[Mallows Flock]

Hi sylvia
So sad for you (
Strangely, this March my Shetland ewe gave birth 'behind' the stock fence in the woodland behind also. She was beating up her sisters and fiercely guarding the fence perimeter. I managed to get the ewe lamb back in but lucky for me my Shetland lambs looked and acted like big strong fortnight old lambs and were in with the ram and also my big Charollias ewes so were pretty protected by their flock.
It is a quandry tho.... how on earth dod that lamb get there? No way it could have pushed through those small holes and the bottom of my stock fencing is pinned down with tent pegs!!!

[moprabbit]

My heart goes out to you and your sweet ewe.. so distressing for you both.

[Blinkers]

OMG, I'm so so sorry Sylia, what a tragedy - sending hugs to you and Bluey.    Such a bummer when that sort of thing happens. xx

[Sylvia]

Well, poor old Bluey never picked up after losing her lambs despite a daily treat of Digestives. Her udder was fine, a tiny bit lumpy but nothing much. She didn't have a higher than normal temperature, no discharge. She was though very depressed i.e. unhappy though the vet poo pooed  this. Animals don't have human emotions etc. but he could find nothing medically wrong with her. She'll pick up in a day or so.
This morning I found her curled up in the ark, dead.
I am not sentimental by anyone's standards and had decided to send her off as barren before she lambed, I was going to keep her as long as there was good grass.
I know, despite the vet that she died of a broken heart and I feel like s##t.

[SallyintNorth]

   Yes of course they have emotions, the whole range of them.  Well, maybe not teenage angst (if they're lucky.)  Your vet's a nincompoop. :no suitable emotiwotsit:  Our vet - yes, a proper agricultural practice - does tell us to put adoptive lambs on bereaved mothers "to give her a reason to live."  So not all vets are as unenlightened as yours, thank goodness.

Poor old Bluey, no reason to live and an old girl, so she died.  She's in a happier place now.

Nothing you can possibly blame yourself for, Sylvia - but I know that won't stop you feeling s##t for a while.  So have a big {{{{{HUG}}}}} and let yourself grieve, just for a day or two.

[Blackbird]

So sorry to hear about Bluey - of course they have feelings. Hope you feel better soon 

[sabrina]

How stupid some vets are, all animals grieve the loss of a baby.

[peartreewoodlandsmallholding]

Ive just read the post oh god what a shock that must be thats one thing
i will dread come lambing time ive 8 hebrideans and worry
about outdoor rearing and for foxes badgers i hate them.hugs and kisses
newbie to sheep.xxxxxx

[Brucklay]

Oh so sorry Sylvia, for you and Bluey - I know animals have feelings, maybe not like you or I but you only have to look in their eyes, they have so many expresions - they know what's going on and as for my collie pup and the german shepherd they and so many ways to express play time and food it's amazing. All the best xx

[jaykay]

Of course animals have feelings and a mother's love for her baby is one of the most basic and strongest of all.

Poor Bluey 

I always thought vets schools did better than medical schools in picking students who are emotionally intelligent as well as academically intelligent - seems they got it wrong with your vet 

Hugs for you {{{{}}}}

[in the hills]

One of my ewes had a stillborn lamb and it broke our hearts to watch her ..... of course they have feelings and to lose a baby for a human or an animal is an awful thing.


So sorry Sylvia that you had to find poor Bluey like that  .

[kanisha]

  I know how it feels just watching them after losing a lamb so sorry 

[Welshcob]

So sorry Sylvia to hear about Bluey's loss   

I agree completely, animals have feelings and although we shouldn't think they are the same as ours, they definitely know when they are unhappy and you can always tell if you know them.

However I'd like to be the devil's advocate for your vet: s/he (but I think must have been a man if not very sympathetic  ) probably just saw that nothing was medically wrong and said what was logical to say: leave it a bit and it will get better. There really are no medicines for that sort of loss, and I'm not convinced one should start giving anti-depressants to sheep! 
Nobody could have predicted that Bluey would have died of heartache - some sheep (and people) do, some don't. It's natural diversity.

Still, so very very sad for your loss and hope it does not happen again xx 

[Haylo-peapod]

That is just the saddest story, I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear about Bluey and her lambs. My heart goes out to you Sylvia 

[Beewyched]

So sad for you    - try to take some comfort in believing Bluey is now over the Rainbow Bridge reunited with her babies enjoying the sunshine & lush grass