Our sweet little Huckleberry is just over 18 months old now. He still looks like a big lamb to us, but he is feeling like quite the big boy.  We were so happy when our adult sheep Bonnie and Piper took him into their little flock when he was quite young and loved their baby Huckleberry (while also firmly teaching him sheep manners as a rambunctious little boy).  The three of them, along with Annie the blind dwarf cow, have the most adorable little family.  

​Lately I've been noticing Huck do something strange - he will sometimes put his head on the backs of Bonnie and Piper when they are all hanging out together.  It seems innocuous but they immediately push him off and give him a firm nudge away from them.  So I did some research to figure out what this meant in sheep language. ​

Formation: The "Snoutpost"
Frequency: Rare

Formation: Triangle
Frequency:  Rare

I would like to formally address the ongoing turkey nonsense.  Frankly, I have had enough.  For weeks now, it has been nothing but turkeys, turkeys, turkeys.

Someone swallowed a ball bearing.
Someone is wearing a brand new sweater because of an “ouchie.”
Someone else is refusing to come off her nest at bedtime, requiring a full nightly search party like she is royalty lost in the wilderness.
​
I would like to remind everyone that I am the actual royalty here.

Hi, Jenna here…

I don’t really understand why everyone doesn’t automatically get me as their secret Valentine this year. I mean, what’s better than secretly knowing you’re getting a Valentine while also secretly knowing it will be me?!? 

Exactly.

I would be an excellent Valentine. I am warm, loyal, emotionally available when not distracted by carrots, and I show up every single day needing hugs. The surprise alone would be worth it. You’d spend everyday wondering who your Valentine is and then BOOM it’s me. Best day ever.

I have been told, however, that Valentine’s Day is about sharing love, and that I cannot keep all of it for myself. So fine. I will reluctantly agree. And mom and dad tell me this is very wonderful for me to do. They seemed surprised… likely because they know how right I am about my original thinking.  

Still, let’s be honest with ourselves. In spirit, I am still everyone’s Valentine.

Dear Diary,
​
Today, I saw Huckleberry standing there. 
Soft, round, unsuspecting.

​I told myself, “Edna, you are new here. You must resist.”

Yesterday was a BIG day for Tia and her babies, Rachel and Betty. After weeks of spending their days safely in the covered run, we finally let them out into the yard to explore.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in a peaceful, harmonious animal sanctuary where everyone coexists in perfect serenity… we can confirm that we have no idea.

Because lately, Life With Pigs has been less Little House on the Prairie and more Real Housewives of the Barnyard.

(Please note, this was written before Edna had a name.  We've asked Jenna for comment, but she has been silent since the name announcement.  Maisie is following suit.)

​Jenna has long reigned as the only fully horned superstar around the sanctuary. But then there was a goat. Yep, a goat with horns.  Jenna doesn’t understand why that was necessary. She felt that two horns were plenty for one sanctuary.  She keeps pointing out that the new kid doesn’t even have a name.  We’ve explained many times that she will have a name soon, but Jenna doesn’t understand and just keeps coming back to she’s just not sure how to feel about a nameless goat.  

But we are reassuring her that no matter how many horns, she will always be the star of the show and that her horns will always be the biggest.  This provides a little comfort.

Maisie isn’t helping by constantly trying to sneak a peak of the newcomer. Fortunately, Jenna hasn’t noticed this betrayal. And Maisie is quick to agree with the absurdness of having no name whenever Jenna mentions it.