Shearing Day and Goodbye 2017!
Archives
- December 2017 (1)
- September 2017 (1)
- July 2017 (1)
- June 2017 (20)
- May 2017 (2)
- January 2016 (1)
- December 2015 (1)
- November 2015 (4)
- September 2015 (1)
- August 2015 (1)
Hello Readers!
Life here is busy...it never really occurred to me that having 9 sheep would make for fewer hours in the day to keep up on my blog, spin and knit, or even clean my house (which, to be honest, was never high on my list of priorities, but you know, I should occasionally make an effort!)!! But I wouldn't have it any other way, and I appreciate all of you continuing to read when I am able to post!
I thought I would share some pre and post Shearing Day pictures - it's always so amazing to see how different the sheep look! You would think I'd be used to it by now, but I'm always shocked at how tiny they are without their wool, and it was made even more obvious this fall with both Daisy and Cupcake remaining unsheared. Being Hampshire/Suffolk crosses, they do not grow wool at the same rate as Icelandics or the Finns, so they are only sheared in the spring, but I did take both of them to shearing so that they could get their hooves trimmed, their vaccination, and their worming medicine given to them by the wonderful vet students from Washington State University who come to our Shearing Bee! In addition, Daisy had a bit of a trim...on her backside. There is a shearing procedure called crutching - this is simply the removal of wool from around the tail and between the rear legs of the sheep. This is to help prevent flystrike, as well as to help expectant ewes keep clean before giving birth. Daisy isn't going to be giving birth, but we think her lack of a tail makes it difficult for her to urinate without getting it all down the backside of her leg - and last spring we found she had developed a really bad ammonia burn there because the wool had soaked up all of the urine over the winter. To prevent her being miserable and possibly getting infected sores on her leg, I had her crutched, so she has a rather bare bottom and legs now! But this is far preferable to being in pain or getting sick!
You'll notice in the post-shearing pictures that Panda Bear is still sporting her wool coat! After being so sick in January, I've never felt like she gained very much weight back. She did fine all summer, but she just doesn't have the same mass to her like she did before the copper debacle. There was a veterinarian from WSU at shearing, and I asked her to give Panda Bear a look to see if I should let her keep her fleece - if she can't keep weight on, and doesn't have wool to keep warm, her body is going to be working overtime to stay warm as opposed to keeping a healthy weight, and that can mean disaster for a sheep, particularly one who is no spring chicken (she is 9, which is late middle age/early old age for sheep). Dr. Tasha gave her a thorough exam - not just the lookover that I thought she would (again, I don't have the words to express how awesome the sheep vets from WSU are!!!)! Afterward, she said that she was really impressed with how far PB had come since her illness - she knew the situation because they discuss Panda Bear's history as a way to teach about copper toxicity! Yes, Miss PB is still quite the famous sheep! So she said that yes, she is doing well, but she agreed with me - she doesn't have the weight on her to get through winter without her wool. I was so grateful to have that confirmation and to know that I was making a good decision for my sweet Bear!
Pre-shearing:
.jpg)
Post-shearing (after 10/14/17):
And now everyone is growing out their wool coats...it has been very cold here the last couple of weeks, so I'm thankful to see those wooly curls coming back!
And Miss Panda Bear looks GORGEOUS and very warm!
So it's nearly time to say goodbye to 2017...to be honest, I'm not terribly sad to see it go. There have been good times, of course, but 2017 will always be the year I lost Mikey, and nothing is ever going to change that. I miss his sweet face everyday, but I want to remember the good times with him and focus on all I've learned so that going into 2018 and beyond, I can always do the best for my flock. Thank you all for reading - for journeying with me as I learn and grow, and sticking with me when disaster hits. I appreciate you so very much!
As we look forward to 2018, I hope you'll visit the Blaine Fleece and Fiber group on Ravelry - we have SO many fun activities planned for the new year! In the meantime, Happy Holidays to each one fo you from myself and the Fellowsheep! :)
Comments
Cynthia Falk
Love all the sheepie Glamour pics! Panda Bear is so beautiful!
You aren't the only one so happy to see the departing rear of 2017.
Jennifer Bogut
Thanks, ma'am!! Aren't they just the sweetest little sheepies!??! :D Of course, I'm not at all biased!!!
HOORAY for a new year!!! :D
PatriciaO
I loved seeing all the sheep in their Santa hats!
Jennifer Bogut
Tee hee!!! I'm so grateful for clipart - no way would those little woolly cuties stand for modeling Santa hats!! :D
Happy Holidays, SWorD buddy!! :)
Patsy J. Moore
Get the gaming info by visiting at Games.lol
Bessie T. Watts
This is really interesting! https://doghealthissues.net
alyssa lauren
It was so good to see the details regarding the shearing day editing in photography and the year end update details shared here. Good to see the pre and post shearing day images shared over here. I have gone through it and it's good to see the details shared here. Keep sharing more updates on that.
charlly korpa
It was wonderful to see the information presented here on the shearing day and the year-end report. It's encouraging to see the pre- and post-shearing day pictures provided here. I read it, and I appreciate Tech Businessman From Maui the information offered here. Share additional information about it.
san diego web design firm
I am Really Inspired With this post. custom web design company
Mike Rooney
This is really a great website, i suggest you to post articles to attract visitors attention. Your website is really a great source of information.Yellowstone rip jacket
Carren
Shearing day is one of the most important days on the farm. It's the day when the sheep are shorn of their wool, homes for sale Key West and it's a huge event for the entire community. Everyone comes out to help and celebrate, and it's a really fun day.
pahpah20
Spades Miss Panda Bear looks GORGEOUS and very warm!
percetakan spanduk
I appreciate the efforts you people put in to share blogs on such kind of topics, it was indeed helpful. Keep Posting! percetakan jakarta timur
digital printing percetakan
Thank you for help me in this article, This is good to me ang many. percetakan jakarta timur
digital printing rawamangun
This is really great stuff for an article, this topic is very interesting. Keep it up with this line of content, thanks for sharing this post!
tempat print online
cetak spanduk banner
percetakan rawamangun
digital printing percetakan
jasa percetakan jakarta
digital percetakan rawamangun
percetakan murah jakarta
Anonymous
Aggressive Representation: Our attorneys are known for their aggressive representation in court. We have a proven track record of success in handling complex civil litigation cases and are committed to fighting for our clients' rights. Top Attorneys for Civil Litigation
Anonymous
When choosing a guttering service, it is important to consider their experience, reputation, and the range of services they offer. You should also check their reviews and credentials to ensure that they are reliable and trustworthy. Additionally, you should consider their pricing and the quality of their work to ensure that you get the best value for your money. gutter replacement London
Anonymous
Amber Vet - Located at 50 Burnfoot Terrace, Amber Vet is a 24-hour animal hospital that provides emergency care, general consultations, surgeries, and other veterinary services. moneylender
Anonymous
Ceramic car coatings are a popular way to protect and enhance the finish of a car's paint. Here are some places in Singapore where you can find ceramic coating services for cars: animal hospital
Anonymous
These are just a few of the most popular electronics retailers in Singapore. It's always a good idea to compare prices and read reviews before making a purchase to ensure that you are getting the best deal and quality product. residency application
Anonymous
These are just a few of the best digital lock brands available in Singapore. It's important to choose a digital lock that suits your needs and budget, and to ensure that it is installed by a qualified professional to ensure proper functionality and security. Digital lock
Game Guardian app
Thanks for the quality articles you post on your blog! If you are an iOS user and want to install the game guardian app on your device, Game Guardian on iOS is available, and you can use it on iOS-powered devices without a fuss. you can get a stepwise guide on ios ideas.
Anonymous
Event security guards in Miami, Florida, play a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of guests at events. Here are some key services that professional event security guards can provide. event security service miami beach
Anonymous
Response protocols: The plan should include clear and detailed instructions on what actions to take in the event of an active shooter, such as lockdown procedures, evacuation routes, and sheltering in place. school safety plans
Anonymous
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci - This shredder can shred up to 16 sheets of paper at once, as well as credit cards, CDs, and DVDs. It has a 6-gallon waste bin and a runtime of up to 20 minutes. using paper shredders at home
Anonymous
Whether you're dealing with a complex civil law matter or simply need legal advice on a civil matter, our team of experienced lawyers is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you with your civil law needs. With Rajendra Civil Law Firm, you can rest assured that you're in good hands. Top Attorneys for Civil Litigation
Anonymous
Amazing work! I read it all the way through in one sitting. I am very rarely intrigued in this way. snakeskin leather jacket
aSSHas
It's important to note that these guidelines are a general overview, and there may be additional requirements or variations depending on the specific product category or Amazon's updated policies. To ensure compliance with Amazon's current GTIN requirements, it's best to consult their official seller resources, such as the Seller Central platform or Seller Help documentation, or reach out to Amazon Seller Support directly. gs1
SMM Panel One
Introducing Indian SMM Panel, your gateway to unlocking the immense potential of social media marketing in the Indian market. With our panel, tailored specifically for India, you can harness the power of social media to reach a vast audience, build your brand, and drive meaningful engagement. Our services include likes, followers, comments, and more, all carefully crafted to cater to the unique needs of businesses and influencers in India.
Anonymous
The shearing day and annual report details supplied here are fantastic. The photos of the sheep before and after shearing day are inspiring.
amanda the adventurer
alijen
color blind test Online application, free, accurate and easy to use
Post new comment