Loraine Leatherbow's animal magic is very much in demand. Gallup, New Mexico is situated near the Zuni Indian Reservation. These people rely on Loraine to cure their sick animals. Sometimes, she makes house calls when the animal can't be brought to town. This is one of those times.

Little Mary Nez has a sick baby lamb. She brought it in all wrapped up in a Zuni tribal tapestry. Its almond eyes are droopy and its tail limp, being near death.

One of the basic concepts of she-womb-ism and voodoo is the strong belief that the qualities can be magically passed. Loraine smears little Mary with lanolin, a yellowish-fatty substance obtained from sheep's wool. She takes a snippet of little Mary's dark hair and ties it around the lamb's spiritless tail. She tells little Mary the reason for this.

"This baby is sick and you are well. This little lamb will be feeding off your healthy body. You will only be sick for as long as this lamb needs you. I pray for the both of you. Shalala - she - she - Shalala - Plu - a - she - she."

Loraine asks something of little Mary's mother. "Wrap her up in the Zuni tapestry." Loraine places the lamb on the girl's chest.

Early on, little Mary asks, "Am I all right?"

"You are in a tough spot," Loraine answers. "This baby hasn't got a barnyard sickness. I see something that needs healed in the people on your Reservation." Little Mary turns yellow and begins vomiting. She becomes feverish. Loraine tells the little girl's mother, "She has to sweat it out, whatever it is that is displeasing this baby lamb."

Copyright Ms. Sage Sweetwater, Celebrity firebrand lesbian novelist