My Reason(s) for Missing MFF......
0 Comments Published by Kim Nikolai on August 16, 2008 at 8:26 AM.
I had to miss the Michigan Fiber Festival this year. I'm a little bummed that I will miss seeing many of my friends that I only get to see each year because of the festival. But there was a reason for missing it this year. Emily had puppies on Thursday. Even though it isn't a completely happy event I have to admit that her puppies turned out adorable. You see, it was an accidental breeding. When I traveled to WY in June to see a friend and deliver some sheep to her I left Emily at home because she was coming into heat. I was also traveling with Rabb and because my friend Susan also had two intact male Border Collies at her house I thought it best.
Emily had 6 puppies in the litter, all males. The father of the litter is Kaiser, my son's Pit Bull. I've been worried about what to do with these puppies since we knew of their impending arrival. First immediately after the "accident" we looked into "morning after" shot(s) and learned that here in the US they had been taken off of the market. Then we considered aborting the litter but in order to do so we had to be certain she was pregnant. We did an ultrasound on her at 26 days and confirmed that she was indeed pregnant. But even before this when I got home from WY with Rabb, I allowed him to also breed her thinking if she had to go through a pregnancy maybe we could also get some pure bred pups in the litter. So when I got the results of the ultrasound I couldn't have the abortion done. We then talked about putting the pups down if they were crossbred. I knew I couldn't personally do this but my DH said he could. I thought differently because of the emotional bond between him and Emily. The ultimate decision is I can't allow it. So, I've contacted a friend of my daughter who has connections with someone involved with the Pit Bull Rescue organization. She is going to help us we hope in finding quality homes with people who can responsibly raise these puppies.
BTW, we do have hope that these puppies will inherit the excellent temperaments of their parents. Emily has a calmer personality which is different in my opinion of the majority of the Border Collies that I've come across. And even though I haven't met many Pit Bulls I've lived with Kaiser for the past 2 years and I know for certain that he isn't aggressive towards people. That doesn't mean he wouldn't be if someone were to become aggressive toward us though. He has fit into our family quite well and we are all very comfortable with him being part of our family. I only wish my son would allow us to have him neutered........
Emily had 6 puppies in the litter, all males. The father of the litter is Kaiser, my son's Pit Bull. I've been worried about what to do with these puppies since we knew of their impending arrival. First immediately after the "accident" we looked into "morning after" shot(s) and learned that here in the US they had been taken off of the market. Then we considered aborting the litter but in order to do so we had to be certain she was pregnant. We did an ultrasound on her at 26 days and confirmed that she was indeed pregnant. But even before this when I got home from WY with Rabb, I allowed him to also breed her thinking if she had to go through a pregnancy maybe we could also get some pure bred pups in the litter. So when I got the results of the ultrasound I couldn't have the abortion done. We then talked about putting the pups down if they were crossbred. I knew I couldn't personally do this but my DH said he could. I thought differently because of the emotional bond between him and Emily. The ultimate decision is I can't allow it. So, I've contacted a friend of my daughter who has connections with someone involved with the Pit Bull Rescue organization. She is going to help us we hope in finding quality homes with people who can responsibly raise these puppies.
BTW, we do have hope that these puppies will inherit the excellent temperaments of their parents. Emily has a calmer personality which is different in my opinion of the majority of the Border Collies that I've come across. And even though I haven't met many Pit Bulls I've lived with Kaiser for the past 2 years and I know for certain that he isn't aggressive towards people. That doesn't mean he wouldn't be if someone were to become aggressive toward us though. He has fit into our family quite well and we are all very comfortable with him being part of our family. I only wish my son would allow us to have him neutered........
These handsome guys are available as your next flock sire! I'm getting out of horned shetlands and will be concentrating on producing polled shetlands from now on. All three are spotted and modified. Which will you choose?
Update: Banning is sold!
P.S. There is a fourth one hidden in there but he isn't spotted and isn't interested at this time in becoming your next flock sire. ;-)
This beautiful moorit yearling ewe is sired by North Wind James (F1 Jamie) and out of Locksfield Brigid. She was not exposed to a ram last fall so she did not lamb this spring. Both parents are modified and I believe Abbie is actually fawn. Abbie is for sale for $300.
Born May 31st, 2008 to Kimberwood Snickers (Justalit'l Kit Kat X Li'lCountry Rugger) and Kimberwood Harrison (Sheltrgpines Tullia X Sheltrgpines Charlemagne AI):
Kimberwood Nut Goodie
katmoget/gulmoget ram lamb
Goodie has some deep depressions where he would normally have horn spots. I'm hopeful that he may be fully polled. I'm still trying to decide if he is fawn or grey. He'll need to grow some to tell I think.
Kimberwood Nut Goodiekatmoget/gulmoget ram lamb
Goodie has some deep depressions where he would normally have horn spots. I'm hopeful that he may be fully polled. I'm still trying to decide if he is fawn or grey. He'll need to grow some to tell I think.
Labels: 08 Lambs
Almost ready! We have just a bit of fencing to do to get the system up and running. It's located behind our barn in the ewe's paddock.
And for those who have been asking.....lambs!
One of our North Country Mule Ewes with her 3/4 BFL ewe lambs.
And for those who have been asking.....lambs!
One of our North Country Mule Ewes with her 3/4 BFL ewe lambs.
A NCC Mule ram lamb.
A Shetland Mule ewe lamb
You'd think after taking 40 pics I'd have more to share!
A Shetland Mule ewe lambYou'd think after taking 40 pics I'd have more to share!
Labels: Handling System
It may be a little difficult to see but this is our new handling system! All 1300+ pounds of it! Fortunately we have a very nice young man (Thanks a million Travis!) who lives next door to us who was kind enough to come over with a bobcat to unload this from the semi parked on the road in front of our house today (or I very well might have had an aching back!). I can't wait to unwrap this and get it all set up. The sheep have no idea what is in store for them.
Okay so I might still have one more aching back coming my way while we get it all set up......
Okay so I might still have one more aching back coming my way while we get it all set up......
