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Friday, December 12, 2014

On Patrol

Karen asked where Blossom was (in the Christmas card).  Poor Baba.  I've learned that 20 animals is a pretty good maximum number for each year.  With 35 sheep, there are many who don't get included.  It's hard to decide who makes the card and who doesn't.  

I know better than to leave Miss Maisie off (the rotten tomatoes would start flying from you all ;-). I know better than to leave Graham off (yes, we are all a little afraid of the wrath of Graham ;-). I always include any new sheep, cats, dogs, horses and I can't imagine painting the card without Hank.


Yesterday was a nice busy day.  Stella and I hosted a neighborhood tea and enjoyed catching up with many of our friends we share a wave to as we pass each other on the road.  I barely noticed that the sun was shining for the first time in days ;-).  As soon as we had everything cleaned up and put away, I grabbed the camera and headed out.  


Most of the sheep had already moseyed back to the barn.  I knew Blossom would still be out though and she was.  It's how she keeps her voluptuous figure!


The side view is a bit more slimming ;-).


My plan was to take some Blossom pictures (Did she make one of the "Where are they now" posts?), but my eye always travels to Hank.  This is the time of day that he starts making his rounds.


He follows the perimeter of each paddock, checking smells, leaving some of his own.


He's particularly interested in the road frontage of the side paddock.


Baby B (Baaxter) is back out grazing.  Well, he followed me out and then proceeded to jump on me every time I crouched down to take a picture.  I am his favorite play toy.  Or maybe that's Auntie Reg ;-).  It was cute at 20 pounds...  

Oddly, I've never had a lamb jump like he does.  When Kathy saw him bounce up onto the Wool House porch as a wee tot (from a stand still and probably three feet up), she immediately said "That's the Polypay in him!"  


And as we all go about our evening grazing and chatting about silly sheep and not paying any attention to anything else, Hank continues on his rounds.  He's all business as the sun sets...and that's why the rest of us can relax.  He's headed out back to patrol the ponds and back fields next.  


16 comments:

Pam said...

Nothing as comforting as a good dog on patrol. Thank you for including 'Bewildered' on your card-he made me smile! Sounds like a fun day and what a beautiful afternoon.

Unknown said...

Hank is my hero, I was just telling my knitting group about him last night.

Maureen said...

Each and every photo is a delight to see... what a Wonderful Life indeed.

Good ol' Hank.

Jan baby said...

I'm always amazed how Hank knows what to do. Is it instinctive? Was he taught? After having our Alaskan Malamute Holly, and trying to train her, even though she was a sweetheart, she was mischievous and bullheaded, seldom came when called. Ahhh, wonderful Hank!

thecrazysheeplady said...

I think it's mostly instinctive due to breeding. He was born and raised in a goat herd and I'm sure his mother taught him some as well. When he got here we spent some time watching him and praising good behavior and scolding bad, like chasing chickens, cats... These dogs WANT to be outside and working. He would be really upset if he had to be a household "pet". I've heard Malamutes can be a bit harder to train ;-). Holly sure was a sweetie though.

thecrazysheeplady said...

I'm having to word verify my own stupid blog comments AND I'm using their beloved Google Chrome browser. ARGH!!!!

C-ingspots said...

Such a beautiful day, and lovely grounds. Your Hank sounds wonderful. We have a neighbor who got to GP pups to guard their chickens. We've had so much trouble with them as they don't keep them at home. They are renters, have very little land, but their yard is fenced. They come and go constantly, leaving their gate open and the pups come visiting. We adore them, but worry so much for their safety. We live near a very busy state highway. We know of 3x that the female has been narrowly missed. Had to call the dog patrol last week, and now they're locked up. Safe, but probably bored out of their minds. I would have dog-napped them had I known of a good home who would have taken them. They are such sweet, gentle and loving dogs, but are busy, busy, busy.

Tombstone Livestock said...

Love, love, love Hank, so handsome.

Henny Penny said...

Your place is absolutely gorgeous!! Don't you love to see the sun come out!
I love Hank too!

thecrazysheeplady said...

Just read that if you change your comment setting to embedded rather than pop up that the word verification will go away. So, here's a test.

thecrazysheeplady said...

They MAY settle down as they get older, but I agree, they like to have a rewarding job :-).

thecrazysheeplady said...

Looks like it's working!

Sheepmom said...

Wow, sun and green grass! We've only had snow for about a week now but it seems like forever to me :-/ SO satisfying to see Hank and the sheeps outside on a nice day. Thanks for the respite from snow!

sophy0075 said...

Such a good dog! I hope you have a special treat wrapped up for him for Christmas. Thank you for that Blossom fix (she just wants to grow the mostest fleece ;). And it seems like only "yesterday" that Baaxter was that tiny, bouncy lambie.

Susan said...

HE, Hank of course, is just wonderful! Such a studly patrol officer :) Baaxter the Bouncer, great position for him on the card as well .

Far Side of Fifty said...

Good to hear Blossom is okay, I imagine she is a little depressed not being on the card! Love all your green,,,we are brown here now, it rained.
I have embedded too and don't seem to have that not a robot thing...I have heard you can ignore it:)

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