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Thursday, June 1, 2017

A Daisy For A Darling

Or a clover for a crazy sheep :-D.

Maisie showed up the other evening with a clover stuck to her back.  It was still there when Biscuit and I were back up at the barn later that night trying to walk off yet another tummy ache.  Biscuit's tummy, but at this point I'm so stressed out I'll probably be next.

I remember Maisie having so many problems (and not just tummy issues :-o) when she was a lamb. Biscuit was fine until I guess he got stressed during the fiber festival and then the selenium issue struck and now I'm finding myself saying "[He] just can't seem to put two good days in a row together" yet again.

I can only assume someone was grazing next to Maisie, picked up the clover, turned their head over her back and accidentally dropped it.  Maybe it wasn't an accident and she has a boyfriend or a secret admirer.  Or maybe a fairy put it there.  Regardless, a little welcomed flower magic.

One thing to note is Maisie is facing away from me in these pictures.  Well, in one she's not, but in that one she's looking up at me, not at my kneecaps getting ready to strike.  I have to own up to completely losing my cool with her a few weeks ago.

She was once again following me around the barn lot like an angry shark as I tried to talk to other sheep besides her.  I tried to diffuse the situation by ignoring her bad behavior, putting bigger sheep between us as a buffer and finally setting myself up for a quick exit before I got hurt.  

Wait a minute.  I work hard taking care of my family.  If I want to take a few minutes at the end of the day to visit with everyone, Maisie, that's my reward.  Being held hostage by a two foot tall terrorist (who working hard to take care of didn't even begin to cover it (if you don't know the Maisie story, it's worth reading back)) is...ridiculous.

I lost it.  

My first instinct was to fight fire with fire.  Do not get in a butting contest with a sheep, especially Maisie.  You will not win.  I quickly figured that one out ;-).  I changed my strategy to scaring the heck out of her and chasing her into the barn, away from me.

Stomping my feet and clapping my hands, I shouted "I have had it with you, Maisie!  You get your [butt] in that barn and stay there!  You get away from me!"  And she beat it into the barn, turned around, and if a sheep could drop their jaw, she'd have done it.  For once in her life, she was speechless.

I knew that mostly I'd just made myself feel better.  Maisie having a conscience and learning anything was not really how things worked in the real world.  I was wrong.  The next morning she was waiting for me at the back gate, which is normal, but with a completely different look on her face.

"Hi momma :-).  Are you still mad at me?  I'm going to try really hard to be a good girl from now on.  See how good I am?" 

And she has!  She calmly walks up to me in the evenings, stands next to me waiting patiently for her tummy rub (I think she still has some tummy issues), lets me leave her to go talk to other sheep, no head shaking, foot stomping, teeth chomping...  

While we are not ready to eliminate "Stay away from the sheep with a tail" from our farm safety warning or sign Maisie up for the Hug a Sheep pen, I can happily say if there was a sheep out there who has earned her own flower, it's "the little darling" :-).



"I have a flower!"


"Quit taking pictures and rub my tummy!"

14 comments:

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

Good for you for standing your ground! Sheep, dog, horse, human-it never serves anyone to allow ourselves to be bullied.

Linda said...

Guess she told you Maisie! :D

The Dancing Donkey said...

You need to take some lessons from Kate. Sheep love to terrorize a dog they know they can intimidate, but a few words from a good Border Collie will straighten them right out. I think Maisie has you pegged as a poodle. Channel you inner Kate:)

Shirley said...

:) Like Dancing Donkey said! Just what I was thinking!
A cooperative Maisie will make life much more pleasant. I hope the new attitude sticks.

paula said...

Seems to me some of the most difficult people or animals pull on our heart strings the most, maybe because we have given them more of ourselves? Regardless there comes a time enough is enough, sounds like you reached that point with Maisie, well done Sara! Hope Biscuit will get better, he's just too cute!

Alice said...

What a cute story and a clever response to Maisies behavior. Having been butted by her, I know how helpless it feels. Good for you!!! She earned her dandelion on her back where it's safe and sound!

Michelle said...

I nodded at Andrea's comment and then laughed out loud at The Dancing Donkey's. Sara, the Poodle no more! hahaha

Cheryl West said...

I guess standing up to "bully" Maisie has brought out sweeter,kinder Maisie. Good for you. I hope your barn will be calmer.
Dear little Biscuit looks the picture of health in your photos so hope the tummy problems settle soon and you can all get a good night's sleep.

sophy0075 said...

Maisie' problem is that she has a short (Napoleon) complex. The height-challenged among us can be a bit (or more) shall we say bossy (folks who know me might say rather a different adjective from time to time.) I'm sure you've used word stronger than that for Maisie the Magnificent 👿

But why pick on poodles? Mine is tiny, but very brave...

Linda said...

Actually this was a fun post...and I enjoyed all the comments! Maisie is the cutest little thing!

LannieK said...

I still think she brought you a flower... "Sorry - Luv ya, Ma!"

T.L. Merrybard said...

Wise words in the comments. Some people and animals will bully us if we don't stand up for ourselves. Being always kind just does not cut it with those sorts of beings. It's a shame that those sorts of creatures then turn all nicey nicey, when it would have been so lovely if they'd just be nice to start with, but it is just a fact of life. Too bad Maisie, mama just got tough!

Ruth said...

I have a problem sheep in Honey, who demands all of the attention. She jumps up on the other sheep (or worse - me!) when I'm not giving her enough scratches!

Hopefully Maisie's good behaviour is here to stay. :)

Far Side of Fifty said...

She just needed a talking too...funny girl :(

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