Another one bites the dust

Last week's birth of Lady Alice was followed by two births this week.

On wednesday, Apples produced Liberty, a white female, sired by Alpha Polaris. Exactly like last year, with the birth of Kit, Apples went to the rolling pit, and labour began - eventually a white female was launched head first into the dry earth - another one bites the dust - literally, and Liberty had arrived, the dirt immediately sticking to her fleece, still damp with amniotic fluid - her bright white fleece was mottled like an appaloosa, and it will take several days to work out the dirt! However, already, it is showing promise to follow the success of her full brothers, Jupiter and Kit...

Another one bites the dust! Apple Vale Liberty.

Liberty being chased by Alice.

On thursday, Gala produced her first cria, a fawn female, sired by Appledene Commander-in-Chief of Classical Milend. At first, a nose appeared, but with little happening for a while, we decided to break the sack with a gentle poke, so that the cria could start breathing. Being a maiden, Gala seemed a bit surprised by something hanging out of her rear end, and spiralled around like a cat or dog chasing it's tale, screeching at the same time! This went on for a while, before she sat down with the head and front legs protruding - progress had halted for some 10-15 minutes, so while I 'comforted' Gala by holding her head, Joy applied a gradual pull on the cria's legs to ease the shoulders out, we then stood back - she didn't stand, but with a few more contractions, Little Emily was born from Gala in the kush position. We have waited a couple of years for one of our female granddaughters of Jaquinto to produce a cria, and at last we have one, and we shall follow the development of the Commander-in-Chief influence with anticipation.

Apple Vale Little Emily.

Heavy rain and strong winds demanded coats for a couple of days.