Deniliquin: Andy had a little lamb

Mum, can I keep her? Pleeeaaase?

Andy has shown himself to be quite the sheep farmer (who would have known). He currently has 85 sheep called Dorpers on Kintyre. When we arrived they were all big as houses and a few weeks off "lambing". From day one, Rob has taken a liking to the sheep and has been responsible for feeding them and moving them around the different paddocks (under Andy's strict supervision of course). These tasks usually involve a ute, tractor and/or motorbike so Jarvis has been pretty keen to go with his dad to 'help out'.

A few weeks ago the lambs started to arrive. It was a tricky start and quite a few died or were killed by foxes. But as the weather turned warmer and the boys went out on nightly spotlighting expeditions (armed and probably dangerous) more and more of the lambs survived. There are several sets of twins and a couple of triplets. They are the cutest little things and the kids (and adults) have taken delight in watching the lambs grow and start to frolic.

The latest addition to the flock has been two alpacas. Apparently alpacas are very protective of the sheep flock and will assist with protecting them against the foxes. Whatever their use, they are awesome, especially when they run.

A couple of days ago, however, we had another fox or maybe dog attack. This time the lamb was still alive so Rob brought her inside and we nursed her back to health and although we tried to reunite her with her mother she has remained orphaned and so has become part of the household. Her name is Gertie Girl. We bottle feed her several times a day. When she first came out of the paddock she lived in front of the fire (we even put a nappy on her) but once she was strong enough she migrated to the chook shed at night time. During the day she wanders around the lawn and plays with the kids.

Rob now wants to have sheep... oh dear, let's add it to the list.