| "Flowers" will probably be one of the few mature does here at Marshmeadow Farm who will not obtain championship status, but this has been a matter of circumstance rather than incorrect conformation. When she was a young doe, a poorly given injection by our veterinarian caused her to suffer nerve damage to her right leg leaving her with a weak rear pastern. In September of 1998, she and her daughter were sold and went to live at Open Gate Farm. During the spring of 1999, the herd was attacked by dogs. She was severely injured and her daughter, "Ijit", was killed during the carnage. To this day, "Flowers" carries scars all over her body from this attack. In September 2000, she returned home to the farm to be a brood doe for us. Since she has favored her right leg for so many years, her left pastern is now down from the excess strain placed on it, as well. Occasionally, we still take her into the show ring, and she is usually at the top of the aged doe class but not in contention for the championship against the younger does. Her appraisal score remains excellent since the appraisers do not evaluate injury, but she has been coded for weak pasterns. "Flowers" mammary system is still one of the best even after many lactations, and she has passed this excellence on to her daughter, "Marshmeadow F Oleander Petals". "Flowers" may never be a champion in the show ring, but she will always be a champion in our hearts. |
