Counting Sheep

I wonder what it must be like to be burdened with a wool coat for one's entire life!


Sitting with the sheep and watching them on this particularly warm day,
I imagine that it might be something like a hot flash that never goes away.


Amazingly, the sheep never appear irritable from the heat.


They are, however, wise at picking what type of activity belongs with what temperature.


They are much more active in the late evenings these days...
while afternoons are spent beneath the shade.


I am sure that wintertime is their favorite
and that they never feel a chill.


One thing I will say is that sheep are stoic.
You never quite know how they feel about much of anything.


They are as peaceful as can be...
spending their active hours happily tearing off grass, chewing, swallowing,
only to later bring it all back up again and chew, chew, chew.


Gracie and her girls are quite secure in their tranquil world...
with no predators to upset the routine...
and they graciously share that sense of peace with anyone who will sit with them.


You only have to spend a few moments listening to the soothing chewing
and your vital signs drop... you mood mellows...
and for the time being, all is right with the world.
It's no wonder that sheep are the animal of choice for counting to sleep.


Last night under the orange light of this moon...


we said goodbye to our fainting goat, Chip.


His condition was obviously neurological and it came on quite suddenly.
Dr. Becky felt it was some sort of central nervous system lesion.
There was nothing left to do but euthanize the old boy...
as he was thrashing about and unable to stand on his feet.

He had a good run, Ole Chip...
and we still have several of his children amongst the herd.
He was one of our original breeders and came to live with us at an early age.
Here is a photo we took to register him as a fainting goat.
(you have to provide proof of fainting when registering!)



Comments

This N That said…
It's always hard to lose an old friend. So sorry
Portia said…
I'm sorry about Chip. Even when the right decision is obvious, it's often hard to do.
The JR said…
I'm sorry about your old guy. It's so hard to let them go. But, we know sometimes that is the best thing.
Anonymous said…
Sorry about Chip. What are the 2 collars that the dogs wear? Do your dog bother the chickens free ranging?
Anonymous said…
Oh so sorry about your old boy.
Lynne said…
Sorry about your Chip . . .
Love the "fainting pic" . . .
and the moon . . .
I also love the pictures of your sheep.
I have quite a collection of your sheep pics and those of Joan, Knit One, Raised 4 . . .
Makes "counting sheep" quite the pastime . . .
Bee Haven Bev said…
Marsha, Our two dogs each have a regular collar that I ordered from Orvis that has our last name and phone number on it. The second collar is an electronic transmitter so I can call them when they are out of sight. We call the second the "good girl" or "good boy" collars!
jaz@octoberfarm said…
sorry to hear about chip but he was one very lucky goat to have spent his life on your farm. teddy is like the sheep. i can't imagine how hot she is when she is outside.
deodar said…
Strange, I had the same thing happen to a Nigerian Dwarf wether a couple of years ago. He could not stand, would get his hind end up and push himself along on his knees, so sad. I took Amos in for a xray and there was some sort of lesion on his spine and I had to let him go. Ironic, my $50 goat ended up with a $300 vet bill to no avail. What are you gonna do? When you sign on with a critter it's like a marriage - for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Sorry for your loss, it's always sad and never easy.
Farewell, Chip. Long may you faint in goat paradise.