Pretty Pelt

Yesterday we got our first Jacob Sheep pelt back from 

the tannery in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

I know it might seem strange that I would be so excited about it.  

It may even seem a little morbid.  

But when you raise livestock, you have to keep a realistic perspective. You do your best to give them a great life but some die unexpectedly and some are raised for meat.  Wool pelts are a by-product of raising sheep.

This ram lamb was brought in from the west coast to be a herd sire. He fell ill before breeding season and didn't make it.  

It was the first big loss on our farm.  

As hard as it was, we knew immediately that we wanted his wool pelt. After all, that long staple length is what we brought him in for in the first place!  Not being hunters, we had to find someone quickly to remove it.  Thank goodness it was deer season!  A wild game processor was the one for the job.  Then we brought it home and salted it according to the tanner's instructions.  After two weeks, we sent it off for processing.  

Did you know you can mail such things?  I didn't!  

I know this is too much information for some of you but if you raise farm animals, these are things that you must be prepared for.  

Death is a reality of farm life.  

Everyone loves the pretty picture of farm life ~ 

gathering eggs, riding the horses, petting the sheep ~ 

but what do you do with a dead pig when you don't know how to butcher, the butcher won't do it if it's already dead, it's starting to rain, and getting dark?  Seriously, this has happened to us!  It's the unspoken part of farm life.  Preparing your heart and your plan is a wise thing to do.

The reality of farm life is that sometimes it's disappointing and sometimes it's rewarding.  Today's post is mixed with a little of both.

In a way, Rambler's pelt will be a daily reminder of the reality of raising farm animals.

It's pretty cozy in the chair too. ;)

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, 

and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Proverbs 16:20