From death’s door to ribbon winner

An orphan lamb who wore a nappy and was taught to walk with the aid of a reusable grocery bag, has won a ribbon at the Riverton Primary School pet day.

Hunter Kingipotiki, 6, and his sister Lilly, 10, nursed the lamb, nicknamed Lacy, to full health with help from their parents, Tane and Theresa Kingipotiki, and friend Fay Condon.

The Kingipotikis own a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Riverton and their neighbours have breeding ewes.

‘‘Lilly went with the neighbour to go round the lambs [in September] and she came home with one,’’ Theresa said.

The lamb was 36 hours old, couldn’t stand and had an eye problem. Holes, big enough for Lacy’s legs to fit through, were made in a reusable grocery bag.

She was placed in the bag, suspended in the air with her feet just touching the ground to bear some weight.

Lacy was suspended in the air, twice a day, for four or five days.

She could walk without assistance after 14 days.

She stayed in the Kingipotiki’s house for a month and in the second week of recovery, she could stand in a clothes basket.

Lacy wore a nappy during her time indoors.

‘‘She would sleep on everyone’s bed just like a dog,’’ Theresa said.

Lacy was then strong enough to live outside on the deck of the house with access to the garden.

‘‘Once she started eating my plants, we put her out in the paddock with the other pets [goat, donkeys, horses and sheep].’’

Lacy has a squint in her problem eye and Theresa believes Lacy is a bit blind in that eye.

Theresa said Lacy would remain a pet on the property. ‘‘She’ll be here forever.’’ Meanwhile, 136 pets took part in the Riverton Primary School pet day held recently. The school has staged a pet day since 1974.