The pet lambs aren't particularly happy with us at the moment here at Struan Farm. It's been raining, plus we (meaning John) decided to cut out their morning bottles. They'll have one in the evenings still before they are weaned completely around Christmas.
Protests outside the bedroom window at the back gate have been staged by Bambi, Fergie, Camilla and Whiskey, who rally from underneath their lean-to and baa any time they see movement. Jam and Jelly remain close by the gate in their paddock so that they also can baa at our every move.
I feel for the little darlings, I really do. But they're eating grass now full stop. Plus their teeth are ripping the rubber bottle teats, they're forgetting how to suck properly as they mature. As much as I enjoy their antics, I'm also now needing to organise my summer work day around actual work rather than lambs. Hard to believe, I know.
This is the transitional time when I test if I can get anyone converted to eating apple treats. Camilla had been a reasonable candidate the last time I tried, along with Jam and possibly Fergie. Bambi and Jelly wouldn't have anything to do with them.
As a ram lamb Whiskey will go off farm to Farmer John's place in the new year, so I don't make all that much effort to tempt ram lambs with treats. I also try to keep myself as detached emotionally as I can from the rams. This is easier said than done, since often they are smarter and have nicer personalities, at least until they get too rough and start to knock you over! Spud, Buster and Alfie all come to mind. I still think of Spud swimming across the pond, and of me sobbing at the dinner table after being told he'd been taken away. I also think of Alfie looking after Trixie with her bad leg, not leaving her side, he was an absolute "gentleram."
With Diva's recent death from unknown causes, we don't seem to have any star pets from this class to rival Rosie for the top spot. Things can change as the lambs mature, but I'd be surprised to see any radical personality transformations this year.
So let the weaning continue. It's a process for both them and me.
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