Mommy Marty and the lamb
By Dr. Marty Becker
December 22, 2009
If you follow me on Facebook, you know that my newborn granddaughter, Reagan, has been visiting for the last couple of weeks. But my first experience of being a parent wasn’t Reagan, and it wasn’t even my own children.
When I was 7 years old, I became a mommy. And before you say, hey, Marty, you’re a guy and guys can’t be moms, believe me, gender is the least of the problems with me being a mommy. There were species issues here — because I was “mommy” to a lamb.
He was a tiny little orphan whose real mama had died giving birth to him. He belonged to my neighbor on our rural Idaho farm, and he’d asked my dad to come over and help with the lambing. I tagged along.
We drove home in my dad’s pickup truck with the lamb tucked into my coat. I bottle-fed him, kept him warm, and napped with him. I named him “Henry.” We played games together, and when I’d come home from school, Henry would come running with my dogs to meet me at the gate.
In fact, even when he was a full-grown ram, I tended to think of him as a wool-covered dog. I think he thought of himself that way, too. Until he died in old age, he would rub his head against my leg in affection, and follow me everywhere.
Whenever I’m asked how I decided to turn my love of animals into my career, I always tell this story in response — in fact, I did just that in the book “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul.” Because while I don’t treat a lot of sheep these days, it was Henry who inspired me to become a veterinarian.
Happy Holidays to all of our Pet Connection friends, and “see” you next week!
Image: Not Henry, but still … pretty cute, huh?
I absolutely love this story. I’ve always wanted to own a sheep or two and so am very envious that you got to raise Henry. Needless to say, if I ever fulfill my sheep-goal, I know who to turn to for veterinary services!
Comment by Glenye Oakford — December 22, 2009 @ 9:03 am
What is old age for sheep?
Comment by Sheyna — December 22, 2009 @ 9:06 am
Great story—the lamb leading the human (into becoming a veterinarian).
Comment by Colorado Transplant — December 22, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
Sheyna, I think Marty is on a plane right now, so I’m not sure how long Henry lived, but sheep live around the same lifespan as a big dog… 10-12 years.
Comment by Christie Keith — December 22, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
What a sweet story!!
Comment by David S. Greene — December 22, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
I got a text message from Dr. B just BEFORE he stepped on the plane for NYC (he’ll be on “Good Morning America” Monday):
“I spoke to the folks at Good Shepherd Sheep Company in Bonners Ferry ID. Sheep live 10-12 years. The ewes produce almost all twins 92% with about 6% triplets and 2% single lambs.”
So … there you go!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 22, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
It’s a wonder Marty didn’t grow up to have Bedlington Terriers.
Comment by Kim Thornton — December 22, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
that is very cool, I never knew thank you! Is there anything cuter than a lamb — that is a very sweet story.
Comment by Sheyna — December 23, 2009 @ 12:57 pm