Our Cheviot Zelda has reigned supreme among our flock of ten sheep, Zelda who used to knock me and Red down at will and bust through the fences and take off down the road. Zelda is getting old, and she had mellowed. She has no interest in fighting Red, her wool is too think to shear, and she has no interest in leading the flock

That mantle seems to have fallen on Rosemary, one of the beautiful and imperious Romneys who were homeless last year and needed a farm. Like the other Romneys, Rosemary could live without the border collies pushing her around and annoying her, but she has risen above it.

I see her as the leader of the flock now, Zelda has retired into a peaceful life, grazing off by herself, avoiding fights and arguments. Red gives her her dignity, she doesn’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to do. It’s Rosemary who glares at  him and who leads the flock in occasional rebellion and independence, things respectable border collies just do not permit.

Rosemary is, to me, a beautiful and imposing animal, and I can’t say that I dearly love sheep, although I do treat them well. Maria does love sheep, and that is good for them. In recent weeks Rosemary has taken to stare directly into my camera lens, almost daring me to take her photo. That is the mark of a strong woman, may her reign be peaceful and successful.