Today I had another lesson in being a shepherdess....This one was a hard one as i lost a lamb. Out to check my ewes about 0630 and the one (Sweet Pea, my registered Romeldale), that had been hanging off to herself on and off yesterday, had a "waterbag" showing.  I came inside, referred to my book on raising sheep, and moved her into a lambing jug and allowed her more time.  On a different level I was stressing as I had been assigned to help out at church this morning and could not plan to leave the ewe.  I had no indication there was a problem with this ewe, but knew church could find someone to cover for me.  it was now 0730. Sweet Pea had finally laid down and was actively pushing.  I reached the entrance, found legs and a nose and assisted minimally to help the lamb out.  I did reach in and felt a couple more feet.  Thinking there was no problem, I left her to work things out on her own after taking a couple pics of the lamb.  My mentor texted me and told me that since I knew there was another lamb in there I should pull it out......and that is where I had trouble.  I could not feel a nose or head to go with the legs and thought the lamb was backward.  Continuing to feel around I found a head..... and still could not figure out how it was attached.  Long story short, I tried to pull and it would not come.  Head was there but twisted around.  My neighbor came to my call (0830) and helped me get the lamb out.  He was a large (13.5 lb) ram lamb that was beautiful......but quite dead. 
Thankfully, ewe roused, and she and the ewe lamb are both doing well.



So, my gracious mentor asked me what I learned from this........
*that water bags showing mean get "em out.......
*waiting for nature to take it's course is not the best plan of action when it comes to lambing
*books are not always the best source of information as they cannot answer questions
*call friends and neighbors for assistance earlier rather than later.  Rather owe them a favor than lose a potentially great animal.
Tomorrow I head to "the valley" to pick up my fiber I sent off earlier this month to Columbia Custom Carding.  A dear friend, another fiber nut, will be taking a couple of her fleece over and we will bring mine back.