A funeral at 354. OBITUARY

 

I identified with Lambretta.  He was one of us.

Lambretta arrived at 354 Blue Rock Road 4 months ago.  Mum had rejected him, so he'd got off to a wobbly start.  When we left the adoption meeting with him, he sat in the back of the car looking out of the window wondering where he was going.  He arrived with only what he was wearing, no suitcase, just an oversized sheepskin coat, a bit like a football manager of the 1970s.  He was young and wrinkly, about 5 days old.

 At the orphanage were Lambrusco and Lamborghini.  They were 'besties' and they didn't want anyone to break up their group.  For the first 2 days Lambretta was bullied, but he found a way to calm them down and they were soon all good friends.  He joined in the fun.

 “Besties” at the orphanage.

 Lambretta often, but not always, sat at the back of the class.  He did have a degree of ADHD, but his new friends learnt to tolerate it and play along.

He was a bit of a loner, and very clever.  He'd sometimes sit at the same table as his mates but often he'd find a separate one and quietly sit and look at the view and just wonder what life was all about, as he chewed the cud.

It’s a standoff, but it came to nothing.  Lambretta was friends with everyone!

 Lambretta had moments of hyperactivity where he'd outrun all the others and at the finishing line marked by a sheep pellet he'd look back at the others and say 'where have you been'?   He'd jump over and push his mates out of the way to get to the front of the queue; but he was so likeable they tolerated him.

 

Lambretta with his mates.

               “You’ve got it wrong”  The IBC water tank is meant to go exactly where he is.

 Lambretta often accompanied me to my workshop in the red shed.  He'd keep an eye on what I was doing.  Sometimes he'd reckon I was going wrong, so he'd just sit down on the instructions, then he'd come to the project and sit exactly in the way.  He was my mate.

He'd walk with us around the woods and then stay by the river and skim stones.  He mucked about.  When we left him, he'd get all upset at being left alone and bleat like billy-o.

 

                                                A walk in the woods.  They come with us!

 Then on Saturday all 6 of us walked to the red sheds.  He mucked around for a while, inspected the red shed and then disappeared.  We found him by the house, stretched out, lethargic; uninterested.  He was alive but listless.  He had deteriorated so quickly.  We thought about calling the lambulance but decided on home treatment.  Various pages of electric media told us about bicarbonate of soda, vegetable oil, electrolyte and tender loving care.  We stroked him, brought him into the house, built a shelter, wrapped him in a sheeps wool blanket.  Poor Lambretta had reoccurring seizures, dribbled, stand stationary for hours.  I baaa-red at him to ask him not to leave us.  

                                                We did all we could.  SOOOOO poorly.

 

He was a part of us, a part of our fun, a part of our developing memories, a part of our routine, his kindness was unconditional.  He tried to do what I asked but he just didn't have it in him.  

I hated digging a grave and as I did it, I thought to myself  'this would be easier if it was being done for a more deserving cause'.

A one wheeled, 2 handled black herse drew up.  He was wrapped in a pinky orange towel.  Five of us walked solemnly across the paddock, slowly and silently.  We were all dressed respectfully for Lambretta.  I put my suit on, last worn at my Dad's funeral.

Lambrusco, Lamborghini and FeLeeecety are in mourning and have spent days being subdued.  They are missing the playful frolicking of their hyperactive mate. 

He is already missed hugely. We’ve named the walk across to the red sheds, which passes his resting place "LAMBRETTA WALK".  He lies there now with red gladioli at his head, and lavender in a world of green rolling pastures, not a big truck and trailer in his world and rivers full of sweet sheep nuts.  It must be sheep heaven!   He died hiding in the lavender bush.

Consensus from the farmers is that he had 'pulpy kidney', and that there was something wrong from birth, which is why he was rejected by his mother. What I am happy about is that we think we gave him a fun and happy short life.  He deffo brought happiness and laughs to our lives  Thank you Lambretta..

                                                              LAMBRETTA Walk      

               

Gladiolus having had a flower eaten by each of his 3 mates.  It’s an old sheep tradition to snack on a friend’s petal.

 

LAMBRETTA

All round good lad

Born Ruakokopatuna Rd September 2021

Died Blue Rock Road in a Lavender bush 12 December 2021.

Pulpy Kidney.

Fully vaccinated.

                                                    Ahhhhh,  Lambretta- YOU ARE MY MATE!

Our very good friends Carol and Geoffrey left us red gladioli.  How very kind.

 **************************

 I have actually found this surprisingly difficult.  I think it is because he has been a part of our new adventure, he is a part of the story, he has been in most chapters.  Maybe it's because I've found an unknown enjoyment of animals; these guys are fun and kind. 

What we worry about now is that the other 3 don't become fed up and depressed at not having their play mate around.  I couldn't go through this again!!  I'll never be critical of others who are upset at losing a 4 legged friend.

Country living is hard; I want to live in the city! 

If I get as upset about Lambretta, I could never be a farmer!!  I don't like death.

For another perspective look at 

https://richetal.wordpress.com/2021/12/12/say-cheese-and-a-surprise-farewell/