Tuesday, 2 February 2010

I've done the deed...

The lambs are booked in for "processing" next Tuesday morning. We've chosen an abbattoir nearby, with an excellent reputation for animal welfare. I still feel like a heel. A farmer friend told me "Just don't look them in the eye when you drop them off."

I wonder if I can convince myself they're just going away for summer camp? Camp Cutlet? Camp Deepfreeze? Leggamutton?

I hope this gets easier.
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6 comments:

  1. Terry Scoville2 February 2010 at 08:09

    I understand what you're feeling. I have raised steers for my own use in past years and have never been able to "do the deed" myself. Instead I started vacuuming to drown out the gunshot. Unlike you I did not bottle feed them. I wish I had comforting words to offer yet I really don't. I think summer camp is a wonderful idea!

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  2. Colette2 February 2010 at 08:16

    It does, much easier. You don't look at a deer and think Bambi do you? You see venison. Eventually you see lamb, mint sauce, roast spuds, a lovely home grown meal. perfect!!

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  3. Paula2 February 2010 at 08:34

    Me too.

    Lambs are especially cute, so dropping them off would be hard for me as well.

    But they sure are tasty little creatures!

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  4. Tamar@StarvingofftheLand2 February 2010 at 14:24

    If, come Tuesday, you're looking for a distraction, I'd be happy to play online Scrabble with you.

    If it were easy, something would be wrong.

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  5. Seester2 February 2010 at 21:57

    I would suggest taking their "baby pictures" off your blog banner. But I wouldn't be afraid of looking into their eyes. Their creepy, soulless eyes...

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  6. Jennifer Montero3 February 2010 at 07:42

    Terry - it's amazing what we do to distract ourselves when the time comes. I didn't feel right putting the bullet in their head as they still follow me around like I'm mom with the bottle of warm milk. I know that sounds silly, but there it is.

    PC & Paula - I know it will be worth it when I grill those first chops, even though they might have to stay in the freezer and gain a bit of 'distance' before I eat them.

    Tamar - You're absolutely right. I only want it to be easy from a selfish point of view, but it's far better for the stock if you care about what happens to them. And my inner geek is ALWAYS up for a game of on-line scrabble, thank you for the kind offer.

    Kerry - As promised, I will change the banner pic, perhaps to one of the new arrivals?

    You say that about the eyes - Mike favorite joke at the moment is that I should eat the eyes because they'll see me through the week.

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