Someone told me because we shear sheep so much (say “shear sheep” fifteen times), we have to keep shearing them as they’ve become completely co-dependent on us. If we don’t shear them, they will die under a complete overgrowth of fur. “That’s ridiculous,” I said to my friend. “How did that happen? Where did you read that?” I felt angry for the sheep and how we as humans stick our hands in everything in nature and don’t leave it well alone. In the “Shave ‘em to save them” campaign, this truth is confirmed, but also that there can be a beautiful dance between the sheep and the shearer. Not only is this an interesting video, on the home page of the Livestock Conservancy, but the Ambassador is actress Isabella Rossellini!?
Here is where I tell you that I had no intention of writing a Monday column on sheep shearing. In fact I dug myself into quite a hole on this one, with limited time but I had to run with it and here is why. I was originally writing a marginally interesting piece on comparison versus appreciation which was sorting out to be just me whining about writers who are better than me. When in the midst of this droll reverie, sheep shearing sprung into my mind, and kind of saved me, and maybe you, from what could have been a really self-indulgent column entry. Are the state of sheep in America more interesting than me talking about whether I am mastering the art of the essay? Well, let’s see how well I can do on that front and hopefully I will give you some new dinner conversation in a relationship that could be treading on boring and routine. In fact, perhaps a discussion or conflict on whether sheep should or shouldn’t be shorn will be the gateway to really discussing what isn’t working in your marriage and open the door to a lot more sex because we all need more sex. That was diversion, and in no way has anything to do with sheep, but I put in a plug for more sex with couples in America in the best way I can when I can.
So I Googled What happens when we shear sheep and I got a disturbing amount of information that went into some dark places. The shearing of sheep and wool is a whole basket of problems that go beyond overgrowth. First off, without baiting the algorithm, I got articles on co-dependency, so clearly the underlying idea of the sheep now needing us is present but aligning to the classic condition of more humans needing individuation. Then I read an article about the damaging environmental impact of wool which is on the PETA web site and encompasses the carbon footprint of sheep, land being cleared of eagles for more sheep and the harmful practices of sheep shearing. The next article was about the complete behavior modification of the sheep in the shearing process due to stress. In other words, what happens to the sheep in shearing is akin to when you hear the disclaimers of medications sold on line which list every horrid affliction aside from death (although I think some say, death actually.)
Would you prefer I went back to my writer pity party?
The truth is, I could write a much longer piece on sheep and in some way connect it to my childhood, or the time that my dad and I ran into a field of sheep or the sheep cheese I ate in Italy, but frankly, I made a commitment today to keep the focus off of me, and write about what sprang to mind as a creative diversion. So I will leave you with this at the end of your Monday because if I don’t get in the shower for my date I may not have a fourth date:
10 fun facts about sheep: (credited from the SPCA)
Sheep have rectangular pupils. ...
Sheep have an excellent sense of smell. ...
Ewes recognize their lamb's bleat. ...
Counting sheep? ...
Sheep are clever animals. ...
Sheep can self-medicate. ...
Sheep are emotionally complex with distinct personalities. ...
Sheep are highly social animals.
When comparing sheep with humans, the question comes down to wanting to be part of the herd mentality within a group of same-thinking people or are we bold enough to break away from the herd with independent thought and actions?