John is never tired of saying that here you must expect the unexpected around here. Yesterday evening we were invited to dinner with some chums who are over enjoying the Easter vacation. John also used to do their lawns, but they have changed gardener. As we turned into their drive, we saw our host with a black herbivore of some sort on a rope. John's reaction is best paraphrased as "I've not been replaced by a goat AGAIN, have I?"
Fortunately not. Our friends were working away in their property yesterday afternoon when they saw what they thought was a goat walking up the road. It turned into their drive, so both dashed inside to find their cat to ensure she wasn't spooked by this apparition (Skye is a scaredy cat) - they also hoped it would just walk on by. To their horror, they found themselves pinned in the house by the animal, which proceeded to demolish one of their rose bushes. Dave climbed out of a window to go and find the owner, while Pauline tried to encourage it away from the house. She gave up after she had been butted a couple of times.
Dave found some people who had goats, but hadn't lost one, but never the less came and caught and tethered the beast, so when we arrived, the Black Marauder was tied up with a bucket of water and some nice lush weeds grass to chew on. Closer inspection helped us to identify that he was a sheep, but one with a bad attitude as he then butted me too. Sweet he ain't!
A little while later a neighbour of Dave and Pauline's turned up to say that she knew who the sheep belonged to, but could they hang on to it until the next day as the owners were out. As it seemed happy eating the weeds grass, and was securely fastened, that was OK. We thought the drama was over.
How wrong! At about 9pm, the neighbour called to say the owner was about to come and claim the sheep, was that alright? Absolutely - we all trooped out to wave a fond farewell to Sheep. A little while later the neighbour turned up with the owner in a Fiat Panda. We were astounded as three children also emerged from the car, and even more curious as to how sheep would be transported the 5 miles or so to its home. Simple - three children on the back seat and Sheep in the front foot well! Apparently Sheep is about 11 years old, had dodged a bullet when 1 year old and facing slaughter for a barbecue, and had been adopted by these people. He was acknowledged to be a bit of a brute, butting people constantly. this isn't nice when you have horns like this!
The bad attitude was explained when we found out his name - in translation he is called Pink Carnation!
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