I call her Sweet Biddy and a bunch of people are e-mailing me chiding me about my new love of sheep. It is interesting, but I have to be honest, I do not love all animals, I am not one of those people who likes to go around saying “I love all animals” because I don’t.

There are some animals I love very much – dogs and donkeys, for sure – and some animals I have ambivalence about – cats, sheep, horses, raccoons, fishers, chickens. I don’t really believe indiscriminate love is genuine, or really means much to me. Some animals are just awful, others are boring. Just like people. I don’t love all people wither.

Biddy and the Romneys have definitely triggered a rea-assessment of my feelings about sheep, who I often see – like the border collies do – as being boring and dumb. The Romneys have a personality I can relate to, they show me distinct moods: acceptance, curiosity, wariness, defiance.

It’s possible I’m projecting, but i don’t think so. The Romneys are very distinguishable, one from another, they have a lot of attitude. I notice the way they look at the camera and challenge me to take their portrait, just as strong women do.

Sweet Biddy is a lot of fun to photograph, I think she has already grasped the idea of posing.