Night before last I heard one of the ewes bellowing BAH! I knew something was wrong. So I put my long socks on over my sheep PJs and pulled my tall boots on along with my heavy water proof coat and hat. Grabbed my herding stick and flashlight called Drover and off to the field we walked.
The dew was real heavy like it had rained. As I took hold of the latch on the cold wet metal gate I was glad I had remembered to wear my gloves! The air was fresh and heavy with the dampness of the night. The sky was cloudy, and the field seemed to be shrouded in a heavy grey mist…The moon was bright above the clouds…the field was light but not bright.
I left Drover in a down stay at the gate. I walked about half way to the resting flock and called Drover to me quietly. Downed him again and told him to stay. I went into the resting flock without disturbing any sheep found a spot a ewe had lain at and settled in and told drover to walk up and he did very quietly into the flock with out disturbing any of the flock.
We settled in and watched. I thought of the Shepherds that have took care of their flocks…How the night air must have felt on their faces, and how like me they appreciated the moon light and their good dogs.
This ewe was quite the drama queen. I have not seen one put on such a show…Her mother is part of the flock and has twins now…This ewe Belle (with a tail) Bahed at the top of her lungs every 3 minutes. This went on for and hour and a half…then she started having contractions. She still carried on vocally but was starting to get in real pain. She had picked her spot and stayed with it. Drover and I were about 30 feet from her. During all this I laid down for a nap on the ground. I woke a time or two. I was too cold …
So back to the house to put on warmer clothes.
Drover and I repeated our approach to the flock same as the first time. I did not want the flock running off because we entered it. This would have interrupted the drama queen’s labor…
I saw nothing amiss and sat on the cushion I brought. Well soon I was on my side and napping…Sorry I am a Shepherd but I was a SLEEPY Shepherd too! Drover sat and watched and sniffed the air but was quiet and watchful…
Than I heard it …a soft bahhhh, and Momma Bahhhed back…It is a sound so filled with love …It is indescribable…There in the moonlight I could see the lamb…In a bit the second lamb appeared! All are fine!
Thru all this Drover watched and waited for anything I might need him for and he kept an eye and nose out for any unseen trouble that might be lurking in the dark on the other side of the fences!
Drama Queen Belle is an excellent mother. All my ewes are!
Here are two photos of the twins and DQ Belle (with a tail) the twins are 8 hours old.
Click on the IMG_ 0554 above and follow the link to the movie of Drover moving the ewe and her lambs!
The twins are one girl and one boy!
Birth never ceases to be amazing to me and my dogs amaze me…
God is still on His throne…
