This morning Joyce and Barney Terrell arrived from their second trip to the Fancy Fibers Farm this week to bring us a total of 13 additional Shetland sheep.  While their hearts wanted to raise Shetlands forever, various body parts were giving them signals that maybe it was time to reign in their passion for these little heritage sheep. So it was with very mixed feelings of relief and sadness that they brought 13 of their Shetlands to join the herd at our Farm.

Shetlands are one of the smallest breeds of British sheep, having originated in the British islands.  They are considered a “primitive” or “heritage” breed which means they are “unimproved” by man’s genetic tamperings. They are small, hardy, adaptable, and long-lived. In fact, Joyce kept her older sheep, one of which is 16 years old! They are also calm, docile, and generally easy to manage. Our Shetlands we bought from Fairlight Farms last September will come up to us and hang around to be petted!  Ken chose Shetlands to raise for just these reasons, and for their natural beauty. Their wool is prized for everything from rugs to fine clothing.

There will be some jostling and head-butting today and tomorrow between the 3 Shetland wethers who were already Farm residents and the wethers from Barney and Joyce’s flock.  But that will subside. Interestingly, the does, having better sense, have already begun to mingle.

We look forward to the spring and the bountiful wool these new additions will bring!

Tonight Ken disassembled, stacked, and packed all the cages, carriers, and other gear that had been temporarily loaned to us with the arrival of Stanley and Dudley, our “barn cats” living in the Bunny Barn Workshop.  Tomorrow Peggy of the Barn Cats organization will pick it all up to use the next time someone wants to try out one of her captured, neutered, healthy cats on a “trial run” basis.

Our new additions, Stanley and Dudley, have definitely made themselves at home, and their performance has been great.  Although we love most creatures, there are a few four-legged critters, most notably little gray ones with long tails, that we would prefer live outside. Stanley and Dudley have the responsibility to make sure that rule is followed, on penalty of death!

Still, there are a few “kinks” to work out.  Dudley and I are experiencing a difference of opinion about his sleeping quarters.  He seems to favor one of my bottom baskets of yarn, despite the fact that he has to flatten himself out substantially to get into it! The squished “nest” of sock yarn was a definite clue that he had found himself a cozy spot.

He knows I’m after him for it, too! You can almost hear him say, “You can’t keep me out!”

Dudley is probably right, too, and it will probably be me who will alter my yarn storage system long before I am successful at convincing Dudley to give up his yarn basket!

That’s ok, Dudley boy. Just keep on showing the mice who’s boss!