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Thursday, April 3, 2008

Good morning, it's Thursday


Good morning. It's already Thursday... why is it that when the daylight gets longer, the days seem shorter? Is it because spring is on it's way and we are anxious for flowers and leaves on trees, gardens, time spent on the porch or deck, perhaps also waiting for the first real outdoor BBQ of the year? It could be one or more of those things. I'm waiting for more lambs to show up. We wait for spring, then we start seeing lambs appear in multiples.....then nothing.
Primitive breeds such as the Shetland have their own breeding schedule in the fall, when they are good and ready according to the weather, the decreasing sunlight, the temperatures, and, when they are just good and ready! Unless you're using things to synchronize the exact 'when', then you are like me...waiting. A little anxious. Forever checking. I watched the lamb races here yesterday, round bale feeders are conducive for lamb races. But less than half of the ewes have had their lambs in that group, and my registered ewes have not even had a lamb yet in their group! The lambs are late all over the place it seems, most shepherds reporting in that they've had very few lambs so far compared to last year...all except Minwawe, who already has a wonderfully large group of lambs to enjoy seeing on her blogspot. She must be on a special piece of land there with magic in the water too. The rest of us, well, we're still waiting!
Last year, I asked that someone's lambs be saved for me this year...Cheesecake is a favorite ewe here, one that came from Peeps last year. Everyone loves Cheesecake including me, but I especially love her little, sweet, and melodious voice...it is like music to my ears. When I was told her mother has this voice and usually her lambs also have the same voice, well, that was that. I had to ask for those lambs, if any were born from her mother Cupcake, this year - and they were. Cheesecake also has a wonderful fleece and a very nice Shetland disposition. Of course I would want the chance to have more just like her.
Above is a photo of Cupcake and her new lambs, Chocolate Torte and Key Lime Pie.... aren't they beautiful?? I couldn't have asked for more, lucky lucky me, they were both girls too...not that that really mattered, I would have taken boys if that's what she had! I am very grateful for these special lambs, I can't wait till they have wings and fly fly fly north to call our farm home......not soon enough, just like waiting for spring....not soon enough!
good morning!




4 comments:

Ebonwald Cardigans said...

I wasn't going to buy ANY sheep this year but now with Peeps getting out of them (I bought six from her last year) I just had to get more! I am getting Flutter's mom and her twin HST moorit ewe lambs...one looks just like flutter or moorit, not black. How is that pretty girl Flutter? She got away from me before I could get her!!! Just a few lambs here. i'm the first in MN to have any. Seven so far with the mature girls due any minute....this waiting game stinks doesn't it?! Congrats on the new sheep!

Michelle said...

Yes, congrats on "your" new babies! And what a nice patch of wool on that Cupcake's forehead! I'm a little shy on poll wool around here....

Alaska Shetland Shepherd said...

Well at least the standard doesn't discriminate against no wool on the poll for breeding stock! You know, there's a purpose to the wool on the poll tho....
it is very acceptable when a dog is having a face-down with a recalcitrant sheep, that is, will nip the forehead/poll when asked to do so. Nipping the nose can result in a real ouch on that tender skin, but a nip to the poll, and thus the wool, is much better. I always wonder why breed standards are set the way they are and it's nice to ponder the why's, but when it comes to wool on the poll, from personal experience I sure do prefer it as the place for my dogs to use if needed. of course there is NEVER a recalcitrant Shetland, now is there????
hehehehehe....

Alaska Shetland Shepherd said...

Hi Garrett! Went and visited your blog too - love the Corgis and the barn...Colorado is over-rated, hehe! Flutter is doing well, and I see you have the girl with the side-swiped smirslet! I thought she was so neat. I agree on the partially-expressed Gulmoget...that is a neat lamb! Thanks for visiting!