Saturday, November 13, 2010

When Being a Farmer is Hard

Sometimes being a farmer is hard. Not just because of physical taxation, but emotional. No matter how hard you work...no matter how hard you try to care for your charges...they sometimes die. My first experience with this was when Maggie's twin died at birth. I second-guessed myself for weeks over that - wondering if I had done something wrong. Only the Lord knows for sure.

Today I lost my beautiful Jasmine. It was so incredibly sudden that I am still in shock. Last night when I fed the animals she was fine. However, this morning when I went out she was standing under the shed with her head and ears down. I knew immediately that something was wrong, so I picked her up and took her to the house - where I made a small pen with lots of bedding and a heat lamp and called the vet. The vet called me back about 30 minutes later and told me that it probably was pneumonia. She said that with the crazy weather changes we've had lately (60 degrees one day and 30 degrees with icy rain the next) that pneumonia is rampant amongst farm animals. Before Kirk could get to the store for the correct antibiotics (all I had on hand was penicillin) - just 30 minutes after the call from the vet - Jazzy passed away.

March 18, 2010 - November 13, 2010


I love you Jasmine...and I'm going to miss your free spirit!

6 comments:

TDawn Maddox said...

I'm so sorry. :(

Artful Gathering said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. It is not easy caring for livestock. Heartbreaking...I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers over your loss. sorry.....

yellowdogknitting said...

So sorry about Jasmine. She was such a sweetie.

Michael J. said...

I'm so very sorry. She was such a cutie.

Aim said...

Oh, such a sad loss. Animals are family, no matter what some people say! So sorry for that, but at least you got to know her sweet adventurous spirit while she was here :)

ConnieW said...

I am so sorry for your loss of little Jasmine. We had a free spirit born this spring as well, Susie. She's new still, but I can't imagine not cursing her little behind as she runs pass the house now.