Cowboy and Belle on Shearing Day

My parents had their sheep shorn once a year.  As it turned out, the shearer was my high school botany teacher, Ken.  A wonderful man who worked hard at teaching and shearing.   This particular shearing day, my mother had a luncheon to attend so I had come to the farm to help where IContinue reading “Cowboy and Belle on Shearing Day”

Harry – Was No More

Being fairly new shepherds, my parents were cautious. My mom and dad had been told to worm Harry each month. Mom didn’t want Harry to become resistant so they chose to worm him every other month. This was a very poor choice. There is a parasite called the meningeal worm or brain worm (Parelaphostrongylus TenuisContinue reading “Harry – Was No More”

Harry at the Front Door

Harry settled into his new life at the farm.  He was only eight months old when my parents got him.  Mom and dad made sure they handled him daily so he was manageable.  Harry was great.  Mom would occasionally walk him from the barn to the house if we had company, and let the kidsContinue reading “Harry at the Front Door”

Harry the First Guard Llama

If you have sheep you most likely live in the country.  If you live in the country there are most likely coyotes.  If the winter is mild there are probably enough rabbits and mice etc. to keep the coyotes fed. Sometimes coyotes will come after your sheep and/or lambs.  Some people use Great Pyrenees dogsContinue reading “Harry the First Guard Llama”

Johnny’s Birth

Johnny’s Birth My parents were shepherds. My dad also had an Ace Hardware store. Twice a year my mom and dad would go to hardware shows where they would purchase specialty merchandise for the upcoming months. When my parents were away it was my responsibility to watch the farm and tend to the sheep. ThisContinue reading “Johnny’s Birth”