Sidney and Cynthia were worried, although Lucy was the ideal lamb Leon seemed to have trouble knowing that he was indeed a lamb!

He was far more comfortable in his own skin frolicking with the llamas in the top meadow. It didn’t make any difference how many times Sidney told him he was a lamb and as such he should behave as one, Leon was somehow compelled to be a llama!

Troubling times indeed.

Sidney and Cynthia arrived home with the twins Lucy and Leon, all the sheep gathered around to look at the lambs. Even the llamas were interested and stopped eating flowers to take a look.

The lambs have grown longer legs 😳😬 and are now ready to return to the sheep paddock

The months flew by, Cynthia had a good pregnancy and when the time came for her to give birth they moved into the birthing meadow which had the shelter of a beautiful old lilac tree.

Cynthia felt a little apprehensive but Sidney being a modern-day sheep said he would stay by her side throughout. Meanwhile Charlie the all seeing and knowing cat paced the wall waiting for news.

Finally a beautiful baby lamb was born it was a little boy and Sidney was delighted. Cynthia was concerned because her tummy was still hurting. She soon found out why when she found herself giving birth again!  This time it was a little girl. They were so surprised after only expecting the one lamb.

They laughed and cried with joy and decided to call the twins Lucy and Leon. They felt very blessed indeed.

The meadow was restored to a peaceful haven for the sheep who now grazed without fear of the llamas jumping all over them.

Cynthia had pulled Sidney to one side, she had news, she was with lamb! Sidney was delighted soon they were going to be a family of three. Or where they!

Charlie the all seeing and knowing cat smiled to himself he knew already obviously 🙄

There was mayhem in the meadow, all the sheep apart from Sidney and Cynthia were rushing to the wall for safety. Another new sheep had arrived in the meadow and this one was called Leonine. Leonard was delighted and had been chasing round the meadow with his new love interest.

Sidney was asking Charlie the all knowing and seeing cat what they could do to keep the new sheep under control. Charlie explained that the newcomers were actually Llamas and not sheep! Sidney was baffled, why put llamas in with sheep! then asked Charlie if llamas could understand sheep speak.

Charlie shook his head , he could understand llama dialect and called Leonard over. He explained that all the sheep were a little afraid of him because he was so big and ate all the flowers. Leonard apologised and said they did not want any trouble and did not mean to frighten anyone.

Both Llamas agreed to move into the field next door where they would be free to gallop around.

A good outcome all round and everyone was happy.

The sheep were concerned about a new sheep that had joined their flock. What sort of sheep was it? Sidney went to ask who he was and why he was eating all the flowers. Cynthia told him to be careful, she didn’t want Sidney to get hurt because they were getting married in a few days!

Cynthia was having the most wonderful dream, she was in the meadow frolicking with Sidney the sun was shining and the meadow was full of clover!

Suddenly as if a dark cloud had descended she couldn’t see him anymore. She wanted to see him why was something dragging her backwards.

Then she heard a mans voice saying  thank goodness I thought you were a goner then.  “ Let’s fix you up with a drip and get some fluids into you.  You should recover fairly quickly now. Cynthia opened one eye to see where she was, there were strange smells and bright lights, sighing she fell into a deep sleep.

The vet laid her gently in a large holding bay and fixed the drip up to her leg. He knew she would probably sleep for hours and sleep was the best medicine.

The next morning Cynthia woke up when the vet removed the drip. He knew she was hydrated and she definitely looked better than she had the night before. Bloat was a terrible illness, but if caught in time the procedure he had performed the night before gave quick relief.

“You are a lucky young lady” he said tussling her topknot, “you definitely were caught just in the nick of time. Now can you stand up for me” Giving Cynthia a shove and she stood up shakily on her feet and gave a little bah! She was feeling a little bit hungry considering she had not eaten for a while. The vet laughed and gave her something to chew on.

Mm thought Cynthia it’s not too bad here. I wonder how Sidney is, then she remembered the new sheep who was vying for his attention and instantly gave a loud burp! The vet laughed, there’s nothing wrong with your digestive system, you will be able to go home today.

The vet asked the farmer if Cynthia had been frolicking in the top meadows. The farmer scratched his head and said not to his knowledge. This sheep has got a nasty case of bloat said the vet which can happen from eating too much clover!

I need to act quickly to save her life and puncture her rumen to let out the gas. The farmer agreed and after shaving and cleaning the area he performed the procedure.

Before their eyes Cynthia’s swollen belly reduced dramatically and her breathing was not as shallow. The vet quickly stitched up the wound and gave her a few injections to fight off any infections.

Cynthia opened her eyes to see bright lights above her, she felt as if she was floating, was she on her way to heaven!

Cynthia had a long way to walk to the meadows where her mother and father lived. She was tired, her body ached all over. Stumbling along she realised that she could not make it to her mother’s, she laid down by the side of a wall crying pitifully.

She tried to think about happier times when she and Sidney had been frolicking in the meadow. She had not felt right since that night.

Blackness surrounded her and she fell into a deep restless sleep.

Had she eaten a dandelion that was past its sell by date?