Dove went into labor around 5:40 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. By 6:20 it was apparent that she was struggling, so I called the vet - who said she had to make some calls and then she'd be on her way. It's a 30 minute drive for the vet, so I closely watched Dove as I waited. At around 7:40 a.m. I saw a hoof and a BIG nose trying to make its way into the world....which isn't good (gotta have two hooves). So, I realized I had to help by pushing the nose back a little, feeling for the other hoof (which, thankfully, wasn't too far inside) and pulling the other hoof out even with the first. Then, Dove and I delivered a HUGE black baby girl. At first she was floppy and her tongue was lolling out of her mouth, but with swinging (grabbing her by the hind feet, hanging her with her head down and swinging her back and forth), putting my finger in her mouth repeatedly, and a good vigorous rubbing (by myself with towels and Dove using her tongue) she came around. WHEW!
The end result is beautiful Paloma (her nickname is Polly), which means "dove" in Spanish. Her name - like Maggie's - was suggested by Hayley. I haven't been able to get many pictures of Polly. Hayley says it's the younger child syndrome - where the first borns get a ton of photos and then it tapers off because mom and dad don't have as much time. She is partly right, but it is also because it's really hard to get a good shot of the black lambs in the lambing jugs. Once she is out and about I'll be able to get better shots.
For now, here is what I've got:
Polly is super sweet and has super soft ears and a soft fuzzy chin!
1 comment:
Way to go Michelle!
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