Queen of the flock

Graeme Bethune remembers the very special sheep who inspired him to start up his own yarn business

- Graeme Bethune

IN EARLY November 2021, I found my aged lead sheep, named Boss Ewe, dead. It was expected, and she went quietly in her sleep, but it has hit me hard. Now, after a bit of time, in order to remember the pleasure she gave me in her life, I am going to start to tell you why she was such a special sheepie.

Boss Ewe was born on a warm sunny afternoon. I stepped around a corner in the yard and her mother was standing there with two black feet sticking out her back end. I was so shocked - I'd never had a black lamb before. After two seconds of staring I realised the lamb was stuck and needed a wee pull into the world. The lamb promptly pulled her legs back in; looking back, this was a sign of a sheep who wanted to be in control. A bit more steady pulling, away and slightly down, and out she comes. She was black! And beautiful!

I was so delighted that I was giddy I am not normally a giddy sort, but I did a dance of joy in the privacy of the yard. I placed the lamb in front of her mother who was frenzied with love, licking and making the special noise new mother sheeps make.