Epilogue

Tim, Tilly and I want thank you so much for all your kind words and hugs.  The sheep don't seem to care one bit.  In fact, after getting bum rushed at the gate for the second time without her standing guard while I tried to pass through to carry in a bucket of water, it really sunk in.  We've not only lost a really good friend, but a really hard working farm partner.   

Tilly has taken it pretty hard.  She relied on Iris for guidance all day long.  "What are we doing now? Is that something we need to bark about?  Where are we going now?   Is dad home?  Yeah, a nap would be good.  Should we go check the sheep?  Who's driving up Stella's driveway?..." It's sad to see her always looking over her shoulder waiting for Iris to race by.

And Iris was able to race by until this past weekend.  You wouldn't have known anything was really wrong with her until Monday morning.  I noticed she was a little "off" over the weekend, but nothing concrete you could really put your finger on.  Monday she started having trouble breathing.  X-rays showed fluid build up around her lungs and an ultrasound showed why - cancer throughout her lungs. 

It was a heartbreaking, but easy decision.  The vet came out to the farm and we all sat down in front of the Wool House for one last late summer nap.  Tilly stayed by her side until Tim came home.  It was a sad, but beautiful, peaceful afternoon and now no one is suffering anything worse than a broken heart.  

Iris Maybelle McGillicutty

2001? - September 17, 2014

Where Are They Now - Ford

Ford is getting to be one of the old guys around here. He turned 12 this past spring. That's old for a commercial type sheep, but Jacobs tend to be a little longer lived, maybe due to their smaller size.

"What do you mean I'm an old guy?"

Where Are They Now - Hershey And Count Chocula...And Hank

It might look like these are all almost the exact same picture...and they are. But if you watch the backgrounds, they were taken over the span of several minutes, not just one right after the next. That's because it's not uncommon to see Hershey and Chocula side by side :-).

They are good friends...and Hershey's a good shield from that dastardly dog ;-).

Where Are They Now - Hank And Daniel Not-Boone

Just to be clear, Daniel is completely down with back scratches (and eye rubs, hugs and kisses :-).  In fact, he's probably my chummiest sheep.  So much so that he will push other sheep away from me, especially Burrnie.  "She is talking to ME right now, Burrnie/Hershey/Maisie/Annabelly..."

When Daniel first got here, he was terribly afraid of people.  For the first couple of weeks I actually thought he might never settle in and that was such a surprise because his brother, Marcel, was the most laid back love bug ever.  Marcel loved everybody, especially me and super especially Hank.  

Side note - I'm so glad I have a blog.  I'd forgotten the story of Marcel banging on the gate and Hank stopping him.  I re-read it when I was picking a post to link for "super especially Hank".  It's nice to have good memories :-).

Back to the story at hand, what Daniel's never gotten over is his fear of Hank.  Hank has never done anything bad to Daniel. Or Chocula, who is also very scared of Hank.  Nothing bad happened to them before they came here.  Hershey?  Hank can't get away from him.  I have no answers.

I did notice the other day though when I was out there with everyone that Daniel was actually grazing calmly no more than 20 feet away from Hank.  That's a Big Deal.  I quietly snapped a few pictures.

While I doubt they Daniel has called a truce, it sure looks like Hank is happy and hopeful.  He loves his sheeps, even the silly ones :-).

  

Garden Buddies

"Hi there!"

This was a very agreeable medium size praying mantis.  The sun was setting so the light was difficult and I kept asking it to move from flower to flower, hoping to squeeze out a little direct sun.  I'd take the blossom it was on and touch it to the one I wanted it to move to.  No border collie needed :-).

This big guy was who originally caught my eye as I walked past the dye garden last night.  Biggest grasshopper I've ever seen!  And, and this just seems so weird that I didn't know this, I could see him breathing and it struck me as really odd...as I guess I didn't realize bugs breathed.  You know, like in and out where you could see it.  Had to look it up and sure enough...

He was pretty agreeable too.  I didn't ask him to move around, but he let me work and work to get the focus right on this so his face was sharp and clear.  He's hanging on to a fennel branch and I love how the foliage looks completely foreign.

"G'night crazy bug lady."

Everybody take care of each other.

Where Are They Now - Blossom

Or Baba as we now call her. I have no idea when that started or why, but Baba she is. And, truth be told, it's usually Baba Baba.  

Still cute as a button :-).

ISO 400  f/2.8  1/500 sec and focal length 175mm

This may be a calendar shot.  I love the depth of field.  Just the right amount of sharp focus.  I got lucky, but that's how you learn.  When you see something you like, remember how you got it so you can repeat it.  

I couldn't decide between these two.  Which one do you like best?