Late March, mid-April, early Spring time, I am getting ready to Lamb with my nana but she’s getting older. Now I am left on the farm. During lambing season on my own, some nights are cold and icey. I am walking and feeding everyone and making sure the water hasn’t frozen over, then, all of a sudden, she goes south, falls over, almost dead. What did I do? Was it the water or hay? I must save the lab right now, call—no-no—call for help—no, I kneel a trashbag, gloves, scissors, knife, cleaning, sucker, everything. Is she really gone? What will nana think of me? Do I put her on ice? Save the lamb, let’s start the cut, how far do I cut? Where do I start to cut? Am I okay to cut? No one here but the other lambs, oh well, I am going from the chest. Not too deep, my first c-section, do I cut that sack or this sack? Wow, two baby eyes, still warm, cpr great. Do I put her on ice? Now I know how to lamb.
Canepa is a student within the Inside Out Program for West Chester University’s JRN399 course.