Over the years I’ve gotten some unusual comments on the videos of my sheep being shorn. Some people think the sheep are being harmed, which I can understand. They look pretty strange on their backs in that dormant state. I’m sure to let them know they are only have their wool cut and that it’s necessary or their wool would just keep growing.
But I never expected my video to be used as a “learning tool.”
Joanne, who has bought lots of my wool, was reading her three year old granddaughter a story about sheep in a store buying a birthday gift for a friend. But her granddaughter was having none of it. She insisted that sheep belong on a farm not in a store.
So Joann showed her granddaughter a video of Ian shearing my sheep. Apparently she was surprised at how loud they were, happy to see sheep on the farm.
I know a lot of people around my age watch my videos, but I love the idea of one of them being seen by a three year old. And one who really gets the idea of sheep being sheep.
This weekend at the Farmers Market one of the farmers who sells pork had a two day old piglet with them. It had been stepped on my it’s mother and they were bottle feeding it. The piglet was adorable but everyone who came to the farm stand to buy meat knew the piglet wouldn’t have a name and if it survived, would possibly be on their kitchen table for breakfast or dinner in the future.
Before moving to farm country I know I would have reacted differently. Probably even wanted to adopt the piglet. But living here and having my own sheep, has opened my eyes to the reality of farming.
When Jon and I lambed in 2014, I was all ready to give the lambs back to the farmer who loaned us his ram. But once I saw them being born, I knew I’d never be able to give them away. Especially knowing the boys would go to market.
I have sheep, but I’m not a farmer, not like the people who are my neighbors.
I don’t know where Joann’s granddaughter got her ideas about animals and where they belong, but I really appreciate that in her. And I appreciate that Joann took the time to show her how some real sheep really live.
I grew up being fed meat, often lamb. I always knew what it was, of course but somehow avoided thinking about it. I can’t remember why exactly, but it was when I saw The Silence of the Lambs that I turned vegetarian. It’s not practical but I can’t bear the thought of animals being raised for food. I would be OK with it if they didn’t have such dreadful lives.
That’s really interesting about how that movie made you turn vegetarian Carolyn. I know what you mean about the animals. I think we are lucky living in a place where there are choices about the meat we eat, to buy from local farmers who treat their animals well. But still it’s more expensive and lots of people can’t afford it.