Who doesn't like a sale?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339950)
Rockingham, Australia
June 29, 2016 7:42am CST
Some of my friends here will be familiar with Hercules, our pet sheep. We've had dogs and cats in the past but for the moment a sheep is a good substitute. We've had a flock of 5 or 6 in the past but at the moment it's just Herc. He is low maintenance usually unless he is in his 'I don’t want to stay in my paddock' mode.
However he is also about 15 years old. Wikipedia says the life expectancy of a sheep is 10 to 12 years with Merinos living longer. Herc is only part Merino. Apart from the first 18 months of his life before we 'rescued' him, he has led an easy life. But he is looking a bit old and has recently had an eye infection. So I have been giving him some sheep pellets each day.
When we went to buy more this morning, the shop is having a closing down sale. The pellets were 10% off so we purchased the last three bags. We've put them in a drum in Herc's shed to keep them safe from mice. However he turns his nose up at them unless he has a slice of bread (wholemeal for health) first. I hope he lives a few years yet as we will miss him terribly when he dies.
39 people like this
41 responses
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 16
@TheHorse I think your mare was 30+ wasn't she? which is really getting up there for horses. Some breeds are tougher and longer-lived than others too. I saw a Morgan at the endurance ride at Payne's Find. There are very few of them in the West and not that many in Australia. He was a lovely looking horse. Here's a link to the stud if you wanted to have a look.
Home page of Challa Station Morgans, a breeder from Mount Magnet. The Vision Splendid
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
29 Jun 16
the ewe here lived to be 'bout 13, she's been gone fer sometime 'n i still look fer her when i got out into the pasture. 'tis hugely sad when they pass. we miss their antics 'n their love. i'm gigglin' o'er his requirement'f bread :) our ewe 'twas picky's well, but all that t'was needed 'twas a bit'f the cow's sweet feed 'n she'd go to town'n her kibbles.
big hugs!
4 people like this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 16
Herc is looking good at the moment and I'm hopeful he'll go a bit longer. I thought some pellets might make it easier on his teeth and digestion. You get used to them being around don't you? We always look for Herc whenever we come home from anywhere.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
30 Jun 16
@JudyEv yes ma'am, they tend to need a bit 'xtra to help 'em 'long'n their senior years. 'twas devastatin', not've that ewe to greet me e'eryday't the gate...'r me needin' to hunt down where she'd laid down'n couldn't get back'p by herself. does herc do that? wind'p'n his back'n helpless?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jul 16
@crazyhorseladycx No, he isn't round enough any more although he never had a problem. When we had Suffolk and Dorset Horn purebreds we had to ride out round them every day and check for those stuck on their backs. We have a short friend who walks with a big backpack and I always imagine her falling over and being stuck on her back with arms and legs waving in the air. :)
2 people like this
@marguicha (223008)
• Chile
29 Jun 16
I love sales. Maybe too much as many times I buy food I don´t need at the super. Imagine a filled freezer in a house where I live alone.
3 people like this
@marguicha (223008)
• Chile
30 Jun 16
@JudyEv Your post led me to write one myself. I discovered that I´m a sort of food hoarder
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jul 16
@marguicha I'm glad I was an inspiration to you!
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
30 Jun 16
You gave him a cute name.If the shop was closing,they should have made more discount.When shops are closing here,they do give upto 70% discount but ui never let that fool me,l can buy the same product unreduced in german/Italy and still pay almost the same amount as what they claim to be 70% off.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 16
His wool isn't really the best for making things. I don't have a spinning wheel any more either so we let the shearer keep his wool when he gets short. It isn't worth very much.
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
29 Jun 16
oh wow he sound like he has lived a great life!
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Jun 16
We have a dog who's lived several years past when we were told she would, and will prob loose her soon. It's nice when they stay with us a while longer than expected
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Jul 16
@JudyEv mine is looking rough, but, she always does this time of year, fleas and flowers bother her, she doesnt act in pain, and is eating and drinking, so we shall see
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 16
It is sad when they start nearing the end. You watch for any little sign that things are not what they should be. Herc started losing condition and I was getting worried about him but whatever it was seems to have passed and he is full of beans again now.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jul 16
@Jessicalynnt Herc was like that - looking rough - but his eye was bothering him. He looks better again now.
2 people like this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
30 Jun 16
How cute, a pet sheep, sounds like something my hubby would like.
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
1 Jul 16
@JudyEv Yes, we have two dogs. My husband grew up on a farm and still would love to have a bunch of farm animals.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 16
@lilnana1111 I always loved the fact that we had all sorts of animals on our farm.
1 person likes this
@annaroselock (805)
• United Kingdom
30 Jun 16
That's so cool you have a pet sheep 
1 person likes this
@annaroselock (805)
• United Kingdom
30 Jun 16
@JudyEv Hehe, I would like a sheep
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 16
It's always nice to think you are saving some money.
@Freelanzer (10743)
• Canada
30 Jun 16
Every day he lives from now on is a blessing and I know you will cherish each moment more than ever. My dog is now 13 years old and I cherish each day and fear the time when he will be gone.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339950)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 16
We really do love him but mostly he's only interested in food though if we let him out he tags along with us wherever we go. Sometimes he will stand and you can scratch him round the ears for ages and he nearly goes to sleep and then I think maybe he loves us back just a little bit.
1 person likes this
