We lived on a farm for many years, and lambing time was always fraught with problems. Sometimes, a mother would look at her newborn lamb and decide that she didn't want it. That lamb had to be given the chance of life, even if it would be a short one before it went to the butchers. (Sorry)
Sometimes my wife took them into the house and fed them, but despite all her efforts, some would die in her arms. She became hardened to it, as all farmers must. Having a lamb purely as a pet, is not really doing the animal a favour. They need to be cared for by a ewe. They need feeding on the right foods, at the right time. Also, it makes it very much harder on yourself if they die.
Thanks for your kind comments, gentlemen.
Dennis is right, we'd discussed the pros and cons ourselves, knowing that mother's milk was really what she needed.
Nevertheless, as Dennis also says, there is something of a financial (or moral) obligation to try intervention.
Humans do it to whales, animals have been known to do it for other species; and that includes dolphins helping distressed humans.
There's a universal desire to help, and babies are especially appealing to our sense of protection.
Some wise person said 'tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
We certainly learnt a lot about sheep intelligence and character during those joyous months we shared.