For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die
Yesterday was the low point in our llama raising career. Fatma, mother of our first baby (Capucine – now 9 months old), was overcome by an infection. She died before any treatment could be given.
Val had noticed a swelling on Fatma’s jaw a couple of days before. This didn’t seem painful, and she was eating enthusiastically and behaving as normal. We decided that this was nothing serious and decided to monitor her for a while before seeking any treatment.
Yesterday Fatma didn’t come down to the catch pen for the usual morning feed. Val went up to the field shelter, and found her unable to stand up. She couldn’t take food, though she did manage to swallow a little water which we gave her.
It was clear that she was weakening rapidly, and soon she was unable to hold up her head. Val supported her neck while I laid out some straw.
Within minutes, she was dead. As we stood by, overwhelmed, the other llamas continued peacefully to eat the hay.
The vet has told us that there was nothing we could have done. Apparently ‘these things happen’. Sadly, this is not much comfort. Fatma is now a lifeless body, which we had to drag out of the field.
Fatma was the disreputable old lady of the herd. Always first to take food from anyone who would offer it. Scratching and farting without a care in the world. A loving and capable mother, but ready to steal a tempting morsel of food away from under her daughter’s nose. She was certainly not the best looking llama in the world, but she was wonderful to be around. I will miss her enthusiastic, pacing-up-and-down greeting each day. I’m astonished how much hurt I feel.
Farewell Fatma. Gone, but not to be forgotten. May you rest in peace.
Val also writes A Little About Death as part of Talk of Many Things
Our deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to you both and also to Fatma and her daughter.
Fatma was one of the first llamas we ever owned. She was a lovely lady, fantastic mother and the natural herd matriarch. All the other ladies would follower her everywhere she went and all the young males bowed down to her superiority. She was always so gentle and has given birth to many lovey cria who will now take her legacy forward. Fatma will always be remembered with so much love.
Sleep in peace old girl, we will miss you so much.
Mike & Sue.
Thinking of you in these hard days ahead.
Nous sommes profondément désolés de cette bien triste nouvelle, et bien que Fatma n’est q’un llama pour certains, elle faisait partie de la famille des llamas de Roquetaillade. Aussi nous vous envoyons toutes nos condoléances, et restons proches dans cette douloureuse perte. Nous sommes à votre entière disposition, dans le soutien le plus total.
Chaleureusement.
Verònica & Gilles
So sorry about Fatma. It must be horrible and I think it is the thing that I will find the hardest to come to terms with when we start farming. Animals cope much better than us don’t they!
Oh bloody hell guys…. So sorry. Hadn’t read the blog for about a week due to being busy at work and switched on today to find this sad news.
Really really sorry – not a lot else anyone can say is there? But thinking of you anyway…
Speak soon
Col xxx