Jackie O

It's been a difficult and sad week for us. Jackie has passed away.
She had just turned 10 years old, appeared in good health but for unforseen circumstances took a turn for the worse rather quickly from Sunday to Monday. She had reduced her feed intake but still wanted grain until Tuesday morning. I called our vet but he was on an emergency call and couldn't get to us in time. I reached another local vet who was able to eventually come but by then Jackie was down and she and I were only able to hang on to each other and say our goodbyes.

This was an act of nature. Old age and grace. For all of us.
 Unexpected. But then, what are the rules for dying? 

It was a wonderful 10 years.
In July of 2002 Jackie arrived (front left) as a lamb.
She had travelled across the country from Washington with Crystal (front right),
with a layover in Ohio where she joined with Memphis (rear).
These were my first CVM/Romeldales and I was so excited.
This was their first morning after we brought them home from Ohio.

From these first days I called her Jackie O. She was beautiful, mysterious and

very hard to get close to. I was bound to take that fear away.

She was a stunning ewe. Her sire was Dud. He has since passed but had

quite the reputation as a ladies man around the country. The earlier years

for CVM/Romeldales always had a Dud in the pedigree.
Oh,  for those genetics again. Her markings are classic CVM and for
every category from fleece to lambing to dispostion she met the mark
with high honors.

Here she is with her

newborn twins. Alert and attentive.

And her lambs loved her, always nearby.

She took the time to teach the ways of sheepdom.

Building happy lambs.

Always Jackie gifted us with funny faces.

Always she was a joy.

We were lucky to be in Jackie's midst these past 10 years.

Her spirit soars high above the farm now

and despite the earthly grief this week

she has managed to wipe our

tears away.

Til we meet again dear Jackie O.