Barney the ram is taking his paternal obligations very seriously and has happily and enthusiastically settled back into the everyday routine in the sheep barn. The five ewe lambs, now housed in what is, for eight months of the year Barney's bachelor pad have also resigned themselves to life away from the main flock. Sadly, their first few days of independence were, to put it mildly LOUD ! Anxious moms, hovering close to the pasture gate called out to their "lost" young, their sad cries resonated across the valley and five little lambs, noses wedged into the stall gate frantically bawled in reply. Thankfully, Mother Nature has a way of helping food and water compensate for almost any tragedy and within days, peace and tranquility was restored to the barnyard. The lambs now contentedly languish overnight in the man cave, the ewes, watched over by an overly amorous ram have reconciled themselves to eating, sleeping and dodging Barney's attention.
Each morning Bran the Border collie and his little rotund cohort Luke eagerly wait for my call. As the gate to the sheep pen swings open and Barney and his ladies race for the pasture the two dogs set of in hot pursuit, Bran intently chasing the last woolly tail through the gate....little Luke, not quite sure what he is chasing, little legs and bob tail bouncing off down Cow Lane and possibly heading for the next County if he wasn't reminded to stop ! Sadly for Bran and Luke, Barney the ram has little or no respect for Bran's authority and total disregard for little bowling ball Luke. As the ladies obligingly scurry for the pasture, the ram has taken to screeching to a sudden sliding stop which causes Bran to put on his canine brakes which causes little Luke to carry on running..on his own... and on the wrong side of the ram. Bran resolutely stands his ground as big Barney arrogantly struts stiff legged and steadfastly towards him. Clearly, not welcoming any confrontation and confused by the Ram's lack of respect and potential aggression, the waving tail stops waving and Bran's nose hits the ground as he suddenly regrets his foolish bravado, wishing he was anywhere but sandwiched between the gate and potential disaster. Meanwhile, Luke is still running....... ! Not really sure if getting Mr. Barney addicted to apple and honey horse treats was such a good idea in retrospect.....poor Bran. Where is little Luke ????
Well, we had our BIG storm. Those booming thunder claps helped made me appreciate why the ancients used to believe the God's were fighting in Heaven, heck, they weren't fighting, that was a war !!!. We got lightening (lots of) and we got rain (not enough)....and now we are dry again, the sky is hazy with the smoke from multiple nearby fires. Our thoughts are with those affected by the brush fires and our grateful thanks go out to the fire service who are putting themselves in danger on a daily basis. Thanks also to Erin and Jim for their love and support and to our Ranch "family" ....because we ARE a family. Take care, keep safe, M xx
Each morning Bran the Border collie and his little rotund cohort Luke eagerly wait for my call. As the gate to the sheep pen swings open and Barney and his ladies race for the pasture the two dogs set of in hot pursuit, Bran intently chasing the last woolly tail through the gate....little Luke, not quite sure what he is chasing, little legs and bob tail bouncing off down Cow Lane and possibly heading for the next County if he wasn't reminded to stop ! Sadly for Bran and Luke, Barney the ram has little or no respect for Bran's authority and total disregard for little bowling ball Luke. As the ladies obligingly scurry for the pasture, the ram has taken to screeching to a sudden sliding stop which causes Bran to put on his canine brakes which causes little Luke to carry on running..on his own... and on the wrong side of the ram. Bran resolutely stands his ground as big Barney arrogantly struts stiff legged and steadfastly towards him. Clearly, not welcoming any confrontation and confused by the Ram's lack of respect and potential aggression, the waving tail stops waving and Bran's nose hits the ground as he suddenly regrets his foolish bravado, wishing he was anywhere but sandwiched between the gate and potential disaster. Meanwhile, Luke is still running....... ! Not really sure if getting Mr. Barney addicted to apple and honey horse treats was such a good idea in retrospect.....poor Bran. Where is little Luke ????
Well, we had our BIG storm. Those booming thunder claps helped made me appreciate why the ancients used to believe the God's were fighting in Heaven, heck, they weren't fighting, that was a war !!!. We got lightening (lots of) and we got rain (not enough)....and now we are dry again, the sky is hazy with the smoke from multiple nearby fires. Our thoughts are with those affected by the brush fires and our grateful thanks go out to the fire service who are putting themselves in danger on a daily basis. Thanks also to Erin and Jim for their love and support and to our Ranch "family" ....because we ARE a family. Take care, keep safe, M xx
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