Animal News: The Chronicles of Newman and other Stories
Sleeping with the Enemy
29 January, 2004
There are three dominant males here (aside from George the duck, who doesn't figure into this story).
- Spenser the sheep (alias Mr. Studly) who recently had to be re-castrated... but that also is another story
- Tetsuro the pig, 300 pounds of solid mass who is a lot less intimidating since he got his razor sharp tusks trimmed (and who at heart is a real
softie) - and of course our hero Mr. Newman Goat
Newman and Tetsuro have a sort of agree-to-disagree relationship which hangs in a delicate balance. I have to guard Tetsuro while he's eating so that Newman doesn't steal it all, and every once in a while I see Newman chasing him out of wherever Tetsuro would rather be, pig squealing and snorting enough to make the neighbors want to call 911. But in charge mode Tetsuro can send the entire flock to the other end of the property in a flash.
Late last night I went into the barn - didn't turn on the lights right away since most everyone was asleep. When I did, I found...... Newman sleeping right next to Tetsuro in his big pig nest! The pig jumped up right away and raced out (oops!) but Newman, ever nonchalant, stayed stretched out in his comfortable 2 foot high bed and agreed to have his ears scratched.
Until next time,
Farmer Anne
Star Gazing Farm
http://www.stargazingfarm.org
© 2004 Star Gazing Farm, All Rights Reserved
May not be reproduced without permission.
To subscribe to The Chronicles of Newman (and other stories) and to receive news bulletins from Star Gazing Farm, send a blank message to news-subscribe@stargazingfarm.org.
