Sheep Love

Over the winter our neighbor asked us to feed and water her sheep while she was away. We kind of grew fond of the big sheep dog (a Great Pyronese) named Akiva. Until this winter I was always terrified of her, believing that she would tear off one of my arms if I got that close. She's actually a big, soft-hearted puppy who likes her belly rubbed. But with that menacing bark and towering stature of hers, she could fool you.

Akiva, the guard dog. Don't let that smile fool you. She's 100 pounds
and measures up to my chest when she's on all fours. 

Within the past couple of weeks, lambing season brought Akiva a whole new flock. Nothing says spring like little, bleating lambs bounding around a green pasture. There are also a couple of baby goats. 

In exchange for our farm-sitting, our neighbor plans to pay us in the form of goat cheese and lamb chops. Not a bad trade. 

Baaaaa.