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3. Get pregnant, they said, you'll look pretty, they said.
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Dolly, a woolly ewe, was getting ready for a historic event among Meadowbrook Farm's undulating green pastures. Dolly's time approached near as spring gave the meadows fresh vitality. On the farm, sheep pregnancies—filled with expectation and meticulous preparation—are a period of delight and hard work. Along with his family, Mr. Johnston, the farmer, gently watched over Dolly to make sure she had all she would need for a comfortable birth. They gave her extra food, frequent medical visits, and a nice, tidy place to relax. Full of inquiries and enthusiasm, the kids discovered the obligations of looking after expecting animals. They helped set soft bedding and watched Dolly's delicate motions for hours in wonder at the miracle of life developing inside her. From the inquisitive chicks that pecked close by to the alert farm dog guarding the pregnant ewe, the whole farm seemed to be holding its breath in expectation. Cheers and devotion greeted Dolly's lambs' first wobbly steps as they entered the world—a moment of sheer delight entwining human and animal life. The newborns' quiet bleating filled the air, along with the pleased sighs of their mother. All who saw Dolly's exquisite story—a lovely narrative of care, community, and the circle of life—were moved and reminded of the close relationships we have with the animals under our care.
