was born on March 7, 1998 at Mystic Knoll farm on Whidbey Island. She was of Flett genetics and was named Austria. I visited her farm that summer intending to buy my first sheep Ebony. But this lamb climbed into my lap and won my heart. So on July 25, 1998 I brought both Ebony and Sadie (my nickname for her) home with me as my first sheep. I fairly quickly added a few more sheep including my first ram Loki and a guard llama Swirl and suddenly I was a shepherd.
I bred Sadie for the first time to Loki in 1999 and in the Spring of 2000 Ringo and Rita were born.
Rita and Sadie
In 2002 she lambed with Miss Lizzie and Jude. These lambs were likely conceived on the day Tom and I met, and we still have Miss Lizzie. In 2002 she also moved from my old place to our new farm. Here she is at the old place,
Sadie and Donna in 2002
and here she is at her new home.
Sadie in November 2002
In 2003 we had an unexpected delivery of Eleanor who we found being protected from the rain by Sadie.
Sadie and Eleanor 2003
In 2005 she had Sugar and Spice, and then in 2007 she had Aries and Amanda (who we still have).
Sadie with Aries and Amanda in March 2007
This was her last lambing as she was 9 years old. Here she is in 2009.
Sadie in 2009
In 2013 she went blind and here is a photo of her in 2014.
Blind Sadie in 2014
In her last years I tried to spoil her by keeping her out of the main flock with other elderly sheep and by giving her grain, moistened alfalfa cubes and bread. She really seemed to enjoy this, but in the last couple of days she stopped eating. I put out a warming pad for her so she wouldn’t be cold, but this morning we found her dead.
It is so sad to say goodbye to her, my first sheep. We have been together for so long, and she taught me how to be a good shepherd. She gave me beautiful lambs and lovely moorit wool. She certainly had a long life for a sheep at 17 1/2 years, and I really hope it was a good one.
Sorry to hear this Donna, it is sad to loose an old friend. You took very good care of her and I am sure she had a wonderful life with you and your family. Not many sheep get to live their full lifespan.
Thanks Christine! I sure hope she had a wonderful life.
None of my old ones have gotten CLOSE to that age. Good genes – and good care!
Thanks Michelle! She did have good genes and I tried to give her good care.
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Thanks for sharing with us. Its hard not to miss them….My first were Clark and Shane with 2 older girls from You….girls are gone, Shane continues to be watchful, Clark’s my love…..
Thanks Eliz! I will miss her.
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Oh my 17 and 1/2! It sounds like you are a good shepherd indeed. The old ones are so special but it takes allot of care and concern to keep them well. I can imagine how it would be so hard to see her go, she sounds like a special girl.
Take care,
Tammy
Thanks Tammy! I think it speaks to her resilience more than my shepherding. But you do get attached.
sorry to hear about the loss of Sadie. what a good long life, though! I really like the picture of her sheltering Eleanor.
Thanks Denise! I miss her.
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