First to the barn has all the ewes in the yard. SHEER disappointment when these ladies realized that I was not there to feed them in the morning. I like to think of them as my latest FAN club!
Over a year ago, Tommy and I drove to Virginia Tech to Sheep School. I have an interest in becoming a shepherdess but have zero, zilch, nada hands-on experience with sheep. I figured an introductory to the land of sheep was a great start. Oh man, I love Sheep and Sheep love me!
Number 4
I like to call this gal, Number 4. She is part of a study at the university but also, my first up close and personal encounter with a sheep. Number 4 and I got right down to business. By the time I had completed her examination, Number 4 was more than violated because I exploited the patient/doctor relationship. I checked her for worms, vaccinated the gal and trimmed her hooves. Number 4 practices wrestling in her free time. I found that out first hand when she pinned me on the ground baaing to three while the other ewes placed bets. I hear, she is sitting on a hay bale sofa talking through the terrors of our fateful examination.
The Tender Moments
While we were there, we witnessed the birth of lambs. It was a magical moment that reassured me that others can continue the miracle of life, not me. We learned techniques in how to manage a barn during lambing season and what to do when lambing season arrives.
Lambs make the Grinch's Heart expand three times. The bond they were creating with their mother was a tingly moment felt in my chest.
The two day workshop sealed the deal for me and I found out my fascination wasn't just an obsession. I did dress up our dog, Sophie, as Little Bo Peep's Sheep and entered her into Halloween Costume Contests but we won't classify that as an obsession. And guess what, Tommy is on board with SHEEP!
When Tommy agrees to sheep at WoollyShire, then you know it is OFFICIAL!
Fascination not Obsession