A day of mixed emotions, both…happy & sad. Castlekeep Jude left for his new home on Wednesday. A gentle buck… like his sire CH Castlekeep FanDango. Jude the giant strawberry blond buck with head wrinkles like I have never seen before on a kid of 6 months…just like a “big buck”.
I remember his birthday, (February 23, 2017), like it was yesterday. I was praying. I was crying. This was not going well. This was turning out to be a scary one. (turns out…The kind I fear. The giant single buckling – add Full Breach). I needed to get in control of myself and focus only on Idelia. She had been contracting hard for too long (30 minutes) and no results. Thank God that Phil came out to check on us. We needed his help. He is my “Holder” on call. There were no options. It was discovery time. She was exhausted but was still was pushing hard but still no show. I’ll give her another couple of minutes -she’s a big doe – 180 + when she’s not pregnant. Finally, we got the bubble…and then I broke it and the clock began to tick even faster. Oh God. I feel a tail…it’s a butt, I feel a tail! …. NO! NO! NO! Push up and back in, and get in there, trace a leg, find a foot, pray….got it, bend …& fold it in…support the joint move it back toward me, slide to the hoof, gently move it out…hold onto it with one hand…TIME is ticking…trace another leg…time is ticking….find it…bend it, fold it in and under and slip it back toward me, support the joint slide down to grab the hoof…pray…got it! Got em’ both! I remember thinking it’s been too much time. I took way too much time. This baby will be dead. Can’t survive this. I was talking to myself and pulling harder than I thought I was capable of. Don’t tear her… pull downwards and out with her push… all of my strength, everything…”to save Idelia”. I looked up at Phil as he held onto Idelia “I am pulling this baby apart – it will be dead” -” it will be dead”. “I am so sorry Idelia”, “gotta get this baby out right now”. …AND THEN…. OUT HE CAME, slapping down on the straw with his full weight. Then the unexpected happened… Jude took his first sputter & gasp! Stunned, I gripped those slippery back feet swung him upside down…fluid flowing. The rest is history and all is Only by God’s Grace.
I am thinking of Jude today…and about our next kidding season. A time of great anticipation, fear, joy….and when it’s complete…relief. Relief & beautiful kids to feed and joy to experience as they stand for the first time, discover their legs, the jumping and the hopping and the twister time in the air. Well….all of you know – you’ve been there…you’ve done that. I’m already saying prayers for an easy kidding season next spring – as of today – I’ve never had one season without challenges. You know, you’ve been there.
Well, anyway…. Damn the torpedo’s and full speed ahead…It’s time to get thru breeding season first!
Don’t you just love the “dance”. This must all be some magical form of insanity!
Loved the story. If we only knew half as much as you about these awesome creatures of God. We do love our Nubians. They are such givers of love. Thank you for all that you do for the breed. Will come see you when I am recovered from my 2nd knee replacement in 10 days. Have a great week. Hugs my friend. Randy & Carolyn Rogers.
Thank you for your lovely comments! I learn something new every single day out here and read everything I can – still feel like I am such a novice. I had a great mentor my first year & Jen taught me so much – forever grateful to her. Glad to hear your first knee has done well….and you are on to the other. Prayers for a speedy recovery. See you soon!
Lovely story and so glad it turned out okay. Always I look forward to it, but still, birth time is always frought with danger and worry and joy and sometimes sadness too. Usually lack of sleep, food and nerves. Getting up in the middle of the night to make sure the barn cam is facing correctly, trekking through the snow and sometimes blizzards.
Aw, who are we kidding, we love kidding season! Tears, fears and all.
Thanks for the story. Cool reading.
Thank you Carolyn! It was a scary day for sure but a real blessing in the end. Guess I should have mentioned that Idelia recovered from all that after a few days of rest and was back to her arrogant self. I think it took me longer to recover than it did her LOL!