Yes, terrible times. So many shepherds are/were going through truly difficult times, and for me (and I'm sure some other colleagues too) there's also the fact that every single animal, every single one, is loved. The animals sense this and when they look at you trustingly, their eyes say “Help me!” but you can't do anything, nothing at all, it tears your heart twice as much.
Elton is still too weak on his feet. His psyche is also suffering: all the bucks that are now in their “full youth” are fighting (as is usual in heat), but the top buck of all bucks, the boss, the biggest with seniority rights, has to lie around out of necessity... That really annoys him!