Jenna Woginrich rushed to the rescue Sunday when Maria’s first wool sheep, Tess, collapsed and was not able to stand up. I thought of the large animal vet, but the vets seem to struggle with sheep problems. Lots of money, medications, dead sheep in my experience. Jenna (Cold Antler Farm) came roaring into the driveway in her big truck, emerging with her lunchbox filled with candles, syringes, medications and potions. When Jenna saw on the blog that Tess was sick, she e-mailed me warily, knowing my resistance to unsought advice.

But we were in trouble, and I knew it. I was glad to see Jenna, touched by the sense of friendship and community she brought – very vital things on a farm – and Jenna diagnosed Tess in a nano-second. We have been giving her shots of penicillin and this morning when we came into the barn with Red – he holds her in place while we catch her and give her the shots – Tess was on her feet, complaining, wanting hay. Maria’s smile lit up the whole barn. Tess is almost her old self. Maria gave her another shot (above) and she’s still a bit wobbly but almost her old self. She’ll stay in the barn for a couple of days and then rejoin her two daughters in the pasture. Thanks, Jenna, you know your stuff and you have a heart the size of Minnesota.