Counting sheep is pretty quick work at my house, whether you are sleepy or not. We only have the three: Philip and Elizabeth, named after the Queen of England and her husband, plus Milagro, so named when we adopted her. It's Spanish for Miracle, don't you know.
Yesterday was their annual sheep shearing day and my friend Marcia arrived right on time to get the job done. May I speak from experience? Yes, sheep shearing is something you can do yourself but it is one of those tasks, like dentistry, best left to a professional. They do it faster and more safely, and that makes it less traumatic for your flock.
Elizabeth was up first. We get their hooves trimmed and have them wormed at the same time.
Next came Philip.
And finally, Milagro. She is often difficult to photograph because she never stops squirming.
Ta-da!! Presenting happy sheep!!! Nice haircuts for another year!
Bean-your sheep are very pretty and I envy you for being able to keep and maintain livestock. Your little (and not so little) animal friends are very lucky to have you and Donna.
Posted by: HeatherMichelle | June 11, 2008 at 04:55 AM
Marsha clearly is a pro! I Hope the wool is spun into some yarn? As I recall, you previously posted a photo of Tater with a blanket knit from your sheep's wool?
Posted by: Diane | June 11, 2008 at 06:19 AM
Boy, did they need a haircut!!!
Posted by: Ana | June 11, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Dems some mighty clean lookin' sheeps. Yessir, mighty clean indeed.
Posted by: Jerkface | June 11, 2008 at 06:36 AM
Do you have them sheared this time of year because summertime is coming up or does the time of year have nothing to do with it?
Posted by: Raul | June 11, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Is it just me, or do Philip and Elizabeth rather resemble their namesakes?! Maybe if Elizabeth had a hat ... Hmmmm.
Posted by: Marge | June 11, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Thanks for making my day so much brighter!
Posted by: kate | June 11, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Did you have three bags full?? (Sorry, sometimes they're just for me.)
Posted by: Heather | June 11, 2008 at 08:07 AM
Did you get sheared too??
Posted by: G~ | June 11, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I saw a sheep shearing demonstration when I was at Sheep World in NZ (I highly recommend it!). They say the sheep aren't that smart, but I can tell you they REALLY didn't seem to be enjoying the shearing. Gotta be done, though. Your sheep look nice and neat now!
Posted by: EditThis | June 11, 2008 at 09:07 AM
what do you do with all that wool?
Posted by: Jennifer W. | June 11, 2008 at 09:17 AM
i was waiting to hear what you do with the left over hair. oh well maybe in another post you can show us your sheep fur underpants.
Posted by: karlee | June 11, 2008 at 09:32 AM
So when are we going to be able to get some awesome wool blankets from the sheep???
Seriously, you guys should have blankets made and then, as loyal readers of your blog, you can have a contest on who should get a blanket.... That would be awesome!!!
me! =)
Posted by: me! | June 11, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Seems that the least you could do would be to provide these newly-shorn beauties with some dark sunglasses till their eyes adjust to the non-wool-filtered glare.
They look much happier, to be sure, but I would miss the overstuffed pillow look. Something about it makes me laugh every time.
Posted by: Rebecca on Bainbridge | June 11, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Get the wool spun into yarn and send it to me. I'll make the blanket. I need something to keep me busy while I wait for my call from the Obama VP search committee anyway.
Posted by: Rose | June 11, 2008 at 11:14 AM
is it wrong for me to be aroused by this?
Posted by: db | June 11, 2008 at 11:23 AM
i bet they feel MUCH better after getting rid of all that wool. good job, marsha!
Posted by: mel | June 11, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I hope Marsha sheared off your gay pigtails, too, since she was already there...
Posted by: Stacey | June 11, 2008 at 01:49 PM
What do you do (or what does Marsha do) with the wool?
Posted by: Kelly | June 11, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Does Marsha do cats?
Posted by: Rochelle | June 11, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Umm... Philip seems more "modest" in his pose than Elizabeth... do you think that is a reflection on the "real" E & P?
Posted by: Cynthia Fluharty | June 11, 2008 at 05:11 PM
HAHAHAHAHA! I love the "before" and "after" shots. This reminds me, my husband needs a haircut.
Posted by: Beakie | June 12, 2008 at 11:34 AM
at first glance at those pictures its scary until you realize what they are doing... very nice looking sheep
Posted by: meagan | June 13, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I remember watching the sheep being sheared at my Great Grandmothers farm and being told not to go in with the sheep. After the shearing was done and everyone left I immediately jumped in with the sheep. I ended up being rammed by one and was not able to tell anyone why I was crying because I knew I would be in trouble.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane- OUCH!
Posted by: Gail | June 13, 2008 at 09:55 AM