Benny's Blog

This is summer ????

2011-06-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

Ok Becca...the shepherds say it is summer...why am I freezing at night ?? Was I stripped of my marvelous fleece too early AGAIN ??

Benjo, you still roll when you walk. Insulation isn't your problem...but it has been cold and wet and windy for what seems like years...maybe we are in Scotland.

The sun felt so good on my back 2 days ago...and I think the grass grows faster..the shepherds have the watery things on poles out in our space..doesn't that mean its through raining ?

We can hope so - Sophie and Amy limp when it is cold and wet..Amy slept in the sun for hours this week..it feels really good for old sheep.

Are we old yet, Becca ?

Well, we aren't lambs anymore, Old Friend.....we are 8 this year and that isn't a young sheep.

Becca, I like being here....even if the food is marginal and the dogs bark and the hay gets stale.....will they send us away ?

Benny, have you ever seen a sheep leave here alive ?

Hmmmmm...what happened to that young ram of Sophie's ?

The one that bred all the ewes when he was 5 months old ?? Ewan ? He was sent to a farm that needed his talents, such as they were..although he did leave me with the smartest and handsomest son ever lambed.

And that is the end of that conversation as Becca has gone to stare admiringly at Fergus....I think I need a snack.

Benny here...good second cutting hay to you.

Can you believe it ?

2011-03-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Two years...they got the barn finished and getting the wifi set up took two years. My laptop is totally outdated and covered in a foot of sheep barn dust....

The Crone is abed with some veterinary surgery thing, and she gets a new netbook just for being in bed and really old..so for some reason that means I get WiFi .... maybe I'll get her old netbook.

Bozo..you don't want her old netbook...you move faster than her old netbook...and that's you leaving the feeders...

Becca is even bossier since she took over the herd...why Becca ? When did THAT happen ...ah..its been a long time since twinkle hooves had WiFi...

Last autumn, Herd Boss Bob suddenly couldn't walk...the shepherds tried everything they could, but eventually the Guy Who Fixes Sheep came out to the pasture and gave a Bob a shot and he became a cloud sheep and the shepherds cried. Then the next week, another Guy Who Fixes Dogs came out and gave the old girl dog a shot and everyone cried. She loved us, but she couldn't walk either. It was a really hard month for sheep and shepherds.

So who slides into head sheep slot ? Yup..you got it...Becca. She did it whilst I was eating and Buddy was trying to knock something over. I'll admit she made it so smooth that it is hard to tell a difference. And she is pretty smart...

It has been a really cold, icy, wet winter and we all have monster coats on.... but looking at the Crone limp around, shearing won't happen for a while. This year is the Fiber Rodeo or something and stuff. Thye'll probably forget to feed the sheep at that point, but there should be grass....

Roller Boy, its the Big Sky Fiber Arts Festival and a really big deal for the shepherds...people come hundreds of miles to admire your Very Special Fleece, remember ??

Oh, yeah...now I remember...my memory was better when they were feeding more pellets..wonder if they have considered adding fish oil to my diet....

Benny here, thinking I need a new laptop...

The Indignity

2009-06-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well, as Becca said, it happened...flattened, attempted poisoning, cut to the quick and insulted. All because I have a very special fleece. And it took then two tries !!!

Benjo, they did all the vet stuff first so it wouldn't take all day...and several sheep really did need special care...you know how Corrie limps...

I thought she was faking until they brought Dr. John out...the shepherds are so cheap they wouldn't bring him out if it wasn't a real problem..

Dummy..the shepherds are NOT cheap...most shepherds don't bother to call the vet when they have a lame sheep....

They did spend a lot of time taking care of her and she is walking much better now....they had a blue boot on her for a while...we all stood around and looked at it...

Speaking of hooves, the Crone has a big blue boot on her hoof too..one of the back ones...what happened, Becca ?

She broke a leg, Benny..that's why she hasn't been out here....same thing as Fern when she couldn't walk..the bring her food and water and move her when they need too...

ummmm..Becca ? I like the Crone...are they gonna put her down ??? I'd be sad...

Naw, Benny - they keep shepherds until they collapse....her leg will heal and she'll be back in the new barn singing to us...

Speaking of which, the new barn is very cool...NOT that they have allowed us into it...we are out here baking in the sun and the new barn which has lots of room, is closed off....they keep saying it needs lights and water...WHAT ???...they can't add lights and water and still give us shade ??? We have water and we sleep at night.....why does a sheep need lights ...I post my wisdom in the daylight...

Benny here...never quite sure what they are thinking, or IF they are thinking...

I'm SO confused

2009-05-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Becca says that you can't be a sheep-with-spectacular-fleece and a genius all at once. But is has been a hard spring for my little head. First it was the backhoe. My heart almost stopped !! I said to Becca, " a sheep is going to die !"

Benny, what ever makes you think that ?

The big machine ! Lat time it was here, Fern died ....I know I'm going to die...oh, Becca, I'm not ready to die...all the green grass yet to eat...

Benny ! Get a grip.....Fern was very old and couldn't walk. Everybody here lives until they can't possible squeeze out one more spring...besides, what is the backhoe doing, Panic Guy ?

Oh....that's a funny place for a sheep grave...and its all around a big square...and it isn't deep enough for a truly solid sheep.....and...Becca ! Are they starting the barn ??? The one they promised 10 years ago ???

Chunko, you are only 7 this year....they promised the barn last year after they got the wool studio done.

And she was right...I hate it when she is right...but a barn like building is taking shape in the front pasture. And its big enough for all of us. And I'll bet it will have endless food troughs, and flowing water and places for sheep to nap out of the sun.... Then it was the shepherds disappearing again for EVER and then coming back a little darker and chuckling about vacationing with cats. Everytime they leave the WiFi in the old RV shed/barn goes down. And why would you take a vacation with cats ??? Of all things, cats ??

Woolbrain, they went to some place quiet where they could play in the ocean and its was a place of many cats. They met Sunny, Bo, Lenny, and Ashley.....you know how the Crone adopts things with four feet ? This was a safe place for cats...

Becca ! What if they start adopting cats ? We barely have enough food now and who knows what cats eat ???

Think, Roller Boy....do we have a cat ? What does she eat ?

Oh...Socks...yeah...she doesn't eat sheep food, does she ?

No, Big Guy...she is supposed to eat mice which do eat some sheep food, but I think she just chases mice and then goes inside to eat. If she is eating mice, she has plenty of food around....

I hate talking to Becca...she is such a smart ass sheep, but I always feel better after I ask her what is going on. This has been such a confusing spring...cold, wet, windy, back hoes, shepherds gone ...I think I will need to go browse and think it all over. It is hard work growing the most special fleece on the farm...maybe a nap first.

winter...spring...winter...spr

2009-03-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

OK, this is getting real old...Benny here, and smashed into the "barn" with 16 other freezing sheep. Two days ago we were out hunting knapweed and today we are shivering....oh, to be in Scotland...

Bonehead...if we were in Scotland, we would be soaking wet all the time, waiting for the midges to hatch !

And that would be worse than freezing to death here ? My stupendous fleece has a layer of ice on top.....THIS IS ABUSE !!

Benny ! get a grip...you couldn't freeze to death in 3 weeks with the layer of insulation you are packing around....

That doesn't mean I don't feel the bitter cold, Becca

Well, the weather did take a nasty turn, but this happens every spring, Haybrain....you aren't the Memory Sheep (see Three Bags Full...a marvelous read) I know, but it will be warm enough to wish we were sheared in a few weeks...

Oh NO ! They are going to do that to us again ??? The indignity of it...flattened by force, stripped of one's wonderful fleece, hooves cut to the quick, needles poked into the body, icky stuff in the mouth...

If you mean taking off your "spectacular" fleece so you can grow another one, getting a hoof trim, vaccination and wormer, then yes, that is what will happen...what is it you don't get about being a sheep, Benny ?? And for you, it is probably the comment the shearer always makes about your ....hmmmm...very large size....

That is true...he sounds insulting, and he never comments on my truly incredible fleece....

Bennyboy - he is a cattle rancher - he doesn't DO fleece except to get it off the sheep safely and without cutting you...he is a keeper...

Oh good...something to look forward to...flattened by force, insulted about my perfect form, hooves sliced to the quick.....

Ice...ack !!!

2009-01-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

A superior wether could die out here !! There is ice everywhere...it snows a ton, then it melts and freezes, and then....
And then you have to be careful that Benny doesn't run over you on his way to the feeder...I haven't noticed that you have missed any meals...

But this is weather that we usually see when we can smell spring, and I don't think spring is very close....

Did the Crone move out and leave the Big Guy alone with us ?? I haven't seen her in weeks !! I didn't see a truck...did they ship her ?? She is getting on in years....

Benny....she came out and changed the bedding just a week or so ago.....the Big Guy comes out to feed and check water while she is washing fleece and dyeing wool, and beading yarn, and...we see a lot more of her in the spring.

Well, I suppose that if they have left Amy and Sophie to retire and grow fleece here, they probably will keep the Crone...but she doesn't grow much fleece ???

They keep her pretty closely shorn...maybe she gets lice....

Ack ! Is that contagious ??? My wonderful fleece, lice ridden, then probably mites, then mange, then....

No Dummy...people lice are only on people and sheep lice on sheep....looks like shearing her regularly is working...you don't see her scratching on posts, do you ??

I don't see her at all ! and that's how this started, Becca....

The dogs say she is here and fine....Sadie wouldn't lie to us..

That is true...Sadie loves us and we actually see her !

Benny here, waiting for spring...or more food

Sigh...winter

2008-12-31T09:26:00.000-08:00

Well, it was too good to be true...its winter. Feet of snow, freezing winds, no shelter, not enough hay....

Benny ! The shepherds bring food out twice a day, and the Crone cleaned the barn floor and put down new bedding !

Becca...you know I have a delicate constitution and I need more reassurance than this if I am to grow my spectacular fleece....

You could have chosen to be born back home...In Scotland...where you would be wandering the highlands looking for food all winter...instead you chose Crosspatch and a warm barn and shepherds that love you, and WiFi and your own laptop...and

And a ewe that reads over my shoulder when I type private things...

get a grip, Chunko...there are no secrets in the barn and you are writing a BLOG...enough for privacy already....you want to be read and collect sympathy from all over the globe..
It is a snowy cold winter, though...I'll give you that....and they cut us off from stripping pine trees. I heard the Crone say that all this snow means lots of fresh grass in the spring...

If we live that long and don't starve....

Didn't I help Little Fern get that gate open and give you a shot at the bag of grain they had stashed ??? Didn't you have one huge belly ache for 2 days ??? What else can I do ?

Well, a little consideration for my finely wired being would help...you peasant types are sooo rude...

Benny...it was the peasants that figured out the gate latch...

Oh. yeah.

Happy new Year from Benny who hopes to survive the famine...

No Winter !!

2008-11-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

Oh, a happy Benny here ! It is mid November and there is no snow, the pasture is still growing a little, it has rained and rained.... if they won't bring in food, we will survive on our own ! We are SHEEP and hear us roar !

Alfalfa brain...what is that sound that brings you running ...well, waddling....every morning and night ? The sound of pellets being poured into feeders, eh ?

But hay is real food...this is just dessert !

Chunko - didn't you hear them say that they are feeding pellets this year to keep hay stuff out of our fleeces ? You, with the truly spectacular fleece, should have been listening instead of talking to yourself as usual.

But Becca, I feel scared when there isn't any hay someplace...unless of course winter never comes. Wow ! What if winter doesn't come this year !!!

Roller Boy...winter always comes..it just comes a bit later than it used to and isn't usually quite as cold as it used to be. Besides, the shepherds were measuring the old shed to see how much hay they could have to keep your digestive system, marvel that it is, working.

Well, they had better get a lot....do you see how those lambs are growing ? They always look "so cute" when they are little and then they start pushing me out of the feeder...

Benny, nothing could push you out of a feeder once you have planted yourself there. You got so fat on apples this fall that only Raven shares a feeder with you because he can't push you away. Life is good, Big Guy, and they keep us fed, scratched, out of the wind, fresh water, you name it. And speaking of lambs, Fergus is still the most wonderful lamb every born. Do you see how they chuckle when they see him and say he looks exactly like a Teddy Bear ?

Well, then he certainly doesn't look like you if he is so cute...

Benny, I'm stunned ! When we were lambs together at Crosspatch you said I was beautiful ! Was that because I had claimed the end of the feeder you wanted ?

Well, no Becca - you are still beautiful - black legs and face, soft grey wool, alert look....but you fawn over that kid of yours so much that I feel left out.

Aw, Barrel Body....you are still the sheep that I got here with and you still have the most spectacular fleece...

(well, until the shear Fergus...)

A very long time

2008-09-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Benny here, and it has been a long summer without wifi in the barn. Then the mother board on my laptop failed and it takes the shepherds FOREVER to get anything fixed..

Benny, that isn't fair...the Crone spent the whole summer taking care of people in the hospital and old Aunt Fern in the pasture.

Becca has a point - sometimes we were lucky to get fed !

But, Aunt Fern has become a cloud sheep, and all the people seem to be doing OK. And last week, the shepherds were clearly getting ready to abandon us yet again.

Haybrain, they were taking your totally spectacular wool to a show - do you whine about everything ?

Do you see big bales of hay around here anywhere ? Winter is coming and we could starve without hay - they just don't think ahead !

Chunko, they are feeding pellets this winter...I heard them say that the lambs and Bob got so much hay in their fleece last winter that they won't do round bales again. So the pellets are stacked in the barn...you like pellets, Benny !

Oh ...well, that is usually barely enough food, but it may do to sustain my incredible fleece. And as long as the apples last, I will regain the healthy weight I dropped during the recent summer famine ....Where are they, Becca ?

In Oregon at their favorite fiber show and with some of the kids that we see in the summer sometimes. And you really do cut a more striking figure without all that fat rolling around on you.

Becca never has appreciated the fine figure I am with adequate reserves - but she didn't gain enough weight with the world's most superior lamb (just ask her) to even tell she was pregnant.

He really is the most handsome and intelligent sheep here except me, of course, and his wool...it will be the talk of all the fiber artists and.......

Benny here, slowly inching away from Becca....

Lambs ???

2008-03-06T15:08:00.001-08:00

Ok .we weren't going to lamb this year, right ? I heard the shepherds explain that to lots of people...too many sheep, not enough space.

Now, I, the wisest of wethers, thought this to be very prudent.....too many sheep means not enough food. Some one needs to be thinking about the practical things instead of standing around cooing "oh - they are SOOO cute ! " No lambs;more food. It works....

Then the crone goes away again...visiting her herd sire or something....and Amy isn't looking too comfortable. She goes into the barn one night and plop - a lamb. Then lick lick lick....wait 20 minutes...PLOP - another lamb. Lick lick lick......

The flock is giggling - wait until the shepherd sees this and sure enough the Big Guy comes out to haul water and he comes into the small pasture, closes the gate and stares......the little white ram lamb is standing in the door looking at him and then says to Amy...is THAT a shepherd ??

Yes, Dear .....the shepherd in question is still standing there with a blank look on his face - and then he comes into the barn and sees Fiona, the tiny black ewe lamb. The he says ...Amy ...you have babies !

Duh. And they say I'm dense....

You are a bit dense, Alfalfa Head....

Becca - what ever will they do ? They said we have too many shepp....what will happen to the babies ... ? Or OMG...what will they do with us ??

They'll figure it out, O Great Barrel.....the babies are safe and they love us..they are smart for humans..

But Becca, they didn't want lambs and now we've got lambs and......oh, aren't they SWEET !!
Look at her climb on her Mom !

Snowbound !!

2008-02-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

People have been asking where I am...my public wants to hear from me...

Well the WiFi in the barn has been down AGAIN - my tech support is a disaster ! And the laptop doesn't work well when my delicate hooves are packed with snow.

Snow we have - not much food and it is 2 miles from the barn to find it. Except for my sheeply determination, I could have died this winter. It snows all winter and stays on the ground, then they park the bale miles away and say "They could really use some exercise."

We have spotted the Crone, but mostly the Big Guy Shepherd is with us. He fills water buckets and stirs hay bales and scratches backs and butts and then dodges Raven. What is it with retired rams ? The BG comes out to be sure we have enough food and Butthead tries to knock him down.

Becca says we haven't had a winter like this since before we were lambed. I asked her how she knew that if she hadn't been lambed yet ?

because I listen to the people, Blockhead...they say this much snow has been missing for 11-12 years.

Well, it can stay missing as far as I'm concerned - oh to be home in Scotland...

Benny ! Get a grip ...back in Scotland where it rains all winter and you forage for yourself until spring ?

They don't bring you food every day ??? No wonder the British Empire faded - they starved their sheep ??

It depends on where you li........oh, never mind Benny - it's really complicated and you aren't listening anyway - you are headed back out to the bale.

And she was right...the thought disturbed me so much I had to go see if the food was still there....

Crone spotted !!

2007-12-19T18:39:00.000-08:00

I was wondering if she still lives here - how long can one human have a fat hoof and be lame, anyway ?

Of course, she shows up when a sheep rodeo happens. Any time they get out big feeding pans and dump pellets in, you KNOW something nasty is going on. We put up a good fight and

Benny - you didn't see a thing - you had your head in a pan...

Becca, I know somebody put up a fight because I heard the Crone swear and grab her knee...

Your hearing is almost as sharp as your appetite, Big Guy..

AND they got away with one of the lambs anyway.

Well, that might be a bit dramatic - the animal communicator talked to us and told us that Ewan was going to a farm where the very old ram died and they needed a young guy. Wonder why they didn't take Raven ?

Benny - Raven had that ....um..... operation last month ??

oh, yeah....that's right - he is supposed to protect us all now.

Sigh- he mostly protects us from the shepherds...

At any rate, the Crone was getting around pretty good, at least before two sheep tried to climb over her. I think we may be stuck with the Big Guy for awhile. But the hay is always here, the water buckets are full, Raven busted the salt feeder again...pretty normal winter, eh ?

Missing Shepherd !

2007-11-07T10:24:00.001-08:00

The Crone is missing !! Although she doesn't really DO much around here, we think she manages the hay order. Becca says she saw her on the deck yesterday with one fat hoof and shiny sticks under each arm. So this is supposed to make me feel better about the impending famine ??

True, the Big Guy has been out breaking the ice on the buckets and rearranging the hay inside the stupid little fences that keep us from sorting through it properly, but what's with the Crone ?

Then there is the disappearing Butthead. Buddy came back a few weeks ago, and said the Shepherds loaded Butthead into a trailer with promises of GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS. That focused Dummy's attention so that they succeeded in loading him into the trailer and taking off. Never to be seen again, I suspect. Rams are so dumb - they leave hay and water and salt for the empty promise of ewes. Now I, being much brighter, and not driven by primitive instincts, am smart enough to stay close to home. Oh rats...Becca is reading over my shoulder again..

Benny, what do you call needing to know where all the food is - a sophisticated instinct ??

Well, it doesn't get me loaded into a trailer never to be seen again - probably hauled off at best to a place with very little food...

Benny, let me tell you about a guy named Maslow...

And off she goes, talking about things that have NOTHING to do with where the bale will be placed IF they remember to order it.

Benny, here, reporting from the pastures of less-than-plenty.

And waddling out to the round bale, of course - Love, Becca

Wi Fi down

2007-10-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it happened again..the shepherds leave town and the wireless goes down in the barn. I am CUT OFF FROM THE WORLD. At least they left a big round bale of good stuff down at the pasture next to the BDL (big dopey lab).

So they came back raving about Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival OFFF and finally fixed the wireless. Before I can get into my blog drafts, they disappear pulling a big rusty trailer and come back with...Bevis ! aka Buddy the Shetland wether who reintroduces himself in chracteristic fashion - knocking heads with anyone that will stand for it. This guy has the most primitive rituals.

Then we look around - where Bevis goes, Butthead goes. No Butthead. Fortunately then the animal communicator gets through to Bob and we all relax. Butthead is up north a ways with GIRLS ! His favorite past-time.

With Buddy back, the food situation is beginning to worry me again. Is no one else concerned that there are 14 sheep here and only 1.5 12oo lb bales in sight ? What if Raven comes home soon and he is hungry. Is no one paying attention ??

Benny, you are still rolling off to eat - have we ever gone hungry ?
Becca, you just don't aappreciate the seriousness of this situation...
Chunko, there is no situation...besides if you could hear over the rumbling of your rumen, you would know that some sheep are spending the winter somewhere else...
BECCA - where are they sending me ? - I'll die if I have to move.....
Butterball, Sophie and two black wethers are going to friend Robyn's and Fern the Giant Ewe is going to Amy's place at the foot of the mountains with Ewan the ram lamb. Breathe, Big Guy - you look pale.

Well, of COURSE I knew all that ....I am a very perceptive sheep and I listen very carefully. Over the rumble of my rumen, indeed....she can be so crass....

Now where have the shepherds gone - the friendly back-up Aunt Nora is checking water buckets again. They really ought to stay home - winter is coming and I'm hungry.

Benny

Clean Air

2007-09-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, it is fall and we can breathe !! The smoke blew away, along with some hay, dust, 2 lawn chairs - well, you get the picture. But it is cool, the sun feels good and the air is clean. Oh, and the shepherds are back from someplace Colorado. We don't get as much food, but we do miss them.

Benny, are you sure some of this joy doesn't have something to do with the location of the new round bale ?

Becca, you are such a cynic...

There IS a new round bale full of alfalfa just a short walk from the napping grounds, but the Crone Shepherd only let us bury our heads in it twice. Then a fence went up and we have to pull out what we eat. She was muttering something about fleeces full of hay and herd of pigs. Whateeeever !
It was pure love for a day or so.

People have been coming out to the pasture with tape measures and I think there may really be a new barn someday. I hope the Crone gets her camera in gear as they build my new palace. I wonder if it will have running water ?

Benny, automatic feeders are more your speed.

Becca, you are brilliant ! Can we tell the animal communicator that ?

Don't you have a list for her next time she checks in ?

Now where did they go ???

2007-08-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

Benny here, and if sheep could sweat, I'd be dripping. And breathing isn't easy either.....the smoke is awful. In fact, I can barely see far enough to find the bale of hay they hid two pastures away. Its a BIG bale, but its a long walk....

Benny - its that far away to keep you from eating the whole thing yourself...

Becca, why is everything they do designed to keep me from eating ?

Benny - when is the last time you saw your feet ?

So anyway, the shepherds packed up on some flimsy excuse and drove off in a cloud of smoke. Not an oil leak, either....they reportedly are somewhere where water falls out of the sky in the afternoons... Aunt Nora says its probably a helicopter with a bucket.... thnak Godde she feeds us.

I'd put up a picture for you, gentle reader, but you can't see far enough to take one. Ah, Scotland.....

Benny, with a non-smoker's cough

Now smoky and hot

2007-07-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

I want to go back home to Scotland - I KNOW that's where my spirit came from. Its 60 and drizzle instead of 97 again and still. What is with this weather ???

And, I have been forceably torn from my soul mate, Becca. She is pining away at the fence that separates us.

Benny, I am being an aunt to the babies while you are at weight loss camp.
Is that why there isn't any food over here ??
Didn't you notice, you Boob ? You are in the same pasture as Bob, who is limping from over weight; Corrie who looks like a rolled comforter on legs; and the two 120-150 lb "babies" who eat continually. Benny, you are in fat camp.
Becca, will I die ???
Not in the next 4 months, Big Guy......

Well, I DID wonder why we are in the front pasture with a few flakes of hay a day and dying grass. If Raven was here, he'd knock down fences to get us food, I just know it. Maybe that is why he and Buddy are still gone on "knapweed patrol".

This is all very complicated for a sheep to figure out, even a very special sheep. The shepherds seem so cheerful when they come out at night, pour about 6 pellets into pans for us, check the salt, fill the water, and put two more skinny flakes of hay in the feeder. But, Bob has stopped limping, so maybe a little of a good thing is all right. If I never post again, it will be from weakness and you'll know, beloved reader, that they starved me.

Hot !! REALLY hot !

2007-07-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

Even if you have a very special fleece, when it is over 100 for a few days, special isn't so important.
And it is very hot. So what do the Shepherds do ? Another goat rope, of course.

At least the Animal Communicator got a hold of Bob the Genius before it happened. The Crone has promised that no one here goes away in a truck to die, but when trucks show up....well, we are sheep and suspect the worst. But the AC told us that Bevis and Butthead were going up the road a ways to eat weeds for a few weeks. What they didn't figure was that the horse trailer ( ?!) wouldn't come through the gate and they would have to haul both guys with horns across the pasture to the trailer. That was FUN ! They put up a great fight ! I can see where horns are handy for shepherds - they are sheep handles.

Since the front pasture had more green stuff than anywhere else combined, we have been grazing out there. Even as fat as Raven was, he couldn't make a dent. The Crone told the Big Guy - "I told you that pasture wasn't trashed - look at what fertilizer does for us - even a winter's worth of BIG ewe poops." We're lovin' it.

The Shepherds took off for a sheep show again, but thankfully came back without another sheep. There isn't ever too much food here, so its better to to come back with bright ideas than more rumens to fill. They are even talking a new barn - do I finally get me own private stall ? One without lamb poop to mess up my hooves and very special fleece ?

Stay tuned - this is Benny reporting from a very hot place in Western Montana ....what happened to all my lives in Scotland ??

Becca says - you got eaten, Dumbo.

Now I know What UNCLE means !

2007-05-26T09:15:00.001-07:00

Benny here, and this Uncle stuff is more work than I thought. They all say Benny, you are such a wonderful Uncle....Benny you are so strong and patient....

Well, THAT should have have tipped me off...strong and patient, indeed. UNCLE MEANS BABYSITTER !!

So I hear the Crone Shepherd giggling the other morning....and running for her camera. But I don't want pictures of this, so I spring to my feet. Becca says Benny, you haven't sprung to your feet in 4 years - lumber to your feet, yes - the lambs spring, I spring, you struggle.

The Crone comes back and says Rats - he moved, but I know what she wanted - she wanted evidence of me babysitting .

Benny, you are so strong and patient......

The whole herd gets up in the morning and since THEY have cut our rations with no food in the morning, we have to go forage for whatever we can find.

Benny, it is spring and there is grass everywhere.... Becca, pellets are much more easily digested for those of us with special fleeces.

After I go out and eat, with lambs bouncing everywhere, the herd looks at me and I go lie down to chew my food more thoroughly and they plunk a couple of lambs next me. Then they go back to the pasture. The Crone came out this morning and laughed, and went back in for her camera. Why is it that everyone wants to put a picture of Uncle Benny babysitting on the frig ?? I got up and went to the pasture where the Moms were and after a few minutes the babies followed ME. Fortunately, they spotted their Mom and no further embarassment ensued.

Because I don't have a digital camera, the Crone sneaks pictures into my blog. If a picture of me babysitting shows up, its a fake ! I am a dignified sheep with special fleece and the babies will certainly appreciate my wisdom as they mature. I am NOT a babysitter.

This Uncle stuff is WORK !!

2007-05-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

Well, the work was in watching the next set of nephews being born. First Amy, their Mom, spends the whole day wandering back and forth in the pasture, away from all of us. I want to go help, but Bob says no, that's the way it is with moms. Suddennly, in the late afternoon, she starts walking and then running, dragging something behind her (not a baby) and baaing and won't stop. We are sheep, so we join her, and the shepherds try to get her to stop.

I don't think we were much help, because when one sheep yells and runs, we all do....its a sheep thing. The shepherds finally got us all in the back yard, caught Amy, laid her down and shooed the rest of us out. That's when the work started - we grazed, and paced, and listened. The Big Guy held her head and calmed her down and the Crone went to work trying to figure out what was going on. Amy was so tired that she just laid there. The we heard the Crone say " I see 2 feet and a nose - Alleluia" and she did something she calls scrubbing. Then is was kind of scary quiet with Amy grunting, the Big Guy talking softly, and the Crone working hard. She said "he isn't breathing well yet" and then there was a lot of other stuff going on...then we heard a cough. Pretty soon the little guy was up by his Mom's head and the Big Guy lifted her head so she could lick him off. But that took a long time cause she kept having to rest. Then the Crone says " Thank Godde ! another nose and 2 feet !"

Becca - don't we all have a nose and two feet on the front ? Becca sighs - yes, Benny, but not all lambs come out that way and its trouble. Oh.

Then the Crone scrubs again and pretty soon there is another little guy hanging upside down while she rubs him. Then a little cough, and then everyone is breathing ! I thought I was going to faint from the stress.

So then he goes up by his Mom and the Big Guy lifts her head. Amy is cleaning them off and the first one gets up and strikes out on his own. He's only 20 minutes old !!

The clean up starts, and the Crone takes the babies into the grass area they call the jug. Becca - why do they call it the jug ? Don't know Benny, but we were both born in one.
Then she goes back and helps Amy to her feet, but Amy is pretty confused. Her babies call and she heads toward them and the fence closes.

The shepherds and the Grandma, who got to watch it all, sit down and watch for a while as the babies get up and around and Amy cleans them up some more.

Becca - shouldn't they eat ? Who will show them ? Eating is IMPORTANT !! Benny, just relax - the shepherds will help if needed.

She is such a know it all, but she was right. The Crone helped the little guys find their food and their tails just went nuts !!

Benny - your tail does that sometimes when the pellets arrive. Does not. Does too....you can't see your middle, let alone your tail.

There is a pretty big mess all over - blood and goop - and Amy is trying to clean it up, but she is very tired. Then the biggest raven I have ever seen swoops down, and starts to help clean up. Amy protects her babies and the raven does a pretty good job. This was one BIG bird.

Later the shepherds came out and gave Amy a shot - she was too beat to notice - and poured something on the lamb tummies. And that was that.

I am exhausted - I hope we are done with this - my heart can only take so much ...

Benny, your heart could take more if you weren't so fat. And you know that really big ewe with attitude ? The one who pushes you out of the food bowl ? She is next...

I need a break - I am a delicate guy ...

Recognition of Leadership

2007-05-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

One of my admirers - a Jack Russell named Mouse - has written to say that her true talent has at last been recognized. The neighborhood dog shrink evaluated her pack and said that she actually was the Leader of the Pack.

I am so envious - true talent is so seldom recognized, and it is just now that my diplomatic skills are being touted. Becca says - what exactly is the difference between dippy and diplomatic in your case, Benjo ?

However, I would like to advise Mouse not to underestimate the power of the one she calls the Feeder. That is similar, I believe, to our Shepherd, and you don't want to offend those who come bearing food. It can take a nasty turn, I'm afraid...

So, Congratulations, Mouse ! I know you will rule wisely, especially on a full tummy !

Babies !!! I'm an uncle !!

2007-05-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, the shepherds did a goat rope (moving sheep around) and I don't know why they call it that because there isn't a goat living here. They took Butthead's girls away from him because they were getting really fat and slow - the girls I mean - the shepherds are a whole different matter - food in Scotland must have been good. And then they put the girls with us and Bevis (Buddy) back in with Butthead. The girls are standing together and the big one is glaring at us, so Bob says - "Benny, go make friends." I suppose I am the best choice because I am a very special sheep, but she didn't look friendly. So I amble (Becca says waddle) over to sniff and greet. The shepherds look and point and say "Four big sheep ? Oh, Benny has gone over to break the ice..."

Well, they pulled this off barely in time. The next night the Shepherd Crone is shuffling around in the middle of the night looking at the girls, then the sheep midwife shows up at 0400 and checks them out. The next afternoon, the Crone goes down for her nap after checking again, and the midwife shows up at 1300, pulls out her little box and says grab the lambing bucket and get out here. The Crone shows up 5 minutes later with a bucket, they take the first little guy into the place they call the lambing jug and his Mom follows. All is in good hands, because the other 2 preggers ewes start to graze. Funny thing, though, Butthead goes out to his ram toy and starts beating his head on it. Wonder if they let people Dad's do that ?

So I am an uncle and we are all very excited. The babies got to come out today with their Mom and she doesn't let any sheep get very close. But she'll get used to us or they'll send me back to be the diplomat. I am SO good at this stuff....

WiFi fixed again !

2007-05-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

So, the shepherds take off for Scotland and the WiFi connection lasted two weeks. What is it with IT in this place ??? The house sitter is very nice, the food keeps arriving, but no one can fix the "system?"

So they get back, the system is up, and while I'm cleaning lamb poop out of my hooves to get to work, they come out and start cleaning the barn, chicken house and ram/ewe shed. Shooed out of my office ( such as it is), I have to wait in the rain whilst this all gets done. Fresh clean straw appears and it smells so nice ! Then we get to watch the entertainment as they clean the ram shed and Butthead herds his girls around, occasionally taking a run at the shepherds. He gets a faceful of vinegar from a spray bottle and backs off, only to try again. Dummy - he really can catch the Big Guy unawares now and again, but when they are working together, he hasn't a prayer. Besides - whats the point - he hurts someone and no one is around to deliver food...ACK !! What IS he thinking ??? Bob ! Becca !! Talk to him !!! This is Serious !!!!

Becca groans - Dummy, what happened while they were gone ? A wonderful variety of people showed up to feed. The shepherds have us covered by incredible neighbors....not like you could starve in a week or two. Or three.

So they are back and they didn't bring any strange sheep with them. Like the Scottish Blackface above. Bob is muttering something like "stranger than what, Benny ? you ? not likely..."

A prophet in his own country is never appreciated....

International fan Club !!

2007-04-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

I told Becca I would be famous ! Three members of the Jack Russell family have read and commented on my blog....no surprise, of course, as I am a verry special sheep.

Becca laughs - your admirers are feisty little dogs, wool brains.....they are Terriers ! And they are covering our shepherd's lap with little feet and licking her face....what if they keep her ?

WhatEVER ! They are in another part of the world and they read my blog...I will yet be known ! It is my destiny....

They are WHERE ???

2007-04-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

Imagine my shock when opening my fan mail this morning and seeing that the shepherds are in.....Scotland ??? They COULDN'T be on a sheep buying trip - there is barely enough food to go around as it is. I did notice that the daily meager rations were coming from the sainted housesitter. But isn't Scotland very far away ???

Becca says "Benny - you thinking the next pasture is too far away because you have to walk for food." Not so...I just know that I am never the first out the door to the grass because you could wind up with hoof prints from the twins up your back if you rush.

Further more, the Shepherdess notes that Edinburgh is singularly short on yarn shops. Don't these people knit ?? She has been muttering about opening a yarn shop someday, but she says that there are more yarns shops in the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys than in Edinburgh. Can she open a yarn shop in Scotland ? I know she will never move away from me, so I think its safe. I hope she doesn't get any bright ideas...

We survived another shearing last week, but as always, it was close thing. I went last - something she won't let me do again. The shearer, or torturer, as we call him, was a bright young sturdy lad who seems to like sheep and wool in general. But he groaned like an old guy while trying to get me sheared. Kept saying things like "Benny, you are a BIG boy." Becca snickered and said, well, out of a condition range of 1-5, Benny is a 6. I don't think she meant that as a compliment.

As I waited to be tortured, stuck with needles, given a mouthful of icky stuff, I heard the shearer say - wait a minute. And he sat down to clean his clippers. I guess that one of the twins - Danny, with the 9 inch hoggit fleece had totally clogged his shears with grease. I need to watch that little poop - his fleece is getting a lot of admiration and the King of Fleece here is moi !

They mock me !

2007-03-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

It is spring and everything itches...well, everything on me at least. So a few days ago I find a handy solution to all this and the Mom Shepherd almost expires with amusement....I tell you ......no respect.

Buddy is standing, looking spooky as usual, but he doe seem to have calmed down quite a bit living with us instead of Butthead. With Butthead you have to watch your back all the time.....anyway, I digress. Buddy with his half curl of horn is standing there chewing his cud and I think "that pointy horn tip looks like a solution to me !" I amble up (Becca says I roll up) and say "stand real still, there, Bud" and rub my ear on his left horn tip. That feels soooo good that I get him to stand there while I get most of the right side of my head scratched. Then I hear the Mom Shepherd having hysterics on the back deck watching me. I thought it was rather clever of me, but she thinks it is very funny. She should be carrying 14 lb of greasy itchy fleece around in the spring sun.

I guess she has noticed my discomfort, however. The barn got straigthened up today, the temporary plywood floor for shearing was dragged out and I think this itchy stuff is coming off soon. I wonder if that is what she is referring to as a "goat rope". I DO NOT see any smelly old goats around here.

Grapenuts

2007-03-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Not that food is important to me - well, OK - in a world of eat and nap, food is crucial. So I hear the Shepherds talking about no more hay. NO MORE HAY ???? Becca says, put your head between your front legs, Benny, and breathe deeply. My life flashed before my eyes - the threat of starvation when they took my Mom to another pasture (and stuck me with Becca and the other howling lambs), the day the feeder ran out of hay for 2 hours.....

What they meant was that the valley is pretty much out of hay fit for sheep this spring. And the backup is alfalfa pellets. Why do they torture me like this ? I LOVE alfalfa pellets. Becca says of course you do, Chunko - that means your entire meal is in a pan in front of you and you don't have to walk. Whatever.....

So the pellets show up twice a day, in 4 pans for 7 sheep and no one seems to get into my pan. Well, occasionally the twins butt in, and I just put a shoulder into them and they go eat with their Mom. Then there is the fiber question...what if my delicate constitution needs roughage ? Becca again - there is straw all over the place - the rest of us are munching straw for fiber. She is such a know it all.....but the straw seems to work just fine. I HATE these life transitions. I know I know - the next one is green grass - I can probably ease into that even thought it requires me to walk for it.

So the shepherd tells me that I am once again a very special sheep. It seems that my clean ivory fleece is so springy that the processing mill can't spin it. I KNEW my wool was for very discerning users. The Mom Shepherd says "yeah, Benny - very discerning - and of limited use if I have to sell it all to hand spinners." Don't hand spinners slowly feel and appreciate fine wool ? Aren't I a very unique sheep ????

I heard the Big Guy Shepherd refer to the pellets as sheep grapenuts....wonder what that is about...

Not very bright

2007-02-18T13:20:00.000-08:00

That is what Becca says when I ask some questions, but it is not hard to argue that I am a genius compared to a couple of the girls.

Corrie the beautiful has a sweet loving disposition if you listen to the shepherds. Sweet Corrie. Check out the picture from last spring - It is entitled "weaning is easy if the lambs can't find me". Yup that's our girl.

It appears to be an hereditary trait because her daughter, Daphne the cute, is just as much of a brain trust as her Mother. She got her head caught in a fence 3 TIMES in 2 days last week. Same scenario each time, same results. She shoves narrow BFL head through fence hole to get at grass at the base of the tree the fence is protecting. Pulls back head, ears get stuck. Stands there and complains, Chief Bob ambles out, takes a look at her, sighs, and goes to stand staring at the house. One of the shepherds looks out and says, "Honey, I think Daphne has done it again." Big Guy Shepherd hustles out, speaks soothingly to trapped ditz, frees her, she gets loved up a little, fence gets straightened out. Wait 12 hours, repeat.

Now, if Becca is so damned smart, and since she is the Queen (Drama also) of the back flock, do you suppose she could explain to fleece head how to avoid getting trapped. Yes ? Do I see a volunteer ??

And they say I'm no Tesla....

Times they are a changin'

2007-02-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

Now, I do not claim to know why this song is being sung in the barn, but being a VERY wise sheep, I asked Bob and Becca. They looked at each other and Becca said, "Benjamin, who is out here all the time these days ? Hauling hay, water and cleaning the stall ?" I am a very observant fellow and I said "the Big Guy ! " So then she tells me that the Big Guy is living here again instead of in something called airports. And that the Shepherd is very happy because she missed the Big Guy - well, and because she can't lift full bales or 40 lb. water buckets.

Huh - how does she know all this stuff ??? She says, "Benny - if there was a Maslow's hierarchy for sheep, you would be munching at the first level." Now I'm really confused, but my tummy is full because the Big Guy brought a full bale out to the feeder and he was humming something.

So I ask, "anything else I should know, smarty pants? " Becca says, "well, Grasshopper, today is the Feast of St. Brighid, and since we were sheep in Scotland a long time ago, it is an important day. She is patron of many human activities. " This is getting way beyond me now, so I delicately lie down (Becca says I crash to the earth) and start my nap. Becca rolls out the door (she is no lightweight herself) and goes out to bore the twins with her great knowledge.

Life is good; the Big Guy is home and my tummy is full and it is good to be a sheep with spectacular wool.

Scary things

2007-01-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

One of my admirers has written asking about what to do with scary things. Unfortunately, she addressed the question to Buddy. Sigh - well, what Buddy does with scary things in his pasture is to lower his pointy little head and attack. The Shepherd and the Big Guy once had to rescue a pretty roughed up big black hen that Buddy has used as a soccer ball, on the theory that she was a danger.

So, as a much wiser sheep than Buddy, I - Benny, would say the first thing to do is to not imitate Buddy. Don't attack - many scary things go away (or just fly over the fence) of their own accord.

Secondly, eat. Many things look much better on a full tummy. Becca says that my world knows no fear evidently because my tummy is ALWAYS full. Rubbish. But fear of starving clearly makes everything look worse.

Third, nap. When you wake up, some of the scary things will be gone, or much smaller. If all else fails, walk up to them (or send Becca) and see what they are really close up.

I would elaborate on this topic, but the Big Guy, in his new Carharrts, has just appeared with a fresh bale of hay. Nothing scary about this !!

What IS that thing ??

2007-01-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

The picture tells it all, folks. The Big Guy comes out on Jan 5th and tosses something big, green and scary over the fence into OUR space. Sure - it is dangerous - throw it to the sheep. We spot it immediately - well, after eating - and look it over for a long time. You can't be too careful - the people in the Big House don't have a clue.

After regarding it for sometime - note that Corrie the Muncher is in the front, and I am bravely defending the rear flank along with Bob - we thought it over as it began to rain and blow . Don't even get me started on the climate - its is winter and we are in Montana - rain ??? Then we went back into the barn to think it over for a day.

Becca, the brain trust, mulled it over for a bit and said - I think this happened last year, too. And we didn't die. So, she put her head down and stalked it and it didn't move. Next thing we know, she is eating it.

As we are gathered around this pretty pungent snack, someone says, I don't think we are supposed to eat this if we are pregnant. Becca says, talking with her mouth full, to get pregnant, you have to be cooped up with Butthead. Buddy panics. He spends 6 months out of the year at least with Butthead...companion wether they call him. Becca, he chokes - what if I am pregnant ?? Becca fixes him with her "that's the dumbest thing I've heard since the last time Benny spoke" look and says YOU ARE A GUY SHEEP ! You can't get pregnant.

Oh. Well, at least I knew that all along.

The shepherd say we need a patron saint, or at least SHE needs a patron saint. She is thinking about St. Panacea who was a shepherdess and beaten to death by her step mother with a spindle. I think it fits - clearly she has been hit on the head too many times by something.

Tomorrow - picking seed head out my my velvety soft muzzle - where do they get this hay, anyway ??

WiFi is back !

2007-01-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

Benny here, at last. I don't know what my IT people are doing in the Big House, but it certainly wasn't getting me back online. We have a communication problem here, people !! I went to the fence and called (they say I bellow like a 600 lb. steer) and they come out, pet me, check the feeder and the water and the salt and then say "now, now Benny - everything is just fine" and go back in a open presents or watch football. Help !!! My WiFi connection is DOWN !!! And they think all I worry about is food....peasants - they are all peasants.

So, after 2 weeks, I have to clean the lamb poop out of my hooves before I dare get on the keyboard. Training them has been hopeless. The rules are - we all pee in the middle of the barn and poop outside, or if you must, where YOU sleep. Not where Benny sleeps. Hopeless - and then there is Becca, who seems to get down right weird about every 20 days or so. At least in the winter. She is such a know-it-all most of the time, but every once in a while, like a cycle, she gets very goofy. This week, she was fleeing the barn everytime the Big Guy comes out. What ?? He got new Carharrts for Christmas - this makes him a stranger ???

Becca - get a grip ! He is carrying FOOD !

The Big House people went away for 4 days and we had a nice sub. She poured pellets, checked water, crooned sounds sheep like to hear, fed Butthead and the girls. She hasn't quite got the "scratch Benny's chest first before all else" thing down yet, but she is trainable. Good thing, too, because we have seen very little of the shepherd since the Big Guy got home. What can she be doing that is more important than feeding and rubbing sheep, I ask ?

They say its a new year, and things will change. I guess the Big Guy is retiring ? Didn't he do that 4 years ago and did I see any improvement in my life ??? Maybe the new overalls mean he will live here now. He does seem to be a bit more relaxed, and I get my chest rubbed longer in the evening, so this could be an improvement. Heaven knows the management on the place could use some spiffying up....

Happy New Year - may your hay have more leaves than stems, may your orchards overflow with windfall for sheep, and may your lambs grow up with good manners !!

Benny

A thorny Question

2006-12-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

One of my admirers has asked a question I have pondered for centuries. (what - you think this is the first time I've been here ? You think this wisdom comes in a single incarnation ? Foolish one....) The question is - which comes first ? Eating or the nap ?

Being a creature deeply in tune with nature, I have discerned that the day's cycle begins when you wake up . Therefore , you arise and eat, and then nap. Clearly eating becomes before the nap. Unless, of course, the feeder is so crowded with riff raff that you cannot fight your way through. Then you go back to sleep. But, this is against the laws of nature and can throw off one's digestion for days. Eat. Then Nap.

That settled, we move on to Raven aka Butthead and his responsibilities for the ewes. An amazing thing happened the other night. Freezing rain, high winds and Raven herded the girls in his charge into the ram shed and held them there for the night. Weeks ago, Butthead would have sprawled in the ram shed and made the girls sleep out in the rain. It is a huge jump of good sense in an otherwise primitive creature. Even Bob the lead genius let him know what a fine thing he had done. There is indeed hope for many of other of Godde's creatures if Raven finally gets it.

Furthermore, we heard the shepherd and the big guy muttering to each other that one of the big tall ewes has a blue streak on her back. That, for the uninitiated in the way of sheeps, means that short Raven, with blue dye on his chest, has successfully....ummmmm ...fullfilled his ramly duties. This boy may get to stay a ram a lot longer if the shepherd's genetics experiments work out. Whatever genetics is......

Public Notice: We need another bale in the feeder !!

I have admirers !!

2006-12-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Benny here, and I have a fan club ! One of my groupies asked for my advice - on a presentation on Durkheim ? My Dear Girl - can you eat a Durkheim ? If not, why are you occupying your head about it ?? Priorities, People ! Priorities !

The rodeo has slowed down in the front pasture, and I think it is because of poor conditioning on the part of Butthead. All he does is eat, sleep, get his back scratched and try to knock things over all year. Now he is presented with an opportunity to improve the genetics of the species and he isn't up to the task - he is tired chasing and sniffing ewes all day. Myself, I am disciplined to take 4-5 walks a day to keep my form. Becca says that the distance to the feeder and back isn't exactly a marathon. She is clearly hyperactive.

My advice to Butthead is "pace yourself, Brother !!" Get up 3 times a day and sniff everyone - if nothing has changed, there is no reason to get excited. Eat a bit to keep up your strength and go take a nap.

It is too foggy to take pictures with barn camera, so the shepherd has donated a picture of the view from the front porch of the big house just for ambiance sake. The view from the back pasture is focused on Butthead right now - not worth taking, I'd say.

Sheep Rodeo !

2006-12-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

I was sooo proud of my fellow sheeps yesterday. The herders - well, the shepherd, the big guy and 2 friends - came out with the intent of moving sheep where THEY wanted them to go. Ha !! When sheeps put their collective mind to it, this can be a real circus. (See healthy girls to the left)

First, they tried to seperate Bevis and Butthead. Butthead will go anywhere that he gets his back scratched or he gets fed. Bevis will go many places where they don't want him to. So, into the fenced partition they thunder, where ideally one will go out the east gate and one out the west. Bevis did us proud - I didn't know he could move that fast since he looks like a barrel of Shetland wool on legs. And Butthead headed straight to the fence next to my department to sniff my girls. Meanwhile the herders managed to panic Bevis enough that he accidentally ran out the correct gate.

Of course, that puts him in with us where the idiot has to bang his horned little head on everyone elses like he hasn't ever seen or lived with us before. That went on for hours until he started in on the lambs. End of project. Bob the lead Genius isolated him on the fringes of the flock for the rest of the day and evening. Its funny - the lambs are a pain at feeding time, but something stirs even in my practical little heart when they are getting beat-up on.

Back to rodeo part 2: getting the three big ewes in with Butthead.

The big girls are running a round a pasture where they could pretty much out strip the Shepherd for hours, but they seem not be able to resist an open gate to somewhere they haven't been before. It took several false starts, but finally the big girls thunder through the gate and into .........yup, the garden ?? Well, that fence needing replacing anyway, right ?

And getting them out of the garden is a bit of a stretch because the garden gate - a homemade fence and 2x2 arrangement - got trashed by a drunken yearling deer a month ago, so it DOESN'T OPEN. It is really trashed now - but Shepherd didn't want to run the sheep back over the fence again, so finally out the gate hole and voila ! they went into the pasture they were theoretically headed for. Herders are breathing hard and Shepherd is muttering Thanks Be To Godde no one got killed.

Now the last piece of work is Butthead - he needs to get into the front pasture with the girls and he - after sniffing every body he could find and taking a swipe at the Big Guy, is ...eating. Can't be bothered. They wrestle him away from a flake of hay and push him through the gate and he looks around and sees - Girls !! He takes off, they run like heck, and the last ring of the circus is on. and on. and on. He gets close to one and you can see his eyes blink as he thinks "I've never seen a sheep this tall !! How in the world.......? "

He'll figure it out - rams always do.

The feeder is full !!!!

2006-12-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

Which means the Big Guy is home ! Even I think he looks really handsome with an 80 lb bale on his shoulder....what a hunk !! Becca says "we all know that the hay is your type, not the big guy." Duh. Maybe we'll get the barn cleaned, too....it is warm enough for it to begin to smell like sheep. Bob the Genius mutters, Benny, you should live with billy goats and then you would appreciate sheep smell..." He is such a know it all.....

It sounds like, from listening to the shepherd, that we are going to get Bevis, aka Buddy the Shetland wether, in with us very soon. What is she thinking ??? There is barely room for 6 of us at the feeder, let alone 7 and even now I have to push the lambs around to get adequate nourishment. Then there is the personality of Bevis. He will have to ram his pointy little head against everyone else like he hasn't ever seen us before.

Two summers ago, The Shepherd decided to let the hens run loose for a while. Pretty soon, she yells for the Big Guy to come help. Bevis concluded that the big black hen is a terror threat and started using her as a soccer ball. Big Guy comes out and they stand in amazement. The hen is pushed into a little crevice of the wire fence and Bevis is standing back about 4 yd., front feet spread, head down, with black tail feathers sticking out of both sides of his mouth. Shepherd shakes her head, says something about never have a camera when you need one, and pries the terrified hen out of the fence. The hen was laying the next day, so evidently no damage, but that tells you all you need to know about Bevis.

Couldn't I have been born on a congenial estate in the East ???

Icicle dance

2006-11-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

So, this morning the shepherd comes out to throw hay around because the rapidly becoming spoiled ewes are lined up watching the house for any sign of life and OUR FEEDER IS EMPTY ! EMPTY !! This is neglect !!!

Bob the Genius says "calm down Benny - she can't lift 80 lb bales anymore and the Big Guy is not home this week. She has to throw hay in sections for us until the weekend." Well, it may not be neglect, but it does mean that I have to scrounge for hay on the ground with the riff raff aka the lambs. Becca the Brain Trust says that since I stand over my share of the hay like Colossus of Rhodes and am about as easy to move, that there clearly isn't any problem with starvation. No one understands me.

Then there is Butthead, whose feeder is still full, and who has spotted the ewes and thinks they should be with him. Thus the huge gatepost on his pasture is beginning to lean outward as he thumps his little tiny brain against it again and again. Don't tell him I said that - he has horns - big ones. Its amazing this place runs at all given the current management...

Anyway, back to the icicles. Shepherd comes out this morning to change out the water for the hens which has frozen solid over night. She pries the hen house door open, which is pretty stiff in the cold, and sticks her head in to grab the frozen waterer. Backing out, she catches a 12 inch icicle or two on the back of her head, breaks it off and it slides down the inside of her barn coat. Such Language !!

My delicate sensibilities are still recovering....

I need a blanket !

2006-11-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Whatever am I supposed to do when it gets this cold ?? The wind howls, the temperature is below zero and the shepherd is where ?? Out piling up bales of straw to protect the ewes. Ewes Schmues - I have the prize winning fleece here !

Shepherd rubbed my chest last night after all the bale piling and tells me what a splendid long and dense fleece I have this year. Becca, my companion, snickers and says - that isn't all that is dense....She is real piece of work and smarter than the average sheep by a long ways. And she'll remind you of that in a heartbeat. Too bad she is such a weird combination of genetics and not a PURE BRED like someone here.....

So perhaps I am in no danger of freezing, and with the freezing weather, the barn is smelling a lot better. Life is such a series of trade-offs. And the 3 acquired ewes really are looking a much healthier - so next month they go into the front pasture where Bevis and Butthead live. Bevis comes in with us to be obnoxious and stir things up. Shetlands can be such idiots. And Butthead,
officially named Raven, gets a chance at producing more little black lambs.

Don't even get me started on the manners of rams.....

oh, and Becca's big head is right next to mine in the main portrait of Bennyness.....

2006-11-27T08:08:00.000-08:00

I am writing this in hopes that the shepherd will read it - YO, Woman ! The barn is dirty !

I don't know how a sheep with prize winning fleece is supposed to maintain his dignity in these conditions. The water bucket has 3 pieces of hay floating in it, the lambs pooped in the place where I sleep, and it smells like a barn in here. There are ladders hanging on the wall - what if one fell down and hurt me ??? And its cold this morning.

True, the feeder is full, the water is not frozen and I get my chest rubbed every night at treat time, but the dumb dogs sleep on the bed, in the house. Bob, the lead genius in the flock says "Benny - so be a dog next time".

Well, I didn't choose to be a dog this time - they don't have something to eat 24/7 and I would not be the dignified presence I am without a full feeder.

Then there is matter of the rehab pasture. Yes, I KNOW the 3 ewes she got were in abysmal shape, and needed worming, good food and some TLC. But if you ask me, they are looking pretty good 3 weeks after they showed up. Not anywhere as good as me, of course. Ratty fleeces full of burrs, hip bones sticking out, one so weak she had trouble running. But they have filled out and they still get fed twice a day, grain in the evening, sung to by the shepherd. When is the last time I saw grain ????? When she was using up the end of a bag that the ewes had almost finished. I am going to write the Humane Society.....

Bob, the genius says, "Benjamin - you are technically a food animal - do you know how badly you need to neglected before the Humane Society in Montana can do something ??"

What's this "food animal" stuff ?

Intro to Benny

2006-11-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

The shepherd says that since I have such strong opinions, for a sheep at least, that I should have my own blog. All sheep have opinions, but mine are undoubtedly wiser than most. And then there is the REALLY good looking aspect of my personality. Why else would she have named her business after me ?

So, I am Benny - 200 lbs of CVM Romeldale wether (that means boy-who-isn't-a-ram) and I live with 10 other sheep of varying levels of charm and brilliance. When the shepherd has time, she will help get my picture up - the hooves just don't do the keyboard thing. But for now I am am astute observer of the passing scene, and the passing scene came up wet and white this morning. The lambs - now 7 months old - have not seen snow before and they are loving it. They are big balls of black fleece on skinny legs, frosted in white and they look silly. The lead sheep, Bob, cautions me not to spoil their fun by pulling my "sheep are supposed to be dignified" routine. The shepherd says that at my weight and size, looking dignified is all that is left to me. She should talk....