We were happy to see today that both Zelda and Griselle are looking stronger and healthier. Both of them revealed protruding ribs and small stomachs after being shorn, and both are old.

We were wondering if either one could make it through the winter this year. So far so good. Zelda has lost almost all of her teeth, she was weakening because she probably can’t grind the hay.

Griselle was rescued after years of neglect, her wool had matted, it had been so long since she was shorn. So every afternoon we get the two of them into the Pole Barn alone (now they come running in there as soon as they see us) and keep the donkeys and other sheep out.

Red can’t help us so we use our bodies and the gates. We are giving them a cup of grain a day now.

Their stomachs are filling out, their ribs are receding, they are alert and moving much better. Zelda in particular was getting weak, she was lying down away from the other sheep for much of the day.

Now she is getting back to normal. I don’t know if we can grain them forever, especially in the winter.

We’ll see what happens, but this looks and feels good so far.