Amy

The last few days have been extremely special, with the addition of Amy, the 3-month old bummer lamb who was just about to go to auction.  Her fate was intercepted by an animal savior who decided that wasn’t going to happen, and relocated Amy and her four goat friends to homes that were “animal friendly.”

Amy’s presence here makes everything right with the world. I feel so much love for her that I find myself sitting in the barn for extended periods of time, just staring at her – waiting (and wanting) for her to come around to the realization that I’m only there to love, feed, and care for her.  That I mean no harm.  She has come close to me… but no pets yet.

Amy was raised with 2 female goats and their kids.  This little lamb actually thought she was a goat, or at least belonged with them.  With the four goats that are living here, her first inclination was to bond with them, hanging out as close to their pen as she could. Never mind there were three other sheep available to bond with – namely Andy, the boy who I hoped would be thrilled to have another Barbados in the herd.

Andy has always been a bit of an outcast among the others, but perhaps that is the reason he is so bonded to me.  The other two, Bitsy and Joey, are always together, and although Andy stays nearby, he never quite fit in with them.  So, as soon as he saw Amy, it was obvious there was a twinkle in his eye.  Someone that looked just like him! How exciting!

Andy is a bit of a clown, and is always interacting with me in one way or another.  He’s like a puppy dog, but much more mischievous.  When I come home from shopping, his face is always in the groceries, trying to see what I bought – or what he can get hold of and run away with!  He’s taken off with whole heads of lettuce, broccoli, bags of carrots, coffee… you name it – and catching him to get it back is a comedy show.  I’ve spent up to an hour trying to retrieve his grabs. He is always there to greet me when I come home, and anyone else who visits, poking his head in the car door to see what treats might be there, or for pets – or most likely, what he can grab and get away with!

So when he saw Amy, it was playtime!  He was like a kid with a new toy.  Problem was, Amy didn’t know how to respond to his enthusiasm.

It only took a couple days though – and Amy took to Andy like a fly to honey.  She now follows him around, cries when he is out of sight, and thankfully Andy cordially goes to get her.  They graze together, eat together, sleep together, and play together.  It is love as I’ve not seen with sheep before.  And I think it has a lot to do with Andy being lonely when I’m not with him.  He is in love, and it is clear in his every action and reaction to this precious girl.

It won’t be long before she’s allowing my hugs and pets.  And the other two sheep have accepted her into the flock.

Life is good.