It there were just two animals on the farm that I would describe as hard-headed and charismatic teenage boys, it would be Zip and Issichar.

So far, Zip has ignored the sheep, wary of their size and intentions towards barn cats.

Today, he and Issicar met at the fence. Issachar, like Zip, is energetic and affectionate to people, but he is also our most stubborn and willful sheep, grabbing hay out of our hands and bullying the donkeys to drop their alfalfa treats.

You would have thought the two of them were brothers. Perhaps they are.

It is natural, but slightly disturbing, for the two of them to link up and plot to cause trouble. It was also an amazing thing to see. Zip surprises us every day. When he sets his mind on something, he just does it.

Maria was inches away and got a photo. And he takes his time. This is why cared-for barn cats live so long.

Zip, inspired by his nose-rubbing encounter with Issichar, sat out for hours checking out the sheep. He’s already started going into the pasture, but only when the sheep are out back grazing. He’s plotting his next move.

I had the idea he and Issachar had something in mind.

Blow, Issachar the human, who inspired the name of our independent wether, while at Bishop Gibbons. He’s graduated and gone on to college. He was and is a rascal, just like our barn cat.

Issachar the human, was always up to mischief. We needed a sheep in his honor. Asher is his brother. Both came to America from Pakistan.