New Baby reindeer to my herd

We are all heart sick along with you that you continue to face such devastating losses. I'm so sorry.

 

My heart is breaking for you Karen. I've been sobbing like a baby over here in the states....of the loss of your darling boy Hector. Yes it was incredibly sad to lose the others, but I know he was your "heart" baby. I'm saying prayers and good wishes for the rest of your herd and you & hubby.
I'm just too sad to write anymore....please know we all loved and adored Hector.

 

Hi I just want to let you know I don't think it is any thing that you have done. I know that you have done ever thing to help all of the beautiful animals. I do Pray for them as all life is special.
HUGS
happycallie.

 

Karen - I hate to say this...but I know you cannot lose another...but do you think some other sinister plot is going on? I remember sometime in the past you were having problems with someone and the reindeer. I might call the police to check on that person and what he/she has been up to this past week. I'm sorry to put this out there.....I just can't imagine how well you look after your reindeer that these healthy, happy ones are lost.

 

I have taken a video of herd this morning for you. Luckily the move to the hay meadow hasn't upset tummies - you even get proof of that from baby Belle (aren't you lucky seeing a reindeer having a poop! ). They all seem fine but the vigil continues so not much time here. You will hardly recognise the babies as they have changed so much with my lack of usual posts. New head collars have arrived from States but haven't put them on yet as I am just watching for any tiny changes in behaviour - when handled normal behaviour changes for a while particularly with any that are slightly nervous (which babies are when handled).
A massive thank you to everyone and particularly to Lilaclady & Sandollar, the flowers were beautiful but you shouldn't have. xxxx
Video not great but just to let you see that they look fine but then again the last photo of Hector on here grazing was the very last one taken of him only hours before he died... so who knows.
For the first time ever I dread going out to see them but I have to move on and believe the answer has been found and this will be the end of this horrendous time. xx

 

Thank you Karen for taking the time to share your video with us (poop and all).
Fingers crossed, all be well!!! Hugs, from across the pond.

 

I also thank you for sharing the video. You are more than welcome for the flowers. I am still upset about Hector and am so glad that I got to meet such a wonderful reindeer, and that I will always have a little piece of him to keep - thank you!

 

Karen "Thank you for sharing your wonderful herd with us all!" I only hope the flowers brought you a little sunshine, if only for a moment!
@Lilaclady, you are the kindest person I have never met! I hope you treasure your memories of happier times and our Hector!

 

I am so sorry to hear of the losses. I have no words to express the sadness I feel for you and your herd. I hope the change of fields works.

 

Really sorry everyone, I forgot, didn't think etc. etc. to take photo's today but think there are quite a few people that have taken my herd to heart (Thank you so much for that, it means the World, especially at difficult times). School report... Please Try Harder.. ).
Thought some may want an update. They all seem well happy and playful, mostly. Jeeves has patches of seeming a little down still and he continues to be a worry but not for the issues the adults have had but not now having a mother to protect him... At feed times my reindeer jostle from trough to trough as I put out their pellets, Jeeves follows and munches in the initial chaos. Luckily I see that early quick eating as once the rest have decided which trough to settle to he lays down not eating (and a real worry) but once many have had their fill he gets up and starts munching again. Other babies eat beside their mothers and mothers push other adults away.
I have put extra feeding station out but the big ones just rotate so that hasn't helped - he gets his feed but after the others have finished.
I often see him grazing on his own now, although a few days ago he was sticking close to Twig or Katya... That could be a good thing or to be honest it worries me.
He isn't "out of the woods" yet & it is now a week since he lost his mother. I think/hope he will make it but his well being has different/extra challenges to the rest of the herd..
I have to take everyday, a day at a time...
Still dreading going to check on them but feeling slightly more confident that I may have found the issue with adult losses.... BUT who knows, only 3 days since I lost Hector and the next curved ball ma be coming my way if m guess is wrong. .
Tomorrow I will put my head in gear and try to take some pictures for you..
Love and hugs to all that have held my virtual hand. xxxx

 

Thank you Karen for all you have on your plate, you muster up the strength to keep us informed!
Fingers crossed for little Jeeves and hopefully he will be ok! I must admit it is sad to think of him by himself! Bless him and you!

 

Karen, I don't think you need to apologise for not taking photos. I can't speak for everyone else but as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather know that you're taking care of yourself and your reindeers right now than see more photos. Not that I don't like the cute photos

 

I agree with Shimmer, much better to be taking care of yourself and your babies than worry about not taking photos. Please give little Jeeves an extra hug from me, and tell him not to let the others push him around at feeding time!!!

 

I WILL take photo's tomorrow.. Today I was slightly more confident about herd health, so interfered a little with babies. I removed Freddy's baby head collar and gave him the next size up of "proper reindeer head collar" which arrived from USA a few days ago. Storm has had his first head collar... don't tell him BUT Freddy's cast off. Tigga and Jeeves need new head collars on... maybe tomorrow but I never set a day with these minor handling issues. I will have them in my back pocket for a few days and wait for a time when I can catch babies with the least amount of stress..
Hoping, wanting, to be back on track now & just dealing with herd behaviour/creating minimum stress. etc. I'm trying to be positive that the nightmare is over (and I have found cause rather than rubbish ideas from my young vets that don't enquire beyond their text books!) Pre losing Ana I was just going on vet recommendations and I still lost Ana & Hector... We'll see but I hope I have found cause...

 

Karen- Yes, please do not worry about sending pic's or videos!!! Your herd's health and wellbeing is much more important!! In the sorrow of losing your 3, I must of missed what was the cause?

p.s. I so greatly admire your strength and resiliance through all of this.

 

Karen - Due to a busy few days I have not looked at the forum. I am heartbroken over the loss of Hector, and trusting you have indeed found the cause. Love and blessings to you and the reindeer for happier days from now on.

 

I am so sorry about Hector
I can't believe what you have been through recently! In Greece when so many bad things happen at once people usually call a priest and he comes and says prayers and wishes for a better future and for all the bad luck to go away.

 

I'm back to taking silly photos
All seem well, although Jeeves is still a little worry but he's managed 8 days without his mother, so fingers crossed.

Jeeves blue head collar, Tigga red.
Freddy in his new "Big Boy" head collar.

And Storm in his first (don't tell him, it's Freddy cast off!).

Happy photos. We have to bounce back for the sake of the others.

 

Beautiful photos! Love little Jeeves face, looks as though he is saying "this is my friend!"

 

I all the pictures and I am glad to see the rest of the reindeers happy