Trouble

He was always trouble. From the first moment I saw him, I knew he was trouble. My beautiful, cheeky Trouble. The first boy to greet any visitors at the gate. The first boy to show you his huge personality. The first boy to race towards me when I call. The first boy to storm through the crowd to proudly stand at the front. That’s my Trouble.

He was found freezing to death in a paddock down Geelong way in early June, 2013. Abandoned by a mother who had probably just given birth to triplets and didn’t have the capabilities to care for three lambs, he lay in the icy paddock getting colder and colder. Two people came along and saw him and another dying lamb, picked them up and drove them to a safe, warm place. They were about one day old when rescued. It is estimated the 15 million lambs die of exposure each year in Australia within the first 48 of their lives. Most newborn lambs die from exposure to cold weather, usually at night, or a lack of shelter and food. Some are abandoned by their mothers; others are too small to survive, usually when born a twin or triplet. Farmers schedule lambs births in the dead of winter because of the ample pasture available which means they don’t have to spend money on supplementary feeding.

These two tiny lambs made a visit to Lefty’s Place the next day. They were only supposed to be visiting for a few days, but as soon as they were lifted out of the car, it was clear they would never be going anywhere else. One little boy had a little black nose with spots on it. He was the cheekiest boy. He jumped over sheep gates, pushed up chicken fences and found his way into the oddest of predicaments. I remember saying to J, “This little man is trouble. That’s his name. Trouble” and so it was, his name was Trouble. His little friend earned the named of “Greedy” because of his insatiable appetite.

Trouble and Greedy are like brothers. Never far from each other and always looking out for each other. Theres is an unbreakable bond.

My gorgeous Trouble always knew who he was in life. He’s never changed from day one. Cheeky, friendly, confident, brash, affectionate and so very clever.

Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally