She’s Back!
March 24th, 2014 · 2 Comments · Posted in farming
Do you see a sheep in this photo?
Charlotte is hiding behind a post in the walk-in shelter. When I bring grain to the cow and the boy goat, Charlotte turns into a stealth ewe, creeping closer and closer as she plots a run for the grain bucket.
This is the game we play twice daily. To divert the sheep, I drop a bale of hay at the far end of our permanent paddock. I then walk the grain to the other end so that Emily, our Jersey heifer, and Tigger, our yearling buck, can eat in peace.
Eventually, Charlotte gets wise to my gambit. She breaks away from the other sheep surrounding the hay bale and trots toward us. A few feet short of her goal, she pulls up and puts on the lioness pose, head down, eyes locked on the prize. I raise my arms, make a monster noise and dash in her direction. She’ll skitter away, but only a short distance before she turns and creeps back.
This is the game we play over and over. Charlotte never wins, but she never ceases to try. When the feeding is over, I’ll let her rush in and search for any particles of grain that have fallen to the ground. She won’t leave until she’s certain that every bit of grain has been located and consumed.
Ed, I cannot tell you how much I look forward to your posts. I have immensely enjoyed the updates on your journey and your unceasing willingness to do what it takes to get the job done. And your animals are such a hoot. Who could possibly doubt that they, too, have a consciousness? Thanks you for taking the time to share your adventures with we mere mortals.
Thanks, Cat. It’s always a thrill to know there are actually people out there reading my pre-dawn scribblings.