One fine day, however, I came upon an ad for friendly, older ewe in need of a home. She was a St. Augustine sheep, which is a Florida breed that sheds their wool instead of requiring shearing (YES!). I loaded up our son and headed off to meet Lippy. The sheep farm had friendly, bright-eyed, sheep that actually enjoyed being with humans. Lippy was a mostly white ewe with big dark spots on her. One spot was over her eye and one on her lip, (hence her name). She gazed up at me as I pet her and leaned on me slightly. These are REAL sheep, I thought. These sheep were as cuddly as a muddy Golden Retriever. Our son was entranced. The owner offered to sell us Lippy and a young ewe, named Marmalade, for company (sheep prefer to be with at least one other sheep). We brought our new flock home and they settled right in. The first thing I noticed was how dependent these sheep were compared to our first sheep. These sheep not only liked us, but actually acted as if they needed us. With the howling coyotes at night, they were absolutely right. At first, they wouldn't even venture into their paddock without us with them to guard them. We often let them out to explore the yard and nibble to their heart's desire (the dogs are locked up for these excursions). They stay close to us and run after us as we walk around the yard doing chores. These are the most endearing, sweet, creatures. They look at us as bearers of all good things and protectors. It's quite flattering. I wish they sold bumper stickers that said "I hope to someday be the person my sheep think I am".
