Welcome Spring 2012

The winter of 2011-2012 has been a very difficult one for the farm. We usually like our "PR" to be positive and upbeat, but it is important to share the hard times as well. For those who have visited the farm and grown attached to our animals, we know you will share our sense of loss and want to prepare you that some will be missing the next time you come to visit. Some losses were simply a matter of old age. Buddy (family dog) and Snuggles (the giant low-voiced sheep) left us on the same day early in the winter and Max, our amazing therapy rabbit, passed living his last months in Danny's room so he would be warm.

Snuggles

Have to take a brief moment to share a little more about Max's passing. Danny woke me in the middle of the night to tell me Max was dying. He (Max) was making little whimpering noises. We took him out of the cage and held him. As soon as we started to pet him, he quieted right down,

relaxed and after a few minutes went quietly. It was the most peaceful and beautiful passing of an animal I have ever witnessed. It was the end of a life fully and purposefully lived.

Max at a Nursing Home Visit

The end of January we began to notice something not quite right with the llamas. Their weight seemed to be declining. Then our oldest llama, Macey, went down. It was quite sudden and she died within a few days. Since she was older we were saddened, but not overly worried.

Macey and her cria, Oreo

Then Ande, our oldest male, started having trouble standing. We had a vet come out immediately. It took some time to get test results back and unfortunately, we weren't able to start treatment in time to save Ande. He was one of our favorite trail animals and it was a tremendous loss.

Ande

When all the results were in, it was discovered the llamas had intestinal parasites. We treat routinely for this, but the mild temperatures this year made it more challenging. We began an intensive treatment program of liquid dewormer to all 18 llamas once daily for 5 days and

repeated this routine 2 weeks later. To say that giving 18 llamas a LARGE syringe of liquid medicine daily is a challenge would be an understatement!! BUT, we and they survived. As of our last weight check they have gained back an average of 15-20 lbs each!! What a relief!

Our last (thankfully) loss of the winter, was Ernie, our older horse. He was at least 25 years old and was suffering from liver disease. He was wonderful and stubborn right up to the last day. We are very grateful for the time we had him here on the farm. He is another animal who lived a very full and purposeful life first as a therapy horse for a young man with autism and then his retirement years here greeting children and taking us for leisurely rides through the fields.

Ernie

No one is happier to see spring arrive this year than we are! We can't wait to have all the animals out on pasture eating the green grass and soaking in the sun. Spring is such a wonderful reminder of God's promises of heaven after the struggles of this life. Happy Spring!!