I’m almost to upset you write this! We have an 8 Week old lamb. He was to be rehomed today to go into a Breeding Program. The people who wanted to but it, had to come from two hours away. They showed up a half hour late. They showed up in a sedan type car, with 4 people, 2 Dogs, and a wire cage in the trunk they expected me to put the lamb in so they could drive home with it! In a wire cage, in the trunk, on a hot day, for two hours! HECK NO!!!
Thankfully someone just sent me some Cute Puppy Pics just before writing this! Of one of our Puppies and showing how well it’s fitting in at its new home. Precious!
Now, You might think this an isolated case! Right?
This is a very difficult post for me to write. Yet I feel I need to, part for my own healing, and part in hopes that no one else ever causes this to happen.
Briden, our Bottle Baby Lamb Ram, born February 21, 2024, about 14 months ago, and seen here giving kisses, has always been friendly, and easy to handle.
We had plans to keep him forever, basically. He was part of the flock. A good protector, and had developed a beautiful set of horns.
Though he’d never used those horns on me, or anyone really. He’d act up a little, from time to time, but never with real aggression. Then that all changed!
About a week ago, May 5th, we had our guy come to sheer our sheep. Briden got a little excited, but nothing serious. He was fixed, “withered” they call it. Although he still had his, um, peanuts. So, though he could not breed a ewe, he still produced testosterone. Although he’d never really been aggressive. Even when being sheered he was good.
After being sheered we turned him, and the ewes, out into the Pasture. I was watching, and somewhat helping the guy who sheers our sheep, and I noticed someone, a guy, in the pasture! He was taunting Briden!! It was at that point Denis showed up at the door, and I looked at him and said, “Can You and that Guy get out of the Pasture!”. Stated rather firmly. I expected a little backlash from Denis later on. I try not to speak like that! However, sometimes it’s needed, like when this Guy is out there teasing the Withered Ram Lamb, Briden!
Thankfully, Denis saw him, “Provoking Briden”. So, when I asked him to get him and that Guy out of the pasture he knew what I meant and why! Denis later told me the Guy was head butting Briden with his hand! Teasing and Provoking Briden! (Please, Never do That!)
It resulted in Briden turning mean! Sometimes that’s all it takes! The next day when I went back to feed and water the sheep, Briden came for me! Not once, not twice, but three times!!! He was mean, and Wild, and I had to address the problem. First attack I tried to calm him with gentleness. Then with firmness. Then, the third time with him not backing down I had to do what I had to do to get out. Badly beat and bruised, but still alive! Yes, a 100 lb sheep in a mood like that can inflict serious injury!
The next day, I was very sore, hurt, and bruised. Thankfully nothing broken!
Although, as I told Denis, “As hurt as I was physically, my heart hurt more!”
My heart hurt, because, I was unable to tame Briden after that!
sometimes it# just like a switch flips in their head! They go Mean! Very Mean!
It’s sad, heart breaking, especially when there was no need of anyone teasing Briden!
So, please, stay out of the Pastures, never provoke a sheep! Especially a Ram! Or any animal for that matter! I’ve not seen that neighbour since! Probably a good thing! I’m not impressed!
Thankfully my body is healing, my heart is broken, as we had to take Briden to the Butcher today.
My heart will heal, as will my body, and eventually maybe even a friendship with that Neighbour! In time! Although I never want him around any of our animals again!
We’re loving Substack, actually, Brian here and I’m especially loving Substack.
More specifically “Brian Hurlburt, Author”
See, about a month and a half ago I returned to my lifelong passion for creative writing. Writing on Medium and Substack. Both platforms for Writiers and Creators.
Substack also gives us the option to post audio, video, and podcasts! Meaning rather than my having to juggle multiple platforms for all those things, I can do much of it on Substack and provide a better experience for You!
In fact, I’m even in the process of moving our newsletter over there.
The whole thing is simple for You, and will be simpler for me once it’s setup.
Don’t worry, We’ll maintain this website, and continue to post information here. Although, I can see we may be posting more often over there, and with all the bells and whistles, it’s going to allow us to create a real homesteading community! With Your Help of course!
After a long Winter, and a laborious Springtime and time spent nursing these little ones and their Mom’s are happy to get outside. The very first time for little Ebony and Princess.
