House Sheep

Tom T.

Saturday was another blistering day, it was also the day three sheepies went to new homes. It's always hard to see them go. I worry about them and hope that their new owners will be kind, and will appreciate the personality of the Shetlands. Selling sheep is the hardest part of the 'sheep-biz' for me.

So anyway. River and her son Freddie, along with some sheep from Allena went to a lady who wants a starter flock. River is a beautiful ewe, very correct and has one of my nicer micron counts. Very good mother and her wethered son should have a very nice fleece. Although she would come up for cookies, River was never really into being really affectionate, so we never bonded strongly. Still difficult to see the little birdies go off to their new homes.

What a big barn!

Now Tom T.....he was the other little sheep that went to his new home Saturday. Tom and I were very firmly bonded from almost the first minute. Only little Ringo has come this close to being such a 'pocket sheep'. Tom loves attention. He comes running up to me, he will stand (probably for hours) for scratches and hugs. He wags his tail. So I knew it would be tough to see Tom go. Fortunately for both Tom and myself, Kati, his new owner is a gem. You can tell when she talks about her critters that she takes delight in them, and cares for them. She drove three hours to get him.

It took Tom a few days to settle in as he was lonely for his flock mates, but it sounds like he is settling in. In his new home in a fiber flock, he will have another little wether lamb (half Shetland) and some baby wethered angora goats to keep him company. Kati lives behind a subdivision and here is a quote from the last email "Tom is a baby doll boy just so sweet! The neighbors love him and may help to rename him as the Turkey named Tom knows his name and gets upset when I call little Tom in."

Tom sniffing the fabric chicken...."Are you sure this is a chicken?"

When I knew that his new owner wasn't too far from getting to my house, I went out and picked up Tom and carted him down to the house. I was going to sit outside in the breezeway with him, but it was so hot, and Boone was being obnoxious, so I just decided to take Tommy in the house! I had a halter on him originally but it was too big, so I just looped the lead around his neck. I really didn't need it, because he wanted to stick with me. It was pretty funny to watch his eyes get bigger and bigger as he checked out this new 'barn'. We sat in front of the fan and had one last scratching/petting session, his tail wagging madly the whole time. He was very good and didn't 'soil' the house until I left him alone to go and let Kati in the yard. Then he deposited some pellets in his distress.

Little sheep, big halter

What a sweet little fellow. Even though I miss him allot, I think that Tommy will enjoy his new home, and I'm pleased for him. He will be getting a new name to go along with his new life, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out for him.

Thanks Kati!

House Sheep anyone?