visit to the barn has required a quick check of the residents of the sheep barn. Erin found Alice our Katahdin ewe with a tiny brown lamb at her feet and clearly in the process of delivering it's little twin. As we watched, Alice cared for each lamb and without fuss or drama quickly dropped little brown baby number three into the soft bedding of the sheep nursery. The miracle of birth will never grow old....each little arrival is welcomed, bottle babies are special but it is even more special to watch a new mom bonding and caring for her tiny, dependant offspring...be it one, two or even three.
Time to go and give little Baby Bear her evening bottle. A nearly full moon is in the sky illuminating the barn and pastures with an eerie glow. Down in the sheep barn, little Baby Bear will be stirring...and waiting for her humans to arrive. Take care, keep safe, M
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