Watching

I love walking out the back door and seeing our sheep out grazing in the back field. I never fail to stop for at least a few seconds to watch (and smile :-). I especially like to see Miss Maisie out with everyone and love that Hank is never far away. 

Maisie's the sheep closest to the far fence and Hank is in the shade, far left.

When I took these pictures earlier in the week I remembered Maisie running, tail still twirling around like a propeller (to help her go faster I'm sure ;-).  I didn't know why she was running and even though she was headed towards me, there's no way she could have seen or heard me.  I was zooming in from the yard, far away.  When I started downloading the pictures I saw it. 

Hank, who probably did see me coming, started heading back towards the barn.  Maisie didn't miss that fact and took off running after him.  He's her very best friend.  Remember when they first met?  He's been her body guard ever since.

Midway to him, something caught her eye and she detoured over to a tree.  Hank stopped to wait for her.

And when he realized she'd gotten completely distracted (kids... ;-) he sat down where he could keep an eye on her.  

This is not a random occurrence.  Maisie goes nowhere without Hank watching over her.  After a long night working, I'm sure there's nothing he would rather do than take a long nap in the cool barn.  However, Maisie wants to go down by the creek and graze.  By herself.  Hank follows her down and the two of them spend much of the morning down there.  Hank sits under a tree, patiently waiting on her, with a look on his face that clearly says,  

"What are ya gonna do?"