Born: Sadly died in August 2007

Gender: Female (Ewe)

Breed: Mixed Breed Sheep

Appearance: Jemima had beautiful “polished” black eyes matching her little black nose (it gave the impression that she had had a dip in the biscuit tin!). She was the smallest of the group and by far the most “polite”, her manners were impeccable.

Personality: Jemima was very sweet and angelic. Whilst the other sheep were frolicking around the field panting like dogs, she spent her time lay down chewing the grass around her. Her sister Lucy was often by her side keeping her company.

Favourite Food: Because of the other 5 rowdy sheep, getting her place at the food trough could be a challenge, making the pellets taste even nicer. Once she had given up the battle of the food trough she couldn't resist a nibble of the dock leaves, she could reach through the fence next door!

Habits: Jemima (nicknamed Jemmy) loved to spend the day eating with her sister Lucy – then having cuddles with us! She had the most beautifully unique bleat. Because of her immobility she had a special little place just by the style nearest to the house where she always used to lie. We really miss her there and are putting a plaque there to mark her special little place.

Naughtiest Moments: Nothing – she was an angel!

The day we had to have Jemima put to sleep, by Laura

Sad news has struck the farm after an unfortunate event on the 31st of August, Jemima the beautiful pet sheep had to be put to sleep. Her arthritis was taking over her life making it virtually impossible for her to stand up and walk around, it got worse every day. Seeing her stumble around in the field made you really feel for her, it broke our hearts.

On the morning of the day, we had to put her in the boot of the car, lying on a blanket. As the car started to move she “bleated” her unique sound until she finally calmed down. I sat in the back seat stroking her, whispering messages to her, seeing how she was. None of us wanted her put down but to a responsible owner, it matters what is best for the animal no matter how much it hurts the owner.

We arrived at the vets and cuddled Jemima until the vet came. She bleated softly, enjoying the company of us but not knowing what was going on. We took her out of the car and as she is too heavy for John to carry, she limped over to a garage. We put her on a collar and lead as she sniffed around at the boxes and objects as we hugged her and gently began to speak to her. The vet came. She talked about how there was nothing that we could do to make her better, and putting her down would be the right thing to do. We said our last goodbyes though tears were running down all of our cheeks, she gave the last bleat we would ever hear from hear from her mouth.

The vet took her and she stood at the door, looking at us, thinking where we were going without her. Tissues were soaked up in tear water. I felt I couldn't leave her, it felt harder than I could have possibly imagined. We walked away, as hard as it was, our hearts bleeding. I said through my tears “I can’t leave her”, it turned into a whisper, then a thought that would stay in my head forever. Rest In Peace Jemima, our little darling.

Laura

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