Another Day Come and Gone

I don't know really how to start this post.

When you are a small homesteader you know each of your animals closely,individually. You know their personalities and they know you as their caretaker. Yesterday morning we were overjoyed to have discovered Guinness had just given birth.We thought her due date was in 3 weeks so we were surprised and thankful she waited until the morning because the night was about 17 degrees.We quickly moved her and a very healthy,strong and loud little baby into the last vacant bath room.



As the day turned to evening things began to seem a little off. She wouldn't stop laboring and seemed in growing pain.I checked and could find no more babies.Evening turned to night and she grew worse as The Boy and I watched helplessly. The boy set alarms to wake every hour and check on her and make sure the baby nursed.She grew weaker and by the morning was suffering.With no vets to be had all we could do was try and comfort her. Homesteaders know our animals.I knew when the pain and weakness had taken its toll and the lights in her eyes began to dim.I knew she wouldn't make it.I wanted her last moments to be at peace and free of the agonizing pain she was in so I gave her a massive and I hope merciful, dose of pain killer and sent The Boy away to tend to the baby. I sat by her side and stroked he neck until she was gone.

So now there is another grave next to the little,faded wooden cross under the big oak tree.I am thankful we have her baby,it's little face is the exact copy of hers down to a little white tear spot in the corner of his eye. The rest of him is different but his face is hers.



I am even more thankful that I made the decisions to save SweetPea.Two losses in one week,well,that is a heavy burden for a heart to bear,especially for The Boy.



Now with so much loss,all we have is hope.Hope that things will get better for us here at the farm.



We have decided to call him Murry.Murry Von Furry Pants.



From this side he looks like he has on pants.I know the picture is blurry,Murry wouldn't be still.



I am not complaining,I am glad he is strong.




Ignore that little bit of poop on his back foot.

Soon his picture will replace his moms on the side bar of the blog.Soon...but not yet.