We have had a major breakthrough on our second day of fostering as these photos hopefully show. This morning we reunited mother and foster daughter and ‘held’ Bressay to allow a VERY hungry ewe-lamb to have a long, long drink. We then considered our options. We agreed we did not want another day of Bressay being tied up or restrained for any length of time but equally we felt that we ought to try some of the other ideas we had been given. One of these, as mentioned yesterday, was to skin the dead lamb and then put the skin on the foster lamb. It was not a pleasant task (for David, Jack got the easier task of getting the lamb to have another drink!) but within a few minutes the lamb was sporting her new ‘coat’. The effect was instant…. Bressay came over and began to sniff and lick and make her ‘bleaty’ mothering sounds. The lamb, obviously highly encouraged by this, headed straight for the teat!! This proved a step too far however and Bressay backed away, only to return within seconds to lick and nuzzle again! This continued for some time with Bressay wanting to explore every inch of her miraculously ‘recovered’ lamb, whilst the lamb just wanted to head the other way and find that udder again.
Nonetheless, this was progress! We left them to it, safe in the knowledge (we hoped) that no harm would be done and fingers crossed as we walked away that some suckling may occur in our absence. Throughout the day we kept popping back, each time making sure that the lamb drank, usually with us having to hold Bressay in a corner or against a side in order for her to be still. At times she was really compliant, at others not quite so, but the lamb got enough to drink and in between times the relationship appeared to be sustained.
Our last check at around midnight was to ensure that the ewe-lamb had as full a belly as possible for the night as we were still not quite convinced Bressay would stand still on her own and allow suckling to take place. Jack quietly went into their pen to find them lying curled up together!! Both got up and then, after a quick stretch, the lamb headed for the teat! Bressay shuffled a bit and moved a bit but then as the lamb kept trying to re-attach, she became stiller and stiller and very soon there was the wonderful sound of slurping and the wonderfully sight of a lamb wagging its tail (lambs always wag their tails when they are drinking - a sign of pure contentment). Collective human breath was held and then after the lamb had finished, she lifted her head up, had a good shake and went back for a second and then a THIRD drink. And each time, Bressay stood still!!!
It was time to retreat and leave them to it, the lamb has been a bit clingy with Jack and we need her to bond exclusively with mum so that these independent suckling sessions occur more and more.
To say we are pleased is a little bit under-stated! Let’s hope tomorrow sees more of the same...