Visiting the Sheep

As I think I mentioned earlier, we used to have two Shetland sheep. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed them -- until we had kids.

Then it became just work and at that time the last thing we needed was extra work, so we gave them away.

I do still dream of dusting off my spinning wheel and getting back into fiber arts some day, and I really do feel a special connection to sheep, especially Shetlands, so when I saw an ad on Craig's List for an on-farm "Adopt-a-Sheep" program, I jumped at it.

The way it works is that we adopted (technically "sponsored" is a more accurate term) a lamb, that will stay with its mother on a farm about 20 minutes from our house. As the lamb's benefactors, we are entitled to visit her once a month, and receive photos and letters from her (translated by the farmer of course).

Next April we will be invited to shearing day at the farm and since I chose a "spinner's adoption" we will also get to bring the raw fleece home with us.

For me the best part of the experience is that more than half of our visit there was spent sitting quietly, waiting for the sheep to come to us.

Barbara, whose farm we were visiting, was very clear about the rules that she has around her animals and no amount of toddler/preschooler cuteness or tantruming was going to change that.

And for the hour or so that we were there, Lily, who is almost four, rose to the occasion. She sat so patiently taking deep breaths to calm herself down, with her hand extended, hoping that the sheep would come to her. And they did! And it was wonderful!
Even, two-year-old Quinn, was able to feed the sheep. (For a short time. His attention span required that he and I left and took a little walk while Lily, Barbara and our mother's helper, Ila, continued to visit with the sheep.) But he still very clearly enjoyed his first contact with the sheep!

One of the things that I think is so special about a program like this is that it really gives children (and adults) an opportunity to experience the animals and get to know them in a way that visits to petting zoos and public shearing days just can't do.

We'll be heading back for our May visit soon, hopefully next week, and we'll be able to share photos of "our" lamb, Heather.