Zelda is our oldest sheep, and one of our most beloved. She was a hell-raiser when she came to the farm eight or nine years ago, she jumped fences, led spectacular breakouts and knocked me (and Red) down more than once.
She was the smartest and most independent sheep I have known. Zelda is dying. She is unable to chew on grass or hay because she has no teeth to grind the food, we are feeding her grain every day, she is lying down, sometimes on her side, most of the day.
I’ve been living with sheep for more than a decade, and she is clearly fading. The question we face is, is she suffering? Should we euthanize her?
Maria and I are both agreed that she should not go through another winter, if she hasn’t died by October we will put her down. The next question is whether to have the vet do it, or whether I should simply shoot her.
I’ve done this a dozen times or so, and I believe the most human path for a farm animal is to be put down by someone he or she knows and in a familiar place. Strangers with needles are a stressful way for her to go.
When one of our sheep dies, we take it out into the deep woods (with permission) and live it for the coyotes and other predators, paying it forward.
I feel it’s time to put Zelda down, I think she is suffering. Maria isn’t ready, and I respect that. We both have to agree on something like this or it doesn’t happen.
Of the choices, I prefer to shoot her, I feel it’s my responsibility. I couldn’t do this with a horse or donkey or a dog. But I can do it with sheep. I’ve done it enough so I know how to do it very quickly and humanely.
I think it is the most humane solution. My best guess is that Zelda might well die of her own accord any day now. But she is tough and resilient, so I can’t say for sure.
Zelda has had a great life, and has been a great sheep for us. If she deteriorates further – she spends much of the day lying on her side – I think Maria will be ready for her to leave us.
We won’t put her through another upstate winter.
Sad, but not only sad.
I am grateful to Zelda, she has been a great animal for us, full of spirit and life. I am sorry her lamb died just after birth, I think she would have loved been a great mother.
Jon, I raised sheep from the age of 5 with my father and then by myself after I was married, 59 years totaled. We had to put down many sheep and lambs over that time; it is not a pleasant thing to do, but one that is necessary, as you know so well. I maintain that if I were going to raise sheep, then I needed to be able to put them down, when necessary. It was never a decision taken lightly. I have always loved sheep, and I couldn’t bear to have them suffer. One thing I did learn from a fellow shepherd, is that sheep need to have their teeth floated just as horses (and donkeys) do. I had one ewe, 12 years of age, who stopped eating. She would go to the feed trough to eat, stand there, and then lie down in a corner of the barn. I called our vet, telling her to bring her pony floats. This ewe had jagged molars, the points cutting her tongue and sides of her mouth. After her teeth were floated, she began eating again, put on a lot of weight, became pregnant and gave me a beautiful set of 12 lb. twins. She was enjoying her life once more. Sadly, arthritis kept her from moving the way she needed, getting up and down were obviously excruciating, so I shot her. Never did I take any joy from doing this, as I know you understand well. It is part of life on a farm and responsibility to the animals we raise. People in towns and cities will never comprehend this, and I learned it is useless to try to explain it to them; there is simply no point of reference that we share. I add that I am also a retired professional nurse, spending the other part of my life healing humans. Quite a dichotomy.
Elisabeth – this is a wise post (and you spell your name the wish I did!!).
I was thinking that any sheep whose person is willing to shoot them so they don’t even suffer the moment of a stranger coming and the fear that intrusion creates is a lucky sheep. You said it well. Too many people deny the importance of the harder parts of the equations.
I’m fortunate that I learned to euthanize my animals at home (or let them die naturally when warranted). I even found that when we dug their hole in advance as part of the process of letting go, the animals seemed even calmer (it was a bit weird but we found digging holes after the fact harder). Perhaps the intention of love and letting go helped.
I heal animals and humans, the former have always been easier for me!
Quality of her life…..thats the important question. Is she in pain?
Maybe – if she is lying down standing up isn’t comfortable anymore?
Humans can adjust to loss……Zelda accepts to what is in front of her and if its pain and discomfort, maybe it is time.
Its harder for humans to watch the discomfort day in and day out – a quick bullet is the most humane ending possible.