Saturday, April 12, 2008

Still waiting for Spring, and lambs. . .


But we got the shearing done, last Sunday! Here's a photo of Little Red Oak Mullein's fleece.
He's the son of Highland Hollows Bluebell and Little Red Oak Frazier; I posted photos of him and spotty Alex together in a field, last November. Mullein is light gray and apparently inherited a significant part of Bluebell's wonderful, crimpy fleece. So I was happy to see the fleece at shearing day-- he is not one to let me sidle up to him for a look just anytime, you see. He keeps his distance.

I can't go further without saying a word about our old Jake-kitty, who passed away this week. On Thursday, my daughter and I sat weeping in the vet's office with our big, white, purring kitty in our lap, waiting while all the other cute little dogs and cats of Norwood got taken care of. I think we gave all the other folks pause, but it seemed as natural as rain to do what we did. We'd already seen the vet and knew we had a decision to make-- and after holding him quietly that long time, we let him go. . . and now there's one less white kitty at Little Red Oak Farm.

So here's a memorial photo of a fine kitty, with his favorite girl.


And now on with the weekend, and when the lambs start coming here next week, I'll write about every one.

7 comments:

Becky Utecht said...

Nice looking fleece Gail! I hope all went well at your shearing this year.

So sorry to hear about your having to make the decision at the vet's office. It's tough, even when you know it's the right thing to do.

I'll be looking forward to seeing your lamb photos in the coming weeks.

Kathy said...

Gail, I was so sorry to read about you losing Jake. It's hard to lose a friend under any circumstances.

Karen said...

Sorry to hear about Jake, Gail. Thinking of you...

Michelle said...

Give your daughter a hug from us; looks like she's lost a buddy.

Sabrina Wille Erickson said...

Jake was a beautiful kitty. I love the photo of him by the sled this past winter. Sending hugs to you and Emily.

Gail V said...

Thank you, every one, for your nice comments. Every one makes me tear up. My daughter says she cried herself out last Thursday-- so that's a good thing, I guess.
Two older women in the vet's office went up to Emily and kissed her head and hugged her. Such good grandmas! There's a lot of grace in some hard times-- I actually loved the long wait in the vet's office-- for the effect on the passersby, for the time to sit and give some comfort to Jakey.
Thanks again for your kind thoughts.

Nancy K. said...

I'm sorry for you and Emily to have to go through such a painful experience. But happy for Jake that you were with him and did what was best for him. Sometimes loving animals hurts.

May the lambs help your hearts heal...