[Jacob-list] wethering lambs

[Kristi Murdock]

  Mary Spahr wrote: 
  Am I being overly concerned and protective of our lambs?   

  Mary, I wouldn't do it.  I think it is a terrible mistake to pull healthy babies off of healthy moms just to tamper with their socialization process and make them into something they were never intended to be.  We all do whatever we can to save orphans or other babies whose mamas won't accept them, but even then I think it is a real mistake to encourage them to see us as their parents.  You end up with critters who think they're human, and their innocent affection and playfulness can be dangerous to folks who forget -- or don't know or understand -- that these aren't "normal" animals.  Or you have people who only interact with these abnormal animals and then can't understand why all <fill in the breed> don't act that way.  

  I love my critters for what they are.  I would characterize all of mine as "pets," really... I feel a great deal of affection for them, and so enjoy watching them go about their lives around me.  I don't know how they "feel" about me, but they seem glad to see me (and not just when I'm feeding) and will voluntarily be close to me and share my space and accompany me around the farm, and I can't imagine why anyone would want anything more.

  Just my $.02

  Kristi Murdock
  Wild Ridge Farm
  Toddville, IA

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