Sereknitty

Earl, Earl, Earl! The lamb was center stage today, beating out the chickens, chicks, dogs, cats, even the computer and telephone with friends. DD was a girl with a mission. Generally not one to get up early unless prompted, she was up and dressed, ready to deal with Earl and his needs.

He’s quiet in comparison to other sheep that we have known. There was very little noise from him last night. So little noise that I got up in the middle of the night to go out and check on him to make sure he was indeed still in his pen. He was.

Earl is expressive without vocalization. He stomps his feet, usually only one at a time but when he is really trying to communicate his dissatisfaction he will stomp both. DD went in to his pen and he stomped once and stood looking at her. I approached and he stomped his foot. DH approached and he stomped both feet. DH left.

Sheep are very cooperative when they are hungry. You have their rapt attention while they wait for their food. We took the opportunity to start Earl’s halter training while he anticipated getting his breakfast. The method seemed to work because while he obviously wasn’t happy, he allowed us to put on the halter and adjust it. He then dove into his grain and alfalfa rations with gusto. DD held his food bowl while he ate the grain. He has to allow her to touch him while he is eating so he learns to trust and accept her feel. Breakfast was gone too quickly in his opinion for when the bowl was empty he knocked it out of her hands and proceeded to stomp with both feet several times. The training worked. DD was ready to go and get him more grain because “he wanted it”. We are definitely going to have to watch more closely to see just who is training who.

DH and I finished the rest of our chores with the dogs and chickens and returned to find DD attempting to move Earl on his leash out into the back area of our property where the grass is longer. It was a comedic dance, correographed by the will of Earl in direct competition with the will of DD. I was very relieved that she won out in the end. Earl went where DD directed, well, within reason.

Gaining his cooperation is a matter of gaining his trust. DD has a wonderful, gentle way with animals. She spent some excellent bonding time with Earl as the following photos will illustrate.

I have to believe that working with Earl is preparing DD for the day she will have children. Her expression in this the next photo shows the exasperation felt by every mother/parent at some point during the child rearing journey.