Jack’s supervising. Or something.
I love the evenings. I go down to the meadow and hold the babies while the sheep get their feed. The mamas forget they have babies when feed is involved. I snuggle the babies and keep them out of the fray. I tell them I will give them a bottle and let them live on the porch any time they want. They prefer mama. I settle for a few moments of cuddles while I stroke their curly new fleece and hug them to my chest.
Babies, babies, babies. It’s all about babies in the spring on a farm. I love living on a farm. I mean, they just wouldn’t let you have lambs in the suburbs, you know? Somebody would turn you in! This is our first year to produce livestock instead of acquiring it. Finally, we have our breeding stock in place. We have our own lambs!
Hopefully, we’ll have our own baby goats. I’m even going to let the chickens sit on their own nests this year instead of incubating. (Okay, well, I might incubate some anyway, but I’m going to let them sit, too.) It’s about time these animals did some work! Poky is about 15 months old, so she’ll have to wait. She should be about two before we breed her. And won’t that be the happiest day of Jack’s life?
Our first babies on the farm came almost exactly two years to the day we moved into our new farmhouse. We’re entering a new phase for our farm. So much has happened in the last two years. I’ve become much better at canning. I’ve learned to make cheese. I’m learning to make soap. I can knit! I’m crocheting again. I can drive on snow (if I must) and I can make fire! Two years ago, I thought I was doing pretty good to buy chore boots.
We’re still waiting for the Cotswolds to pop–I hope! They look gigantic, so I’m hoping there will be more babies soon, and maybe, yes maybe, even Annabelle? She’s still a lamb who thinks she’s a dog, but she’s actually a mature sheep, fourteen months old, and a part of Mr. Cotswold’s growing harem. Not that the sheep have ever actually accepted her as one of them. After all, she doesn’t think she’s one of them, either. She hangs with Jack, who is pretty tolerant. Unless he’s eating. But her true friends, her best friends, are still her dog friends.
She’s also still a very friendly sheep. You can’t walk into the pasture without her bouncing right over to you, following you around. You might even call her obnoxious occasionally, like when she almost knocks you down–except that she’s so sweet and cute.
Really, she’s pretty ridiculous. Watch Annabelle and Boomer, playing hide and bounce around a hay shed in the sheep meadow. (Video taken this weekend.)
She may be a Giant Lamb now (or even, you know, a grown-up sheep, shhhh, don’t tell her), but she’s still got it!
Sheila Z says:
She has pogo stick legs. So funny.
On March 16, 2010 at 1:13 am
Blessings says:
That is so funny! She definitely has a good time on her own.
~~HUGS~~
On March 16, 2010 at 1:21 am
Alison says:
That is so cute. 🙂
On March 16, 2010 at 1:37 am
Rose H says:
Annabelle is so cute – I kinda hope she never grows up!
On March 16, 2010 at 3:05 am
Lisa says:
LOL !! That was so cute, I love how Annabelle runs. :sheep:
On March 16, 2010 at 3:36 am
Kathleen in Michigan says:
How cute!
On March 16, 2010 at 3:46 am
Kathie says:
That made me smile. Interesting how she kept up her relationship with the dog.
On March 16, 2010 at 4:49 am
Tracey In Paradise,Pa. says:
:snoopy: LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!Annabelle is awesome…She looks like a giant lamb puppy!! SO happy and playful..Did she tackle you at the end?
Hugs Granny Trace
P.S please I wanna can and win a BBB!!
On March 16, 2010 at 5:00 am
Jill says:
do. not. drink. anything while watching that video…..OMG I havent laughed like that in ages!!! that is so funny!!!! we need more of that!!!! I spit all over my computer screen!!!!
Jill
On March 16, 2010 at 5:08 am
Jan says:
If you hadn’t seen that video, you wouldn’t believe it. I love the way the other sheep comes near the end ov the video to see what all the commotion is about and then she just doesn’t get it!! One thing is for sure, she’ll stay young getting that much exercise. What a way to start the day. My photo today is from the Revolutionary War reenactment in Greensboro this past weekend. It looks like a photo that could have been taken on your farm a few hundred years ago. I can just see you, Suzanne, in one of those long capes running around keeping the men in line!!!
Jan
GDP
On March 16, 2010 at 5:12 am
Fran says:
She’s sooo cute!!! I love the way she jups, really cute!
On March 16, 2010 at 5:13 am
CindyP says:
How cute is Annabelle…hop, hop, hop!!!! :sheep: WONDERFUL way to start the day!!
It looks like you got taken out at the very end…….you ok? :help:
My grandson thanks you for the new movie……he wants to watch your movies every time he’s here.
On March 16, 2010 at 5:20 am
Marianne says:
Oh my word… I’ve never seen a sheep bounce before. :sheep: I could watch that for HOURS. How do you ever get anything done?
On March 16, 2010 at 5:32 am
EightPondFarm says:
Annabelle is just my favorite sheep — after my own, of course. They make me say that. There is really something special in how animals communicate with one another, especially different species, when they have been raised together. My similar video is from a couple of years ago. The two boys still recognize and acknowledge one another even though Punkin is in with the rest of the sheep now. He is still a dog, too, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tCbMFp7eUo
On March 16, 2010 at 5:36 am
Stevie Taylor says:
We have a wether sheep who still bounds like that! He is our only sheep and when the goat kids are born he plays with them all day as if he were still a little guy. The mother goats all go off to the barn to chew cud and leave him babysitting out in the pasture. I love to see him prancing like that. wwwruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com
On March 16, 2010 at 5:56 am
Stacy says:
I love the part where she comes around the corner of the shed and sees the other sheep standing there, she pauses for just a moment(probably thinking hmmmm wonder if I should be a sheep or dog) then back to dog chase!!
On March 16, 2010 at 5:58 am
carsek says:
That is hilarious!! You better move if she is headed your way! Looks like Jack needs his front feet trimmed. I know, it is always something. Your grass is getting green!
On March 16, 2010 at 6:04 am
Leanne says:
I don’t think you understand how much you just made my day with that video.
Watching that sheep bounce will, from this moment on, be my happy thought.
On March 16, 2010 at 6:10 am
Carmen Smith says:
That’s so funny, she almost hops like my 2 house rabbits 😀
On March 16, 2010 at 6:15 am
Becky says:
That video is adorable!
On March 16, 2010 at 6:32 am
Runningtrails says:
That is so cute!
I want farm babies too!!!!
On March 16, 2010 at 6:35 am
Thunja says:
thank you for that, there’s so much to it. the familiar sound of the birds made my hair stand on end. not literally of course but THAT is the sound of WV. I can’t wait to share it w/ my husband.
On March 16, 2010 at 6:38 am
Dianna McBride says:
Pretty cute! I love the way the other sheep look on, but don’t get caught up in the act! lol I guess they are just too “mature” for such games. :sheepjump:
On March 16, 2010 at 6:38 am
Nicolezmomma says:
That was seriously cute. I love how she jump-runs.
On March 16, 2010 at 7:00 am
Anita says:
What is that braying noise early on in the video?
On March 16, 2010 at 7:49 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Anita, the braying noise is Jack! That’s what donkeys sound like when they get going! They don’t do it all the time, though. Just occasionally. Usually when they see us coming. It’s also one of the reasons donkeys make good guardians in a flock–if a predator got in there, a donkey can make a ruckus!
On March 16, 2010 at 8:20 am
Mary says:
She’s definitely still got it!!!
On March 16, 2010 at 7:52 am
mamawolf says:
This is a wonderful start to the day. I haven’t laughed so much for a while – this was good for the soul. I will never tell Annabelle she is a sheep. Boomer is a great dog or does he think he is a smooth coated sheep.
Euni
On March 16, 2010 at 8:00 am
ConnieH says:
That is the cutest video. A sheep who acts and plays like a dog! I love the look on the other sheep who are just standing there watching. I wonder what they’re thinking…LOL
Thanks for sharing :eating :sheepjump:
On March 16, 2010 at 8:36 am
Anne says:
Love how your farm is growing and thanks for sharing all of your new found skills with us. I would love BBB, as one of my new skills this year will be canning! I’m kind of scared to try it, but BBB would be my guide. Thanks!!
On March 16, 2010 at 8:42 am
claudia w says:
I think I said it yesterday…you have HAPPY animals! That video just did my heart some good. I love watching the frolicking around…how fun is that?
On March 16, 2010 at 8:46 am
Phyllis says:
OK, me thinks you’re having waaay too much fun on your farm. It’s just not fair. 😆 pick me, pick me, pick me for the BBB.
On March 16, 2010 at 9:06 am
Jo says:
That is so adorable! 😆 I just love the ways she bounces! :sheepjump: Looks like she might’ve taken you out at the end….did she?
On March 16, 2010 at 9:07 am
Gini says:
That was the funniest video EVER! What a big wonderful girl you have!
On March 16, 2010 at 9:12 am
KateS says:
Love love loved it!!
Bounce bounce bounce!
so adorable!! :sheepjump:
On March 16, 2010 at 9:12 am
Treasia says:
How absolutely adorable the video is! It’s so sweet to see the dog and Annabelle playing that way. I also learned something watching it that I’ve never knew. I had no idea that that is how sheeps run? I assumed they ran like dogs and horses using all four alternating. Was I wrong!
On March 16, 2010 at 9:33 am
Just Kris says:
Seriously?!?!? This is too hilarious!! You NEED to send this to “America’s Funniest Videos” and try to win the $10,000. It is just too much!
On March 16, 2010 at 9:34 am
lauren says:
it doesnt get cuter than that!! :sheep:
On March 16, 2010 at 9:37 am
Chic says:
LOL that is hilarious! Love the way she jumps around and she and Boomer play together…now that’s what having a farm is all about!! Thanks for sharing that video with us Suzanne…I LOVED it. :hungry2:
On March 16, 2010 at 9:39 am
Michelle says:
I have petite little Shetland sheep, so it cracks me up to see a BIG sheep bounding around like that! Do you feel the earth move?
On March 16, 2010 at 9:44 am
Stargirlheuser says:
Oh wow, that is soooo cute!!
On March 16, 2010 at 9:56 am
jan~n~tn says:
I agree with -Just Kris- submit this to AFV you never know what may happen.
On March 16, 2010 at 10:06 am
M.J. says:
GREAT video–what a day-brightener! I love the way Annabelle bounces around! Do your other adult sheep do that, or is it just that she’s still a lamb at heart?
On March 16, 2010 at 10:12 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
M.J.–just Annabelle. I’ve never seen any of the other adult sheep do that!
On March 16, 2010 at 10:14 am
Denise :) says:
My cat sat and watched this clip for thirty minutes, over and over and over. Every time Annabelle would disappear around the corner of the little shed, Reese would make a little cat noise, as if to say, “Where did she go?!?” Fun stuff! 🙂
On March 16, 2010 at 10:16 am
Miss Becky says:
oh I love how she bounces; she is having so much fun with little Boomer :snoopy:
On March 16, 2010 at 10:19 am
Shirley says:
You make such good videos, I loved~loved~loved it. More please. Does any of your sheep try to attack you in an aggressive way?
On March 16, 2010 at 10:30 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Shirley, no, the sheep aren’t aggressive.
On March 16, 2010 at 10:51 am
Jenny S. says:
That was so funny my husband and I had to watch it again! He said he could see how it would be lots of fun to watch that every day (you’re indirectly helping me get my farm animals one day ;)!). Thank you so much for the big laugh! When I was a kid my Grandma got a lamb that looked just like Annabelle, but we had named her Samantha and just LOVED her. :sheep:
On March 16, 2010 at 10:42 am
JeannieB says:
I think Annabelle must have watched Winnie the Pooh, she jumps just like Tigger!!!
On March 16, 2010 at 10:45 am
Lisa in California says:
That is hysterical. She even shakes herself like a dog!
On March 16, 2010 at 10:51 am
Barbee' says:
Suzanne, that is one of the cutest things I have ever seen! Thank You! She still has such a sweet face. :sheep:
EightPondFarm, than you for sharing yours, too. That is such fun!
On March 16, 2010 at 10:56 am
Sandra says:
What joy to watch the farm creatures live without a care in the world. You provide such a wonderful environment for them.
I’d love to win the BBB.
On March 16, 2010 at 11:12 am
Mz E says:
She bounces like Tigger!
On March 16, 2010 at 11:18 am
cgReno says:
Thank you for starting my day out with this video! LOl its just so fun. I LOVE to watch animals play like this!
On March 16, 2010 at 11:29 am
Maureen says:
The video cracked me up!
Would you mind if I did a post about it and used one of your pics to link to it? So worth sharing!
On March 16, 2010 at 11:31 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Maureen, thanks for asking. Yes, that would be all right. Thanks!
On March 16, 2010 at 11:40 am
Nancy in Iowa says:
That video is hilarious – she does still think she’s a dog! Maybe a new type of guardian dog? The bouncing is really funny and entertaining. :sheep: :sheepjump: If you’d only known, you could have called her Pogo!
On March 16, 2010 at 11:34 am
Anke says:
That was the funniest thing ever. I didn’t know sheep bounce like that.. Or is that an Annabelle special?
On March 16, 2010 at 11:42 am
Marymac says:
Isn’t life sweet in it’s simplist pleasures!!!
On March 16, 2010 at 11:45 am
Cathy says:
LOVE that video…big smiles here! Thanks so much for sharing…….feel free to share many more videos!!!
And have a great day!
On March 16, 2010 at 11:48 am
Cathy Bendzunas says:
OMGosh Annabelle really does think she’s a dog doesn’t she? :sheep:
That is just too cute. The other sheep look at her like she’s nuts but they just don’t get it.
On March 16, 2010 at 11:52 am
Tovah says:
That was so cute. I didn’t know adult sheep could do that:)
On March 16, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Susan W. says:
Oh, that was a stitch! Do all sheep move that way – that bounce, bounce thing? It’s WAY better than anything I’ve seen on TV. I could spend hours just watching the nuts…oh, excuse me…the animals. I love it!
On March 16, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Ruth C says:
So funny! I really enjoyed Annabelle bouncing around. And enticing the other sheep over to figure out what was going on!
On March 16, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Donna Mc says:
That just made my morning! Annabelle-boing’ing around is a delightful way to start the day.
I shared it with our Youth minister here at work…he was trying to come up with a devotional/sermon for our Wednesday night youth group & mentioned ‘my sheep know my voice’ Now he’s going to use Annabelle & Boomer! They inspired him to talk about laying down w/ the dogs, you start to act like one. I can assure you, he’ll handle it in a fun, respectfully manner. But did you ever dream Annebelle’s antics would be used as a ministry tool!?!?! Hope you like that idea. =)
Thanks for sharing!
On March 16, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
That’s great, Donna!
On March 16, 2010 at 1:53 pm
SuzieQ says:
:snoopy: :snoopy: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that video..they are so cute. I used to have a big old pet rabbit and a Siamese cat that played chase in the house..one in front and then the other..so much fun to watch. :snoopy:
On March 16, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Wendy says:
That’s adorable!
I only have one question:
In the first few seconds of the video, after she was charging at you, but before the “edit”…
Did she run into you?! (Maybe head-butt you?) Just the thought of it made me laugh!
And NOW i understand why the sheep in cartoons “bound” around like they do. She was SO cute, just bouncing!
=-)
On March 16, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Wendy, no, she didn’t actually run into me, but she bounded by pretty close!
On March 16, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Melissa Marsh says:
I’ve been sick for the past week and this was just a bright spot in my day. I love Annabelle’s bouncing!!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Suzanne. 🙂
On March 16, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Julie says:
That is too funny! I had no idea sheep played!
On March 16, 2010 at 4:06 pm
catslady says:
:sheepjump: Never saw anything like it – thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!
On March 16, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Carolyn Spillers says:
Thank you for a laugh-out-loud moment after a frustrating day. How wonderful to have an Annabelle and Boomer around on a muddy day! I enjoy your blog very much.
On March 16, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Julia says:
Just like everybody else, I love this video. I love the sounds her feet make when they hit the ground. And I think Annabelle was inviting the other sheep to play too when she ran up to them, and then ran back to the game.
Thank you for providing a place for Annabelle and for sharing her antics with us.
On March 16, 2010 at 5:56 pm
MMT says:
Hilarious!! So was Eight Pond Farm’s video. I want some sheep and goats, but the DH does not agree. Will have to work on that and settle for my beautiful horses, a few cats and occasionally watching the grandpuppies. Plan on getting a new puppy this spring, but really am still missing our old dog so bad. Had to put her down last fall and we are still grieving. Animals are such a special part of our lives. Spring is busting out all over and I am getting so excited to meet it head on this year. Thanks for the great video, Suzanne!
On March 16, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Lucy says:
So cute! Spring has sprung!
On March 16, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Wendy says:
Oh, what a way to end a busy day! Boomer needs to be nice to Annabelle every once in awhile and take his turn being “it.”
On March 16, 2010 at 6:50 pm
DonnaTN says:
I never knew that sheep had so much bounce in them! It looked like she was going to bowl you over with enthusiasm!
On March 16, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Yankee Gal says:
:clover: Oh my God…how much do I LOVE Annabelle?….SO MUCH! I really enjoyed that video…made my day. Thanks!
On March 16, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Pam says:
I was raised in farm country though we never had sheep. I never saw anything like that before. What a wonderful video!
On March 16, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Fran says:
This is way too funny! I have laughed until I’m sore! Thanks for sharing this. Miss Annabelle is a delight.
On March 16, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Debbie in PA says:
:sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:
That was really funny….I can still hear the rhythm of her hopping across the field. I will have to show my daughter this one tomorrow-she really loves reading about your animals.
On March 16, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Sasha says:
Awesome! Annabelle is so cute! I noticed that Jack’s hooves look like they’re badly in need of a trim. Maybe you don’t know this since you’re a new equine owner, but hooves should be trimmed every couple of months. It’s not expensive, the farrier will come to you, and it can have a big impact on the health and happiness/comfort level of the animal. I know you might say wild horses don’t get their hooves trimmed, but they also don’t live half as long as a domestic equine.
On March 16, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Sasha, yes, we know that Jack’s hooves need to be trimmed. The weather and our road has been pretty prohibitive of that recently but we will have the hoof-trimmer out soon.
On March 17, 2010 at 6:51 am
Sandybee says:
I think that Annabelle is trying out to be the understudy for the Easter Bunny this year. All she needs is some rabbit ears. She’s got the hop down perfectly. Hilarious!
On March 16, 2010 at 10:43 pm
scorwin says:
What a great video. Hilarious. I never knew sheep bounced and hoped like that! The dog and her are really having fun. I have to go watch it again!
On March 16, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Julie says:
I commented earlier, but was thinking later about your post and how much you’ve done in two years. I hope to farm one day, but have always thought it was a silly dream having never even had my own garden! But you inspire me and make me believe I just might one day do it! I can’t believe how much you’ve done in two years, and I enjoy reading about your accomplishments. The babies certainly are the fruit of your labors, aren’t they?! They are a sweet reward.
On March 17, 2010 at 4:06 am
Jan Alexander says:
Oh how cute! I just woke my husband (in the next room) up laughing. I didn’t know sheep really ran like that. She looks like a cartoon character. LOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOL
On March 17, 2010 at 7:02 am
lavenderblue says:
Seriously, seriously hilarious. Cannot wait to show the video to my kids when they get home from school. Even my too cool for his shoes oldest finds your farm videos funny. Now we all know what is meant by lambs ‘frisking’ in the meadow. :snoopy: (didn’t see a frisking sheep in the emos)
Suzanne, you should be so proud of yourself for all you have accomplished. Thanks for letting us “townies” live vicariously through you.
On March 17, 2010 at 9:25 am
jerrie jackson says:
This is the funniest thing I have ever seen. This video has absolutely made my day! Thank you so much!!!
On March 17, 2010 at 11:42 am
Cecelia says:
OMGOSH….how flippin’ adorable is this video!!! Makes me want sheep to go with the goats I have been dreaming of, oh and the miniature donkey, oh, yeah … just one or two of everything you have. LOL This video seriously made me laugh out loud. It is the best. Thanks for sharing.
Sissy
On March 17, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Lilla says:
That was hilarious! :snoopy:
I have never seen a sheep bounce before! That Annabelle is precious and has gotten SO BIG! I think it’s adorable that she loves her dog buddies. Why wasn’t Coco in on the action?
On March 19, 2010 at 12:51 am
Esther says:
Thank you for sharing your video. It’s wonderful to see and hear the sounds of early spring in the country. With the hills in the background, it brings back wonderful memories from my childhood on a small farm in the mountains of Kentucky.
On March 20, 2010 at 8:46 pm
shannon says:
LOVE her bouncing! so funny, i’ve never seen that. i can see the way the other sheep look at her =)
On March 31, 2010 at 4:45 am
DianaT says:
Omigosh that was hilarious! And precious. I so needed that laugh today -thank you!
On May 18, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Jo Graham says:
OMG Annabelle is a sheep nutter! We adopted “orphaned” lambs as kids, fed them every 4 hours with warm milk from Coke bottles and ended up with a small flock of bouncing grown-up Pet Sheep and their offspring who were crazy for mint (unfortuate choice) chewing gum and crisps (potato chips). I landed up with the only male sheep (Charlie Brown) who loved to be brushed and would even allow me to clean his teeth with a toothbrush and paste. Needless to say my Dad (the farmer) got cheesed off with these freeloading lodgers and sent them to market one day while we were at school and I haven’t eaten lamb since. I’m a bit more grown-up nowadays but you may WELL end up with a 150 pound sheep sleeping on a blankie on your porch, cuddled up to the dog for the next 10 years!
On September 18, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Ruby says:
I took care of sheep before and I have never seen a sheep hop around like that after a dog. It brought me much laughter!
On October 6, 2010 at 11:39 pm
sophanne says:
Suzanne- thanks for linking back to this video- I appreciate getting to see “the best of”, after having only recently become a devoted follower
On January 30, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Jennifer says:
:sheep:
Wow, your sheep video was fantastic! I don’t know what it is about sheep, but they are really funny to me! Even better with sound 😀 Thanks for sharing the bouncing Annabelle (kind of neat too seeing them play)!
On February 4, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Angela Pope says:
One of my son’s (3yo) favorite shows is Shaun the Sheep. To see your sheep bouncing like that reminds me of it. I had forgotten they behave like that. My grandfather was a shepherd in Germany but he passed away before I was born. Made me laugh.
On February 7, 2011 at 10:05 am
Emma says:
My Sheep Edmund is 3.5 years old, and still my best bud!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrinkall/5440053462/
:sheep:
On February 13, 2011 at 5:22 am
Michelle says:
Happy critters make me feel so good! Annabelle & Boomer are the cutest!
On March 3, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Jan from Wyoming says:
I absolutely love this story and the video! What a delightful sheep! I grew up on a dairy farm and there were a few cows that were not your run of the mill cows, just as Annabelle is not your basic sheep. Although my uncle ran sheep, I wasn’t around them much. However, he had a goose who thought it was a sheep. When all of the ranchers would herd their sheep to pasture in the spring, that goose rode on top of the sheep for miles! I don’t know if it had a favorite sheep, or if it switched rides, periodically.
I’m thinking your blog will be great fun to follow. I enjoy your observations about living on a farm.
On April 16, 2011 at 12:39 am
stacylee says:
I LOVE THIS VIDEO! I have watched it five times in the last two days and can’t help laughing outloud every time! Thank you so much for this.
On September 4, 2011 at 9:17 am
freerangefarm says:
I have a sheep named Pig who thinks he’s a dog!! https://hatsforhunger.com/?p=767
On December 1, 2011 at 1:28 pm