All my sheep have gone astray......

Chasing sheep is not. fun. My dear daughter is only eight so she can't be blamed; but she let the sheep out on her last trip to water them. All of the sheep and their guardian dog.......

Let me tell you about my sheep......
My husband labored for days and sometimes nights to build a (expensive) safe and durable fence. The fence is necessary, not only to keep them in, but also to keep to predators out. We picked the best spot on our 20 acres for their home. A lovely hilly area that was once used as a hay field. We partitioned it off so that we could rotate them to help prevent worms. At one end of this lovely pasture is a tree that lends it's branches to shade them. But my sheep, my dear beloved sheep spend most of their time sitting in the sun, in the dirt at the gate!! Hoping to be let out! They don't explore all of the lovely space we have given them......they don't lay in the cool lush grass under the shade.......they stay at the fence and feel bad for themselves because of what they can't do!

As we chased sheep, and watched them run in all different directions, it occured to me: I can't keep my sheep safe unless they are in the fence! When they run away from me I can't protect them and they need my protection. If one should get lost and not be found, it's chances of survival are almost nil. A coyote, stray dog or any predator with a taste for sheep meat would easily catch and kill them. In the fence and under my care they are well protected. The fence keeps these critters out and the Livestock Guardian Dog alerts me when there is animal that doesn't belong roaming near them. But, say they make it somehow and survive without me? How will they rid themselves of the burden they carry on their back? The wonderful wool that I can use to make beautiful yarn, can actually make them sick if left too long. Even kill them...... Yes, sheep need a shephard (or in my case a shephardess!) They need someone to care for them. They need protection for enemies that are too powerful for them. I wish I could make them understand.........

So because of my love for my sheep, I ignored their struggling to get away. I held on tight and in a very undignified way we wrestled them back into the fence; where they would be safe.

I have learned a lot from sheep..........