Lessons from Daisy

Daisy didn't make it. She died last night, after the most valient attempt to stay alive.

I never imagined how amazingly strong the life force can be, until I witnessed this sweet little lamb, but five days old, struggling to get every last breath. It taught Daniel and me a lot.

It taught me that tenacity is relative. I saw a will to live without expectation, pretence or judgement, that I will carry with me forever. It showed me what a little love and affection can do for another creature. Love really transcends all boundaries. Daisy bonded with a human. Up until her very last breaths, you could see her try to respond to Daniel's voice. It was amazingly touching and beautiful. There was not a fragment of negativity in this little creature. She radiated love, affection, and gratitude--and I am not being anthropomorphic!

Upon her death I wished every human could possess a moment with her to learn her lessons.

Of Daniel was the most sweet and loving strength to keep her alive. He really tried. He was so sad to see her not make it, but also learned a great deal.

Our friend Pauline said to us the first time we stayed with her that she had tried so many times to rescue little lambs from their non-maternal mothers, but to no avail if they couldn't be administered the mother's milk within the first 24 hours. And so it is.

She also said there is nothing so sweet as a newborn lamb.

And so we learned a lot from sweet little Daisy. We know she knew we gave it our all.

She "slept" again last night in the claw foot tub, as we were not ready to accept she had passed. Today Daniel buried her and we shall plant daisies there.

Loving Daisy

The sheep have been busy, and most all of their kid's arrivals have been easy and well received by their mamas, save a couple instances. Daniel awoke to find a small little gal, (a ewe), alone in the corner of the sheep pen, still wet from birth. Mama didn't care to clean her, let alone feed her.

I guess it's true that some women just don't have the "motherly instinct." I can't imagine leaving such a helpless, precious little one alone to die, but indeed, that's what happens, both in the sheep pen and in the human pen. So, Daniel forced the ewe to let the little one feed, at least long enough to get the immune boosting milk produced in the first 48 hours.

Since then, she's been enjoying her bottled meals in the comfort of Daniel's home, on the couch and by the light of the fire. She sleeps contented in the claw foot tub, upon towels and blankets, and makes not a whimper, full from engorging on the vitamin rich Kefir.

Daniel calls her Daisy, and she knows only his love and affection, and she follows him everywhere!

Love knows no boundaries and is such a beautiful thing.