It has been much too painful to share this news with you about the loss of sweet Bitsy, who passed away quietly in the wee hours of the morning on May 20th. She was one the most precious beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, at first very needy, eventually lovable, always investigative and cautious, but as sweet as they come. Even the chickens loved her.
She came to me as a 3-month old lamb, withdrawn and sickly due to the lack of the essential ‘immune building’ colostrum from her mother that passed away right after giving birth to her.
Animal Acres rescued hundreds of sheep and goats that were abandoned on a farm in Southern California, many who were barely alive. These three clowns arrived at my farm in No. Arizona in 2005.
Bitsy was my favorite from the beginning, she was needy and withdrawn, but I was able to bottle feed her to help her to gain strength. I’m fairly certain it was the bottle feeding that bonded us, because each time I’d go out to feed she came running, crying out for her meal, and making me feel even more needed than ever – I mean, a woman with no children feeling needed – is there anything better?!
The vet that visited shortly after their arrival warned me that she would struggle with illness most of her life because she missed that precious fluid that mothers provide to offer health to their offspring.
She did struggle, she coughed all the time as a young lamb, and was never as playful as the others. But she made it through 12 healthy and glorious years with me… through hikes in the forest, many, many trips and moves, and other adventures that I wouldn’t have wanted to share without her. She was exceptional as a friend… and who couldn’t love this face.
She passed away from a major infection that occurred in her teat – we gave her pain med’s, plenty of antibiotics and lots and lots of love, but it was just too fierce to erradicate.
I found her in her little safe space in her shelter in the early morning, just before sunrise. It relieves my pain a little knowing she wasn’t alone, she was with her buddies, Joey, Andy, and Amy.
I will miss her always – that face and that silly investigative character of hers. She was always the one that could find an escape route out of any shelter, fence, or enclosure… and of course, she took everyone with her. She was fearless and brave and I have no doubt that she loved me very much.
She was loved by all of us too – the others obviously miss her too. They cling to me more than normal needing extra love. (Front to back: Andy, Amy, Bitsy and JoJo). Bitsy checking me out.
Goodbye Bits – I hope you are running free in a beautiful pasture with trees for shade, and there is plenty of delicious grass, grain, apples, and love. I love you and will always miss your sweet self.
FARM ANIMAL HAVEN SANCTUARY 