There is a flock of sheep on this farm we are caretaking. Somedays we count 4, somedays 6, somedays 11 and yesterday 16. They are geriatric. They have arthritis in their back legs so that they hobble when they run. From far away they look at cotton poofs, like little field clouds with legs. Cumulonimbus Sheep. I have not named them because last year we found a couple of chewed skeletons in the forest. Plus I cannot tell them apart so they would have to go by a communal name.

They go only by “Sheep.” Sheep have always run away from us but because the apples are ripe now, they come closer, looking for crunchy cores, afterthoughts of our nibbling. They are quite funny looking up close. They have rectangle heads, knobbly legs and protruding little lips that explore the apples we toss them. We endear Sheep to ourselves. It helps to look them in the eye so that when we hear them bleeting from our cozy bedroom, we say “Poor sheep” and we can step in their poo without malice.

We have a beautiful flock of deer as well. They are usually regarded as pests on Pender because they have no predators. We had the privilege of watching two sets of fawns learn to jump, lose their spots and still gaze at us wondering, with their ears alert, fluffy and white. We have a beautiful stag with a set of horns, a white muzzle and a white tail which we see more often than anything else. That is, his retreating rear end as he leaves the scene. We just want a good picture Mr Stag. We call the deer with him, his harrem. He is a lucky stag because he has many a looker with him, with big doe eyes, dreamy Mr Stag. Way to go!

Last time we went sailing, last weekend, we saw the retreating backs of black porpoises. It was so exciting. We were sitting in irons (a lull) waiting for us to drift into the wind again and I heard this “Pfhoof” and looked and pointed and jumped a little with a small squeal. (It was only small.) “Porpoises!” They are magnificent creatures.

When we pulled into the dock we met another little family.

Four river otters have taken to nesting in a neighbour’s boat. They are definitely pests, bringing shells into the boat, eating, sleeping and defacating in the boat. But man, are they ever cute when they tussle.

The only other rowdies that need mentioning now are the wiliest rowdies around.

(I think Ramona is posing for this photo)

I love having my own kitty. Better than all the sheep, deer, porpoises and otters.

Oh, and it must be mentioned, Ramona, thought to be a “he” is definitely a “she.” The vet said so!