Dr. John McDermott – you may remember him from Simon’s death – from the Granville Large Animal Service came to check on Robin, give him some shots and put a band around his tail to remove it more humanely than I usually do.

He said Robin is 100 percent healthy. He said worming is selective, not automatic, and we should hold off, keep the pastures mowed instead.

Dr. McDermott gave Robin tetanus and penicillin shots and said we should wait a couple of months before neutering him.

He put two bands on his tail to “dock” it – yes, some people think this banding is cruel and painful.

Done properly, it isn’t.

Sheep’s tails are docked because fecal matter gathers around the anus, and in warm weather, draws flies and parasites. It gets pretty nasty under there.

The banding cuts off blood to the tail, and it falls off within seven to 10 days. No blood, no heated tail docker. It feels much like an elastic band feels on a finger.

Robin shows no signs of even noticing the band; he went to work getting some mother’s milk and then lay down to take a lap with her under the heat lamp, which he loves.

Laurie has built a soft nest for him on straw and hay.

Dr. McDermott, who has cared for our animals for some years, charged $168 for the visit. He is worth it.

We are proud about how we responded to the discovery of this frightened and frozen little wretch, we let him out of his little stall, and he was hopping and exploring all over the place.

When lambs get that sick and are abandoned by their mother, they usually die. We lucked out.

Maria got a great, fun video of Robin feeling his oats and acting like a lamb.

Dr. McDermott is returning in two weeks to check on the banding and give our flock their rabies and tetanus shots. Then we’ll make another appointment for the neutering.

Robin was a trooper, he let Maria hold him throughout, and he stayed calm and only complained a bit.

This exam felt especially good. I didn’t think Robin had much of a chance of surviving when I first saw him. Dr. McDermott was amazed that our vanilla extract plan worked. He said he hadn’t heard that before. I suggested that Maria put extract on Robin’s butt and Laurie’s nose.

When she recognized what she smelled of him, she fell for it and assumed it was her baby. After that, she was a great mother.

We were not planning to lamb, and we are not planning to lamb again.

But this has turned out to be a sweet, almost miraculous experience, and we are very grateful for it. I love watching the nurturer and whisperer come out in Maria. The animals love and trust her a great deal.

I did notice the donkeys are getting a little jealous. She hasn’t had much attention this week. Life is an amazing thing.