Rowan was one of our elderly retired ewes. Yes, that is unfortunately past tense because she died Monday. I just came back from some final touches to her grave. I’m going to miss her.
She had some of the most wonderful Shetland sort of fleece, with a double coat, long staple, and velvety soft. She was a great mother, and had the most beautiful lambs!
This was the last live lamb she had, a wonderful little guy with moorit colored fleece.
His mama took good care of him.
The year before that she had a lovely little white ram lamb. We didn’t have many white lambs. Shetlands have such a variety of beautiful colors, it seemed a shame to do much breeding for white.
I called him Casper. It seemed appropriate.
In her prime, Rowan was apt to have twins. She always had plenty of milk for them. And they were always such beautiful lambs, too!
The lamb on the left ended up with shaela colored fleece (dark steely-grey, like black frost), and the lamb on the right is moorit (dark reddish brown).
And did I mention what a wonderful, patient mother she was?
I mean really, REALLY patient!
She never seemed to mind when her lambs used her for a jungle gym.
And Rowan was even a good babysitter! There would often be other lambs hanging out with hers.
Being of friendly disposition, Rowan also got along with her fellow sheep. Here she is with a couple of her fellow retired buddies this last spring, not too awfully long after being sheared.
Here they are later in the summer, after their wool grew out a little.
She had wonderful fleece, gave birth to beautiful lambs, was a good mother with plenty of milk, had a good disposition. . . what more can you ask from a sheep? She deserved her retirement and I enjoyed having her around.
I’m really going to miss her.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
The Lord is my shepherd ……………. surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thanks for sharing the pictures and some stories of her life. Me who’s never had a sheep am feeling sad with you ………….. it sounds like she was a wonderful sheep!
Rest in peace, Rowan.
Shepherds don’t like to lose their sheep. . .
Thanks for the kind comments. Of course, since they are elderly retired sheep, I know this will happen. but I still don’t like it.
Hi there,
I would be out there probably sleeping by her grave. I too get very attached to animals. I was once told that I liked animals more than humans. You know in some ways they are more friendly, loyal, kind, trusting, gentile and loving than humans. Sometimes I think that if humans were to really watch animals then they could take some lessons from them. You are a good shepherd. She is at peace and had a wonderful life with you. May the Lord bless you and give you the comfort you need. Marlene
What beautiful sheep, and what nice memories you have of her. I love the picture with the baby on her pack — what a patient mama.
Hi Marlene. She was a special ewe, and I do miss her. It was hard when I had to get rid of most of the flock, so I hate losing the elderly ladies I have left even more.
Statch – yes, she was quite patient. Those little lambs crawled all over her. That picture of her with the lamb on her back is one of my favorites.
What a beautiful tribute to your sweet Rowan. She was an incredible girl, mama, and peaceful friend. Such beautiful babies she had! Love all the pictures. I’m sorry she’s gone – I can imagine how she will be missed! You are a very good shepherd.
Hi T- I was so saddened learning of your loss. As I was looking at the pictures and reading your tribute it reminded me of a loss I had recently of a dear friend much like your Rowan.Webster was always there for me,….under the covers keeping my feet warm, sitting in my lap as soon as I would sit down, lick the tears off my face if I was having a really bad day. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him. I miss him dearly. Sure, he was only a Pug. But you know what? I think I loved him more than my children….I am sure that Rowan is looking down upon you and smiling….saying thank you for the love and care and the wonderful life she had with you. When I have trouble falling asleep at night , counting sheep, I will keep a lookout for Rowen and tell her that she is missed and still so very loved. Blessing and peace to you and yours…..T
I do try to be a good shepherd. I wish I felt like having a HUGE flock of sheep! I miss lambing season and stuff.
Toni, sorry to hear about your loss of Webster. It’s tough to lose such a close buddy!