Sometimes....

life is not what I think it should be on the farm. No sheep should ever leave me OR be a senior citizen. (Don't have it in me to call any of our critter family 'old')Most of you know we had to send our Great Pyrenees Bobbi to the big pasture in the sky recently. We miss her so much. She took wonderful care of our sheep, along with her brother Andrew, for 12 years. That is definitely old age for a Pyr. I am sure she and Andrew are busy busy keeping their old friends in line!

When I lose someone, I barely get time to grieve. I always cry even considering a new dog or even looking at ads for a new dog. BUT, Bobbi would not want her sheep friends unprotected from the 'bad guys.' (Coyotes- lots of them.) So I have to get my act together and keep an eye out. This is our new Pyr Milo. We drove to southern IL to pick him up and he's having a bit of culture shock. He's 3 years old and when he met Jim, I turned into the invisible woman. It was so sweet to see Milo take to Jim so quickly. Aren't they cute together? I think I'll keep them both! Ha! So there was no leaving Milo! We had no intention of leaving with out him anyway.   We were told he was 'around sheep' all his life. He had all his vet work current and, he is just gorgeous! It was a long car ride home and a very difficult, scary time for Milo. I can't imagine how sad he must have been to be moved from everything he grew up with. And his best friend Moose the Newfoundland. When we got Milo home, we found he has some issues. His mouth does not quite fit together so his tongue hangs out. He is adorable but I wish his teeth fit together better. We have to feed him soft food and we'd like to see him gain some weight. He is very timid and we are depending on Heidi Grace to help us train him to stay with the sheep. Houston, we have a fence climber! We will be installing a radio fence this weekend to cure that habit! Stinker!

Every animal who finds us is like a puzzle. Each day we find things out about them that make it easier to ease their worries and teach them what we need them to do. Right now we have to keep this cutie inside when we are not out there to monitor his activities. His hips are not the greatest but in addition to climbing our fences, he has also climbed a tree to get over the fence to visit Henry & Niles? He is very determined! He's having separation anxiety when Jim is at work so that is what I am working to ease first for Milo.

We take walks with the sheep, with Heidi Grace, Teagan and Noodle. The girls are showing him the way and I know that is how Bobbi would want things to be. I don't think Milo will ever be able to work alone in Bobbi's group but we'll see. Until we know, or find a working pair of Pyrs, Dalai Llama and Chaquita llama will be coming back to work in Bobbi's group of sheep.

Keep an eye out for updates about Milo. I think this adventurer will keep us on our toes! Hope all is well with all of you! We'll be updating the website this weekend with lots of fun fiber and painted items- keep an eye out ok?

Smooches from everyone! Sandy and Jim www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.

Can YOUR 130+ pound WHITE dog hide from YOU?

Our Heidi Grace the Great Pyrenees believes she can.....I see Monroe, I see Heidi's little toes... Now I even see her nose! Is that a 'sheepish' face or WHAT? Actually, when Heidi Grace is not out with her sheep sleeping under the porch steps is her favorite 'hiding place.'  The cement under them is a nice cool place to sleep on these hot summer days. However, here is her usual day time nap space! Notice she leaves not one bit of the couch to share with anyone else tired though! Heidi Grace watches over our oldest and special needs sheep at night. She's a very good girl and does love her naps inside during the day, or if we have storms that include thunder. She's not really afraid of the thunder, just prefers to be where I am if it gets noisy outside. And of  course I never complain when she wants to be inside with me, even if she does hog the entire couch!

Hope everyone is having a great week- watch for our next post of our new Great Pyrenees Teagan!

Smooches from Miss Heidi Grace! (Who also wanted to mention we still have sheep who would love to have a sponsor AND we will be updating the website late Friday evening- the 19th. There will be lots and lots of washed, unwashed, carded wool AND our handspun yarn!)

Chat with you very soon! Jim & Sandy Ryan www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.

Break out your water wings my sheepies!

First let me say, our thoughts go out to all the people in Texas and areas surrounding as they try to deal with the awful weather they've had for weeks now. 

We are definitely not in Texas and nothing has happened here that is on the scale of the Texas weather. However, check this out. I was out in the barn with the vet taking care of a sheep. Took about 20 minutes. It poured down rain the entire time we were in there. We call the waterway that naturally runs between the house and barns the River Ryan. You've probably heard me talk about it in the past. 

The River Ryan was running when we went inside, but only up to maybe my ankles. When we were done with my sheep and came outside, THIS is what was waiting for us.

We are in a valley- at the bottom of every hill. We joke about the River Ryan. It's usually just a little stream of water trickling through when it rains. We have drain tile installed to direct the water out to the big pasture.  Once in a while this is what happens. In 20 minutes our little River Ryan was knee deep and I can see now how people and cars get swept away so easily. I was more than a little afraid to cross that water. There was water coming from all directions around the barns and it even sounded like a river thundering along. The vet parked his truck next to the blue trailer and was still 5 feet or so away from the water. By the time he left, his truck was almost up to its bumpers in the water. I swear it was starting to float but by that time I was so freaked out I am pretty sure I was seeing things. He got on his way just fine, stayed to make sure I did not get stuck or floating off down the river. It was scary. SO, no playing in the water my sheepies. They are generally not an animal that appreciates water but my sheep think of some pretty silly things to do. Maybe I should build a life guard stand? More rain coming a little later this afternoon so maybe I SHOULD go get their water wings on? And take many pictures of THAT!

Stay safe everyone- watch out for flood waters- safe travels if you have to be out and about!

Jim & Sandy Ryanwww.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com...where sheep may safely graze.

Rosie's Bad Day....

A few weeks ago we had some mega-monster storms rip through our little valley. When Jim went to feed Bobbi (our Great Pyrenees) in the morning, a little red and white Border Collie showed up out of nowhere? We thought we had seen her before but were not sure which neighbor she belonged to?Well, until we could find out where she belonged, I made up a comfy bed of sleeping bags, put some water and treats out for her- and went back to bed. After all it WAS 4 in the morning.  It did register with me that we had a few more storms roll through but went back to sleep. They were much less severe, just regular old storms. Well, I think Rosie had a different thought on what a regular old storm is? Holy crap! I couldn't find her, the glass door on the enclosed porch was still closed so she had to be in the house? Rosie turned up- out from under a pile of fleeces in the fiber palace (aka basement). She picked a good place to shelter from a storm but whoa. She was so sad and embarrassed and I couldn't find it in me to be mad at her. She was just scared. I called the number on her tag and the vet said Rosie belonged to our friend and neighbor on the other side of the hill. They were very glad to know Rosie was fine and picked her up later in the day. Bob said Rosie is terrified of storms and will chew through anything, even inside their house, to hide.

Bob was wonderful, replaced the door and did all the work for us. Thank you neighbor Bob! We did need a back door but just hadn't gotten to that project. We suggested that Bob bring Rosie down the next time it storms. We would love new kitchen cupboards too!  Tee hee hee!

Hope all is well with all of you- the sheep are having fits waiting to get out on the new grass. Just another week peeps! Smooches from the sheep everyone!

Jim & Sandy Ryan www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.

A foot of snow & shearing day!

Wait what??? You definitely heard right. Right around our shearing day (April 1) we did indeed receive a bountiful foot of snow. The sheep had lots of wool so many chose to sleep outside. Not in the warm cozy barn. That drives me up the WALL. They looked like piles of snow with eyes and nose peeking out- wish I would have had my camera, watching them stand up was hilarious! Little Sunshine Shetland sheep decided to skip shearing last year. Sporting 2 years of wool can find oneself unable to get moving in 12 inches of snow. Oopsie! I made a path so she could get out but her twin brother Mario was making fun of her. My stink eye stopped that but I still heard sheep giggling. :o) Everyone behaved well on shearing day despite Jerome's frantic attempts to warn the sheep that something was afoot. We had great helpers- our friends Heidi & Jon Ellefson! Thank you both for making our day so much easier! Look forward to seeing David the Wonder Shearer again next April. The big haul! We just finished an update to the sheep's website, hope you'll stop on by for a browse! We will update the website again Friday so be sure you keep up with the sheeps! www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com

Hugs and smooches from the sheep!

Jim & Sandy Ryan www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com...where sheep may safely graze.

Sheepie Spa Day? Whoa!

It was a new experience around here last weekend! During all our years with sheep I never knew there were crews that came in and just trimmed sheep toes? WHAT? That is the biggest job for us now that our son moved out. Feels like most of what we do is trim sheep toes and it's hard to get other things done. Eek! There is SO much to do here!

Chatted with Therese and decided to give them a try. Her hubby and his crew arrived about 9 in the morning and we had the sheep locked inside awaiting their spa day. It was chilly and I am pretty sure they thought it was shearing day. They were not ready to give up their warm wool yet.

Jeff (hubby) did the toe trims and his crew of 2 held the sheep. We used a sheep hammock to set the sheep down comfortably. Then the trimming began. I gave the sheep their vaccinations, wormed them and then their feet were treated with some good meds to keep them healthy. Jeff and his crew were very patient and kind to the sheep. Avi had a crush on Trevor- she just kept on leaning over and wanted to snuffle his face. Tee hee. I'm not sure he was too happy about it but he was a good sport! .  Several of the sheep even took a nap in the sheepie hammock during their appointment? Good sheeps! I loved the fellow holding the sheep's head. He talked to the sheep, asked each of their names and even sang some songs. (We were getting a little punchy by the end of the day.) This would be Piper, waiting his turn, giving me the stink eye. He's usually so easy going but not that day. He told me the girls were telling the boys all week that they would have to wear brightly colored nail polish? I promised them it was not true but sometimes they don't trust me? Tee hee! We split the sheep into groups who needed additional treatment (only about 10!) and the rest went back to their regular groups. It was a long day, as long as a shearing day. It was so worth it though. Now we'll have the crew back in October and things will be much easier for Jim and me. We'll just be watching out for anyone limping in between appointments with the crew.

This also saves us an amazing amount of time on shearing day! Another benefit! They already have their spring shots and worming, toes trimmed- all we will have to do is put their spot on anti-tick med on after they are sheared. I'll be curious to see how much faster shearing day goes? Giddy UP! At one point poor old Bobbi got on the wrong side of the barn door. She gets very worried when strangers are around her sheep. I let her in and she found a comfy spot to have a nap. I adore that dog. She's so sweet and so dedicated to her sheep.

Hope you are all seeing a glimpse of Spring? We are here but do not trust it yet! We'll post updates as we find new ways to work with our flock on our own... (our son moved out a few years ago so we are in a new phase here). Smooches and hugs from the sheep with happy feet!

Jim & Sandy Ryan www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.

A sheep with nine lives?

You may want to go get yourself a big cup of coffee- we need to go back a ways to explain THIS sheep! Shortly after we moved to our farm 10 years ago, we got a call from a farm animal rescue in Pennsylvania.   They asked if we had room for any of the sheep they were working to re-home. We agreed to adopt 12 of the sheep-one gave us the first lamb ever born on our farm shortly after they arrived! They were 12 of 150 sheep that needed new homes. It makes me proud that we helped them re-home over half of the sheep into safe homes right here in WI. But we need to go back even further.

The sheep belonged to a retired dairy farmer and his wife. They missed having animals so decided to raise a small flock of sheep. They had plenty of land so the sheep would have a nice big pasture with some trees for shade. He was advised by someone to start his flock with Merino, Icelandic and Romanov sheep. What he probably didn't realize is Romanov sheep are known as 'lambs by the litter.'  He had trouble keeping up and finding help when it was time to fix the boys, vaccinate or do any vetting of the sheep. Within 5 years his flock had exploded into over 150 sheep.

The rescue took in every sheep, trimmed their feet, sheared, vetted all and fixed the boys. What a job that must have been right? I wonder how long THAT job took? If we're counting (and we are), I think Foster (and family) used several lives before they even got into the rescue! And what a shock for those poor sheep who had not seen people or been touched by people. The sheep joined our flock in November- cold in WI! They stayed inside the sheep barn to stay warm AND to let them learn to trust us. Since we have sheepie break outs every once in a while, they also needed to be 'bucket trained.' All of our sheep will come back if you have a bucket in your hand. In an emergency just a few rocks rattling around in the bucket will work. But you better move it when they hear it. Otherwise you are toast! And you better run faster when they realize you tricked them with ROCKS!

Now we can move forward to Foster sheep at the Ryans and count up another life used. Two years ago it was 50 below zero, the coldest January we've seen in years. It was windy, bitter and just AWFUL. Even if you are a sheep. We feed big round or square bales of hay to accommodate a larger flock. We are VERY careful to make sure we get all the strings cut off the bales so nobody gets caught up in them. Well, we missed a string and Foster got his horn caught up in it. Luckily Jim and my friend Sara found him. I thought I would lose that sheep. He was so cold. We put bedding and blankets in the milk house and settled Foster in. We run a heater in the milk house all winter to keep the water hydrant from freezing. It was a warm place for him but I was so upset that he was so cold- even though Farmer Sandy knows it only takes a minute in that weather.

It took a few days of warm and I went out, there was Foster on his feet, looking at me like, hey, let me the heck out of here! I thought I would be the one to die! That is a moment like no other. So Foster went out and went on with life number whatever... Then THIS winter, Farmer Sandy who adores her sheep was out on her daily visit/walk with the sheep. Someone was missing. Foster did not come up for his vanilla wafer? Of course, panic set in. That's always my first reaction. I found Foster laying on his side and he could not get himself rolled just right to get up again. He was not cold but he was upset. How embarrassing. I picked him up to set him on his feet. Instead of leaning on me for a few minute so his legs could wake back up, he tried to leap up and run away. Down he went.

What did I do? I became Farmer Sandy with a mission. And a new  black sled. Lucky for me our neighbor showed me how to haul a heavy animal to the barn by myself. I carefully tipped Foster onto the sled and hobbled his legs so he wouldn't jump out. Then, albeit slowly, Farmer Sandy with a mission hauled that sled full of 200+ pound Foster sheep all the way to the barn, inside AND got him set up so he was laying propped up. I feel the need for a cape with Farmer Sandy on it? Could it match my Princess of Poop Scooping tiara?

In the mean time, Bobbi the Great Pyrenees took our little old stinker Shetland sheep  Becan out for a romp in the front yard. Sigh. Happily skipped out and got them back inside. Bobbi does take an occasional jaunt around the yard and she comes back when she knows we are ready to feed her supper. Becan usually comes back to the wiggle of a bucket but he was not so ready to comply. Old Farmer Sandy (who was by then out of energy) had to literally drag Becan, who probably only weighs 100 pounds, out of the chicken coop. He knows they always have corn in their feeder. It is just too tempting and Becan is just a smarty pants anyway. I got them back in the barn just in time to see Foster on his feet? He was a little wobbly but standing up. I left so he would stay inside if he fell over again. He is an old fellow after all. I checked on Foster in the night and he was fine. I had to pick him up again the next morning but after that, he was done needing help. Huzzah! Foster is back to living his sheep's life with all his friends. Specially his best buddy Jonte the Jacob sheep. They are good friends and spend their time chasing the other sheep around in their version of tag. Knock on wood, Foster is fine and I hope he has no more troubles. We have no idea how old he is but he sure has lived a full life- with a few scares built in. Farmer Sandy could happily live with out another incident- I'm talking directly to you Foster! Besides Foster we only have two of the sheep from his family left in the flock. Heidi (left) is so old and we have her inside for winter in the warmest condo in the barn with her friends Violet and Gabriella. Bettis (right) is also who knows how old. A few years ago he completely lost his vision so he lives with the tiny group of special needs sheep. They have a smaller pasture and that way he doesn't get lost.

We miss the rest of Foster's family so much. We are glad we could help them have a happy, safe place to live out their lives-how many they may have led.

PS- Big Kitty, where are you? I love you so very much. Please come home.

Sandy & Jim Ryan

www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com

Fleecy Update!

You might remember the sheep my friends Mary & Joseph adopted a last fall? Please excuse the recap, I still think it is cool and what a journey! Before- full of burrs and tons of heavy wool. Sheep can get bogged down in snow and rain with that much wool. It gets wet and they can't move. 

During- we sheared them right away. They were healthy under all that wool, no bugs and they were, let's say, 'well fed.' Took us around 6 hours to shear all 3 sheep. Once they figured out what we were up to, and how great it felt to feel air on their skin again, they even had a snack while being sheared! One fleece! Happy, clean sheep! Pretty wool that was next to their skin. I truly adhere to the 'no locks left behind' rule. 

This is what a fleece looked like on the inside (next to the sheep's skin) but the outside was felted around TONS of burrs. When I went to visit my friend Heidi, we spent 2 hours trimming away the felted matts and burrs. This is how much wool we ended up with. It is soft and gorgeous! I am guessing it had been 3-4 years since the sheep had been sheared last. (The wool is whiter than the picture- don't forget my photographic abilities stink!) I haven't decided what to do next with the wool. 

There are breaks in the locks but even broken, the locks still measure 3-4 inches long. Hmmm. Right now it is washed and awaiting my decision. Thoughts anyone? Of course I want to spin it but what do you think the yarn would be like? I'm sure it would be a beautiful yarn, but would the breaks make it pill in a project? 

Thank you for stopping by to see the sheep's adventures!

Sandy & the sheeps www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com

Farm Pondering...

As a general rule, our days on this farm are peaceful, busy and definitely our little slice of heaven. We have beautiful, happy sheep who spend their days playing, snoozing and looking for hugs. (Well, more likely treats!)  Over the years we've had a multitude of bottle lambs who are now grown up into even sillier sheep! We've watched them grow, help injured sheep who find their way to us and taken in retired sheep from our friend's flocks. We've given sheep a safe place to live out their lives when life changes forced their owner to re-home their beloved sheep. One of the hardest things I do is watching my sheep friends get older (my vet says old- but I don't like that word)! We have 82 sheep now and only 20 sheep are under the age of 7. The rest run between 8 and 22 years old. Ruby is 22 and a peach. She always has been. Never been sick. Now I am seeing her start to look her age. She's lost some weight, has some foot issues and is moving slower. Nothing we can't deal with but I think no sheep should ever age. Most sheep are not around for middle age much less old age. There are definitely other flocks who are well cared for and loved. However, many in the industry don't keep their sheep much past the age of 5. I'm not saying our philosophy is the only way to keep sheep, it is just what we want to do and what works for us. Aging sheep have brought a new learning curve to our farm. I thought I had saving/caring for sheep down pat. I can recognize a lot when a sheep is sick and know how to treat it. And when to call our wonderful vet of 15 years. I never thought we would be doing dentals for our sheep. They get pointy teeth, then lose weight because it hurts to eat. Arthritis is a major issue for them. Many before they reach 8-10 years old. We can treat them with pain meds and supplements until they are just too sad and sore. One of the hardest things for me are sheep accidents. I would give so much to have our good old snowy WI winters. Not the ice bowl we have every winter here now. Phooey. Monday when I went out to feed the sheep I found our sweet Amelia (aka Ami) had fallen on the ice out by the bales of hay. She was only 9 years old. And the best sheep you could ever want to be around. I was home alone so asked my neighbor to help me move her into the milk house where it is always warm. While I waited, I wrapped Ami up in big comforters and sat with her poor head on my lap. The sheep always come over, like they know and are saying their goodbyes. Our Great Pyrenees Bobbi sits next to me and waits too. There was no saving my poor little sheep. When Ami fell, she fell so hard she broke her jaw and there is not way to fix that for a sheep. Damn damn ice. I rocked my baby while Dr. Pawlisch put her to sleep. Having to make this decision is the worst I ever have to make. Ever. I feel we are lucky to be able to end their suffering if there is just no other way to help or fix them. I have a very childish view of things. I believe there are sheep in heaven. That my flock was waiting for her and she is running and playing with her mom Athena again. That they are now angels watching the farm, their friends and us from above.

We've lost quite a few of our sheep friends over the past few years. Each sheep takes a piece of my soul with them when they go. I shed many many tears for each of them. It is almost as bad to find they have slept away out in the pasture. I didn't get to say goodbye. I can't decide which is worse.

A friend sent me these words last summer after an awful day. I think they sum up how we get up, dust ourselves off and keep on going with the adorable sheep waiting for us outside. It started by saying, "Life seems to be a continuous pattern of getting committed to things and having to let go-falling in love and losing the one we love. This is the rhythm of life, and our spiritual growth teaches us to make peace with it. Participating fully in the rhythm is how we become whole. We know we face losses as part of life. We will have the strength to grieve them and move on."

I love my Jim for being there to hug me every time and my Mom. She thinks I am brave.

It's not good bye Ami, it's until we meet again my sweet girl.

Jim & Sandy Ryan www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.

Another New Year!

And what does a shepherdess like me do for the new year? Spent New Year's Eve with my hubby Jim. Stayed up late, well, at least made it past midnight! I think the sheep were up MUCH longer than that. Party in the barnyard lasted a while.  They forget their manners when they start drinking Fruit Loop Margaritas. We call that bedlamb in the barnyard!

New Year's Eve found me spending a few days with my sister-friend Heidi! I don't leave the farm much so this was quite an excursion for me. She lives in Lacrosse- 3 hours away. I got to meet her Bartolo, aka Bart. He is a gorgeous (and he knows it) Maremma dog who watches over the alpaca boys. This is what a happy dog looks like. Specially when he is proud of the very manly, loud BURP he graced me with when he and I were nose to nose? Heidi and I were shocked, started laughing so loud I think we scared the poor fellow? Then he was all proud- evidenced above. I felt like one of the family but Heidi swears he has better manners than that? Love you Bart! In Heidi's gorgeous studio live two adorable cats on the prowl for any mice that dare to show their faces. Smudge (white cat) and Smokey (gray cat) are so funny. Smudge is a more aloof cat who prefers to see life from afar. He looks amazingly like my old cat Ghost who's been gone now for some years. It was eerie and all I wanted to do was scoop his cute self up. Nope. :0)

Smokey on the other hand was a very cuddly fellow. Heidi and I stayed the night in her studio all comfy, each on a twin camp bed. Well, I WAS comfy, until Smokey popped my camp bed? What was that about? They also spent the night racing around the studio, knocking things down and having the best of times. I didn't want them to know I was watching the party because I thought they would stop if they knew.

The pictures are of them watching for Heidi to come back to the studio from the house. While she was gone, they had no use for me!  Cute peanuts! Fiona is the Maremma gal who watches over the girl alpacas. She's very serious and dedicated to her herd. She turns into mush when you give her pieces of hot dogs or cheese though! I did not get enough pictures of the alpacas but they are beautiful. All around you beautiful everywhere you look. I could not have picked a favorite. I do have a 'thing' for a shiny black suri alpaca fleece though! Ooh la la! I taught Heidi to knit, practice turned into a scarf she is finishing to keep for herself. It is beauteous! I got to try out her Hansen electric spinning wheel and I am smitten. Definitely added it to my bucket list of things I have to have! It was SO quiet! Heidi's studio is to 'dye' for- tee hee! Seriously though, perfect lighting, plenty of room for all her equipment and fiber AND a kitchen! Saweet! We drank too many strawberry margaritas and probably gave the sheep a run for their money. Shhhh! Don't tell them, I'll never hear the end of it! We had so much fun and are planning to have 'work parties' often. :0)

And LOOK! The barn was still standing when I turned into the driveway! (They look so innocent don't they?) Thank you for the party Heidi- adore you!!! Smooches from our sheep! Sandyrella

www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.

Adding to the guard!

Bobbi (our 12 year old Great Pyrenees) says it feels like windy January in WI already? Whoa! Our local coyotes are now hanging around too close to our farm. For years we've had an agreement with them. You stay on your side of the fence and we'll stay on our side. It's worked out well so far. Our friends (and only neighbor) moved recently so when their dogs left, the coyotes got braver. The one who upsets me most is a big black dog (?) that is as big as a pony, shaggy and evil looking. He's not afraid of people and used to travel right through my neighbor's front yard. And not even walk faster, much less run, when they chased him. He has 3 coyotes in his pack. Lately they've been sitting on the tree line by our pasture of old sheep howling at night. They know we don't have a Pyrenees over there.  We recently lost our sweet Lincoln Pyr to an accident, leaving Bobbi alone with her big group of sheep again. Off we went, again broken hearted looking for a new partner for Bobbi. Along came Bear. He is a 3 year old Great Pyrenees/Kuvasz cross. He had some issues like food aggression and dog aggression when we brought him home. He needed some redirection! He is over both those things now and we are working on training him to be a good sheep watcher over dog.

Bear has a LOT of energy and drives Bobbi and the sheep a little nuts when he wants to run around and play. He's learning to have manners but it is hard work for a dog who is essentially still a puppy. He loves to learn and is whip smart. He puts ME through my paces too! Keeping him learning, busy and trying to stay a step ahead of what he is thinking. My goodness. Bear was given to his owner by a breeder at the age of 4 weeks. Don't get me wrong, his owner loved him dearly and it was very difficult for her to find Bear a new home. His personality is strong and it does not help him that he never spent any time with his mom as a puppy. They teach them manners, how to be respectful of sheep and people and to be a good dog. When a dog does not get that time, they sort of flounder around, learning on their own, good and bad manners.His absolute favorite thing to do is chase things he 'sees or hears' (?) tunneling in the pasture. :0) We've never had any LGD (livestock guard dog) except Great Pyrenees. Bear is a very different personality. A good dog but very independent. Looks sort of 'wolfie' in the top picture doesn't he? He loves to learn, be told good dog, have treats and hugs. Soon he will learn I do not want him to be so rowdy around the sheep! Bobbi likes him but she feels like she just popped out a puppy- tee hee hee! He follows her everywhere most of the time, learning about life and his job from her. Once in a while I get the stink eye from Bobbi. Kind of like, hey, I didn't sign up for a puppy! As we work with Bear, I find I am learning as much as he is. Love it!

When the coyotes and big hairy scary dog started hanging around so much, we decided we needed another dog to watch over the old sheep in the other pasture. Almost that day, our friend emailed the info for a Great Pyrenees named Heidi. We went to meet her and guess what? You guessed it, she will be watching over our old sheeps! She is 5 years old and I think one of the biggest Pyrs we've ever owned? Even bigger than Lincoln? She weighs around 120 pounds and is absolutely beautiful. She had trouble with her last litter that resulted in her being spayed. There were also several of the ex-owner's dogs who liked to beat her up. They decided it was better for Heidi to find a quieter home. She is used to watching her sheep at night, then being inside with people during the day. Squeeee! She managed to injure her front leg before we picked her up Saturday so she has a limp going on that seems pretty painful. She goes out to check her sheep, barn and pasture, stays to watch for a while but then wants to come back inside to rest. We're giving her a little medicine for pain relief and if the limp doesn't improve we'll take her in for a leg/shoulder x-ray this weekend. She has been glued to hubby Jim since we picked her up. She knows a good person when she meets one right? Her big bark seems to have backed the big scary hairy dog and pack off so I am VERY happy about that. They will meet their match when she can be out full time! She'll be takin' care of business! We will miss our Lincoln forever and ever. You were a wonderful friend to the sheep and we miss you every single day. Run free with your brother now and watch my angel sheep til we see you again.

So now you are all up to date again on the changes in the guard at the Homestead. Smooches to you all- Sandy, Jim and the sheeps www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ryan3@tds.net

Takin' One For The Team!

Every once in a while a person has to 'take one for the team' right?

Yesterday, our best friends Mary & Joseph adopted three sheep. Three very sweet sheep in need of some special care.  Their previous owner could not find anyone willing to come shear her sheep. It can be very difficult to find one willing to come out for 'just' three sheep. Unless they live near the sheep or the shearer's path takes them near your farm, it can be pretty impossible. SO, moral of THAT story? Always have a shearer lined up, or plan to shear them yourself if you acquire sheep ok? There are fewer and fewer young people going into the shearing field- start looking or learning ahead of time!!

Mary & Joseph hitched up their trailer and picked up the sheep, along with several llamas and an alpaca. While they loaded everyone up, the sheep pictured above got away and off he went, happily galloping down the driveway and out of sight. What a nightmare! Mary spent hours walking, listening and looking for that sheep with no luck. Joseph assured her the sheep would come back home as soon as it started raining. Next day, rained and rained-the sheep magically showed up back in his nice dry barn just as predicted! We always swear Joseph is the critter whisperer. He can make friends with and understand any animal. They know right away Joseph will be kind and that he likes them. It's a gift he has and we are always glad for Joseph's wisdom! The above sheep came home that day in the carrier on the back of Mary's truck. There!  All three sheep safely at their new forever home. Phew!

We are not sure exactly what type of sheep these are, besides cute and adorable- and a mess. The previous owner said they had not been sheared for a year but it may have been more like two. The outer part of their fleeces were covered, jam packed with cockle burrs. Mary decided to shear them even though it is getting chillier in Wisconsin. All that wool would make them an easy catch for coyotes. If that much wool gets wet the sheep could tip over and not be able to get up. They could also end up stepping into a snow drift, sinking, then needing a hauling out of the hole. None of them good options at all!

SO, onto the shearing stand, a little hay and grain to keep a sheep happy and off we went. Mary used her super powered clippers and I used sharp scissors to trim around their faces and necks. I also split paths through the burrs so Mary could get to the sheep's body with the clippers. We started around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. It was nice, breezy and almost 60 degrees. Perfect!

We took a lot of pictures so we could show just how much wool was on the sheep. I think they MUST have felt better as soon as some air hit their skin. They didn't fuss or jump around after they felt a little better the longer we worked on them. I really do think they know when someone is trying to help them. They each were so tired from the travel and being upset that about mid-shearing they rested their noses on the feeder and almost closed their eyes. It was so sweet. The sheep were very very good for us. And Mary does a wonderful job shearing!

This is the fleece from the first sheep we sheared. It is sitting in a large, older wheel barrow. Whoa right? And with the burrs hidden/rolled up inside the fleece, sure looks pretty! The fleeces almost peeled off in one big sheet. Then for even more perspective, I laid the fleece out next to hubby Jim's car- a pretty, blue Ford Focus- that could use a bath. (Have to talk with our sheep about that. They are falling down on their job again!) The second and third fleeces were actually bigger than this one.

 As I mentioned earlier, we are not positive what kind of sheep they are. I am guessing by looking at the fleeces. I think one is Lincoln or Border Leicester; one is Tunis and one is Columbia. Or crosses including that type of sheep? The fleeces are beautiful. I brought them home with me and next rainy day I am going to get one out and start saving them from the burrs. THAT will be a job! A nice one for a gloomy day though! If I am lucky I will be able to lay the fleece out burr side down, then use my clippers to shear the fleece again. (Have to admit, I usually end up using at least 2 pairs of scissors.) The locks on the silkier fleece are a little more tangled than the others. I think the locks will be 4 inches long when retrieved from the burrs? The other two fleeces are around 11+ inches long including the burrs. I should end up with 9-10 inch long locks once retrieved.We have not weighed the fleeces yet but my best guess is each weighs between 20 and 40 pounds? I'll try to find a good way to weigh them up asap.

This is the 'after' picture of one sheep. We did not finish shearing them until some time after 6 p.m. last night. I can't imagine how it must have felt to be so 'free' again? How weird it was to feel air on your skin again? To be able to run and play? We felt good giving that back to them. Otherwise, they are very healthy sheep and just so sweet. They were not been handled much in the past but were very friendly after all was done and cleaned up.

They spent the rest of the daylight exploring their new pasture home. They romped and ran like big goofy lambs! Bunny hopping, racing and just being silly. What a relief for them- and us. I am so happy they have a forever home at Mary & Joseph's. They will be reunited with their llamas and have new llama and goat friends. AND love, good care, freedom and only expected to be happy. Oh, and give nice fleeces for their fiber fans right? Squeee for sheep and all of us too!!

And don't worry. If they get chilly with out their crazy wool, I'll give Mary sheep coats that will help them keep warm. They have a nice warm barn for shelter, plenty of bedding and good food. The weather is supposed to stay around 60 tomorrow and 50-ish the rest of the week. The sheep look so nekkid after shearing- and all that pink skin? Yipes! However, as the lanolin dries a little, the wool floofs back up quickly. There is usually 1/2 inch of wool remaining on the sheep. And with the cooler weather they will be growing that wool back in a hurry. You would be amazed how fast that wool grows! When I was all packed up (two fleeces in the trunk, one in the back seat) I went out to see what Mary's new sheep were up to. The picture above is so sweet to me. Their ears were up, they were exploring their new home and making sure to stay together like good sheep families should. Mary, Joseph and I are exhausted and sore- but it was worth every second to give back a sheep's sense of well-being, safety- and love. Thank you Mary and Joseph for being so kind. We've been friends such a long time and really been in some crazy situations together involving animal welfare. This time will always be one of my favorites. I adore you both for everything you are. And all you help me be.

Smooches everyone- hope you'll take a minute to stop by our sheep's website to see what is new! Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out- the sheep have newitems AND a sponsorship program we'll be launching later this week.

Smooches to you all from all the sheep at Mary's and our sheep here at the Homestead! Sandy & Jim Ryan www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.

Crashed tree clean up party #2!

 Here is the before picture of our poor old tree. We were very lucky it did not fall on anything important. Just my old iron corn crib that I was going to use for something someday...

During our second party she was comfy watching not far from where Puzzle, Mary and I were.

My Puzzle is the self appointed host of tree parties. He wants to know if we are ready to get our hinders to work. Chop chop people! (ha!)

We'll need a few more parties to finish up with this tree, then we will party on to clean up a few more. :0)

At one point during our supervision of events, Puzzle discovered my hair clip. He kept trying to pull it out of my hair so I let him try it on. He decided he didn't want it after all but doesn't he look cute??

Our little party host with the most also takes his job seriously. Unless he can find a stray Diet Pepsi (sorry Mary) or a bag of cheddar Sun Chips (again, sorry Mary).

 The first work day Chaquita was very unhappy with all the hullaballoo. VERY unhappy. She kept watch (all her sheep were in the barn) and gave us the stink eye all day long.

At the end of our tree party, Chaquita had to inspect our work. She takes her job very seriously,

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Hope all is well with everyone- and if you need a host for a party, you know which sheep to call!

Smooches from Puzzle!

www.homesteadwoolandgiftgfarm.com...where sheep may safely graze.

Can you see me now???

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A few weeks ago we had a few close calls with some nasty weather. Luckily we only lost one gigantic tree in the little sheep pasture and one tree in the little pasture next to the house!  The group in the giant tree pasture is my special needs/old/blind crew. I was out in the lightning that evening looking through the tree for anyone caught under it. Smart right? Every sheep and both llamas were in the barn giving me the stink eye. Guess they figured I better get my hinder back in the house? I quickly obliged once I knew they were all ok!

The sheep pondered and pondered- and fussed and fussed about who would get to run Jim's chainsaw. Really?? Now THAT is a nightmare I'd rather not have!

Instead, our wonderful, awesome friends Mary & Joseph came to our rescue. Our chainsaw came apart (figures) so Mary, Joseph and Jim took turns with their bigger chainsaw. I was too chicken to get under that big tree with all the creaking going on.

Turned out my little Puzzle sheep was not too worried, he was happily eating leaves off the branches. You know, doing a sheep's part of the work.

Puzzle turned into the host of the crashed tree party. He was absolutely hilarious all afternoon! Kept checking on everyone, following me around and just being cute. He just turned 1 in April and I hope he is always a little lamb character. He saw himself in the door of Mary's red truck. Now she has slobber marks and nose prints on the door because Puzzle was determined to figure out where that lamb was. He even looked under the truck!

He has a bad heart issue and the vet warned me early on Puzzle might not be with us very long. Every day with that silly sweet sheep is a gift. I absolutely adore him. He is like a happy, little boy skipping through the daisies of life. I want him to stay that way!

ANYhoo! I am amazed how quickly that big tree was safely on the ground, the big pieces cut up and loaded onto Mary's truck. Just wow. We have a few more afternoons of work to do but it is so fun to have them over. Mary's daughter Manda and her hubby Al came over later in the day and worked hard too. The work goes fast when we are together. We are blessed to have friends like Mary & Joseph!

During his hosting of the crashed tree party, Puzzle managed to steal Mary's cigarettes a few times, ate the last of her cheddar Sun Chips AND drank her last Diet Pepsi? Good thing he's cute right?

After the activity died down the other sheep came out to do their part eating leaves off the branches. I told them thank you and reminded them it was a very important job.

We will be sad to be with out that giant beautiful tree. I love trees but many of ours are old and not very healthy. Two years of drought took its toll on our poor trees. It is nice that the wood will be used to keep my friends warm this winter though. After losing two giant trees in storms, any we replace them with will be shorter trees, like weeping mulberry or twisted kinds of ornamental trees.

I am also sad that the big tree fell over onto my cute little iron corn crib. I always wanted to turn it into something but I guess it is a good thing I never got that accomplished?! I'm saving the top 'cap' to keep part of the corn crib here. I think Al is going to take the rest down for salvage.

SO, that was our weekend and I wish I could figure out how to add all the pictures here. Have to get this blog figured out. I miss our old one. You can still get to the old one via the 'archives' link on our website.

Hope you are all having a great week. Seems we have so much more crazy weather these days- stay safe ok?

Smooches from the sheep- specially Puzzle!

Sandy & Jim Ryan www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com ...where sheep may safely graze.