While our mission is to help goats, their sheepie relatives also find themselves in need of some TLC here in rural Hawai'i. While it is always our preference to educate folks about how to care for their sheep, and not relocate them, sometimes circumstances dictate that animals be removed from situations where neglect or hazardous living conditions are a concern. We provide a lifelong home for animals coming to our farm.
The Fab Four...
Henrietta
...was Henry when she arrived on the farm. Rescued from a pig trap and unceremoniously carted in the back of a pickup, he... um, she, was our very first sheep. Of course, she didn't want to be alone, so she made Zeke and Hank. Henrietta has never really warmed up to people, but she is VERY happy being a sheep, which is just fine with us. Hank
This funny guy will follow anything that looks remotely like a feed bucket. Loudly. He, his mom Henrietta who has since passed away, Zeke and Agnus were the original "fab four" sheep on the farm, and they still hang out together rather exclusively, with the exception of Dodge, who was accepted into the herd upon his arrival. So we guess that still makes them the fab four? |
Dodge
Dodge is a people sheep. A bit lower to the ground than most, Dodge compensates with a personality that's ten feet tall. Loved by his previous family, Dodge was nevertheless surrendered to the Humane Society when he became unmanageable in their unfenced yard. Dodge is unimaginably sweet, and will rub your knees with his head until you relent and scratch him... everywhere. |
Zeke
Zeke here illustrates the kind of naughtiness that happens here on the farm. And why fence inspections are a regular part of the week. Sometimes wary of people, Zeke has white spots on his ears and his rear that make it hard to tell if he's coming or going. Agnus Dei
Agnus Dei was named on the day she was born for the victims taken that morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School. (Agnus Dei is a prayer said at Roman Catholic mass.) |
A note about Dodge: Dodge had a great upbringing with lots of socialization. However, as a mature and intact male, he demonstrated problem behaviors. If you want to keep a domestic farm animal as a pet, consult your veterinarian and get males neutered (for farm folks it's referred to as castration...) at a young age. Some farm animals, such as pigs, also benefit from spaying. Most of the adult pets that come to us from loving families who "can't handle them anymore" are adult male sheep and goats. The procedure is more involved with older animals, and requires up to a month of specialized care, but to prevent outright nasty behavior and reproduction, all male sheep and goats at the sanctuary are castrated.
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The 17
Rex This former king of the herd is, we surmise, one of the oldest members of the flock. With his amazing horns he cuts an impressive figure. However, as a deposed leader, Rex was likely under a lot of stress in his previous home. With little food to eat, and little cover to separate him from the attention of the new "boss" Rex was underweight and had hooves that were in terrible shape. After a year of rest and recuperation this gentleman filled out and now spends his days peacefully grazing among the trees with his herdmates. Boaz Boaz has a soulful look, which he uses shamelessly to extort all manner of treats and affection from his human victims. With his imposing horns, sometimes folks are taken aback at his rapid approach, however, his intent is purely amiable. Boaz can hear a papaya hit the ground at a hundred yards, and might be hiding in the nearest patch of vegetation to jump you if you have a feed bucket. Grandpa
Grandpa is a giant of a sheep, and with his unique camouflage coat he can stealthily stretch up and over almost any fenced in vegetation on the property without being detected. Yes, grandpa has a reputation around the place for being an indiscriminate muncher of things that are "off limits." When a plant gets mown over, mown down, or disappears it never fails to inspire a chorus of "must've been grandpa." Marbles
Marbles is a quiet sort of sheep who keeps to the herd, and tends to be indifferent to people. That is, unless you have a tangerine, which he will immediately attempt to steal, and then consume whole. |
Spindles
Spindles, named for her super skinny legs, brings to mind every kind of silly, space-cadet character with her silly antics and somewhat perplexed/vacant stare. We assume Spindles is the oldest of the herd of 17 - she is deaf and now toothless. Since it is difficult for her to get sufficient nutrition as she can no longer chew her cud (it continually falls out of her mouth) Spindles gets cooked oatmeal with molasses every evening. Adam
Like Dodge, Adam is a people sheep. Raised by someone who loved him and the 17 very much, Adam will plop right down next to a person to receive his tribute of scratches and adoration. When children come to the farm , Adam doesn't turn a hair, and not only demonstrates how to properly chew your cud, but where best to scratch a sheep, and uncountable other sheeply learnings. Cyrus
Cyrus is almost certainly Rex's son. Having been together for many years, the herd of 17 came to us with little information about their actual genealogy, but many relationships and visual clues! Rex and Cyrus move and work together in the herd, and were probably co-captains of the team at some point. Their powerful builds and serious headgear can be misleading, as these boys have never demonstrated aggression of any kind toward animal or person. Ben
Ben is a shy sort of guy, but loves a tangerine slice from your hand if you are willing to share. Steve
Adam and Steve (yep, that's on purpose) were born at the same time to different mothers. This was before the herd of 17 came to us, and other than Adam's overt friendly-ness, it would have been tough to tell them apart. Steve is a sheep sort of sheep, and prefers to keep company with his mother Rosebud and her clan. Rosebud
Rosebud is the most suspicious of the 17. Preferring to keep humans at a safe distance, Rose tends to be on the outskirts of social activity. Per her prior owner, she is Steve's mom and was a terrific mom when he was a lamb. |
Merry and Pippin
Merry and Pippin are young and mischievous young fellows, hence their names. While Merry is a bit more social, Pippin, like Rose, tends to be a bit more reserved. We don't let our human judgements on their appreciation of human company stop us from appreciating that these two enjoy every day of enjoying life with the rest of the herd.
Merry and Pippin are young and mischievous young fellows, hence their names. While Merry is a bit more social, Pippin, like Rose, tends to be a bit more reserved. We don't let our human judgements on their appreciation of human company stop us from appreciating that these two enjoy every day of enjoying life with the rest of the herd.
Mr. Big
And so he is. The big boss, the man in charge, Mr. Big keeps everyone headed in the right direction. Unlike the other rams on the farm, Big will send a "don't mess with me" message to anyone who he might think is not acting cool. we liken him to people who might need to administer a shot... Mr. Big is a nice guy, but he takes his job of protecting the flock seriously. He is truly majestic in his posture and his attitude.
And so he is. The big boss, the man in charge, Mr. Big keeps everyone headed in the right direction. Unlike the other rams on the farm, Big will send a "don't mess with me" message to anyone who he might think is not acting cool. we liken him to people who might need to administer a shot... Mr. Big is a nice guy, but he takes his job of protecting the flock seriously. He is truly majestic in his posture and his attitude.
Mr Crusty
Okay, Okay, it's not the greatest name. But it stuck. Crusty often wore vet wrap on his head, between his horns, to protect the skin there from breaking and infection. When he arrived, this patch of infected, not for discussing in polite company, skin was his most distinguishing feature. For several months we struggled to get the skin healed and hair to return to poor Mr. Crusty's head. And by then it was too late. Crusty was his name. Now, healed and healthy, Crusty still has a few moments of crustiness now and then, but we should consider something else... Got any suggestions? Bonkers
We know that it doesn't sound very politically correct, but when we attempted to capture Bonkers, her favorite move was to catapult her body at the nearest human head and spring away and smash into a fence. Luckily we were able to capture her safely, but she will always be a little bit bonkers in our minds. |
Rags
We'll never forget trying to capture Rags. With 2 foot long dreadlocks emanating from every inch of her body, it was like trying to grab a flying gray mop. Did we mention that she's a good jumper, too? Mistrustful of people, Rags prefers the company of her sheep family, and the occasional haircut. Lucky
Lucky got his name because he was the last of the 17 to be rescued. Attempting to catch the last 10 sheep (we captured, moved and quarantined them in 2 batches) on a poorly fenced 2 acre hillside was dicey. Lucky cleared the 6 foot panels of our improvised catch pen like the sheep ninja he is, and sped off to stand forlornly at the end of the pasture as we trailered off everyone he had ever known. But we had a plan. We returned with little Adam, who comforted his friend and convinced him to come back up the hill and into the (now reinforced) catch pen for a snack. Despite much crashing and dashing, Lucky was captured with Adam's assistance, and both were soon on their way to their forever home at DGS. |