Big Week

It has been a really big week this week. It began with a sick little lamb. Our dear little girl lamb "aroha' was not drinking too well and she became really sick. On wednesday I went to Kelvin and Pip's (the family who gave them to us) and they gave me some medicine to try on her. Sadly when we arrived home, we found she had died that afternoon. So sad but glad she is not suffering anymore. With that, the next morning we held a burial for her.

While Rakaipaka surveyed the area ( he really is neat to watch how comfortable he is around our farm) Renata helped dig the grave.  Rakai helped say a karakia (prayer). When asked what church song we were to sing at the end of our little service, Renata said, "no, not a church song - Mary had a little lamb!!"
So there we were singing Mary had a little lamb to our dear little lamb!!!

I set about making a new pen for the two boys. I was grateful for the materials that had been left behind by the previous owner. In about 2 hours I managed to put up this little pen.

I secured the bottom so they couldn't get out and made sure it was tall enough so that the dogs would not be able to jump over. Then we put the boys in. Oh, how they LOVED it. Jumping around like little lambs should.  Renata and Rakai mixed up some bottles and then were able to sit in the pen and feed them too. It was so great.

 

It was so neat to watch the lambs lying in the long grass snoozing in the sun, eating grass and being so happy.  

Arama came home tired from work, and I too was tired so we gave the lambs their night feed and hit the hay. This morning we slept in, so the boys rushed to get ready and get on the car but then Arama called me outside. My heart broke as I saw my two little lambs lying still. Through the night, the dogs had somehow gotten to them and had killed them. I bawled for about 5 minutes then went numb. I knew what I had to do. They were buried by their 'sister' under a beautiful native tree. I haven't had the heart to take the pen down, that will be tomorrows task. It is one of those times when you just say, "thats so not fair!!"

Needless to say the house didn't get cleaned today..... until late this afternoon..... but I did get to have a good talk to Pip. By then I was ready to talk and she is such a lovely person. So genuine and caring. Thank Heavens there are still people like that around. I am so blessed. 

There is a silver lining to my week. Here it is. 

My second egg from our hens. This brought a true smile on my face and I felt a sparkle in my eye again. I can carry on.......