I might be a little premature. But I think he will live, he must live after that terrible day, so I am calling him Marcel. His mother died yesterday morning. His sister died the day before. Marcel must live.
I really am of a mind that he will survive (though my mind is already sleep deprived with two hour feeds through the nights.) Yesterday he began to bleat like a real new born lamb, only once or twice, but the insistence was there, the volume. He stood. By himself. Not for long but it is a huge improvement. The bleeding from his navel and nose has stopped. And he is alive.
Though Boo would rather he stays safely in Kupa’s box. Wooden floors are hopeless for Lambies who are still learning to walk. Boo hated seeing the lamb do a splat with all his legs going every which way. So he was gently put back in his box.
Marcel has the face of a mime, the legs of a goat and the body of a Biafrin. But he is drinking, peeing and pooing and when he is not asleep he is rocking back and forth pushing himself up to standing. Collapsing then trying again.
Yesterday it snowed pretty much all day (probably 6 or 7 inches) with a little frozen rain mixed in just for a change. We lost power most of the afternoon, but the generator was primed and ready to go and the power came back on before anyone was much bothered. Though I did put some snow on the wood stove to melt for the dogs, alongside the chili that had been cooking there most of the day (my secret ingredient is sherry! Don’t tell anyone – they will think I am a wino).
Look at the delightfully Loyal and Common Birds taking a Bird Bath in a thunder snow storm, though they do have a look out. No girlie bird wants to be caught in her bath. The thunder was very deep and loud, such a surprise when it is snowing. 
What are they thinking?!
Lots of snow, we had to cut all new paths to the barn and the rat house again. They will be gone by morning though. I am getting good at this snow thing.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
106 responses to “I am calling him Marcel”
Some better news mingled with the sad. Really hope Marcel keeps on fighting. You must be exhausted, I feel tired enough looking after our elderly dog who is poorly at the moment and she doesn’t need two hourly feeds!
What a sweet little lamb – and a real fighter as well. It’s so very sad that mum and big sister died – I don’t think I could cope with that sort of reality as I’m the world’s biggest softie when it comes to animals. But it’s touching to see just how caring Boo is to another species – it’s as though he knows Marcel is all alone in the world.
Those birds made me laugh. Ours bathe in the snowy weather as well and you wonder what on earth they are thinking. I put out a large terracotta pot turned upside down with a tealight candle burning under it. Then I pop the saucer of the pot on top, using a couple of bits of wood to act as a trivet. If I fill the saucer with water, then the weak heat of the candle keeps it from freezing, so they have drinking water. Or a warm bath 🙂
Marcel is a great name – it suits him well. I’m sorry about the loss of the other two though. We’ll be thinking of you.
I see a farmy mascot in the making ……. Love him already !!
Marcel is a warrior, to be sure! And Boo is such a patient and kind Nanny. I wish I could bring to you the many “Dollar Store” rugs I bought when we raised Daisy deer. Slick-surfaced floors are such a danger to hooved babies. I found the cheap rugs worked very well, and in no time Daisy figured out it was best to stay on the carpet trail that led to the larger carpeted areas of the house.
I think it is a wonderful thing to name Marcel now. It is an act of love and confidence. I waited a month before naming Daisy’s twins because the first month is very crucial to surviving in the wild – and I was afraid. The predation rate is so high during that time. I didn’t want my heart to break if something happened. Well, it did anyway when she lost Rowdy to the bobcat. I won’t wait again. Everyone should be loved and crowned with a beautiful name right away… let the love begin I say!!
What a lovely thought, you are right, even a short life is a good life and deserves a name. Good tip about the rugs too, I shall go to the dollar store when we can get there and see what they have.. He is pretty good on the kitchen floor as it is unfinished, scrubbed pine.. c
“Go, Marcel, go!”
(A little cheering to motivate him not to give up! 😉 )
Loved the humor in some of your photographs today, Celi!
Boo just amazes me,, the way he takes over the care of the orphans is unbelievable… you could write a book about that dog…
Boo and Marcel are adorable. Absolutely adorable. I love his name Marcel. Very French.
Please don’t call Big Dog old thing. I love him too!
I was out shoveling a bit just now and what did I hear but the birds twittering so joyously they have to be telling us spring is just around the corner. They demanded I listen.
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear about your sheep. I would not give up on sheep breeding yet… I would probably get some new lines, though. I read about when you got Mama… I would not put a man like that as one to care about the genetics or health of his herd very much. Personally I would not have bought from a man like that for fear of just these sorts of things, although it was so good of you to rescue Mama out of that situation. So perhaps you can speak with some real sheep people. People who raise their herds on pasture and with lots of love and find a ewe or two who will have good genetics and easy births. Raising animals can be rough sometimes but I have learner through having many many MANY baby bunnies that if things are going wrong a lot it is because something is wrong. And sometimes that something is beyond our control.
#1 What’s wrong with winos?
#2 Don’t you think Boo is extraordinary? Have you ever seen another dog behave like that? What does Marmalade think?
Sorry about your rough weekend.
xo
Marmalade and the lamb touch noses, it is all very sweet.. c
I’m so glad you’re cautiously optimistic, so sorry about his mum and sister. Marcel is sure a cutie pie. We got about 10 cm last night, although the drive wasn’t horrible this morning, I guess we’re finally getting used to the snow.
“Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all without words?”
Oh what a fitting named for him. Yesterday once I saw your comment about Meadow, I was had no words but only emotions. It seemed words were just wrong.
Boo is indeed an amazing little pup… and he is still a pup remember… I wonder what his mum was like with her babies?
Happy Tuesday – – – I wish I could wrap up our weather here in North Texas and send it to you for awhile. 76 is the predicted high today. TOO warm for February! The trees and shrubs will be so confused.
So sorry to hear that Meadow did not make it. Boo must somehow know that Marcel is gonna need a big brother to show him the way! Can’t wait to hear about their adventures!
So sorry about Meadow & Mia(?). Glad about Marcel. I’m sure he’ll do fine with Boo taking care of him. Boo the wonder dog!
Losing Meadow brought back memories for me. It was hard to think about it. My husband and I took turns feeding the bottle lambs and lived with fatigue for weeks. But, is there anything cuter than a little lamb? So trusting and innocent and beautiful. Welcome to the farmy, Marcel.