The Whos Have a Little Lamb, Little Lamb...

Dd12 has been asking for a lamb for quite some time, ever since she volunteered to take care of the flock of sheep that belong to the Mennonite neighbors down the road. While they were on vacation, they let dd feed and water the sheep, promising her she could have one when the lambs were ready to be weaned.

Mrs. Mennonite called the other day, letting dh know that the lamb was ready. Much to our chagrin, they wanted $1 a pound for it, which translated to $50 and dh agreed. He and ds21 took the truck to the Mennonite's house. They weren't gone long and arrived home with ds in the bed of the pickup, gently holding on to a cute, docile, male lamb. The kids decided to call it "Cardigan". We had visions of strolling around with the lamb following us, playing with the kids and just generally enjoying its tame nature.

Dh had been getting our corral ready for the lamb, cleaning it out and making sure the fence was intact so Cardigan wouldn't be able to get out. Ds carried the sweet little lamb into the corral and within seconds ds's pit bull (raised lovingly indoors) had clambered under the gate, cornered the lamb, and was tearing at the wool on its neck. Dh had a sudden rush of adrenaline and despite his arthritic joints, grabbed the pit bull by the neck and the tail and flinged it over the 6 foot tall fence as if it were a mere puppy! The dog lay in the tall grass, knowing it had really messed up this time (we overlooked the killing of 3 kittens). I will not elaborate but (ahem) we have 2 dogs again instead of 3 and I am resting much better at night.

When the excitement was over, we looked around and guess what? No Cardigan. It had jumped between the boards in the corral and escaped to the end of the lane and was standing in the yard, bleating in vain for its mother. We chased that lamb around the yard for hours, literally. It can jump like a gazelle. I have never laughed so hard in my life, watching 2 novices trying to corner and grab onto the poor little helpless creature.

They tried everything, chasing it as it weaved around the obstacles in our yard, jumping through their arms and out of reach; you wouldn't believe how lithe and muscular a little lamb can be! I almost peed my pants when they ever so stealthily crept up behind it with a lasso (dd's jump rope), simultaneously lunged for it and Cardigan, with the agility of a cat, leaped straight up onto the propane tank leaving dh and ds lying in a bewildered heap on the ground.

Cardigan kept going toward our basement window. At first we thought it was going to jump through the window, thinking it was an escape route. After several return visits, we realized the lamb could see its reflection and thought it was another sheep looking back at him! Since arriving at our home it had been attacked by a vicious animal and endured being chased for hours so it seemed to find comfort in its new friend. Dh and ds decided to use the window to their advantage.

First, the lamb rustlers tried sitting by the basement window, hoping Cardigan wouldn't notice them (tee hee). It did come quite close several times but when they would try to grab it, it just turned and ran. They were getting very frustrated, hot, and hungry and I was rolling around with stomach pains from laughing so hard.

At around 5 pm--yes, they had been at it ALL day--they came up with an ingenious plan. Ds decided to hide in the basement bathroom with the window open. When Cardigan approached the window to look at the other lamb, ds thrust his arm out the window and grabbed a leg and held on like a vice. Dh was standing by and pounced on the rest of Cardigan and lo and behold, victory! It was a long, hard day but such entertainment!

Cardigan is now peacefully enjoying his new home but--can you believe it?--he won't let us come near him.